Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Earlier this week, Knopf announced a publication date of 01 September for the 4th book featuring Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander - The Girl in the Spider's Web. Given that Larsson died before he could enjoy the benefits of the success of the Millenium trilogy, the notification states David Lagercrantz was hand-selected by the Larsson estate to write this stand-alone sequel based on Stieg Larsson's characters.
The press release, for obvious reasons, avoids the fact that Larsson left his own incomplete version of a 4th book as a follow-up to the Millenium Trilogy. Why has this book, in whatever form it exists, not yet seen the light of day? The answer, along with a lot of other material, can be found in Eva Gabrielsson's 'There Are Things I Want You to Know About Stieg Larrson and Me'. Ms. Gabrielsson and Mr. Larsson were longtime partners at the time of his death which, in short, means that she had no legal right to Larsson's material legacy upon his death. On the other hand, the father and brother who control the Larsson estate do not have possession of the laptop containing his work in progress. No one wins a battle like this; the only question is the severity of the loss.
The book appears to have been a cathartic attempt by Miss Gabrielsson to deal with the twin demons of her partner's death and her monetary abandonment. As such, much of it portrays the late author as a heroic figure whose flaws lean towards overwork, under-exercise, refusal to visit a doctor, and poor eating habits. The author herself vacillates between a I'm strong and will move on attitude and a woe is me lament. No one will accuse this book of walking a tightrope between two opposing viewpoints!
Fans of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and the other books in the Millenium Trilogy will find more than enough informational detail in this book to justify the time it takes to read it provided they don't mind the fact that the author holds little sympathy for the current legal heirs to the Larsson estate.
RATING: 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars where 1/2 stars are not accepted.
The press release, for obvious reasons, avoids the fact that Larsson left his own incomplete version of a 4th book as a follow-up to the Millenium Trilogy. Why has this book, in whatever form it exists, not yet seen the light of day? The answer, along with a lot of other material, can be found in Eva Gabrielsson's 'There Are Things I Want You to Know About Stieg Larrson and Me'. Ms. Gabrielsson and Mr. Larsson were longtime partners at the time of his death which, in short, means that she had no legal right to Larsson's material legacy upon his death. On the other hand, the father and brother who control the Larsson estate do not have possession of the laptop containing his work in progress. No one wins a battle like this; the only question is the severity of the loss.
The book appears to have been a cathartic attempt by Miss Gabrielsson to deal with the twin demons of her partner's death and her monetary abandonment. As such, much of it portrays the late author as a heroic figure whose flaws lean towards overwork, under-exercise, refusal to visit a doctor, and poor eating habits. The author herself vacillates between a I'm strong and will move on attitude and a woe is me lament. No one will accuse this book of walking a tightrope between two opposing viewpoints!
Fans of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and the other books in the Millenium Trilogy will find more than enough informational detail in this book to justify the time it takes to read it provided they don't mind the fact that the author holds little sympathy for the current legal heirs to the Larsson estate.
RATING: 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars where 1/2 stars are not accepted.
John O. (buzzby) -
Or more to the point, "There are books I want you to buy" about Stieg Larsson and me.
