Book Review :: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
And here’s where I think genre is important. There are some types of novels where minute details play a part in solving the mystery, but not here. For a crime novel of this calibre and notoriety, the criminal is going to be a primary character. I don’t want to give too much away, but you don’t have to go looking behind leaves of the family tree to find the guilty party. I didn’t waste much time memorizing the family and was able to focus on getting to the plot where the story takes off. So I was able to enjoy the book more and basically get to the good parts because I was confident that I wasn’t perusing through key elements.
And of the secondary characters who do play a part in filling in gaps of the mystery, Larsson goes back and helps you put the pieces together, as a good mystery writer will. I highly recommend The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
How about you? Have you read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? How did you feel about all the family history? Are you one that reads a lot of crime fiction? If so, how do you think this one stacks up?
Little Miss Sunshine State:
June 6th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I really enjoyed it. I bought it for my husband and picked it up after he finished. I didn't think it would be my type of book.
He just bought me the second one and I know I'll read 2 and 3.
I just read that Daniel Craig will play Mikael in the movie.
Elisabeth:
June 6th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Hey, LMSS – I've been resisting buying the next two b/c my TBR pile is so long! However, it is very tempting. The Swedish version of the movie is already out & playing at a couple of our non-mainstream theaters…I'm tempted to go see it. This has got to be a great movie!
Jessica:
June 7th, 2010 at 3:59 am
I have this on my TBR shelf, like you this book isn't my normal kind of book but my dad just read all three on holiday and he really enjoyed them.
Elisabeth:
June 7th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Welcome, Jessica! I think this is one that will be a huge crossover among genre audiences. Let us know what you think when you read it!
Nymeth:
June 7th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Your thoughts about genre are so interesting. I find the way it influences a reader's expectations, for better or worse, really fascinating. I actually touch on some of that on the review I have scheduled for tomorrow.
Elisabeth:
June 7th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
There are probably more times than not that genre restricts and hinders us from branching out – I am certainly guilty of this. However, I believe a good understanding of it can help readers in some cases. I'm looking forward to reading your post, Nymeth!
Rebecca:
June 8th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
It's been on my TBR pile for a while now. I think it's slowly being moved toward the top! I'll know now not to get bogged down on the details! As ever, wonderful review.
Elisabeth:
June 9th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Yep, move it on up Rebecca! It is a great summer beach/pool read.