Kevin’s review of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) > Likes and Comments

Thanks, Kevin . This is not a genre I read but if I did I would have skipped it thanks to your honest review!

Angela M wrote: "Thanks, Kevin . This is not a genre I read but if I did I would have skipped it thanks to your honest review!"

Thank you, Angela.
I now have time on my hands to belatedly catch up with all my reviews of books recently read.

Nice review Kevin! Sorry it didn't work for you. I only picked it up just to see if all the hype around it was genuine. I did like it but it's a more violent book than I typically read. And maybe reconsider those brother-in-law suggestions in the future. :-)

I wonder what we are going to do, Kevin? Create a vicious circle of blame? You blame the translators, I blame the poor Swedish, on and on? I guess it must be the editor. But it is a shame it's not football. Then it would definitely be the referee. Otherwise the author would have scored...

PorshaJo wrote: "Nice review Kevin! Sorry it didn't work for you. I only picked it up just to see if all the hype around it was genuine. I did like it but it's a more violent book than I typically read. And maybe r..."

Thank you, PorshaJo, but we are agreed on The Handmaid's Tale, which makes me happy.
Yes, my brother-in-law's tastes are decidedly different to mine. Bookshelves full of generic thrillers with no soul.

Lisa wrote: "I wonder what we are going to do, Kevin? Create a vicious circle of blame? You blame the translators, I blame the poor Swedish, on and on? I guess it must be the editor. But it is a shame it's not ..."
Well, Lisa, like the lady who wrote Fifty Shades, he's definitely got the last laugh, lucky devil! : )

Loved your review, Kevin! I tried, more than once, to read this... it just didn't appeal to me. At all. I suspect you're not alone, and I have no faith whatsoever that the popularity of a book means it is beautifully written or worth reading. But that's just me...

Cheri wrote: "Loved your review, Kevin! I tried, more than once, to read this... it just didn't appeal to me. At all. I suspect you're not alone, and I have no faith whatsoever that the popularity of a book mean..."

Thank you so much, Cheri. As a recognised voice of reason, you've reassured me!

I read this in ePub format in February 2012, and maybe it was the translation, but I found it very well done. I just checked my spreadsheet and all 3 of these books were 'bundled' and I read them back to back. Maybe it was also the novelty as this was my first exposure to Nordic suspense writing. I'm sorry to hear this book fell flat for you, Kevin. Whatever you do, don't try the next two. While I enjoyed all 3 of them, my interest flagged a bit further with each successive one.

Jaline wrote: "I read this in ePub format in February 2012, and maybe it was the translation, but I found it very well done. I just checked my spreadsheet and all 3 of these books were 'bundled' and I read them b..."

I barely got through this one, Jaline, so I definitely wouldn't have progressed further. I did however see the movie on an aeroplane and that was fine!
I'm sure that Mr Larsson, as he reposes in his marble palace, surrounded by a plethora of awards, wouldn't worry about my review! : )

Has your brother in law asked what you thought of his recommendation, and if so, what did you say?

Cecily wrote: "Has your brother in law asked what you thought of his recommendation, and if so, what did you say?"

I handed his book back to him before I jetted off, so he definitely knows what I thought of it. Saved me having to read the other two he had lined up for me!

And now you have me wondering what the other two were!

I dislike well-intentioned family and friends choosing books for me. Suggesting is one thing (though I get better from GR friends, who know my tastes better), but putting a book in my hands, whether gift or loan, can be so awkward.

Cecily wrote: "And now you have me wondering what the other two were!

I dislike well-intentioned family and friends choosing books for me. Suggesting is one thing (though I get better from GR friends, who know m..."
The other two in the trilogy, Cecily. My fault, I really didn't make that clear.

The author died before it could be edited. If he was alive to receive feedback from the editor, the end result would probably have been much better.

Simon wrote: "The author died before it could be edited. If he was alive to receive feedback from the editor, the end result would probably have been much better."

Aww, now that's interesting, explains a great deal. Good to know.
Thanks, Simon!

Ah, what a relief! I love validation, even when it arrives years after I needed it.

Julie wrote: "Ah, what a relief! I love validation, even when it arrives years after I needed it."

Thanks, Julie!
I'm guessing you read this pre-Goodreads, as I couldn't find it on your page?

Kevin - thank you for making me feel like I'm not the only human who did not see the "greatness" of this novel! I mirror my sister's comments (Julie) about validation. I read & reviewed this about 3 years ago. Also gave it 2 stars. Bleah. Love your word, "tedious". Yes! And I'm so glad you mentioned the editing issues - nightmare!

Oh, and your "Ikea flat pack" - clever, clever. And true!

Christine wrote: "Kevin - thank you for making me feel like I'm not the only human who did not see the "greatness" of this novel! I mirror my sister's comments (Julie) about validation. I read & reviewed this about ..."

Thank you, Christine, I appreciate your kind words.
And your own review of this was spot on!

Are you really Julie's sister? (i.e. biological, not sympatico-sororal).

I’ll follow your lead thanks. I won’t be reading this any time soon...

Vanessa wrote: "I’ll follow your lead thanks. I won’t be reading this any time soon..."

Ha! Thanks, Vanessa! : )

You may not have cared for the novel but your review is most entertaining, Kevin.

Kevin - ha! Yes, I am really Julie's older, but not wiser, sister. You would recognize the DNA connection immediately if you joined us for a discussion on all things literary. If you come out and see us, bring lots of beer, wine (and gin for me) and the real stories will emerge! Julie is the actual writer. I am a teacher who reads in my free time and gives some sort of two-bit opinion on Goodreads.

Carol wrote: "You may not have cared for the novel but your review is most entertaining, Kevin."

Thank you, Carol, that is most kind.

Christine wrote: "Kevin - ha! Yes, I am really Julie's older, but not wiser, sister. You would recognize the DNA connection immediately if you joined us for a discussion on all things literary. If you come out and s..."

Well, I’m sure you’re the self-deprecating one!
It’s a pleasure to meet you, Christine, sister of Julie.

Never mind Kevin...hope you enjoy your next book more! :)

Ha! I had forgotten that my sister also disliked this book! But you actually finished it, didn't you Christine? I think you persevered.

Yes, Kevin, please join us out on the patio with some gin. You'll be like Sting, when he sings caught between the scylla and charybdis.

I pity the man who has a differing literary view from these wyrd sisters.

Oh ... pausing for dramatic effect ... oh! ... repeating for dramatic effect ... oh, ... oh-ing to filling some space ... YOU GAVE IT THE DOUBLE AMOUNT OF STARS I DID! And I also blame relatives for the time spent unpleasantly. Cheers Kevin, you are truly a much kinder person than I am!

Paromjit wrote: "Never mind Kevin...hope you enjoy your next book more! :)"

Thanks, Paromjit! : )

Kevin.....honesty rules! Thank you for that! :)

Julie wrote: “Yes, Kevin, please join us out on the patio with some gin. Y..."

I would love to join you two wyrd sisters for gin and gossip!
Rather than Sting, think of me sounding like Jude Law (an American lady on Twitter, who heard me being interviewed on BBC radio, made that connection, not I).

Lisa wrote: "YOU GAVE IT THE DOUBLE AMOUNT OF STARS I DID!..."

And you read it in its original Swedish! So I can’t blame the translator! : )

Fran wrote: "Kevin.....honesty rules! Thank you for that! :)"

Thanks, Fran, honesty is my middle name ... Kevin Honesty Ansbro!
: )

Kevin wrote: "Christine wrote: "Kevin - ha! Yes, I am really Julie's older, but not wiser, sister. You would recognize the DNA connection immediately if you joined us for a discussion on all things literary. If ..."

Kevin - Nice to meet you too. Julie says you're a wonderful writer - might have to check you out. Julie will be doubled over with laughter at "self-deprecating". It's actually a new trait I'm trying out after decades of arrogance and ego.

Kevin,
Jude Law is Inman. Not a bad comparison for a man on an Odyssey.

Christine wrote: " Julie will be doubled over with laughter at "self-deprecating". It's actually a new trait I'm trying out after decades of arrogance and ego...."

Oh, me too, Christine!
I was a cocky so-and-so in my youth, but since found that I favour humility. : )

Not my usual fare, Kevin, but I loved this one. I think Lisbeth Salander allowed me to play out all my latent aggression in the safety of my reading room. ✊ ha ha.

Sometimes trash is good for the soul. Just loved it! : )

Julie wrote: "Not my usual fare, Kevin, but I loved this one. I think Lisbeth Salander allowed me to play out all my latent aggression in the safety of my reading room. ✊ ha ha.

Sometimes trash is good for the..."

I loved the movie, Julie. The book was just badly written, in my humble opinion.

At some point after this was released, at the urging of someone who insisted I read this, I *attempted* to read it. I never added it because I gave up less than a quarter of the way through. Excellent summary of how I felt about this one (only with better descriptions.)

Cheri wrote: "At some point after this was released, at the urging of someone who insisted I read this, I *attempted* to read it. I never added it because I gave up less than a quarter of the way through. Excell..."

Aww, thanks, Cheri. You've assuaged some of my guilt. : )

I’m afraid you read this book very wrong, Kevin. Maybe the Papua New Guinean translation would have worked better for you? I hear it’s great, especially read from back to front. And upside down.

✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) wrote: "I’m afraid you read this book very wrong, Kevin. Maybe the Papua New Guinean translation would have worked better for you? I hear it’s great, especially read from back to front. And upside down."

Ha! That’s brilliant, Sarah.
Well played!! : D

I agree completely with you, Kevin...but "I'd give an eye, one kidney, a couple of toes and a few of my fingers", that sounds a bit unnecessary, to tell the truth. There are many authors out there as overhyped as Stieg, possibly more, but we just got to accept it, right?

Tamoghna wrote: "I agree completely with you, Kevin...but "I'd give an eye, one kidney, a couple of toes and a few of my fingers", that sounds a bit unnecessary, to tell the truth. There are many authors out there as overhyped as Stieg, possibly more, but we just got to accept it, right?..."

My apologies for seeing your comment so late, Tamoghna.

Sadly, the world's best authors died a long time ago, so my advice is to only read books written by dead authors! 😊

Hooray Kevvie!!! Oh man, boy am I relieved to read this - you know how much I value your opinion, now I feel WHOLE!! But seriously, mate - I agree with your comments 100%. You don't think you were a bit generous with the star rating? Nice write up mate 🤗🎈🦘

Mark wrote: "Hooray Kevvie!!! Oh man, boy am I relieved to read this - you know how much I value your opinion, now I feel WHOLE!! But seriously, mate - I agree with your comments 100%. You don't think you were a bit generous with the star rating? Nice write up mate 🤗🎈🦘..."

Pleased to bring some relief, Mark. And thank you! : )
You're not alone in thinking that the writing was rather lacklustre.

It helps with the recognition when the author dies prematurely ;) It's not something I would give. I read it a long time ago in original (Swedish), and I think the translation was bad. Even the title is badly translated. It's "Men Who Hate Women," and this title has a point.
However, I would probably give it fewer stars nowadays for the plot and characters. I remember that the main character thought some absurdities on how self-punishing a whole-back tattoo must have but and how much strength it required. Well. LOL. I got one, and that's not heroism... just some patience. Maybe though he was more delicate, I dunno. Probably there are more things like that in the book, which, btw I have almost fully forgotten ;)

Kevin, I'll follow your lead and ignore the book. As always, a lovely review.