Jim's Books

The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye

David Lagercrantz

The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye
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ISBN: 9780857056405

Description

Sentenced to two months in Flodberga women's prison for saving a young boy's life by any means necessary, Salander refuses to say anything in her own defence. She has more important things on her mind.

Mikael Blomkvist makes the long trip to visit every week - and receives a lead to follow for his pains. For him, it looks to be an important expose for Millennium. For her, it could unlock the facts of her childhood.

Reviewed on 23rd September 2017

This second alternative author sequel to the Millennium trilogy follows one which I begrudgingly read and then was surprised to enjoy. On that basis, I was happy to buy this. But it doesn't live up to the reputation of the series and has put me off wanting to continue.

The plot, while on the surface similar to previous stories, didn't have any of the depth or complexity, and Salander in particular feels like she’s just floating along rather than being an active participant in her own fate. Ultimately the plot is just a weak rehash of earlier novels with some new fighting. The author introduces some new character but ultimately their presence just detracts from what made me want to come back.

Most importantly, I don’t think this book gets what the point is meant to be. The theme of violence against women is continued, but not in a way that makes the women feel real, but instead almost turns on its head and portrays them as victims throughout the story, instead of being actual protagonists in their own right. Instead it feels like the male characters become much more the focus.

I'm afraid that overall this book comes across as what I'd feared the previous one would be - an attempt by Larsson's heirs to milk the cash cow rather than to extend his legacy.

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