January 6, 2010
#1 - The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson I couldn’t help but return for book two of Kalle Bastard Larsson’s Millenium series (if you’ve read any of the books you’ll understand my profanity). Despite being ever so slightly underwhelmed by the first book that was only because of my incredibly high expectations. The first two books are superior thrillers - well written, tightly plotted and featuring a cast of strong characters. Larsson’s characterisation of the books’ (anti) heroine, Lisbeth Salander, has received substantial and positive press in that she’s held to be a unique and original presence, and there’s no doubting that she’s the major draw throughout. The only thing I would say is that she could also be construed as a typical male reviewer’s wet dream of a heroine. There’s a quote from Patrick Marber’s Closer that I want to use here but I need to check it first so you’ll have to bear with me on that. I also think Kalle Blomqvist is living the middle age most middle aged men would like to live - effectively single but with a regular (married) lover (her husband knows but is happy for the relationship to continue) and numerous others too (they seem to fall for him all to easily). I’m not saying these things to put you off the books - they are better than 95% of other thrillers (and, in fact, the term “thriller” does them a disservice through association) - only to point out that the main characters are not so original as to transcend the genre. The only other thing worth mentioning is that the first two books were paperbacks and that the third one isn’t available in that format until April 1. Do I wait for resolution or go for the more expensive option and clutter my bookshelf with pb-pb-hb? I hate it when this happens.

#1 - The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson

I couldn’t help but return for book two of Kalle Bastard Larsson’s Millenium series (if you’ve read any of the books you’ll understand my profanity). Despite being ever so slightly underwhelmed by the first book that was only because of my incredibly high expectations.

The first two books are superior thrillers - well written, tightly plotted and featuring a cast of strong characters.

Larsson’s characterisation of the books’ (anti) heroine, Lisbeth Salander, has received substantial and positive press in that she’s held to be a unique and original presence, and there’s no doubting that she’s the major draw throughout.

The only thing I would say is that she could also be construed as a typical male reviewer’s wet dream of a heroine. There’s a quote from Patrick Marber’s Closer that I want to use here but I need to check it first so you’ll have to bear with me on that. I also think Kalle Blomqvist is living the middle age most middle aged men would like to live - effectively single but with a regular (married) lover (her husband knows but is happy for the relationship to continue) and numerous others too (they seem to fall for him all to easily).

I’m not saying these things to put you off the books - they are better than 95% of other thrillers (and, in fact, the term “thriller” does them a disservice through association) - only to point out that the main characters are not so original as to transcend the genre.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that the first two books were paperbacks and that the third one isn’t available in that format until April 1. Do I wait for resolution or go for the more expensive option and clutter my bookshelf with pb-pb-hb? I hate it when this happens.

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