Review - Steig Larsson

Perhaps it wasn't the brightest idea to start reading the series right before the long Easter / Spring Break - I did it anyway. Three books down from a long list of books I've ought to read. Well also my first review of a book anyway. As usual, just sharing my thoughts about them and how I felt after.

If you didn't know, I'm an avid reader - give me a book that seems to have a good introduction I'll finish it in no time. I ran through the first books in a jiffy, but the third took some patience and some time. It's probably also because the books got progressively lounger and the plot gets so twisted, complex and intriguing.

Steig Larsson's millennium series about the adventures of a girl named Salander often referred to as somewhat similar figure to Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Långstrump. One of the major things that really pushed the novels forward was Larsson's ability to create the entire plot even though there is seemingly no plot progression.

In the first of the series, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo seemed fragmented, it was out of context and it was extremely disjointed. The first few chapters were the introductions of major characters Mikael Blomkvist, Salander herself and some other major characters you should indulge yourself in. As much as it was confusing, it ultimately allowed for each climax of the novels to be truly unique and make you continually turn the page even though it may be late at night. I would often hear the birds chirping and see the sun rise - although not healthy that's what happens.

Anyway, his style for building up each novel has been incredible; each like a layer of cake and the climax of each novel like frosting. I really hope his partner or wife, don't remember can really finish some of his other started drafts of future books. Sadly, Larsson passed away before he came to this extraordinary fame of a novel that has been globally distributed and translated into other languages.

I love his influences too - Pippi Långstrump - the renowned story of the red head with a sac of gold, American & British crime / detective fiction authors. Such a great author who didn't get the chance to shine.