"The Girl Who Played with Fire"

I've been reading "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest"-- which is the second book in "The Millenium Series," but I've been struggling to make much progress with it. There are a few possible reasons for this: 1. I think just reading during my lunch and during DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) is not nearly enough reading for me. 2. Stieg Larsson must have had a contract that paid by the word. 3. I really must be a slower reader than I realize. With this said, I'm writing the review now even though I'm only 170 some pages in to the 500+ page monster. I know the story is decent as a whole, because I made a point to see the Swedish version of the movies (they'll be coming out soon in an English version too).

Why am I writing the review now? Well, in all honesty, I'm not sure that I can bring myself to finish the book in a timely manner (i.e. within the span of two months at this rate!). I've not just taken to reading the book when I need something to fill my time-- which is rarely, because I'm pretty good at keeping myself busy. Also, I feel like my impression of the book hasn't changed since the first 50 pages. So, what's my recommendation? Save your time.

I love the main character, Lisbeth Salander. She's an autistic misfit with a penchant for putting domestic abusers in their shameful places. However, for some reason Stieg Larsson decided to try to clean her up a bit by having her get a tattoo removed, take out some of her piercings and then get a boob job. Seriously, a boob job. Nothing goes more against the grain for everything Salander would have stood up for than a boob job.

My next bit of beef with the story... the sex. Seriously, I think Larsson was just looking for an excuse to write some lesbian love scenes and he was vicariously trying to live through Mikael Blomkvist, who happens to bed any dame in his proximity but never has to deal with much fallout in the way of jealous ladies. Again, Larsson couldn't sell me on this one.

Aside from the overdone sex forays and the boob job, the story has been decent enough: someone is out to murder Salander, her former abusive guardian is trying to figure how to get back at her, and the Millenium crew is hot on the trail of some corrupt officials who enjoy underage prostitutes. So, that part of the story is decent... it's just the other silliness that must be overlooked. So for now, this read will drop to the "bored and/or looking for something to read before bed" category. Sorry for your luck, Stieg.