books 2011 // # 10 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
Title: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson [Stockholm 2007]
Series: Millennium trilogy book #03.
Genre: Crime. Mystery novel.
Length: 848 pages.
Summary: Lisbeth Salander-the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels-lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge-against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.
Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back. [Source].
Review in 5 words or less: Superb characterization | Very complex and smart plot | Incredible pacing |
Personal Rating: ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ of 5.
Review:
This is easily one of the best books I've read in the past years. Let's face it, nothing but superb writing would have motivated me to keep going in a book that has 800+ pages and in this case I even found myself thinking that the book still ends far too soon. Now it may be a little silly that I find so little to say about a book that I enjoyed so much, but nevertheless the words elude me here. The plot is clever and complex as I've come to expect from Larsson and it picks up immediately where The Girl Who Played with Fire left off. The characterization is strong and the pacing is so good that I barely noticed how time passed as I read. Seriously, an all-around great book that has everything a reader could wish for. I'm very impressed.
Links: official website, @ wikipedia
Other books I've read by this author: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2005). The Girl Who Played with Fire (2006).