tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995576795502079366.post6167643059301813152..comments2023-06-08T10:08:58.360+01:00Comments on Leeds Book Club: The Millennium TrilogyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05836771763779415335noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3995576795502079366.post-87859606406655125202010-05-11T14:04:48.897+01:002010-05-11T14:04:48.897+01:00I'm actually in total agreement with most of t...I'm actually in total agreement with most of this (incredibly articulate)blog, and expecially so if people want to associate me with the writing! <br /><br />I loved these books. Despite frequenting book stores, libraries, train stations and bus stops, I was fortunately never assaulted with the marketing campaign. I vaguely recall some posters way back when, but I am blissfully ignorant as to the cynical attempt to turn this character driven series into a one trick pony (with Lisbeth being the ride...sorry, couldn't resist), or indeed with the attempt to make it into some sort of feminist opus. I read it without any such expectations.<br /><br />While I agree that the name change certainly could indicate a disdain for the intelligence of the English-reading world, it could also be an equally cynical ploy to come up with a unifying naming convention (such as with the first book of His Dark Material series in the USA - Northern Lights to The Golden Compass). Heck it might have been an attempt to make the book more accessable to men who might have felt the orginal title coloured the book in a particular light. <br /><br />I'm certainly far more offended by the need to have 'The Girl' half naked albeit it with back turned, on the front cover. <br />Far more than the words, I think the image of some woman's back, intricately and sensually covered with an exotic image takes from the serious subject matter of the books. <br /><br />I happen to think that Lisbeth is actually the main character in these books. Not in terms of the action, much of which is carried out by her journalist friend - Mikael, and not in terms of the set up, as BookElf has noticed, Mia was far more pivotal in structuring that. But Lisbeth has balls, she does things that make the male characters blink in shock, and at least part of the constant opression in her life results from the fact that she has never played the 'girl' card. She avenges. Sure other people set it up, but when they can't go on - she can. <br />Which I love (the whole hacker thing though drove me mad.) She was originally based on Pippi Longstocking - well this Pippi is armed!<br /><br />If it weren't for Lisbeth and Mikael, no one would have known about Mia, and her lifes work. I'm not taking from Mia, she is a very well developed, engaging and likable character. Which in itself is a miracle as she only features on a number of pages - her impact is felt. It isn't her fault that she dies either, she's just written that way. <br /><br />I would totally recommend these book to anyone who likes pacy, well written, character driven stories, particularly ones that provide an insight into the social workings of the setting. <br /><br />Though I have to admit 'The Air Castle that blew up' would have been an awesome title for the third book.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05836771763779415335noreply@blogger.com