The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

[Lucybird]

I really hated this book for some reason. I don't know normally I like this type of thing but the characters drove me mad and I really hated the plot. I sometimes wonder if there is something wrong with me because I don't think I have ever heard a person say something bad about this book. Maybe it just wasn't my taste I don't know. To be fair I only read it because everyone was raving about it.

 

It;s not just you. I didn't hate it but I wasn't very impressed, I don't get the hype about it.

 

 

 

[Remy Porter]

I finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo a few days ago. I thought it was excellent, and grabbed the dvd yesterday. The film's good too, although more of a companion piece for my money. In fact if you haven't read the book it might be a little confusing at times as the film makers hit 'fast-forward' to cram the 800 page plot into a 2 hour film. The female character Salander is a very original creation, and I think she elevates the novel above other good crime novels.

[pontalba]

I finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo a few days ago. I thought it was excellent, and grabbed the dvd yesterday. The film's good too, although more of a companion piece for my money. In fact if you haven't read the book it might be a little confusing at times as the film makers hit 'fast-forward' to cram the 800 page plot into a 2 hour film. The female character Salander is a very original creation, and I think she elevates the novel above other good crime novels.

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head re Salander's character. For me, the book didn't really grab me until she became a major part of it. I'd have to say that is why the 2nd and 3rd are better to me. She is in all or most of them.

[davidr]

I know this is going to sound sexist but I wonder if this is more appealing to men than women> But maybe it just does appeal to different people whic, has been said before, is not a bad thing or even surprising!

[Remy Porter]

I think it has a great crime plot. I think anyone who appreciates a great crime novel will enjoy it, be it male or female. I'll certainly be aiming to elevate the 'detective' aspects of my next novel after reading this gold standard book.

[kezlehan]

I gave up after around 50 pages I hope one day I'll have the patience to go back and finish it.

[Finty]

I've just been given this book, hopefully it will grab me from the start. If after 100 pages I'm finding a book a chore, I bin it, so hopefully this isn't the case with this one as I've read some great reviews.

[Remy Porter]

I think the remake of the film will probably find ways to improve the pacing of the original film, as the remake of Insomnia managed to do. Daniel Craig is an excellent actor - I think it could be good.

[Garp44]

I usually read books and watch films after. But this time I watched the 3 films before I read 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. I am usual a slow careful reader, but this book I just couldn't put down: it's the fastest I have read a book for years; and what a fantastic,complex,intriguing thriller it was too. Brilliant.

[bobblybear]

I'm reading the the second book in the series, and finding it a struggle. I started the series after hearing all the hype, but just don't get the fascination. I find Lisbeth to be quite irritating, and more like caricature, rather than a character anyone can relate to. As far as the storyline goes, I just found it to be extremely run-of-the-mill. I do wonder if these books would have been as popular, if the author hadn't passed away.

bobblybear

[Kell]

I'm with you there, Bobblybear - I just don't get it. I gave up on the 1st one half way through after having figured out the "mystery" within the first few pages and finding Icouldn't find a single character to like or with whom to identify.

[ian]

Finished the first book last night. I really enjoyed it. I was worried going in that it might be over-hyped, but I have to say that it lived up to its publicity for me. A lot of thrillers/crime novels I've read lately are written in what I call "Dan Brown" style - I.e very fast paced with lots of chapters about a paragraph long, so it was a change to read a book that forced me to read slowly.

 

Admittedly, the first part of the book is the hardest to get through. But I found once I was past the first 50 pages or so, the rest just flew by and I really didn't want to put it down. I'm now forcing myself to take a days break before starting the second!

 

Ian

[Talisman]

I have just had an email from Amazon to say that the 2nd DVD that I ordered is on its way - can't wait for it to arrive so I can see it again !

[Peacefield]

I loved the book as well, Ian, and am looking forward to one day reading the second installment. I also just saw the film which I thought was excellent. I now really can't wait to see what Fincher does to it for his version!

[Coffin Nail]

I really enjoyed the last 200 pages, but it was a hell of a trudge. I'll read the next episode but I'm in no hurry. I still can't see what all the fuss is about.

 

I hope he got some free Apple computer stuff, he certainly gave them enough advertising!!

[pontalba]

A poster on another forum gave an interesting link to an article in the New Yorker magazine about Stieg Larsson that I found interesting.

Man of Mystery by Joan Acocella A great article that brought out a few items I'd not heard of before.

[Karsa Orlong]

I read the first book around the middle of last year and still haven't read the other two. It's not that I didn't enjoy it - I really did - but other authors (*cough*Nesbo*cough*) are far better, imo.

 

I did buy the second and third books for £2.44 each for the Kindle yesterday, though, so I will get to them at some point soon

[pontalba]

Actually I was surprised at some of the derogatory remarks made by the article's author. And...while I agree with some of them, it didn't stop me from enjoying the stories. I do feel I'll do a reread someday, and perhaps I'll be more equipped to analyze the flaws. For me, the first reading of this type of book is almost a race...I have to know What Happens, and I'm sure I miss details. So a reread will give me those details, and probably I'll be better able to see the faults.

[stephthebookworm]

 

I loved all three of Stig Larssons books. My favourite was the second, if I had to choose one.

 

I thought the heroin was very original and well painted ( described) and even though she isnt a person that you would warm to , came across as vulnerable and real.

 

What a shame Stig is no longer here, I would have loved to read more of his work.

[Soros]

Sorry for my sharp comment, but I think the creation of this author is extremely banal, and doesn't reflect any interesting idea.

[Lefty_UK]

I finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a few days ago and am now reading The Girl Who played with Fire.

 

Normally I find that some books are so overhyped that I just end up finding them just OK however I found this fantastic. I had no trouble getting into it and found myself so absorbed I couldn't put it down - am looking forward to getting more into the second one now.

Edited March 3, 2011 by Lefty_UK

[Tai_Mai_Shu]

I thought it was okay. I think it was overhype.

[Coffin Nail]

I'm finding the second book much more entertaining than the first. I still think its all a bit overhyped.

[Weave]

I have a copy but I have still to read it, is it worth a read?

[AbielleRose]

I have a copy but I have still to read it, is it worth a read?

 

 

I think it depends on the person. I started it a little over a week ago and just haven't been able to get into the story... but then again, quite a few people on here and elsewhere absolutely love the story and have no problem connecting with the characters.