Jun 29

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo — what are you waiting for?

By Ann Kingman Uncategorized Add comments

I’ve been remiss in informing you of an important publishing development, and I’m sorry. Many moons ago, I told you about The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Books on the Nightstand podcast episode #12). Here in the United States, it’s just been published in paperback.

And it’s not just a paperback — instead, it’s in two different paperback versions. There’s the larger format trade paperback version, and the smaller, more portable, mass market edition.

Whatever your flavor preference, if you enjoy intelligent mysteries or thrillers, particular those with an international setting, you owe it to yourself to read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It’s one of the best mysteries I’ve read in a very long time. And more importantly, the sequel, The Girl Who Played With Fire, is even better. Since that book will be published on July 28th, you have almost a month to read the first book before curling up with the second.

Set in Sweden, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo involves a crusading journalist, financial intrigue, corruption, family history, the disappearance of a young girl, an eccentric business baron, computer hacking, and Lisbeth Salander, the strongest female character I’ve read in ages — a modern day Pippi Longstocking that you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley if you’d made her angry.

The backstory to the publication is as fascinating as the novel. The author, Stieg Larsson, died of a heart attack shortly after completing the 3rd book in the series, and just after the first was published in Sweden. It went on to become an international publishing phenomenon, and he was not around to see it. Further drama is currently playing out in the battle for Larsson’s estate, which has been denied to his partner of 30 years because they never married, Larsson left no will, and under Swedish law she cannot inherit.

I’ve spoken to so many people over the past year who have loved this book, and it truly is a phenomenon. If you have nothing on your reading list (hah!), take a trip to your local bookstore and check it out. Chances are good that someone at the bookstore has read it, too, so you can get a second opinion.

  • Tanya

    I’m listening to the audiobook right now! It’s narrated by Simon Vance and it’s a great performance!

  • Tanya

    I’m listening to the audiobook right now! It’s narrated by Simon Vance and it’s a great performance!

  • http://www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com Suzy Levin

    Hi Ann!
    Loved this book! Have been waiting patiently for the next book to be published here in the States!
    I reviewed this in April on my blog and have recommended it to many people. BUT, the ending frustrated me! Wish the second book was out after I turned that last page!

    Happy reading,
    Suzanne
    http://tinyurl.com/nvt2wy

  • http://www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com Suzy Levin

    Hi Ann!
    Loved this book! Have been waiting patiently for the next book to be published here in the States!
    I reviewed this in April on my blog and have recommended it to many people. BUT, the ending frustrated me! Wish the second book was out after I turned that last page!

    Happy reading,
    Suzanne
    http://tinyurl.com/nvt2wy

  • http://www.alvahsbooks.com Rebeca@alvahsbooks.com

    I read both and I have the biggest girl crush on Elisabet Salander–what a fabulous character! Both Dragon Tattoo and Played with Fire make my Ten Best so far. To read my reviews, just pop in at http://www.alvahsbooks.com.

    Rebeca

  • http://www.alvahsbooks.com Rebeca@alvahsbooks.com

    I read both and I have the biggest girl crush on Elisabet Salander–what a fabulous character! Both Dragon Tattoo and Played with Fire make my Ten Best so far. To read my reviews, just pop in at http://www.alvahsbooks.com.

    Rebeca

  • http://mariegauthier.wordpress.com Marie Gauthier

    I’m looking forward to reading The Girl Who Played With Fire — the first book was fantastic! Glad to know I don’t have that much longer to wait!

  • http://mariegauthier.wordpress.com Marie Gauthier

    I’m looking forward to reading The Girl Who Played With Fire — the first book was fantastic! Glad to know I don’t have that much longer to wait!

  • http://gaywalker.blogspot.com Gay Walker

    Just added sample chapters to my Kindle (which is my version of a TBR list). Sounds GREAT (and you haven’t steered me wrong yet)!

  • http://gaywalker.blogspot.com Gay Walker

    Just added sample chapters to my Kindle (which is my version of a TBR list). Sounds GREAT (and you haven’t steered me wrong yet)!

  • Jackie

    Loved this book and waiting for number 2.
    It is very sad to hear the problems surrounding his estate. I do hope his partner gets something( though I think she deserves it all!). This should only remind everyone to make out a will.
    Any idea when book 3 is suppose to come out?

  • Jackie

    Loved this book and waiting for number 2.
    It is very sad to hear the problems surrounding his estate. I do hope his partner gets something( though I think she deserves it all!). This should only remind everyone to make out a will.
    Any idea when book 3 is suppose to come out?

  • http://www.thescrapperpoet.wordpress.com Karen Weyant

    I just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo today — I buzzed right through it. A great book. Can’t wait for the second book.

    P.S. Found your blog through Marie Gauthier’s blog.

  • http://www.thescrapperpoet.wordpress.com Karen Weyant

    I just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo today — I buzzed right through it. A great book. Can’t wait for the second book.

    P.S. Found your blog through Marie Gauthier’s blog.

  • Cristina

    Ann, I was wondering if you would recommend this book to book clubs. Do you need to read all three? or is it OK, to just read this one? Thanks for the help…and by the way, I love the podcasts!!! keep them coming…

  • Cristina

    Ann, I was wondering if you would recommend this book to book clubs. Do you need to read all three? or is it OK, to just read this one? Thanks for the help…and by the way, I love the podcasts!!! keep them coming…

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Cristina, I would definitely recommend THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO to book clubs. There is quite a bit to discuss, especially for a mystery (I was in a mystery book group for awhile and most of the time there just wasn’t a lot to talk about). This is the first in the series, so it’s a great place to start, and you don’t have to read further if you don’t want to.

    An interesting idea would be to read this in conjunction with ROSANNA by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo — one of the first and still classic Scandivian mysteries, originally published in the 1960s.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Cristina, I would definitely recommend THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO to book clubs. There is quite a bit to discuss, especially for a mystery (I was in a mystery book group for awhile and most of the time there just wasn’t a lot to talk about). This is the first in the series, so it’s a great place to start, and you don’t have to read further if you don’t want to.

    An interesting idea would be to read this in conjunction with ROSANNA by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo — one of the first and still classic Scandivian mysteries, originally published in the 1960s.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Suzanne – the 2nd book, THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE also ends in a cliffhanger, but I think that’s part of the fun.

    Jackie, I’m not sure when the 3rd book will be published – likely sometime in 2010. I know it feels like a long wait.

    Tanya, Rebecca, Marie, Gay and Karen: thanks so much for your comments!
    Tanya: Michael listened to the abridged audio and liked it a lot. Are you listening to the unabridged?
    Rebecca: totally get the girl crush! Marie: I know you were an early fan of this. Maybe the book fairy will send you a copy of the second book.
    Gay: Do let me know what you think!
    Karen: Welcome, and thanks for letting me know how you found us. I always wonder.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Suzanne – the 2nd book, THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE also ends in a cliffhanger, but I think that’s part of the fun.

    Jackie, I’m not sure when the 3rd book will be published – likely sometime in 2010. I know it feels like a long wait.

    Tanya, Rebecca, Marie, Gay and Karen: thanks so much for your comments!
    Tanya: Michael listened to the abridged audio and liked it a lot. Are you listening to the unabridged?
    Rebecca: totally get the girl crush! Marie: I know you were an early fan of this. Maybe the book fairy will send you a copy of the second book.
    Gay: Do let me know what you think!
    Karen: Welcome, and thanks for letting me know how you found us. I always wonder.

  • Tanya

    I am listening to the unabridged audiobook and it’s narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Simon Vance. TGWTDT is the July selection for an online mystery audiobook group that I belong to. The discussion runs from the 20th to the 24th. I figure if I like the book, I can then jump into “The Girl Who Played with Fire” four days later! But if the second book ends in a cliffhanger, then I may wait until book 3 comes out, presumably next year.

    I don’t listen to abridged audiobooks. Most abridgers tend to edit from a basic linear narrative perspective. On the rare occasions when I’ve had to listen to an abridged audiobook, I often feel the book is “out of balance.” The structural integrity of the novel has been compromised. That said, I know of quite a few novels that could have used a heavier editorial hand when in the galley stage! I’ve experienced novels wherein characters that were killed off in, say, chapter 2, only to reappear in chapter 4, and never with an explanation! Or an author who had become rather too enamored with the cut-and-paste function of his word processor and will repeat a paragraph over “verbatim!” (the record for that was 7 times in a business book I was reading (and no, he wasn’t repeating for the reader’s memory’s sake))

  • Tanya

    I am listening to the unabridged audiobook and it’s narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Simon Vance. TGWTDT is the July selection for an online mystery audiobook group that I belong to. The discussion runs from the 20th to the 24th. I figure if I like the book, I can then jump into “The Girl Who Played with Fire” four days later! But if the second book ends in a cliffhanger, then I may wait until book 3 comes out, presumably next year.

    I don’t listen to abridged audiobooks. Most abridgers tend to edit from a basic linear narrative perspective. On the rare occasions when I’ve had to listen to an abridged audiobook, I often feel the book is “out of balance.” The structural integrity of the novel has been compromised. That said, I know of quite a few novels that could have used a heavier editorial hand when in the galley stage! I’ve experienced novels wherein characters that were killed off in, say, chapter 2, only to reappear in chapter 4, and never with an explanation! Or an author who had become rather too enamored with the cut-and-paste function of his word processor and will repeat a paragraph over “verbatim!” (the record for that was 7 times in a business book I was reading (and no, he wasn’t repeating for the reader’s memory’s sake))

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