The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo question

Well I'm only a young teenager and I read the books and loved them... Whenever I had issues or problem with something, I would talk about it with my mom and that helped me get through it.

It really boils down to your daughter. It is an enlightening and amazing read. I got it as a gift for my 16th birthday and fell in love with the series.

Frankly, I think if she is mature enough to deal with sexual matters objectively, I think you should let her read it. For one, I actually found the liberal sexual orientation views of the main character liberating.

Salander is bisexual, but the term is never purposefully used in the book. instead we are shown that we should accept her as a person, not discriminate based on her sexual preferences. This is further emphasized during the police investigation with Miriam Wu.

Mikael has an affair with a married woman, but it is consensual. It shows just how much honesty and trust is needed in any relationship. He lost his wife because he cheated. I believe that is a valuable lesson to learn.

There are some graphic descriptions of sexual assaults, but frankly, the newspapers nowadays give much more details.

But if it bothers you that much, you could ask her to just skip over the pages. I know, if my mom had trusted me with the book, but requested me to skip over 3 pages, I would have. As it is, most of it I did. It is assault, not sex. No teenager finds that erotic!

But just those few portions shouldn't make you stop your daughter from reading it.

Thirty-plus years ago I read Judith Krantz and Harold Robbins books when I was 15 (behind my mom's back), and Kurt Vonnegut when I was 17 (with her permission). Believe me, your curious teenager will get her hands on a book that she really wants to read, regardless of what you say to her. In my opinion, it's always better to keep the lines of communication open instead of just restricting what a teenager reads. It's better for her to have a parent to discuss it with, if she's disturbed by a book. (Just my two cents.)

No one knows the child like the parent. As a mom, I would read the book first. As a mom who who has read all three books (and liked them) I wouldn't encourage my teen to read this book but I wouldn't forbid this book either. I'd be ready to talk about it! I would let my teen know my concerns about the book being graphic and disturbing. I would let my teen know how I personally felt reading the books. This is question about age and temperament. I know adults who I would never recommend this book to because I know it would be upsetting to them. I would recommend my teen to wait. There are so many other good books out in the world to read!

The high school I work at most kids have either read or heard of the book. By now many have seen or heard the movie. I suppose if your teens live in a suburban area, maybe we could argue that parents would have more influence over their kid's reading choices as opposed to an urban school.

However, despite that, I think it really comes down to the teen in question. Some of my students can handle the material find and others I would avoid recommending the novel due to their emotional maturity. You have to know your kids. If you're simply refusing to allow your teen to read it based on censorship, then that's the quickest way to get any teen to want to find a copy of the novel. I know several teens that do this all the time and their parents are for the most part decent.

You have to know your kid and realize that their world is a lot more complex and they are forced to grow up faster than those from previous generations, so I'm pretty sure as disturbing as the novel can be it's nothing compared to the other movies, video games, books, and entertainment they are inundated with on a daily basis.

I was 12 years old when I had finished reading it and I can say that it was really exceptionally wonderful! I really love it! Not just because I like reading books with similar genre but because the author, Mr. Stieg Larsson, really mesmerized me with his awesome storyline. The dialogues, the setting, the conflict, the whole plot itself and especially the Biblical parodies hahahaha! It was so great!

It would depend on the maturity of your teenager, wouldn't it? You have to be the judge.
How would you stop her from reading the books anyway? Forbidding a book might not work very well. I remember that as a teenager, I would surely read any book my parents tried to steer me away from.

i think its going to depend on the kid, personally I probably would have read them at that age, but then I was also reading in the adult section of the library by the time I was 12...its going to depend on the individual and what they can comprehend/understand/cope with

There are no books that are banned in my house. If the subject matter warrants it, we always discuss before, during and after. By the age of 15 my girls were intelligent and mature enough to deal with the subject matter. For those of you that are upset by this book, don't read it, but don't censor it for 15/17 year olds just because you cannot cope with it. Question: Would you also stop your 15 year olds from reading DH Lawrence, Shakespeare, Hardy, Chaucer, not to mention Boccaccio (you get the picture) and other classics where rape, sex, prostitution, murder, etc are all over the place?

Depends on the teenager - at 15 i would not read it but at 17 i was mature enough to read it and would, if the books were published back then.

All this to say that it really depends on the teen itself, if she has the mental structure to read and to pose questions to me, as a mother, which is very important.

I have a 6 year old son which, in dues time and when he reaches that age, if he wants to read the books, i will not forbid him - as someone said earlier forbiding does not work: the forbiden thing becomes the most wanted item and i want for him to be able to come to me, borrow them from me and ask his questions as he progresses.

In this question it can be bous or girls - they all have the same upbringing and access to the same things and plus: at 15 they have already seen as much viokence in tv/movies as not to be overly traumatized.

I think that a parent should take the same responsibility with books as we've been forced to with movies. This book was clearly written for an adult audience. But, if my daughter has it in her head that she wants to read this, she can get her hands on it without my permission. Therefore, I would hope that we are close enough that I would know what she is reading. And, hope that I was aware enough to know a bit about the books she reads and what she might be taking away from the material. In this case, I would say the wisest thing would be for mother and daughter to read the book together and discuss it as they go along.

I myself tried to read this book last year when I was 16. I didn't finish it, but not because of the sexual violence. I guess if I were a mother I wouldn't want my kid to read this, but honestly I do think it depends on the teen's maturity. I think I was probably first introduced to what rape is when I was at a very young age through tv or movies. My parents really don't censor what I watch or read too much. But I don't think that it's effected me negatively. Although maybe it has because I feel like maybe I've been desensitized to violence and such. I'm just not shocked by it like I used to be, but that isn't to say that I'm amoral or anything like that. I guess in the end it really just depends on the person. The violence in this book did shock me at first, I guess, but the feeling really didn't last. I'm so used to stories like this showing up on the news or on Oprah or whatever. Y'know, stories about girls being sexually abused by their parents or their siblings or whatever. I feel like it's just a darker part of life, and when I have kids I'll obviously want to shield them from it, but I'll want them to be aware of it too.

I am 13 and I just started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest

Not appropriate for most girls.
the author dies, then his trilogy becomes an international bestseller, made into movies, and his common law wife doesn't get any of it. that would be a damn novel.

I'm sixteen and i've read this book in the past few weeks and I think it's actually very important to read books about violence against women. Sheltering children against the truth will only make it hurt more when it's thrust upon them. I suppose, in a way, it's better to learn of the evils of the world through the eyes of a badass, intelligent, strong female character.

In general I think people who enjoy the main character, Lisbeth, will recognize in her very strong, sought-after characteristics. I look up to Lisbeth as a person because she's intelligent and strong and stoic and she's someone who understands that the world sucks sometimes - but she weathers on.

Honestly? I couldn't recommend this to a teenage girl enough. Talk about strong female role models, huh?

Other than that I think(This is coming from a sixteen year old girl, so i'm sorry if i'm overstepping my boundaries. censorship of reading materials isn't a good idea. She needs to know things. Knowledge is power, and sexual violence DOES happen. I guess the best way to deal with it is give your daughter information and hope she uses it correctly.

I was 16 when I read the Millenium series and I really appreciated the books. I think it depends of the maturity and personality of the person reading the books, but if your daughter have watched contemporary movies and television or followed recent news I don't think there are anything in this novel she hadn't heard of before.

I think the question should be 15 - 17 year old SON

Why would it matter if your child reads this book or not? If they are 16 or 17 they have probably watched or listened to something worse on the various media outlets out there. I personally don't agree with trying to shield anyone from the goings on in life. People should be educated and therefore able to make informed decisions. This trilogy is a fantastic read. You develop solid feelings for the characters, especially Lisbeth.

It definitely depends on the teenager and his/her relationship and openness with the parent. In reality if someone wants to read something, they will. Stopping someone from reading anything can subsequently put up walls to open and honest dialogue - danger. Sometimes it helps to read the same book at the same time and have an ongoing discussion.

I loved these books! Lisbeth Salander is one of my favorite characters. And In today's cyber-world, unless your daughter lives under a rock, I doubt you'd be able to keep her from reading something if she wanted to. That being said, if she's 15-17 it depends greatly on her maturity level; I'd let her read them if she asked, but with the caveat that we'd discuss some of the more adult themes and sexual content. This could be a good mother daughter bonding opportunity.
And before someone responds by saying a mother & daughter should be bonding over Bible stories, or some sweeter, more tender literary offerings; Maybe so, but that wasn't the question. Cheers, Mindy

Depends on the child. My mom let me read anything I wanted to from an early age. It did not scar me, but I did find I often knew more about issues and events than my friends did. They would always say, "How do you know that?"...read it in a book.
I do know, as a teacher, kids are exposed to a lot more violent and sexual content than their parents realize. I teach 4th grade and routinely my students tell me they watched "Saw" or "Friday the 13th" or "Chuckie". DVD rentals make it hard for parents to monitor what their kids watch.
At least if your daughter reads the book she can discuss it with you.

LOL - I read Jaws when I was 8! Think it would be a bit hypocritical for me to tell my daughter what to read.

Now I want to pluck the book off of my shelf and read it to see what you all are discussing. If only I had the time to read everything I want to read...

Yes I would. I understand that it is not the easiest book to digest but its about real evil. Everything in this book happens to so many young girls, and I think its important to educate young girls and boys about whats out there. Ignorance might be bliss but its also danger. If I had a daughter I would want her to know how lucky she is and be aware that there are predators out there disguised as good people.

Some scenes are indeed too graphic so I can see why some would choose not too but their honest. 15 is such as difficult age and getting a message across the mind of a teenager is almost impossible, especially if your an adult so this might be a good way.

Plus I think that underestimating someone's intelligence just because their months away from "legally" being able to handle things is stupid and offensive to them. But hey that's just my take on it, I wont judge someone for not agreeing.

Sure, let her read them - they're riveting mysteries!

My step-daughter's mother did not censor her reading, although she would look through the material to be sure it was on her reading level. While she has just turned thirty (and a reader, we are happy to say), I don't think we would have had a problem with her reading something like Girl... when she was in high school. Of course, we would have been available if she had any questions or problems with the material.

Personally, given what passes for mainstream entertainment (on TV, movies, videogames, etc.) I doubt most teens would have major problems with the issues raised in the trilogy.

Then again, as a Librarian, I am sometimes asked by parents for material that they can feel safe giving to their kids. I often suggest that they might want to read the book before allowing their child to have it, but sadly there are some who want to pass the buck.

Depends on the person. I started reading horror books well before 15, so this wouldn't have bothered me at all. I suspect it would have bothered one of my male HS classmates.

Would I go out of my way to hand the book to a 15 year old? No. If my 15 year old expressed interest in the book, we'd talk about the story to give it some context, then she or he could read it if that's what she or he wanted to read and we'd talk about it afterwards. I'd rather be in conversation than be the thought police. If we're raising out kids to be thoughtful adults, then thinking through difficult topics comes with the turf.

I wouldn't recommend it for a child.

How do you stop a 17 year old from reading whatever they want to read? Why would you? When I was 17 if my parents forbid me to read something I would be even more curious and most likely read it in secret. Keep the lines of discussion open.

Why is the question whether you would let your daughter read it? How about your son? Watch Law & Order: SVU or Criminal Minds? 15 yr old kids are already aware of rape and revenge. My parents tried to keep me from reading "adult" subject matter. I read the books when they weren't around. I think it is naive to think that a 15 old of either sex is unaware of rape. I would think if someone is that disturbed by the subject matter they would probably quit reading. I'd rather see someone read these books than Twilight books.

I don't think that there should be an age restriction to any book. Yes the reader should proceed with caution, but they should follow through with a book. Ofcourse, it's not a book for 10 year olds because the vocabulary and violence is too much. If a 13 year old who is mature, wants to read it, why not let them? I am 14 and I'm almost finished with these books, and I don't regret reading them because they have taught me that these things are real and we should always keep our eyes open.

I don't think it is appropriate for under 18. Some of the content, mutual sex as well as rape, etc, is just way too graphic. I know they are exposed to a lot, but I could not sanction it with my daughter.

If your teenager has a want to read the book he or she will read the books with or without your permission. However, wouldn't it be better to have a discussion over what is happening and how this matches your life view. There are many people in this world that have been raped, have had a loved one murdered, have a had a loved one be a missing person. Some people have suffered through any of these events more than once.

It provides you a chance to have a good discussion about real life with your child.

You need to let your kids discover things for themselves. I was fortunate that my mother let me read Stephen King at like 7 or 8. (I was ahead of my grade.)

i'm 13 and i've read the books and rated them 5 star each and watched all the movies

I found the book disturbing and did not read the sequels. I would guide a young girl to some other choices, though not to the spate of fantasy/dystopian fiction that makes up so much of the Young Adult section these days.

I'm currently in high school and I was aware such things before I read this book. I think this is a great book to wake up someone who's naive to these topics if they're over the age of 12.

I would consider it weird if an almost adult would ask my permission to read a book, I would be worried for him/her.

totally. every book is better than being stuck with the mobile or whatever stupid social network. I read much much more worse books at this age

I would HOPE to be able to raise children who were intelligent enough not to WANT to read junk like this.

(But, yeah... fat friggin chance...)

Someone woke up a zombie thread!

No, I wouldn't recommend it to a child. Or an adult for that matter.

Several reasons. It isn't very written. It glorifies rape and shows a main character using rape as revenge.

It pretends to show strong female characters (one in particular) but also makes them really weak. And of course every woman fancies the author character.

I would hate it if anyone was introduced to this book on the pretence that it was either good writing or showed realistic characters.

It all depends on their maturity. I was reading Stephen King's horror book by the time I was 12/13 because I outgrew children's book, loved scary nightmares (not sad nightmares) and already watched plenty of horror movies. And I have neither killed anyone or threatened to kill anyone or got into trouble, or have worshiped the devil or got into any fights. I have become an ordinary adult who maybe is just a be more cautious and more sensible than most, especially around alcohol. I've been drunk and had fun, but I never had a blackout, collapsed or been in a comatose state with pants around my head or ankle.

So yeah, I say give them horror and thrillers, especially if it teaches people to be more aware and sensible.

Plus, what happened to Lisbeth was very unlucky and because she had trouble reading people, she didn't see the danger, but it teaches women to be aware of being alone with creeps.

my daughter read them at 15 and recommended them to me. We both enjoyed them

I would, but I am a relatively permissive parent. Also, when I was that age, I read whatever I wanted to read... So, really, can you stop her?

I would not want to my teenager to read this. I would have loved for them to read it if those violent and rape scenes were not in the book then I think it would be appropriate. I think it's too much for a young child to have to think about. I do agree that it is very well written.

I'll drop my 0.02 cents in the bucket. I bought the trilogy as an audio book collection. I listened, found them horrifyingly graphic, and then allowed my 13 year old daughter to listen to them. Why? Not really about the maturity of the reader, only to the extent that they can understand the content.

For me, allowing my daughter to share it with me also allowed her to ask questions and discuss the content of the book. It allowed us to discuss things like marginalized individuals living on the fringe of society. It allowed us to discuss survival after tragedy. It allowed us to discuss power and control, and fault in a rape situation. It allowed us to talk about my favorite plug for my daughter, "girl power."

Personally I want her to read as many books that show a woman of strength being able to take control of her own destiny as I can find. Lisbeth Salendar is by far one of the strongest, most resilient, most resourceful young women in recent literature.

I would not want my daughter to find herself with so little support. I pray she is never victimized to this degree, but I know she will be mentally prepared for the fact that there are those who want to take power and control from her. I know she is aware that women survive. Examples, even fictional ones, are a tool to that end.

If you haven't read them, read them, too. It would be a good opportunity for important mother-daughter discussions on sexual abuse, as well as to discuss your own personal values regarding sex, whatever those may be.

I was a junior in high school when I read these books so I was... 16 or 17 when I read them. I think it's okay. I think if my child was genuinely interested in reading them, I would let my child read them.

No