Stieg Larsson’s Millenium Series:
Why Do We Love The Girl?
I’ve finished Stieg Larsson‘s The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, so I’ve completed the dead author’s millenium trilogy. Am I satisfied? Yep!
Let me start by saying Larsson gives up any pretense of presenting a mystery in Hornet’s Nest. The first book, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, had a strong mystery plot, which also served to introduce us to the oddity that is protagonist Lisbeth Salander. The second work, The Girl Who Played With Fire, had a mystery that opened more doors to help the reader understand why Lisbeth is the way she is. With Hornet’s Nest, Larsson kicks those doors down.
While the book lacks a mystery, it’s still a thriller. Like the previous books, it takes a while for Larsson to set the pieces in motion; but once he does, you’re off on a wild ride. Larsson introduces the other players who have conspired to make Lisbeth’s life hell on earth. The thrill comes from seeing how Lisbeth and the advocates around her apply their ingenuity, determination, and bravery to see justice win over corruption. Those advocates also include, of course, star journalist Mikael Blomkvist (or as an angry Lisbeth refers to him, Mikael F***ing Blomkvist).
It’s a pleasure to see Lisbeth prevail, and a pleasure to see our strange girl patch up her relationship with Blomkvist. The stage seemed to be set for the next seven books in Larsson’s planned 10-part series: Lisbeth and Mikael forming an odd couple that would solve mysteries and bring down misogynist thugs and corrupt politicians and businessmen. Two misfits against the evil in the world.
Alas, we may never get to see another book, just when the doors have been kicked open. Swedish law may prevent anyone putting pen to paper to try to see Larsson’s grand work completed. We will also never meet Lisbeth’s twin. Nor will we delve more into the problem of violence against women, perhaps the true theme of these works. But we still have these three books which make a very satisfying package. (Or am I wrong about this being the end?)
What is it about Lisbeth? These books are monsters, breaking sales records all over the world. Yes, they start slow but they soon become can’t-put-’em-down books. Our heroine lacks any sense of social graces. She’s rude, vindictive and unable to relate to most of the world. Does she have Asperger’s Syndrome? Perhaps. Yet, we understand why Lisbeth could be the way she is, because she has lost all trust in the world due to the extraordinary abuse she suffered.
Tiny in stature, she is an intellectual giant with a photographic memory and superhuman computer skills. Readers are amazed at her ability to snatch victory from overwhelming defeat. We root for Lisbeth, because we believe every human being has the right to be in control of her life and to live free. Perhaps that’s the simple reason I love the Girl.
• This correspondent has some ideas on why we love the girl.
• And here’s what I had to say about the first book a year ago. (Has it really been that long ago?)
Have your read Larssen? What did you think of the books?
Why do you love the Girl?
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Comments
I worry about what the American movie versions will look like…the Swedish version were just fine….I’m very nervous having read all the books and seen all the movies. I love subtitles. They make one concentrate and enjoy another culture. Why does every movie have to be in English?
Recently finished the series and feel like I lost my best friends! Love the plots, love the characters. Might be too much to hope that the series would be completed, but it’s interesting to speculate.
Why we love Lisbeth? I will add my speculation – in the face of the existential loneliness we face (or avoid) in life, Lisbeth is a symbol of a commitment to live at all costs, however difficult, however much suffering she faces, she lives on.
Thanks for the comments, everyone. “Live at all costs.” I like that Judi. It certainly describes Lisbeth’s amazing skills at survival.
And yes, Lynn, I worry about the American movie versions, too. Hollywood can really screw up a good thing.
My facebook friend Deon read the review and is thinking about reading The Girl. He’s been on the fence, so maybe I helped him hop off and dive in.
And can anyone translate Hakan’s comment? 
It’s hard to answer the question, why do we love Lisbeth but love her we do. I think it’s because you can’t get enough of her…she gives so ittle at a time and what she does give is awesome! Such a great character.
I agree, Patricia. (And like Sally, I feel like I’ve lost someone.) As readers, we know Lisbeth much better than the characters around her, who are so often confronted with her stone face. We get her. Still, her inability to reach out unless it’s absolutely necessary—and her incredible victories when she does—really intrigues and inspires the Blomkvists and Armanskys around her.
I have read all the books. However, I feel there were some lose ends that may have been answered if there had been a fourth book. Especially having to do with Lisbeth’s sister. We don’t really know what happened to her. I thought that might be answered in the end of “Hornet’s Nest’, but it wasn’t. I was a little disappointed.
Yeah, Barbara. I too want to know more about Lisbeth’s twin. What is her story, and why aren’t the two sisters communicating? I would guess that the twin would have been a focal point of a mystery/storyline in one of Larsson’s future books.
She’s full of grit and she’s tough. She’s a woman of few words who just takes action, sometimes with no time to spare before she and those she loves are destroyed. She’s sexual and finds satisfaction on her terms and destroys those who try to make her a slave to their wills. She’s generous with her material things. She seeks retribution when she and her friends are attacked. She has a few friends who help her when she needs it. She is not worried about appearances and I appreciate her originality. She always wins, but suffers to get there. She’s fickle sometimes, but we love her for that. She’s brilliant and my kind of woman.