STIEG LARSSON - AN INTRODUCTION AND TRIBUTE

I must thank my daughter Madhuri for introducing to me the works of Steig Larsson. I have just finished reading the last of his three novels which make up a triology.
But, to start at the very beginning, if you love CRIME FICTION like i do, then read on.

STEIG LARSSON (1954-2004), who lived in Sweden was the editor in chief of the magazine EXPO and was a leading expert on anti-democratic, right wing extremists and Nazi organizations. He died in 2004, shortly after delivering the manuscripts of his now famous TRIOLOGY.

The Trilogy comprises of :
1. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
2. THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
3. THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST.

It is strongly recommended that the books be read in the same order as above.
The main characters are LISBETH SALANDER and MIKAEL BLOMKVIST.
Blomkvist is an investigative journalist and Salander is a freelance research assistant.

The first book, ...Dragon tattoo ... , is about the search for a missing girl after decades by the persevering Blomkvist, a manic serial killleer , a libel case and the crashing of a billionaire. It makes a heady mix, though it tends to be dark, violent and graphic occasionally. The climax is breath taking. Blomkvist is undoubtedly the hero of this first book, ably supported by Lisbeth and also a host of other characters. He comes across as a handsome, attractive Casanova who is also greatly focused on his job and shows a great deal of perseverance in solving the mysteries.
Once i finished this book, my appetite was so whetted that i had to start Book two right away.

The second book is " The Girl who played with the Fire". It is all about Lisbeth, her past and the grave injustice done to her, the abuses she was subjected to a s a young teenager. Some of it is very disturbing, graphic and violent. Your heart goes out to this little helpless girl subjected to such atrocities in a civilized and democratic society. You also see the machinations of a small secret group within the secret police which is a law on to itself , and which subverts democracy in the name of protecting the same.But Lisbeth is no weakling. She is a girl who indeed plays with Fire and you can not but admire her spirit of fighting a lone battle. She is the main character of this book and all others become supportive cast.

The third and final book is " The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". This book is all about Lisbeth and the Present and when all her enemies come together and conspire to bury her for good, she fights them back, all alone with her characteristic chutzpah. She has to fight not just individuals but the system too. Does she get her revenge is the absorbing story of the final book. The suspense is tremendous at times and the court scenes are breath taking. Not withstanding her small, thin, anorexic figure, i could see Lisbeth as a Lara Croft fighting her way out of trouble against all odds.

After i finished reading the three books, i kept on thinking about Lisbeth and her story for several days- that is the sort of impression she leaves on you. I also thought about Steig Larsson and how cruel destiny is. Here is a man who died when he was only fifty and who did not live to see the success his books would achieve, translated into English, world over.

His books have sold millions of copies , and, i understand, the English movies are under production. Here is another addition to his million fans.

Well done , Larsson, you wrote great fiction. We love you and your Lisbeth.