Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I have just completed the book ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ and decided to review it.

Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who has just lost a libel case under murky circumstances is hired by Henrik Vanger, an ex industrialist to investigate the disappearance of his great-niece, Harriet 40 years ago. Unknown to Mikael, Vanger had him checked by Lisbeth Salander, a freelance investigator for Milton Security who always is an awesome hacker. The story then follows these two main protagonists and how they come together to solve the mystery of mysterious disappearance of Harriet Vanger.

Larsson’s writing is a treat if you ask me. Its pretty easy to follow and intriguing. The actual plot is something that you can rank in the ‘good thriller’ list… its absorbing. His attention to details is something I enjoyed especially when it came to the Vanger family. The other thing about the book I liked was that he speaks his mind through the book and you can understand what all he stands for and what he opposes as you read the book.

The biggest criticism every one has about this book is that it’s misogynistic. And I m not denying it, it is but isn’t that expected when you pick up a book originally titled ‘Men who hate Women’? The point that I oppose is that Larsson is misogynist. Infact he is quite the opposite, he is lashing out at misogyny and it’s pretty much evident in his writing. Yes, the extreme graphic nature of rapes give you creeps and make you want to take showers but then again I had expected that given the title.

Of course this book isn’t perfect. It has its drawbacks too. Its major draw back if you ask me comes in form of length. There are many times that you feel that the book is been dragged especially in the end. The other thing is that you can hardly empathize with any character (may be just Henrik). I mean Mikael is pretty much a good guy and would have been my favorite if not for his flaw of sleeping around. Call me old fashioned but I can’t digest the things like open marriage and casual sex. Salander is mysterious Ofcourse and sometimes awesome (especial the time when she gets her revenge) but something in her makes you stay wary of her. I hope that this dissolves when I read the 2nd book. But my biggest complaint from the book is something I can’t talk without spoiling it. May be you will understand when you read the book.

Anyways, pick this book up if you like a good thriller but stay away from it if you can’t handle the graphic nature of sexual assault on women and children.

Ratings – 3 ½