Friday, December 3, 2010

The Bloggerhood of the Traveling Book Tour


The tale of the Bloggerhood of The Traveling Book (in case none of you are familiar with it), more or less goes as follows:

Unfinished Person (aka Unfinished Rambler or, “UP/UR” for short - he really needs to pick one name or stay on his meds, or something), sent the “Book” to Quirkyloon who forwarded it to Boom Boom Larew (aka Cat Lady Larew – again with the names?) who posted it to nonamedufus and then, finally (via conch-mail) it reach me.

And so the torch has been passed.

The “Book” to which I refer is The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson. It’s the second book of the Millennium Series – a trilogy about the trials and tribulations of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist (aka “Kalle f*cking Blomkvist” - really? What’s up with the names already?? Oy!)

So, at the suggestion our resident schizophrenic (that would be UP/UR’s suggestion), we came up with the brilliant idea for each of us to write our own review of the book in question. Hence, the Bloggerhood of the Traveling Book Tour was born. In succession, the reviews are as follows:

Quirkyloon - Tuesday
Boom Boom Larew - Wednesday
nonamedufus - Thursday
00dozo - Friday (you are here)

Egad! It is now my turn to hand in my review. I wasn’t sure what to write. Having read the previous reviews of my predecessors (who have each done a fantastic job), I felt a bit daunted by this task. So, here it is:


The Girl Who Played With Fire
by Stieg Larsson

What can I say about Lisbeth Salander that hasn’t already been said. She is a definitely unique heroine but not so much of a heroine in the true sense of the word. She does not seek out those in need of help but, as a victim of great injustices herself, Lisbeth’s own twisted set of morals dictates who, why and how someone must suffer her unique methods of punishment, whether or not she likes or even knows the victim. This is a woman into whose cornflakes you do not piss.

Ah, Blomkvist – again, what can I say? He’s not a womanizer, but a charmer of women. His character offsets the theme of abuse and degradation of women by the other male characters in this story. He is humble and honest but a very determined journalist – a man into whose coffee you do not put milk if it is supposed to be espresso. Although, from his description (and despite his carnal tendencies), I wouldn’t kick him out the bed for eating kex*.

The book itself is full of it: intrigue, corruption, violence, many surprises, characters you love to hate, characters you hate to love, a lot of coffee and sandwiches, among other things. It even has some ‘naughty bits’.

Since no one has mentioned it, this book (as well as all three in the Millennium Series) has been translated from the Swedish by Reg Keeland and I think he is worthy of a special shout-out. (“Hey Reg! How’s it hangin’?) They are wonderfully translated and very easy to read.

The trilogy consists of:

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played With Fire
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornest’s Nest

If you haven’t already, please visit the other reviews for their take on the book and a bit of additional information of the Millennium Series.

I hope that Reffie, the latest recipient of this book, will proffer her own review. If not, it’s always open for the next reader.



*kex: crackers

(Post publishing edit:  I forgot to provide a link to Reffie's blog - it's there now (sorry Reffie!))

31 comments:

  1. Kudos, Double O! As the week went on it became harder and harder to think up an idea for this that somebody hadn't already used! Now... what book shall we read next?

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  2. Boom Boom: Thanks! I had written something yesterday, but after reviewing it (and the mostly empty bottle of vodka), I spent most of the morning rewriting it. And it was hard, especially being last, but I would still be interested in the other reviews of the newer recipients.

    The next review(s) should probably start with the first book and finish with the last - that way we can rehash some of the thoughts we may not have included this time around.

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  3. 00dozo: I didn't envy you but you managed to flesh things out and give us details the rest of us hadn't covered - down to the sandwiches and coffee! Well done. Kudos on singling out the translation. It was an excellent job. I don't know about you but when I came to the end of the 3rd book I just wanted to keep reading. What a great series. I'm glad I participated in the Bloggerhood.

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  4. Nicely done, Double O. I really have to read these books now. I'm picking one up this weekend.

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  5. Hey, nice shout-out to the translator. I didn't even think of that and should have. Translators don't get any credit.

    Sorry, I'm so late to the party. Had to go to work early today and so missed out until now, but glad I stopped by, if nothing else for the line: "This is a woman into whose cornflakes you do not piss."

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  6. dufus: You certainly were a tough act to follow! Thanks! It was excellently translated - I think many translated books are passed over because of that fact, but one couldn't hardly notice with these. I join you in your grief over reading the final text - I kinda felt like that little green guy they show at the end of "Just For Laughs", "Mommy! *sniff, sniff* It's over!"

    Yes, this was a lot of fun!

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  7. Linda: I think that you'll absolutely love these books. A forewarning: there's a lot of coffee and sandwiches mentioned - you may want to have some handy (or some milk and cookies) whilst reading!
    ;-)

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  8. UP: I was so surprised and very impressed with the translation that he deserved a mention. Thanks!

    Meh, no worries about being late (I assume you are on or near the west coast). You reach when you reach. By the way, I occasionally eat cornflakes.
    ;-)

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  9. Good job, 00dozo!

    Thank you for the linkie!

    It will definitely be hard to do the review. Maybe Evil Twin will step in for me.

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  10. Reffie: There you are! I hope you are enjoying the book. Thank you, and you are welcome, too! We would all love to hear a review from you (and/or Evil Twin), as well. (Don't forget grab the badge!)
    ;-)

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  11. Ah! I, too, am late to the party. Darn kids. Keeping me busy! The noyve! *smile*

    I loved the same line that UR pointed out: This is a woman into whose cornflakes you do not piss.

    That was excellent! And wonderful job! You done great! *smile*

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  12. Quirks: No worries! You reach when you reach. I figured you'd be busy with the Quirklets tonight.

    And Thanks for your compliments! *blushes*

    ;-)

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  13. For some reason I have stayed away from this series. I think it was bad reviews. This review may change all of that. Or not. I may just keep hanging out here for your take on things I have no interest in. You rocked the review. I agree with all the highlights from folks who've come before me.

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  14. Cheryl: Bad reviews? The first book made the New York Times' bestseller list! But, what do they know over there. Heh, heh.

    I think you can preview them on Amazon (but skip the prologues - they only make sense later in the books).

    And, thanks for the rockin' comment! And hang out any time you like!
    ;-)

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  15. Yep, I've read bad reviews of the 2nd one in one of the big rags.

    Can you shoot me your email? It's frustrating not to be able to answer your questions.

    It's not "you are" it's "your." The last line of the card was supposed to be: "From our home to yours with love." I missed the "s" in yours so it reads: "from our home to your with love." Your dog? Your kids? Your snowblower? It's gonna be fun.

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  16. I read the entire Millenium series in French and saw the films translated into French...do I get bonus points for that or at least get a button saying: "Been there, done that!"
    I love Lizbeth Sanders, although I was hoping for more smutt in the film. It was all very tame for a European film...what's up with that?
    Great

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  17. ...whoops, got carried away and didn't finish my comment...
    what I was going to say was great review and I'm glad you mentioned it was translated from Swedish. I think the Americans are going to make the book series into a film, but I highly recommend the Swedish version with subtitles.

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  18. Sandra: You are welcome to write a review - on the book and/or movie - and, absolutely, copy the badge if you like! The more the merrier!

    I haven't seen any of the movies and, typical me, I'm a day late and a few loonies short to know that there were any. Although, in my opinion, it is really hard to get a good movie out of a great book. I think a mini-series (that could include all the 'nuts and bolts' of the book, per se) would better serve the author's work.

    Thanks for dropping in, and thanks for your comments!

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  19. Linda: Check your email - if you didn't get my response, let me know.

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  20. Hi OO and all, Thanks for the nice props, always welcome on this lonely planet out in the mile-high desert. If you're searching for another series, you might want to start on Jo Nesbø from Norway, wonderfully translated by my Norfolk pal Don Bartlett. He rocks! Greetings to all from New Mexico. -- Reg in Albuquerque (real name Steven T. Murray)

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  21. Reg: OMG! How on earth did you find this Bloggerhood of the Traveling Book (and Tour)? We are a bit of a strange bunch, aren't we?.
    ;-)

    I think I speak for the for the rest of us and offer condolences to the passing of Stieg Larsson. I'm sure his future instalments would have been excellently written - as would the translations, of course.

    And, you are sooooo welcome for the props! You deserve it!

    Well, I'll just have to take this as my "fifteen minutes of fame". (I'm so verlkempt!)

    Thanks for dropping by and for the tip on Nesbø, too! I will definitely look into it.

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  22. Simple, just set a Google alert for your name or one of your authors, or anything. You can run but you sho can't hide! Now write something about the Bahamas, I want to go -- we are severely moisture-challenged out here, not to mention the fish is terrible.

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  23. Great job, Double-O, and good of you to mention the translation as well, it's so easily forgotten.

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  24. Reg: I'm not that web-techie - hell, I have a hard enough time putting stuff on my blog's sidebar.

    Although I'm originally from Canada, the Bahamas is truly different. It is less humid between October to the end of May, but probably 'wetter' than Albuquerque. If you are really into humidity (plus heat), come over in mid August - you won't be disappointed.
    ;-)

    Seriously, though, the gambling (if that's what you're after) is better in Nassau although we do have one casino here. Otherwise, most of the other islands are very nice (and cleaner with probably less crime than Nassau). I guess it all depends on what your looking for in a vacation.

    I don't suppose you have much fishing over there (heh heh). If fresh, the seafood is great, just stay away from any land-crab dishes.

    Oh, just one more thing - I only mention this because our Internet connection was down for the last half-hour - you may want to make sure of a reliable internet service if you are to depend on one while here.

    Thanks, again!

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  25. Ziva: Thanks! I know you've read the original Swedish, but I'd love to hear your take on the translated versions of the books.

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  26. I haven't had any interest in reading these books until now, but these reviews have intrigued me. Every one brought out something interesting about the story and characters. Good job, my friend.

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  27. Jayne: I know how you feel - the dust covers aren't that appealing but one should never judge (etc.).
    ;-)

    Thank you, and I think you will enjoy them!

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  28. Maybe reviewing wouldn't be so difficult if you resolved not to read the other review until you'd posted your own. A thought.

    I haven't read the third book. I am alone among my friends in only thinking these books are okay. They are page-turners, but they don't stick with me. Odd things do. Like, why did we hear a paragraph of the names of all the IKEA furniture Salander buys?

    Maybe that comes up in the third book.

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  29. I've got nothing to say about this. Nothing. I would like to read the book, though.

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  30. Murr: Thanks for dropping by! You make a good point, but then there is a risk of everyone saying the same things in basically the same way. It is a thought, though.

    I thought that Larsson would go in a different direction with the third book but, considering the series was to consist of ten instalments, it made sense and it answers some questions left at end of the second. As for naming the furniture, I don't know - maybe it's a Swedish thing(?)
    ;-)

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  31. BonyMike: What? You have nothing to say?? Heh, heh.

    As for the book, you'll have to take that up with Reffie - maybe bribe her with gifts?? A Rolex? A Porsche?
    ;-)

    Try to read the first one before the second, if you can (although it's not absolutely necessary).

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