Anyone finding it hard to get through?

[Dale]

It is a good storyline but I don't care for all the unnecessary details. His writing style and or the translation is awkward at best.

[Dustin]

The middle of the first two books have both been excruciating for me... drags on and on without anything interesting happening. Just filler. The books are fine otherwise, though I think they might be a bit overhyped. We'll see when I get through the rest of the second and through the final book.

[Dale]

I totally agree Dustin. I am willing to bet that I could have started on page 200 on both books and never noticed a difference or a sense of being lost. It gets old reading how she decorates her apartment, how she cleans her old apartment, how she goes to the rental place, just blah blah blah over and over again.

[Dee]

I did notice when i've read other books by scandanavian authors that that meandering style of writing is prevalent - heck, henning mankell likes to mention bowel movements and diaherra of some of his characters

[Wendy]

I loved this book! Don't put it down...keep going! Once you get through the DETAILED descriptions of the Vanger fam it really starts cooking. Make sure to have the others ready. You are gonna wnat to read them!

[Michelle]

Once you get past the banking stuff, the book really kicks into high gear and won't let you go. The early part with the bank and trial was a little dry, but it's necessary for the ending of the book.

I hope you keep at it, it's a really compelling book.

[Echo]

Can someone help me here? Do you thik that an eighth grader could read this book?Is there any way i could find an expert?

[Dee]

I would say no - the mystery angle would be ok, but there are a few scenes featuring a rape; some masochistic/sadist behavior (what lizbeth does to the lawyer)...

of course, that being said, I probably would have read it at that age if it had been out, since by then I was reading in the adult section....

[Atika]

I had the same problem with this book. I purchased it and I forced myself to read through the first few chapters, but I'm really glad I did because the book and the series were really really worth it.

[James]

Sadia wrote: "Can someone help me here? Do you thik that an eighth grader could read this book?Is there any way i could find an expert?"

I've read the entire series and it is absolutely inappropriate for an eighth grader.

[Michelle]

Sadia wrote: "Can someone help me here? Do you thik that an eighth grader could read this book?Is there any way i could find an expert?"
I'd have to say that, no, it's totally inappropriate for an 8th grader. The violence, sadism, and generally adult themes would make it far too much for an eighth grade child.

[Andre Jute]

Michelle wrote: "Once you get past the banking stuff..."

Gee, Michelle, I *liked* the banking stuff. It was well researched. The problem with it wasn't that it was bad or boring but that it was a digression, Larsson showing off special knowledge, unconnected to the rest of the book.

[Echo]

Thanks everyone!

[Becca]

Just try and push through it because it gets better and the second and third are way worth it.

[Michelle]

Andre Jute wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Once you get past the banking stuff..."

Gee, Michelle, I *liked* the banking stuff. It was well researched. The problem with it wasn't that it was bad or boring but that it was a ..."

I'm glad you liked it, Andre!

I found the banking part at the beginning interesting, but daunting. I couldn't see how it would connect to the bit about the framed flowers at the very beginning, so it made it a little slow going for me. In my opinion (and only my opinion) the main story really began once the bank/trial was over. :)

[Jena]

First couple chapters are slow, but after that, the story starts to unfold ( the mystery of the missing girl!) and you soon can't put it down!!! I sped through the first, and 2nd, and now have to get my hands on the 3rd, can't wait to start it!

[Andrew]

Jena wrote: "First couple chapters are slow, but after that, the story starts to unfold ( the mystery of the missing girl!) and you soon can't put it down!!! I sped through the first, and 2nd, and now have to ..."

That was the same with me too! It took me 50 pages to really get into the first book. I was actually going to read it then watch the (Swedish) movie, and then read something else next and come back to the series later. But once I finished the book AND saw the movie, I immediately went right on to the second and third books. I was so hooked and intrigued and curious as to what happens next. Great trilogy!!

[Lulu]

Great book, but it took me a little longer than usual to read.

[Rebekah]

The beginning is very difficult to get through but if you want a decently good payoff, stick with it. It starts rolling somewhere in the middle then gets good. The second and third book are quite a lot better than the first.

[✿ ♥ Heather ♥ ✿]

So glad to hear all these reviews! I too struggled with each book, I think because of all the foreign names and places. The ONLY reason I kept going was because of all the hype.

When I saw the first movie though, I was glad I had read the book because I think you understand Salander's character better through reading the book, you get more insight.

[Jena]

The movie stunk. I hated how they changed the story so drastically. I have no desire to see the 2nd or 3rd movies. I will only read the books.

[[deleted user]]

I had this book for like a year before I got through it completely, I wasn't so interested in the financial paragraphs or the long winded discussions but it is a really great book.

[Ron]

I watched the movie first (yes, with subtitles) and that helped. I think at times the "The Girl with..." books get too wordy. Probably being translations don't help either.

[Connie]

I kept reading because I wanted to find out what happened, but overall I wish I had those hours back.

[Jenn]

You have to read up to about chapter 13 aznd then it starts movin along

[Karen]

I wasn't able to get past the first chapter. All the Swedish references bogged me down. But after reading all these comments, maybe I should give it another shot.

[[deleted user]]

Personally I only had trouble with the first 25 pages...after that it got significantly better.

[Tabitha]

Honestly I had the same issue for a long time...It took me about 2 weeks to get through the first 100 pages. I set a goal of about 10-15 pages a day to get through. Once I made it through the first one hundred it was much easier. I am 40 pages from finish book 2 and it sucked me right in...I can't wait to start book 3 they are absolutely amazing.

[Jeanne]

I actually saw the first movie before I read the book. Knowing the payoff, I had no difficultly reading the first 100 or so pages. I have now seen all three films and read all three books. I became completely absorbed in the story of Lisbeth Salander. She is one of the most intriguing characters I have ever encountered in fiction.

[Wombat]

Ivy wrote: "Ok, I have had this book for months and continue to try to get through it but I just can't seem to get through the second chapter. I keep hearing from everyone its great, but you have to first get ..."

I listened to the audio version, and I've never had to restart an audio book before. I started it over no less than half a dozen times. Ack. Once you get past that, you will not want to put it down. Just quickly breeze through that first part until you finally meet Lizbeth. You'll be hooked!

[Ted]

It seemed to take me forever to get through the beginning of the book. I was warned that would be the case, but that the storyline would pick up quickly.

I quite enjoyed the book and highly recommend it, with the caveat mentioned above.

[Suge]

The first few chapters stalled me. Too much info presented and it made the story kind of boring. But once I got into the middle of it, I actually enjoyed it.

[Amy]

I disagree with most of what's been said here. I actually struggled to get through the entire book. I really wonder what I'm missing because so many people love this series. I didn't find myself on the edge of my seat wondering what happen to who...and when the mystery was solved I really felt cheated. I will not be reading any more of this series.

[Michael]

I found the book complex but compelling. I did wonder just what kind of family Larrson researched to find a bunch as awful as that. For me his skill as a wordsmith was unquestionable, but it was hard work staying with the book.

[Kaye]

great book.. what made it a little hard for me to read are the swedish names/places.. if u find it hard to read the first few chapters, just ask someone to tell it, then start wherever u find it interesting enough..:)

[Ruth]

Just keep reading :D I agree the first part is REALLY boring. I'm not even into business. It gets interesting as you go along :) The middle part is really thrilling and the ending is surprising

[Dierdra]

I LOVED all three books. It took me a little bit to get into this one but after I did I could not put any of them down!

[Jackie]

My problem in the beginning, was the number of characters which were introduced. I went back, started it all over again, and kept a running list.

[Mr.B]

Joy H. wrote: "I still haven't read past the first chapter because I was so turned off by the dense and boring content, but I DID watch the movie. I especially liked the end of the movie. That was its redeeming f..."

I don't know about everyone else, but I saw the film of Dragon Tattoo first, then read the book. Now I've seen all three films and read the books, and I thought they were fantastic. I think some of us rather enjoy slow-starting books. I read pretty much anything, so the financial information didn't bog me down. I mean, I've read Moby Dick three times (even the encyclopedic chapters on whaling and whales). As for difficult names, I've read War and Peace twice, Anna Karenina twice, The Brothers Karamazov twice. I think people bring different expectations to any book, and their different expectations often result in different responses to the text. I didn't think of Dragon Tattoo as slow moving or boring because I accepted the need to "acclimate" myself to the setting and characters as a prerequisite for getting the best possible experience from the whole book. Many books require this.

[Ginger]

Definitely so much information but it's all important to the plot. I found myself drifting a few times but it was a good mix of info and action. Just started the second one and looking forward to it.

[Ashley]

I finished it in four days, and thats longer than usual for me, but it was a very long book. I'm not sure why it was harder for some people, and not for others. I've read all three books, in under a week each and I love this series. I'm wondering how good the US version of the movie will be. I've already seen all three of the foreign, and loved them all.

[Solana]

I had trouble with this one and it wasn't a lack of reading ability or comprehension. IT was tought o read because I didn't feel the language flowed. This is probably due to the translation. I'm sure it flows beautifully in its native tongue. Also, I found that the characters didn't have anything about them that I could relate to. I couldn't put my mind in the story as I can with most.

[Kristin]

I never had any problem with it. I was warned by a few people that it was slow and just to stick with it, but it was immediately interesting to me. The first was so riveting, in fact, that I as soon as I finished it, I started on the second and then the third! Read all in about 2 weeks, even with school starting!!

[Andrew]

Ashley wrote: "I finished it in four days, and thats longer than usual for me, but it was a very long book. I'm not sure why it was harder for some people, and not for others. I've read all three books, in under ..."

I also loved all 3 books as well as all 3 Swedish movies!! I'm not at all looking forward to the US version of Dragon Tattoo coming out in Decmeber. I read they changed quite a bit of stuff and the ending might be different.

Besides I'm probably a little biased at this point. After seeing Noomi Rapace play Lisbeth Salander, I can't see anyone else playing that role--even if it is in English. I'd rather watch (and read) the Swedish movies.

[Ashley]

Andrew wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I finished it in four days, and thats longer than usual for me, but it was a very long book. I'm not sure why it was harder for some people, and not for others. I've read all three b..."

Yes Noomi Rapace was exactly what I envisioned when I read the books. I'll wait until the US one is out on video, I'm afraid it'd be a waste of money to see it in theaters, chances are high I'll get ticked off and walk out.

[Dee]

I saw the preview for the american one the other night at the theatre - wasn't looking forward to it, but now seeing it, i'm kind of intrigued

[Andrew]

Ashley wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I finished it in four days, and thats longer than usual for me, but it was a very long book. I'm not sure why it was harder for some people, and not for others. I've r..."

My thoughts exactly, Ashley! I don't even like the trailer for it. Definitely waiting til it hits DVD.

[Jo]

I was hooked right away although a little confusing at the start. I justt kept going and then couldn't put it down.

[Denise]

Ivy wrote: "Ok, I have had this book for months and continue to try to get through it but I just can't seem to get through the second chapter. I keep hearing from everyone its great, but you have to first get ..."

I thought I was the only person who didn't care for this book...I did make myself finish it because every one LOVED it...didn't read the rest..

[Beth]

I read a little more than half before I admitted that I wasn't enjoying it at all. I haven't touched it since. At that point I read the reviews in Amazon. It rate high, but also has a lot of negative review, most of which voiced my feelings. I'd be more specific, but it's been too long ago to remember.