Stieg Larsson
The Man Behind The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
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3.7 • 17 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
WHO IS STIEG LARSSON?
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The Girl Who Played with Fire. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. In 2005, Lisbeth Salander exploded as a cultural icon, captivating fans around the world, first in the bestselling suspense novels and later in the film adaptations. But what of her creator? Stieg Larsson—the man behind the Millennium Trilogy phenomenon— died tragically of a heart attack on the eve of the first book’s publication, leaving a brilliant legacy soon shrouded in mystery and controversy.
Now, fellow journalist and activist Kurdo Baksi—who worked closely with Larsson for a decade and appears as himself in Larsson’s fiction—presents a heart-piercing tribute to a close friend that is also a clearheaded analysis of a complex man. This memoir is a candid attempt to answer many questions about Larsson, including: his upbringing; the death threats from neo-Nazi groups that plagued both Larsson’s and Baksi’s daily lives; Larsson’s insomnia and prodigious capacity for work . . . and his stubborn dogmatism when he felt he was right, an uncompromising side that could—and often did—lead him into trouble. Baksi sheds light on some of the dark memories that fueled Larsson’s writing, offers powerful insight into his influences, and describes how elements of this brilliant but secretive man are reflected in his iconic characters.
Already controversial, Baksi’s story is gathering praise and criticism from Larsson’s family, from fans, and from reviewers worldwide. This eloquent but troubling window into his life may raise as many questions as it answers, but it is a must-read for any fan of the Millennium Trilogy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
For anyone who devoured the Millennium trilogy, this heartfelt memoir adds more to Larsson's background. Baksi, who appears in the trilogy as himself, was a good friend and co-worker of Larsson's for more than 10 years. So shattering was Larsson's sudden death, it took Baksi "almost five years of mourning" before he could begin writing about Larsson. There is no doubting Larsson's talent as a writer of thrilling and complex fiction. But Baksi's intention in this informative piece is ensuring that a vital aspect of Larsson's personality not be forgotten: "For most of us he was a tireless hero in the fight against racism there was no battle for democracy and equality that he was unwilling to take part in." Larsson was consumed by a battle he waged against the rising wave of neo-Nazis in Sweden. He dealt with a multitude of death threats for the last 20 years of his life, due to his tireless exposure of their activities in Expo, his antiracist magazine. In this moving tribute to his friend, Baksi also delivers insights on Larsson's extreme work habits, poor diet, feminism, and his biggest pleasure, reading. Now readers can learn a little more about "a man with unique and contradictory character traits of a type one rarely encounters."
Customer Reviews
Insight to a Martyr
The trilogy made me want to know this genius. This helped me see a human with a capacity to push through the tyranny that our society leaves unnoticed.
Umm you need to check your facts…
Ive only read the synopsis and already found a few incorrect statements. Such as Larsson dying on the eve of his first books publication. Which is false, he died many months before the book was published. In fact it was because he died that the book got published. This author doesn't seem to know what he is talking about. Do not read.