I read the first book about a year ago with my book club and loved it, but since I didn't already have either of the other two books it took me about nine months to pick the series up again. I loved the second one even more than the first one — though I know several people who got bored halfway through The Girl Who Played With Fire, to which I say, HOW ON EARTH COULD YOU POSSIBLY GET BORED?? — but when I finally got to the end, I practically threw the book across the room while yelling in Matt's general direction, "SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY PAGES, AND THAT IS WHERE IT ENDS???" So I had to beg for The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest for Christmas. Thank Grandma, ya'll.
I don't think I can decide which book is the best. They are all demented and gritty and intriguing, and I loved every second of reading them. They were the kind of books you find yourself caught up in, where your heart is pounding and you're holding your breath and the characters just grip you by the shirt-front. I'm done with all the books, and yet I don't want to say goodbye to the characters yet.
I have the Swedish version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo movie — also borrowed from my Grandma, who happens to be the coolest in the world — so I think the next order of business is to watch that. I want to see it before I see the American version because I've heard the Daniel Craig/Rooney Mara version is even more graphic than the Swedish version, and ... I'll admit, I don't deal very well with movie violence. Even if I already know the whole story. So we'll see how that goes. (Plus, I'm curious since I've heard the Swedish movie leaves out half of the major plot lines.)
Have you read this series? What did you think? Have you seen the new movie yet?
LOVE those books! The third one is definitely my favorite. I've seen the Swedish movies, and they're fabulous, so I definitely recommend watching them! We went to see the American version a few weeks ago, and I definitely enjoyed it - it's much more graphic than the Swedish version, but less because of bloody violence and more because of the abusive relationship between Lisbeth and her guardian - those scenes are the ones that get really graphic/uncomfortable!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know, Amanda. That was what I was worried about, but I still really want to see it.
ReplyDeleteI just saw the movie, and now I'm going to start reading the books! They are right up my alley, but I spent the majority of undergrad/grad school studying literature about sexual violence, and I kind of needed a break. But seeing the movie (my husband really wanted to go because he also loved the books) made me really excited about this series, and now I'm set on devouring them. And yes, the movie is totally graphic and disturbing, but what's more disturbing (to me) is the reality that some women (and men) actually live out much worse in their lives. That is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's apparently one (or maybe two) unfinished books, which Larsson's partner has. But because they weren't legally married, all of the unfinished writing technically belongs to his family, so even though it's in his partner's possession, she doesn't have a right to publish it.
(Wow, I don't know how I missed your comment until now. Sorry for the late reply!) That's such a shame that they can't be published without the family's permission! Need more books!
Deletewhat did you think of the movie? I loved it!!! I cant wait to read the books and the hunger game ones, but I'll wait for the movie to come out first, so it doesn't get ruined. have you read those?
ReplyDelete... I still haven't watched it yet. Oops. I LOOOOOOVED The Hunger Games. Matt's reading the first one right now, and the other night I was literally sitting next to him and re-reading over his shoulder. Can't wait for the movie!
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