Work
Millennium trilogy
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played with Fire
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest
The 4th Book
For questions or comments, please contact our editor: editor@stieglarsson.com
The swedish site:
Stieg Larsson - mannen bakom Lisbeth Salander
This site is produced, developed and hosted by SpaceLoops in Sweden, powered by SpaceLoops CMS.
Share this page
Biography
Work
Left-wing activism and anti-war protests
After finishing school and his military service, Stieg Larsson worked a couple of years at a post office. During these years in the mid-seventies, he was an active member of the Swedish left-wing movement which flourished during these years. He edited a Trotskyite magazine, and he took a great interest in the ongoing war in Vietnam.
Private mapping of extremists
1977, Stieg Larsson started working as a graphic designer at TT, a multimedia news provider in Sweden, a job he kept for the following 22 years. As the seventies passed, Stieg Larsson's interest gradually turned more towards right-wing extremism, an interest which had started with a school project on the subject and then continued to inspire him for the rest of his life. When he was not at his work at TT, he worked on a private mapping of right-wing extremism in Sweden. In 1991, his research resulted in his first book "Right-wing extremism" ("Extremhögern") which he wrote in cooperation with Anna-Lena Lodenius, a Swedish writer specialized in autonomous and national extremist groups. In an interview she says that he had plans on writing a series of detective novels already back in the early 1990's, but it would take another ten years for him to start writing fiction.
The Expo foundation
As a response to the book "Right-wing extremism", a neo-Nazi newspaper published an article in 1993. In the article, both Larsson and Lodenius were presented with their pictures, addresses and telephone numbers, and the finishing lines raised the question whether "he should be allowed to continue his work, or if something should be done". The publisher of the newspaper was condemned to 4 months of imprisonment. However, this episode did not scare Stieg Larsson, instead it convinced him to step up his struggle. Stieg Larsson had since the early 80's worked as a Scandinavian correspondent for the British anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, and in 1995 he was the main force behind the founding of the similar Swedish magazine Expo in 1995. For two years, he combined the two full time jobs before he finally quit TT in 1997 to put all his effort into Expo. From 1999 to his death, he was the chief editor of the magazine.
A classic workaholic
When you look at the combination of working at Expo with writing books on right-wing extremism, holding lectures for international politicians, police forces and numberless youths, writing his detective novels at night, smoking 60 or more hand-rolled cigarettes a day and skipping most meals, the picture of a classic workaholic appears. In an article in the Swedish newspaper Expressen, the journalist, co-worker and close friend of Stieg's, Kurdo Baksi verifies this, "He used to come home at four-five in the morning. At that time had he also worked on his story about Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. "It will be better next year", he (Stieg) said brightly.
probably one of the most engaging writers ive come across in years . have two out of the trilogy finished . and im sure third time will be the charm
- Dave . R. Battersy, 9 July 2010
Reply to this comment
A fascinating, commendable life! It's interesting how his imagination produced Lisbeth Salander's cryptic morality, as an antidote to what he witnessed and researched in his times. His novels far exceed my expectations and I found myself reflecting in my blog on how I strangely identify with Salander's journey....
- Ex Lit Prof (www.the-reading-list.com), 7 July 2010
Reply to this comment
Here's to all who fight against right-wing violent extremists. May they live forever in some form. Helping to remove that burden from victim and perpetrator, and writing great crime novels, is quite a resume. He is missed.
- Kara Kern, 26 June 2010
Reply to this comment
just a thought, maybe the books aren't fiction. maybe there was no other way to present the material. it all looks like a puzzle within a puzzle - make a list, look for yourself. Stieg Larsson was a man of many talents - these books betray only the tip of his iceberg of skills. he is missed.
- fixedgeargirl@aol.com, 6 June 2010
Reply to this comment
Lisbeth Salander, Stieg Larsson's heroine, is a truly remarkable character. The novels are worthy of their worldwide acclaim. Mr Larsson is capable of weaving exciting narrative, even when he has not yet immersed us in the fast pace, breathtaking action, which is sure to follow. Very seldom are novels such a sure promise for immense enjoyment. I say read them all!!
- Alfonso Ruiz-Fernandez, 4 June 2010
Reply to this comment
The books were great, excellent writing and the characters were brilliant. Lisbeth Salander is a creation that will speak to woman around the world. She is one of the most intersting woman characters ever created.
- Bashi, 20 May 2010
Reply to this comment
im devestated that he has died, i only found out when i brought the third book yesterday because it tells you on the back. i was looking forward to more good reading, the trilogy is gold.
- alisha m,, 31 Mars 2010
Reply to this comment
a stunning pair of books..the first 2--and anxiously await the third. they are "up all night" to read. the "hornets nest" will be available in the USA in april or may......and feel that i will mourn larssen's death even more after finishing it.
- paul burke, 20 Mars 2010
mcloz, i so agree
- mcloz, 9 May 2010
Reply to this comment
I have just picked up the last book in this Triology and can not wait to read it I loved the other 2 what a great writer he was and what a sad loss to the writing world he is
- Denise Sunshine Coast Australia, 16 Mars 2010
Reply to this comment
Older comments
Stieg Larsson
Millennium Trilogy - Simply fantastic ! Stieg, come again, the world needs you.
- Marco, 15 August 2010