Millennium trilogy
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played with Fire
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest
The 4th Book
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The swedish site:
Stieg Larsson - mannen bakom Lisbeth Salander
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Biography
Background
Stieg's grandfather, an inspiring role model
Stieg Larsson was born in Västerbotten in northern Sweden in 1954. At the time of his birth, his parents were too young and too poor to keep him, so he was raised by his grandparents in a small village in the north of Sweden. Stieg's grandfather, Severin Boström, became the male role model for the young Stieg. Severin was strongly anti-fascist [and during the Second World War he was imprisoned in the work camp in Storsien for his anti-Nazi opinions]*. Had he been Danish, he would no doubt have been placed in a German Concentration Camp. The fate of his grandfather deeply affected and shaped Stieg's character. He wanted to protect equal rights and fight for democracy and freedom of speech in order to prevent history, and what happened to his grand father, from repeating itself.
* Stieg's father, Erland Larsson, says to stieglarsson.com that nobody in the family can confirm the information about the camp.
Youth, left-wing movement and far travels
When Stieg was nine years old, his grandfather died and he moved to live with his parents and his younger brother. Stieg was given a typewriter for his 12th birthday, and he spent most nights of his youth staying up writing, keeping his family awake with the drumming sound. At 18 years of age he met Eva Gabrielsson at an anti-Vietnam War meeting in Umeå. Eva was to become his life long companion. With some short exceptions, mainly due to the fact that Stieg was sometimes too obsessed with his work, they lived together until Stiegs death the 9th November 2004. After his military service, Stieg travelled in Africa and has been described as "an early backpacker". He rarely had enough money on his travels, in an interview with Norra Västerbotten in 2006, his father describes how he had to work as a dishwasher and sell his clothes to afford a ticket home from Algeria.
Stieg Larsson was also interested in Science Fiction. Among other things was he the chairman of the Scandinavian science fiction society and published two magazines.
A life under constant threat
During the last 15 years of his life, he and his life companion Eva Gabrielsson lived under constant threat from right-wing violence. When a labor-union leader was murdered in his home by neo-Nazis in 1999, the police discovered photos of and information about the couple in the murderer's apartment. So it was not without reason that the couple took precautionary measures. They were never seen together outside the house, they moved mirrors in the hall and they always kept the blinds down. Those are just a few examples. Stieg was an expert in the area, and wrote a book of instructions on how journalists should respond to threats for the Swedish Union of Journalists ("Överleva Deadline", 2000).
Writing as a relaxation
The situation created a contrast between Stieg's work at Expo and his night-time novel writing. He regarded his writing of detective novels as relaxing. Keeping track of loose ends, characters and made up conspiracies posedno problem since it was, after all, fiction and no one would threaten either Eva or himself because of it.
I just finished the last book of the trilogy and feel somewhat lost. What else will pump up my adrenaline and allow me to live vicariously through Lisbeth's complex adventures? This middle aged suburban mother may have to take up something like martial arts to channel her desire to kick some ass!
- kim, 2 September 2010
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I have read the first two thrillers and have the third ready to go. Everything that is being said about the books is TRUE. Very intense and engaging. Love "the girl." What a character. Highly recommend blocking off a period of time before starting the books. The reader will be hooked!
- Anne in Abby, 2 September 2010
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Brilliant! I am a big reader and love books. Just starting "The Girl who kicked the hornets nest" and find myself with mixed emotions - can't wait to read more but am sadened by the prospect of reaching the end of the trilogy. I am even further sadened by the thought Stieg is not here to read so many positive comments from the people who's lives have been touched by his brilliant writing. Best regards to Eva.
- James, Bristol, UK, 2 September 2010
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i liked the film of the first book and thought the books 2 and 3 were very good
- kevin, 2 September 2010
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All I can say is that I am living and breathing the trilogy as I begin the third book. What an amazing writer!
- Greer, Santa Fe, New Mexico US, 1 September 2010
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Three great books. It took me a while to get into the first one but it was well worth it. Brilliantly written with a great ending that did not let you down like some suspense novels, it's a great pity there won't be anymore.i
- Brenda Essex, England, 1 September 2010
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I was hooked by the first one and didn't stop until I had devoured the other two. What fine writing!! And what a loss that Stieg Larsson died so young and didn't live to see the runaway success of his trilogy! The movie in Swedish( The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) was a mere shadow of the book, but was well done anyway.
- Aziza, Nanaimo BC, 1 September 2010
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Wow! What a talented writer. Thank you for sharing it with the world. I have enjoyed The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo immensely...can not wait wait to start the others. Amazing, also look forward to the movies. Thank you!!
- Carmen D., Queens, New York, 1 September 2010
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I also have just finished all three novels. Such a shame that he didn't live to see how well they have done. What a riveting read. I am now sharing them with my family and friends. I have bought them as gifts and talk about them all the time. I also wondered if his death was an accident. Sad to have to live in fear because of your beliefs.Truth can be stranger than fiction. Such a talent now lost.
Look forward to the movies.
Anne -Australia 31st August 2010
- Anne Plowman Perth Australia, 31 August 2010
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Older comments
Stieg Larsson
I lived in Stockholm from 1977-81 before moving to New York. Reading all three books was just fantastic. Stieg Larsson's vivid story telling brought back many memories.
The Cold War was very real, and one always sensed that there was more going on in Sweden than was immediately obvious. Now with Lisebeth Salander on the case all is finally revealed!
The books were a totally enjoyable and thrilling experience!!!
- Robin Austin, 3 September 2010