Government conspiracy is at the heart of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. And yes, things won’t make much sense unless you’ve read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire before you tackle this 563-page baggy monster. Rumors abound that a large fragment of a fourth novel exists. Stieg Larsson died before he could finish the fourth book of what was planned as a 10 book series. I think all three novels read like First Drafts. Perhaps Larsson died before the books could be edited and that’s why they are so discursive and flawed. But, there’s no denying that Stieg Larsson knew how to tell a story. GRADE: B
I think you nailed it. Extemsove editing would have helped so much.
I’m assuming Stieg Larsson died before the text could be edited so they just published them “as is,” Patti. There are plenty of gaffs that a good editor would never have allowed.
I think you nailed it. Extensive editing would have helped so much.
Ditto, Patti.
Ten book series? Reads like a first draft? Yikes, I’m sure glad I have no interest in this author or series. Too bad the author died before continuing, but the books shouldn’t have been published if they weren’t properly vetted.
There’s plenty of controversy about these books, Rick. However, the three books became bestsellers despite their length (over 1500+ pages) and plenty of people would read the fourth book fragment if it ever surfaced.
I also wonder how much his story contributed to the success of the series, Rick, much like Jonathan Larson’s death before Rent opened probably contributed to the success of that show.
You might be right, Jeff. There are plenty of conspiracy theories about Stief Larsson’s death. Many believe there was a “contract” out on Larsson by some neo-Nazi group. But, despite all of this speculation, the fact remains that the books have sold millions of copies.
Most bestsellers are hardly exmplars of concision. The sloppier and more rambling, oftentimes the more passionate the audience can be about a work…at least if their are preachments (as with Heinlein or Ayn Rand) or undigested resarch-driven lectures (as with Michener) on offer.
It still amazes me, Todd, that Stieg Larsson’s THE GIRL WHO series (at over 1500 pages) has sold millions of copies. Rambling plot, too many characters, and the absence of editing would seem to be the kiss-of-death to these books. But, nooooo!
Or even, there are. My comment thus qualifies for bestseller status.
Your comment could be a bestseller on Twitter, Todd.
And I still can’t get past the insult to Larsson’s memory (and certainly to his intentions) that calling the first and third novels THE GIRL WHO… is.
Once Stieg Larsson died, plenty of liberties were taken with his work, Todd.