"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is a psychological thriller novel written by Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson. The novel was originally published in Swedish under the title "Män som hatar kvinnor" ("Men Who Hate Women") in 2005. Here are the key details about the novel:
Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
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Author: Stieg Larsson
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Plot Summary:
The story revolves around two main characters: Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist and publisher of the magazine "Millennium," and Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant but troubled computer hacker. Blomkvist is facing legal troubles after being convicted of libeling a powerful businessman. He is hired by an elderly industrialist, Henrik Vanger, to investigate the disappearance of his niece, Harriet, from the Vanger family's island estate several decades earlier.
As Blomkvist delves into the Vanger family history, he uncovers dark secrets, financial scandals, and a dysfunctional family with various skeletons in their closets. Lisbeth Salander, who has her own troubled past, becomes involved in the investigation and forms an unlikely partnership with Blomkvist. Together, they uncover a complex web of deception, violence, and corruption.
Main Characters:
1. Mikael Blomkvist: A journalist and co-owner of Millennium magazine, Blomkvist is determined to clear his name after a legal setback. He becomes the lead investigator in the Vanger family mystery.
2. Lisbeth Salander: A brilliant but socially isolated hacker with a troubled past, Salander becomes involved in Blomkvist's investigation. She is a complex character with a history of abuse and mistreatment.
3. Henrik Vanger: An elderly and wealthy industrialist who hires Blomkvist to solve the mystery of his niece's disappearance. He is a central figure in the Vanger family saga.
4. Harriet Vanger: The missing niece whose disappearance sets the events of the novel in motion. The mystery surrounding her disappearance becomes a focal point of the investigation.
Themes:
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" explores themes such as corruption, violence against women, the abuse of power, and the consequences of family secrets. The novel also delves into the dynamics of journalism, investigative reporting, and the role of technology in contemporary society.
Legacy:
Stieg Larsson's "Millennium" series, of which "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is the first installment, gained international acclaim and commercial success. Larsson, unfortunately, passed away in 2004 before witnessing the global success of his novels.
The novel has been adapted into various films and television series in both Swedish and English. It remains one of the most popular and widely read contemporary thrillers.
ABOUT AUTHOR-
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Stieg Larsson (1954–2004) was a Swedish author, journalist, and political activist best known for his posthumously published "Millennium" series, which includes "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "The Girl Who Played with Fire," and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest." Here are some key details about Stieg Larsson:
Early Life:
1. Stieg Larsson was born on August 15, 1954, in Skelleftehamn, Sweden.
2. He grew up in the northern part of Sweden, and from an early age, he developed an interest in science fiction and detective novels.
Journalism Career:
1. Larsson began his career in journalism and became well-known for his investigative journalism, particularly in the field of far-right extremism and racism.
2. He co-founded the Swedish Expo Foundation, an organization that aimed to document and combat right-wing extremism and racism in Swedish society.
Writing Career:
1. Larsson wrote several non-fiction books and articles throughout his career, focusing on issues such as anti-democratic movements, right-wing extremism, and racism.
2. His best-known work, the "Millennium" series, was written as a departure from his non-fiction work and is characterized by its intense, dark themes.
Millennium Series:
1. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (2005): The first novel in the series introduces the characters Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander and follows their investigation into a decades-old disappearance in a wealthy family.
2. "The Girl Who Played with Fire" (2006): The second installment continues the story as Salander becomes a murder suspect, and Blomkvist seeks to prove her innocence.
3. "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" (2007): The final book concludes the trilogy, addressing unresolved mysteries and bringing the series to a close.
Legacy:
1. Stieg Larsson passed away on November 9, 2004, at the age of 50, before witnessing the immense global success of his novels.
2. The "Millennium" series became a worldwide literary sensation, selling millions of copies and being adapted into successful films in both Swedish and English.
3. Larsson's work brought attention to Swedish crime fiction and influenced the genre's popularity internationally.
Controversy:
1. After Larsson's death, controversy arose regarding his estate. He did not leave a will, leading to legal disputes over his assets, including the rights to his literary works.
Stieg Larsson's impact on the crime fiction genre, especially with the "Millennium" series, is profound. His novels continue to be widely read and adapted for various forms of media, contributing to the global popularity of Scandinavian crime fiction.