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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Summary

Everything you need to know about Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, in 1 paragraph.
An illustration of a reader enjoying The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson in a cosy interior
A reader enjoying The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo tells the story of Mikael Blomkvist, an investigative journalist hired by a wealthy industrialist to determine what happened to his niece who went missing forty years earlier. He teams up with Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant but troubled young hacker, and together they uncover a dark and twisted conspiracy involving murder, corruption, and political intrigue. As Blomkvist and Salander delve deeper into the mystery, they discover secrets that will put them in grave danger.

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What is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo about?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a mystery thriller novel by author Stieg Larsson. It follows the story of Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker, and Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who are hired to investigate an unsolved disappearance that occurred 40 years before. Along the way, they uncover a series of dark secrets and uncover a web of corruption and violence. The novel deals with themes of power and corruption, justice and revenge, as well as gender inequality, identity and family secrets. The story also highlights the complexities of trust, morality and the consequences of secrets kept for too long. Ultimately, the novel is about finding redemption in spite of darkness and evil.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Book Club Questions

  1. What themes does the novel explore and how does it address them?
  2. How does Lisbeth Salander's character development evolve throughout the novel?
  3. What are some of the recurring motifs in the novel?
  4. How does the novel integrate technology into its plot development?
  5. How do gender dynamics play into different aspects of the story?
  6. What are some of the implications of Henrik Vanger's obsession with Harriet's disappearance?
  7. How is justice explored in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?
  8. What is the significance of Mikael Blomkvist's relationship with Erika Berger and how does it affect his investigation of Harriet's disappearance?
  9. What messages about power and violence are present in the novel?
  10. How does Stieg Larsson use symbolism to convey certain aspects of his story?

What to say about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a remarkably engaging page-turner, full of unexpected twists and turns.
  • The story has an incredible level of detail and complexity that keeps readers hooked until the very end.
  • The characters are well developed and draw readers in with their compelling motivations and emotions.
  • Stieg Larsson's writing style is both gripping and thought-provoking, leaving the reader with much to contemplate after finishing the novel.
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo raises important questions about justice, morality, and identity which makes for an interesting discussion topic for book clubs.
  • It is a captivating story that explores themes of loss, revenge, and redemption in an original way.
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a classic example of crime noir fiction that can be appreciated by readers of all backgrounds and interests.
  • While it contains some dark elements, it ultimately tells a tale of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo features a strong female protagonist who is sure to inspire readers everywhere.
  • This book is not only a thrilling ride but also serves as social commentary on modern society that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it.

Top 5 Quotes from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

  1. "I'm not a girl who can be taken for granted."
  2. "The only way to survive in this world is to be able to adapt yourself to change."
  3. "An adolescent girl could stand anything, as long as it was within the boundaries of bad taste."
  4. "It's not enough to be able to do something; you also have to know when and where to do it."
  5. "If it turns out that there is something wrong, someone has been lying. The truth will come out eventually."

Adaptations of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

1. Film: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) 2. Film: The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009) 3. Film: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009) 4. TV Series: Millennium (Swedish, 2010-2012) 5. TV Series: Millennium (U.S., 2013-2014) 6. Radio Drama: BBC Radio 4 Adaptation (2015) 7. Podcast Series: Dragon Tattoo Stories from Sweden (2018) 8. Theatre Musical: Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy - A New Musical (2019)

Other books by Stieg Larsson

  • The Girl Who Played with Fire
  • The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest
  • The Millennium Trilogy: Extended Edition

Did you know?

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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo became the highest-grossing Swedish film of all time when it was released in 2009.