Swedish magazine-writer Stieg Larsson wrote three amazing novels, now called his Millenium Trilogy, and delivered them to his publisher. Sadly he died before the novels were published, beginning in 2005. He never got to see the international success that the three books have enjoyed (so far, 22 million copies have been sold and the third book has yet to be released in the United States).
The trilogy is some of the best reading I have enjoyed in many years. They were so good that I couldn't wait for the third to be released here, so I had to order it from England. If you are an avid (or even tepid) reader of fiction, you need to put these books on your must-read list. Although written in the suspense/detective/thriller genre, the books easily transcend the genre. They are also very feminist-friendly, and I have no doubt they'll someday take their rightful place on the literature shelf among the world's greatest writers.
The books are, in order, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (originally titled Men Who Hate Women), The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.
The Swedes have already made the first two books into movies, which have grossed over $100 million and become smash hits in Europe. Noomi Rapace (pictured), who plays the the books young heroine (Lisbeth Salander), was even nominated for a European Movie Award for her role in the movies.
I have to wonder -- why haven't these movies been released in the United States? I have no doubt there would be a large audience eager to see them. The popularity of the first two books in America virtually assures that. I seldom go to a theater to see a movie anymore, but I would be first in line and pay a premium price to see these movies.
But instead of just importing these movies, which seem to have been done right, the dunces in Hollywood are going to make their own star-studded English-language version. Just the thought of this makes me mad. Hollywood has remade hundreds of foreign movies, and royally screwed-up 99% of them.
Frankly, these books are too good to get the "Hollywood treatment". I shudder to think about how badly he books will be butchered when Hollywood gets hold of them. Why can't they just import the Swedish films and let us see them done right?
Sounds interesting, I'll check it out. Speaking of cool things from Sweden, have you seen "Let The Right One In?" It was genre-defying and really great.
ReplyDeletei wonder if we can get the movies on blockbuster or netflex?...my libraian loves them and is waiting impatiently for the third..i got started with the first one.but had to put it down as she had ordered some books for me from waco and had to read them first..will finish it after the first...hope you have a merry merry christmas.
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