The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1)

by Stieg Larsson
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) cover
Good Books rating 3.83
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  • ID: 1393
  • Added: 2025-10-05
  • Updated: 2025-10-05
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-19
positive 4.50

The reviewer is a fan of the book, giving it a 4.5 rating. They argue that the book's misogyny is a commentary on the issue rather than the author's own views. They also defend the use of clichés and multiple plots, finding them fitting for a mystery novel.

The reviewer is a strong advocate for 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' defending it against common criticisms. They argue that the book's misogyny is a commentary on the issue rather than the author's own views, highlighting that the male protagonist is a 'good guy' who cares about both men and women. They also defend the use of clichés, stating that it's a mystery novel and not high literature, and that the multiple plots add to the book's realism. The reviewer finds the book engaging and would give it a 4.5 rating, sensing that the series will grow in the subsequent books.

Quick quotes

    I am an unrepentant fan of this book.

    Perhaps, but how can a book whose original Swedish title is 'Men Who Hate Women' avoid misogyny?

    With apologies to my friend who's first name starts with T: Cliché, smiché!

shelfreflection.com · Unknown · 2025-10-19
mixed 2.50

The book had a slow start but the plot design was engaging, keeping the reader turning pages. However, the graphic content and language were not to the reviewer's liking, making them unlikely to continue with the series.

The reviewer found The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to have a slow start and initially struggled to get engrossed in the story. The plot design was praised for its ability to keep the reader engaged, with a slow unraveling of clues that maintained interest. However, the graphic content and language were too much for the reviewer, who prefers not to read novels that are overly graphic. While the book's focus on exposing violence against women is important, the reviewer personally found it too intense. This made them unlikely to continue with the series.

Quick quotes

    I haven’t decided how I feel about this book. I’m not sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t what I read.

    It was a slow start and took a bit for me to get engrossed in the story.

    I don’t think I will continue to read this series. For me, it was a bit too graphic and I didn’t care for a lot of the language.

mochagirlsread.com · Unknown · 2020-04-20
exciting 4.50

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a gripping and intelligent thriller that combines elements of murder mystery, family saga, and financial intrigue. The story revolves around the disappearance of Harriet Vanger and the unlikely partnership between journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander, who uncover dark secrets and corruption. The novel is praised for its compelling characters and relentless pacing, making it a standout in the genre.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a masterful blend of genres, seamlessly weaving together a murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue. The narrative centers on the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, a young woman from one of Sweden's wealthiest families, and the efforts of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander to uncover the truth. Blomkvist, recently embroiled in a libel case, is hired by Harriet's octogenarian uncle to investigate her disappearance. Lisbeth, a brilliant but troubled young woman, joins him in the investigation, bringing her unique skills and a fierce determination to expose the truth. Together, they delve into the dark underbelly of the Vanger family and Swedish industrialism, uncovering a web of corruption and hidden connections. The novel is celebrated for its complex characters, particularly Lisbeth Salander, who is portrayed as a genius with a traumatic past and a formidable capacity for ruthlessness. The story is relentlessly paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a gripping and intelligent thriller that stands out in the genre, offering a compelling exploration of society's darker aspects and the intimate lives of its characters.

Quick quotes

    This debut thriller — and the first in a trilogy from the late Stieg Larsson — is a serious page-turner rivaling the best of Charlie Huston and Michael Connelly.

    Little is as it seems in Larsson’s novel, but there is at least one constant: you really don’t want to mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo.

    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a contagiously exciting, stunningly intelligent novel about society at its most hidden, and about the intimate lives of a brilliantly realized cast of characters, all of them forced to face the darker aspects of their world and of their own lives.

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