I like Larsson's writing style. He includes details, but doesn't go overboard like some other books we have read. The details are relevant and build the characters so they have a complete background story, and seem very life-like. I also enjoy his humor that's woven into the story. Such as the obscene e-mail Blomkvist received that he filed under "Intelligent Criticism."
For anyone that is lost, page 188-190 has the main details of Henrik's family along with a chart of the people that Mikael thinks are important. An index card with characters and some notes on it has helped me stay organized as well and I recommend it.
For these chapters, any speculations on suspects so far? To me, Harold seems the most likely since he was an insane Nazi physician and hates Henrik.
I could've sworn I made a blog post last night but since it's now no where to be found I'll just comment here. I feel like everything I've heard from the movie is affecting my idea of who could have been the killer. Usually I would think that those involved with the Nazi party were too obvious to be suspected, but I heard that nazis play a large role so the characters won't be going away anytime soon. I still have my suspicions about Harriet's mother however. The fact that the police brought her into her daughters room and she couldn't tell them if anything was different is a bit odd to me. Even with a strained relationship a mother usually knows something about her daughter.
ReplyDeleteI think it's too soon to make any guesses about who is the culprit. I definitely think we are missing a significant portion of information. Am I the only one who thinks that maybe there is something a little off about Vanger senior? I may be completely off and I, of course, have no serious textual evidence to compel me to say so, but I have this nagging suspicion that Vanger is not as upfront as he may appear. While I don't think he is responsible for the murder I just don't think we should take what he says at face value. This is speculation of course. I've found it just a little tiring having to go back to through the book to keep track of characters. It seems that they are rushed in a little too quickly for my feeble mind to remember. On a different note, how bad ass is Lisbeth?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm pretty sure I saw your post too, don't worry Emma! You're not going crazy! But I don't think that Harold is the killer because like Emma said, it would just be too obvious. Plus, Vanger said that as much as Harold hates him, he was present at the accident during the time period in which Harriet disappeared. But Emma, I would have to disagree on you about Harriet's mother. If they had such a strained relationship then it is possible that her mother would rarely go into Harriet's room; therefore, she would not be able to tell if anything was missing in the room. However, it is possible that she had something to do with Harriet's disappearance. She isn't really the best mother, so she could be involved. But what do you mean about the Nazis playing a big role? Do you have a prediction or something?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Adrian, we're still being given TONS of background information and to think we know who did it would be naive. In an article I read it summed up the book and mentioned the nazi party, so i just think there's going to be more to hear about them.
ReplyDeleteSandy you're right, I think it was just the way Vanger describe the mother as "vain even in old age". It's almost like we were meant to think about it. But now that Adrian mentioned it I think Vanger is a bit odd. He obviously detests his entire family and he's definitely holding something back. Lisbeth obviously needs to step in and straighten everyone out.
I agree with Adrian. I can't really make a prediction about the suspects because there is not enough information. But Adrian, on your speculation about Vanger, do you think that he is not telling Blomkvist a vital piece of information and he has something to hide? I feel like he has been putting on such a honest face and is willing to share any information about his family that it does make me a little suspicious of him. That or it is his eagerness to have Blomkvist solve the case. And Adrian, I had a feeling you'd like Lisbeth's character. What I don't understand is why she still needs a guardian to handle her financial business and control her life if she is an adult already. Wouldn't she just need to go to therapy for her emotional "disorders"?
ReplyDeleteThe system she's in for her emotional instability confuses and annoys me. From what we were told it seems that her last guardian formed a bond with her and helped her in many ways. Now that she's an adult, why not try and let her live on her own? I'm also irritated that the details of her life are so vague. It's obviously she has a serious past and I'm ready to hear about it. I feel like it would spice up some of these slower informative chapters. I mean it might be part of the writing style, you can't give away the goods parts right at the beginning. I just think some of what we've read has been extremely dry.
ReplyDeleteAgreeing with Emma, I know you made a post! I commented on it!
ReplyDeleteBut in response to this post, I agree with what has been said already. I don't remember exactly word-for-word what I said but I know I said something about being suspicious about Isabella. The whole 'vain even in old age' thing that Emma talked about made me think that.
and I think that Lizabeth is so old for her age. She's experienced a disorder that should be more common in adults and has to cope/fight it and she's doing a great job. Maybe her stay at the clinics made her a stronger person!?
Oh and another comment. While reading, all the background information kind of reminded me of like a t.v. show like House or something where the people are trying to find out what happened and they try and find every little information.
ReplyDeleteI think the author is setting us up with all the information so we could play along with the mystery!
That's exactly what I was thinking. Some of the parts have been pretty boring, but her mysterious character continues to fascinate me. She did start to develop a close bond with Palmgren. Well not exactly close, but it seems like he has been the first person so far to actually get alittle emotion out of her. Even with those rare moments, she is still detached from him. Her response to the critical condition of Palmgren was pretty cold as "she stood up, left the hospital, and did not return" (162). I wonder if Blomkvist would be able to get through to her.
ReplyDeleteI guess my post just decided to delete itself then...
ReplyDeleteBut I agree! It's definitely easy to get involved with trying for solve the mystery. The charts that are in the book lay out the characters nicely for both clarity and for us to think about who could have done it. Do you feel that blomkvist is capable of solving a murder? I feel like his journalism career isn't one that's cut out for solving a murder mystery, even with so much money to motivate him. Not to mention he's completely distracted by his failing magazine back at home.
Sri, what do you mean about "a disorder that should be more common in adults"?
ReplyDeleteEmma, I found your post and posted it again! Check the blog!
ReplyDeleteI think he'll find the answer with the help of Lisabeth.
Sandy, I mean, it said that she went to her first hospital at the age of thirteen. She was barely a teenager! I just think she experiences things that are uncommon for her age.
Yay thank you Sri! And I see what you're saying. She's experienced things that are definitely going to have affected her maturity level. I keep forgetting that she's still considerably young. At the same time though I feel like if she isn't past her emotional problems they could set her back and cause her to make immature decisions, some of which we've already seen (the way she acted when she was first given a job, her snooping into her boss' files).
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe characters have definitely been hard to keep track of, but as Joe said, if you do make a character list, it will help alot in the long run. Sandy, I completely agree that Lisabeth is a really peculiar character. She never expresses any emotions, but you can tell she does have a lot of anger inside her. She doesn't like other people bossing her around. For instance, her response to the orders of her new guardian's rules were bitter when her thoughts were revealed. However, I do have a feeling that Blomkvist might be able to get through to her in the future.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but adding onto Emma's comment, i think that its her youth that enables her to get the job done. She has the courage to go snooping around, and has the motivation to find out what she wants to find out. She definitely dedicates herself to every task that she is given. When her assignment on Blomkvist was dropped, she became frustrated because she hated aborting one (126).
ReplyDeleteAnd Brett, I definitely agree that Blomkvist will be able to get through to her and make her open up. I just can't wait to see how he does it.
I wouldn't exactly call her actions immature. I think her attitude towards others isn't intentional. It is evident that she has had a rough past, and those past factors most likely contribute to her present personality. I think her odd, but driven character will play a key role in the investigation. I think only with the help of Lisbeth will Blomkvist be able to solve the mystery.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, do you guys think her unique character will cause problems if she starts to interact with the people connected to the mystery? For instance, the Vanger family?