I wanted to take some time out and write some words about this series of 3 novels; now, I’m not a literary critic nor am I a revered scholar of the arts, with degrees adorning my walls from years of studying and symposiums and historical references.  All I can give you is my opinion and some things I’ve read about them.

First off, the most important thing to know is these books are set in Sweden, for the most part, so you need to prepare yourself for a culture shock of incredibly hard places to pronounce, strange eating habits, lazaire-faire sexual appetites and greed and corruption to the hilt.  2nd, all 3 books, in their own way, are incredibly detailed, with a varying range of subjects; some may find those parts difficult to navigate, as well as the numerous amount of characters that inhibit this world, although if you think about your own life, you have more (likely tons more) that inhabit yours so it’s a feeling of being overwhelmed sometimes but stepping back, it’s rooted in reality.

Let’s take this 1 step at a time- the first novel is called “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”  I know you’ve heard the name before, it’s everywhere, a massive best seller across the world.  It sounds sort of kinky, but after what I’ve said so far, you could be apprehensive of what exactly you’re getting into.  Have no fear- the first novel is extremely rewarding in it’s slow hand approach of going step by step into who each character is and their function to the main plot.  Let me quickly give you the scoop on the major characters you’ll find that inhabit each of the 3 novels, there are several that make huge contributions to each story so I’ll fill you in here

-Lisbeth Salander- she’s the one with the huge tatt, and our main character.  She’s the reason you will read this whole series once you start it and not look back.  She’s more complex than she would seem on the surface, so detailing her is a tricky proposition- she’s in her early 20’s, dresses in a punk style, lots of piercings, tattoos, leather outfits, she’s incredibly brilliant and a researcher unlike any other.  She works at a security firm doing extensive background checks, to which she is the best her boss has ever seen.  She looks more akin to a 14 year old girl, In her body type and is deadly silent, not making friends with anyone or even small talk.  Most people can’t stand her; she’s had a rough life, I won’t go into all of that now, but suffice to say, violence, be it physical, emotional or sexual isn’t as big a deal in her country as it is here.

-       Mikael Blomkvist- he’s our male lead, a cunning reporter, who once he gets his head wrapped into a story, he clamps down and doesn’t let go until he’s researched every angle and gotten every detail right.  He co-owns Millenium magazine with his partner and lover for over 25 years, Erika Berger.  Millenium was designed to be   magazine that targets wrong doing in Sweden, whether it be capitalist corporations, religious entities, celebrities, or even their own government.  It’s a magazine for the people, designed to root out corruption and expose it to it’s core.

-       Dragan Armansky- head of Milton Security, which employs Lisbeth.  He’s a stoic man, does things by the book, and has a very successful business.  Not only do they install security alarms, run private security for buildings, people, etc. but they are an investigation firm, for any sort of matter, be it criminal, personal, ethical, you name it.  He employed Lisbeth as a favor to a friend, relegating her to get coffee, sort mail, off put by her appearance and attitude; but after she did her own investigating into a big case for the firm and got the correct results, he allowed her to work freelance for him doing private investigations, to which he’d never seen a better person suited for the job.

- Erika Berger- as I stated, co-owns Millenium magazine with Blomkvist, has been with him in one way or another since college, is married to renowned artist Gregor Beckman who has no issue with her still spending the night with Blomkvist.  She’s tough as nails, brilliant reporter, and the final word on everything that gets published in the magazine.  She’s Mikael’s only buffer which he desperately needs.

Okay onto the story- There are always threads moving through each of these books, this one having a more definite plot than the other 2 ; Blomkvist is sentenced for libel (slander) in the beginning of the novel, and will be facing a jail sentence at some point in the year- he’s contacted out of nowhere by retired and dying business mogul Henrik Vanger to do a special job for him- live on his property for 1 year and discover what happened to his beloved neice over 25 years ago; as a cover, he will write an autobiographical tome on the Vanger family, from it’s beginnings to it’s end.  The family is massive and anyone of them had motive and opportunity to be involved in Harriet’s disappearance.  Lisbeth, on the other hand, becomes involved in several ways as the case unfolds and she has to deal with her own set of issues during the novel which I don’t want to spoil here.

Suffice to say this sounds like a very competent mystery yarn up front but it’s so much more.  Lisbeth, as the novels progress, becomes the poster child for Larrson’s inability to keep quiet about his anger towards the attitude women are shown in his country.  Lisbeth’s whole story is a commentary on the flat out wrong treatment women are given there, possibly in all of Europe and how one person can make a difference, especially with someone as idealistic and at his core, honest and forthright, such as Blomkvist can undo evil made for decades and decades by keeping to his ideals and moral code.  The Vanger mystery has so many twists and turns you may think you’re driving a NASCAR  track but the ride is so damn fun you blur through it as if a spectator of said race.  Once Lisbeth’s involvement becomes clear, it’s nearly as much fun to try and predict her behavior, as you more than likely won’t but she has so much personality by giving off none, she’s a magnet for your attention.

Downsides to people looking for straight entertainment, is Larrson gets wordy when describing business details, connections between high ranking officials in the business world and other hard to sift through material; there’s also some graphic sexual and deviant actions in the book that can be hard to read, especially if you’re easily upset.  But the no nonsense approach to these topics are the same, it’s a hardnosed effort that I applaud and found quite stirring.  Overall, this novel is the cream of the crop of the whole series, and could act as a stand alone if you so chose, but I think the intrigue of following such interesting people as Lisbeth and Blomkvist would be too strong, so there are 2 more novels that completely reveal Lisbeth’s mysterious background and Mikael’s crusade against an oppressive force bearing down on everything he considers vital to his life and work; the cold honest truth.  Read it and you won’t regret it.

- Jessie