Stieg Larsson Hysteria
As a fan of the genre I looked forward to reading this book, but was a little wary of the hype surrounding it.
If I don't like a book, or think it is of poor quality, then usually I pack it in part way through. I had both these sentiments about this novel but persevered to the end as it is the current title for my local reading group.
I can honestly say it is the worst book I have ever read!
The plot is improbable yet so predictable. The characterisation is cold and shallow.....I had no heroes in these pages. The setting offers great potential for the author but his prose did not grab me nor "take me there". The book is at least 200 pages too long (I am particularly thinking of that interminable "tailpiece" when Blomqist is dealt with. Compair this with the brilliant 8 page "Epilogue" in Ian Rankin's final Rebus outing "Exit Music")
The sex scenes I found to be purely gratuitous, apparently there to serve no other purpose than titilation. (no pun intended)
On top of all this we have to grapple with a truly appalling translation. I found this most interruptive, infuriating even.
I could go on but feel I have wasted enough time on "Stieg". On a positive note, though, I must say that someone has done a fantastic marketing job here!
What could I recommend? I've just finished Peter Robinson's "Innocent Graves" (one of the Inspector Banks novels) Absolute top drawer..... go on ...give yourself a real treat!


girl with the dragon tattoo
decided to read this after reading a bit about the author,could not put it down,it is a trilogy so you do need to read the other two books i thought they were brilliant (my husband wasnt so pleased as we didnt speak for about three weeks or maybe he was )!!!!.

Very Good
I have seen lots of people reading this series on the train and thought i would give it a go. I actually watched the film first for a change but still read the book and throughly enjoyed it. It is fairly complex and has some twists and turns but is well written. I have just ordered the other 2 books.

amazing
just finished the 3rd book and iv got to say this is the best book i have read thank you amazon xxx

So what more could you ask?
I read so many books relating to scuba diving, ships, the sea and so forth and rarely have time for fiction. I was, however, stuck on board a diving safari boat recently and unable to dive for about 5 days. Consequently, I finished reading almost every book on that boat - including this one. Perhaps I might suggest any potential reader to ask themselves; What is it I really want from any novel? A well written work, exciting, a viable plot, believability, characters you can love as well as some you can hate, to be entertained, not wanting to put it down - are just some of my own thoughts. Of all the attributes which may be levelled at any enjoyable work I think; "Missing the book once it is finished" is about the best recommendation of all and I cannot honestly remember being as disappointed at having finished any book as I was with this one - simply because I did not want the experience to end.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an established best-seller and that means a lot of people have bought it. I can only suggest they did so because it is a book which gets into your psyche straight away. There are people for whom you feel sorry, people you fear for and, of course, those you will instantly dislike. Together they form an excellent blend (and "blend" they do!) to provide a fascinating insight into a world that will be new to most of us at least.

The rape scene is neither relevant nor is it well portrayed by the author but, if you are able to forgive this one imperfection, it does not detract from am otherwise excellent work.

Altogether, I rate this as a first class book by an author who is able to keep the reader guessing right up to the end and then drop a simple twist which catches us all by surprise.

So what more could you ask? Do enjoy.

NM

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