The Girl Who Played with Fire

Stieg Larsson

Finally a female heroine who doesn't have to rely on a tight fitting PVC suit and a perfect figure to grab the attention of the public and make millions. Well done Larsson, well done. Lisbeth Salander is an amazing creation and will go down in heroine history!

The amount of arse-kicking that goes on in literature and film by men is somewhat disproportionate to that of women, so it's refreshing to finally read about a heroine who relies on her intelligence, sharp mind and self defence techniques to get by, instead of fluttering her eyelashes and wearing a low cut top.

Annoyingly, I did go and see the film adaptation before reading the first book the entire way through. I am not really a fan of doing this as I enjoy creating my own characters and once the film has been seen it's difficult to imagine the people in your unique way, which is the highlight of reading! Expand your mind, as all the teachers and parents say. But, as always, they are right.

As soon as I left the cinema I got my hands on the second book and got to reading it right away. It's been a while since I have had that "oh my god, who needs friends when you have this book" feeling, but as soon as I delved into this read I started getting annoyed with seeing friends, leaving my room, eating and sleeping. A page turner to say the least...

I would definitely recommend this to ANYONE. Granted I am quite behind on times and most people have either read them/seen the Swedish movies/seen the Hollywood adaptation, but consider this a little push for all those who couldn't get past the first few chapters. Yes it's slow to begin with, yes there are many things irrelevant to the plot, but you NEED all that to enjoy the fast-paced action in the second half. Hands up if you hate those films where it's straight into the action/horror with 2D characters that you couldn't care less if they get brutally killed or don't get the girl?

All good things come to those who wait!

(See, no spoilers. Aren't I kind?)

What are your thoughts? Have you read it? Did you love Lisbeth Salander as much as I did?