“Don’t ever fight with Lisbeth Salander. Her attitude towards the rest of the world is that if someone threatens her with a gun, she’ll get a bigger gun.”
― Stieg Larsson, The Girl Who Played with Fire
I love reading detective stories and crime fiction, I like this genre and all countries usually have at least few authors to have written some excellent books. But…there is something special about crime fiction and detective stories written in Scandinavia, especially Sweden. I think the reason for this be that Sweden is often portrayed as safe country but yet in all Northern countries, it’s dark most of the year, we have woods…and then there are the crimes. And of course the authors are talented.
“There are no innocents. There are, however, different degrees of responsibility.”
― Stieg Larsson, The Girl Who Played with Fire
Millenium is Swedish phenomenon, I enjoyed reading it a lot. The books are highly engaging and characters (…Lisbeth Salander in particular) are fantastic. Even if often in books, the main character can have some issues and something “special” about them, “Wasp” is uniquely heroic in her flawed life. Story is addictive, first book investigates the murder in the family of Vanger, second one is about Millenium magazine tries to expose sex-trafficking industry in Sweden and is at same time creating the plot for the third book that circles around problematic and rotten Säpo – the intelligence agency of Sweden.
I’d give Millenium 9/10
“Dear Government… I’m going to have a serious talk with you if I ever find anyone to talk to.”
― Stieg Larsson, The Girl Who Played with Fire
How-To Read Millenium
1. I have borrowed pocketbooks of Millenium trilogy from library (for photographing session ;)) and each book was about 700 pages so reserve some time for this reading experience.
2. Ignore the mass popularity of these books, they are worth it. You might not straightly get Lisbeth Salander and what is so special about her but you will be on her side eventually.
3. There are three Swedish movies based on Millenium and one American adaptation. I didn’t really enjoy watching the Swedish movies, so I would skip them. American one I haven’t seen.
4. The original titles are a bit different than English ones, I think that’s something to think about while reading. Maybe also Swedish legislation system and politics…
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo = Män som hatar kvinnor = men who hate women
The Girl Who Played With Fire= Flickan som lekte med elden (translation is the same)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest = Luftslottet som sprängdes = the aircastle that blew up
5. As author Stieg Larsson died of heart attack in 2004 and Millenium was published only after his death, the ending might seem like there’s more. However, I did some googling, there is fourth book of Millenium being published in 2015…Let’s remember to read that one too
“Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.”
― Stieg Larsson, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
Yay, the Millenium trilogy! I agree, Scandinavian noir has definitely been experiencing an upsurge lately and today there are more and more authors whose works are being translated into English (Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbo, etc). It’s been a few years since I read this series, but Lisbeth Salander is definitely one of the most interesting (and badass) characters in fiction. I actually didn’t know they were going to publish also the unfinished script – it’ll be interesting to see what they do with it.
Although the genre really isn’t my cup of tea, I actually enjoyed the Swedish films. Haven’t seen the American, though.
Thanks for commenting! I definitely hope that the fourth upcoming book written by another author won’t ruin Millenium, that would be a pity :o I really liked Salander (I thought she was even more younger at first) and even if Blomqvist was kind of boring compared to her they somehow worked great together. I liked Noomi Rapace playing Lisbeth, that was well picked but otherwise not.
Yay, the Millenium trilogy! I agree, Scandinavian noir has definitely been experiencing an upsurge lately and today there are more and more authors whose works are being translated into English (Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbo, etc). It’s been a few years since I read this series, but Lisbeth Salander is definitely one of the most interesting (and badass) characters in fiction. I actually didn’t know they were going to publish also the unfinished script – it’ll be interesting to see what they do with it.
Although the genre really isn’t my cup of tea, I actually enjoyed the Swedish films. Haven’t seen the American, though.
Thanks for commenting! I definitely hope that the fourth upcoming book written by another author won’t ruin Millenium, that would be a pity :o I really liked Salander (I thought she was even more younger at first) and even if Blomqvist was kind of boring compared to her they somehow worked great together. I liked Noomi Rapace playing Lisbeth, that was well picked but otherwise not.
I admit, I’ve actually avoided these books due to the mass popularity here in the U.S. Your recommendation makes me think they might be worth checking out after all. Thanks!
Thank you for your comment! I avoid mass popularity myself, like especially the whole Twilight hype(?) was horrible. Haha, but Millenium was definitely hooking for me.
I admit, I’ve actually avoided these books due to the mass popularity here in the U.S. Your recommendation makes me think they might be worth checking out after all. Thanks!
Thank you for your comment! I avoid mass popularity myself, like especially the whole Twilight hype(?) was horrible. Haha, but Millenium was definitely hooking for me.
Thanks for your 5 point guide. I knew he’d written another one but that his estate denied publication. maybe you’d like to read my reviews of the trilogy from last July/August?
Thank you for commenting! So I had heard too, I was pretty shocked to find out there will be one more book. Definitely will read! :)
Thanks for your 5 point guide. I knew he’d written another one but that his estate denied publication. maybe you’d like to read my reviews of the trilogy from last July/August?
Thank you for commenting! So I had heard too, I was pretty shocked to find out there will be one more book. Definitely will read! :)
Read them all a few years ago. She really is such a great character. Nice quotes.
Thanks for the comment! :)
Read them all a few years ago. She really is such a great character. Nice quotes.
Thanks for the comment! :)
Interesting Posting! I wish I saw this earlier.
Interesting Posting! I wish I saw this earlier.