[beppe]

It appears that there are problems with the translation of the trilogy. I read in Italian, translated by a renown professional, very much appreciated for the quality of her work. I read interviews of the translator that explained how much she had to work for Stieg Larsson's books.

One thing I can say, I recognized a certain Swedish style, being familiar with Martin Beck stories by Sjöwall and Wahlöö.

I found the reading in itself very pleasant. The first hundreds (sic) of pages seem glued together, but after a slow start, the pace is lively and the tensions are built and released masterly, around the extremely captivating characters (see Ea's comment above). The second book is packed with events, and the third one, where the drama and mysteries are finally unraveled is highly satisfactory.

I will reread the second book and than the third. Highly and warmly recommended. It is true the super heroine Lisbeth Salander is fascinating, for many reasons. Her ambiguities, her vitality, her supreme capability of taking punishments and her incredibly amusing inner world are fascinating. When finally she gets some money, what she does with it is a riot. Her eating habits are quite interesting also. Sex is fine. That also is quite Swedish. No offense intended.

Just an other consideration about the character of Lisbeth Salander. It is the best interpretation that I have encountered of those strange beings that I see moving around in the big cities, ringed, pierced, tattooed, jellied and with primary colors on their heads, dressed in improbable garments and with phased out faces. Since reading the books I observe them more curiously, and may be a little more interested.

OK. technology. No way that in Sweden they have that large bandwidth. Or on Mars. So in a way the trilogy could be considered SF.