That Girl who has Tattoos, Kicks at Hornet's Nests and Plays with Fire

This trilogy by author Stieg Larsson is a thought-provoking and fast-paced cloak and dagger extravaganza. The first book I read in the series, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, caught me after 50 or so pages ( I read this one in actual paper form!) and as we spun around Sweden with Lisbeth Salander and her buddy journalist Mikael Blomkvist, I knew this duo would be hard to beat. Lisbeth is a punky, bi-sexual waif with superior intellect and fairly nonexistent social skills, but computer skills -- think hacker goddess -- that are unparalleled. She has a background clouded in mystery that you must get to the third book to unravel. Blomkvist is slower on the uptake with computers and puzzling the crime together, but his ability to assess people with a gut reaction makes him the perfect partner for Lisbeth. The three novels should be read in order, but I must confess, I am currently drowning in the third. I have been hanging at 52% read ( this one Kindled for summer travel) for more than a month. By the third novel, Lisbeth while still central must rely more on others for her defense, and the focus of the book becomes a corrupt government cover up scheme involving Russians and the Cold War.

I feel a bit handicapped by my lack of Swedish history and the way the Swedish government works. But the reason these three novels are so readable is not in the setting, although those are a delightful change for an American reading audience, but in the relationship between Blomkvist and Salander. They briefly become lovers early in the trilogy, but their solid foundation supersedes this physicality. Blomkvist feels protective of Lisbeth, whose childhood is Dickensian at best; she recognizes his steadfastness, even if her personality is so marginalized such steadfastness irritates her. She is scarred and damaged but proud and resourceful.

The writing in the novels is not elegant. Perhaps a translational issue is partly to blame here. But regardless, the plots are fascinating. The action is compelling, and even if Larsson --who died in 2004 -- did not live to see the success of his works, his prose undercuts the truth about humanity and the way the world seems to work. There is some discussion about an unfinished 4th novel for the series. I know if and when it comes out, I will have to see what Lisbeth has been up to.

I will finish this third book soon, and I am sure have a bit more to say about Lisbeth and Mikael.