The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest / Stieg Larsson

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

category: thriller, author:

Stieg Larsson

book 3 of Millennium
original copyright 2009,
read in February 2011

Agamedes' opinion: 8 out of 10

"The most original heroine to emerge in crime fiction for many years". That's what it says on the cover. Okay, probably true. Except for that bit about "heroine".

Lisbeth Salander is a protagonist.

In a novel the hero or heroine is a larger-than-life character who takes action and moves the plot along. A protagonist is the central person about whom the plot revolves. In Hornet's Nest, Salander is the central character about whom the entire plot revolves.

That said, Salander is a sympathetic character. That is, the reader will feel sympathy for Salander and her plight. Salander herself is less emotional. That, of course, is a central theme of these books: a person who is less emotional than expected can be seen as a dangerous outsider.

In the first two of the Millennium trilogy, Salander shared hero status with Blomkvist. She made decisions, took deliberate action, chose to move the plot along. By the third book, her protagonist status is set. There is a strong message: Society must take care of its members, no matter what their gender, age or emotional state.

To demonstrate the way in which Swedish society has closed down on Salander, author Larsson has closed down her options for action. Most of the work is done by other people -- those who can see Salander's plight and who wish to help.

Just for fun, let's look at the plots for each of the three Millennium books:

Book one is almost a single thread, with steps. Yes, there are several plots: past murders linked to present threats, and the separate corrupt businessman. Each plot -- each villain -- is dealt with in turn. Only when the murder plot is resolved are we brought back to the businessman's final comeuppance.

In Fire, Larsonn's plotting becomes more complex.

There are two main threads. Salander pursues her evil nemesis while Blomkvist pursues Salander. Two separate threads which meet at the end. On the way, however, Blomkvist causes more threads to appear.

Then there's the complexity of Hornet's Nest...

Again, Salander and Blomkvist are separated. This time, however, they each know where the other is, and something of what the other is doing.

Blomkvist is doing what he does best: plodding, analysing and adding strand after strand of interrelated threads of plot. This is a "police procedural", with added following of procedures by journalists, secret police and -- it would seem -- half the population of Sweden.

To some people, this could be boring. To me, it is interesting, fun and -- best of all -- positive. Right from the start, there is no chance that Salander will not win. And I do like to know that a happy ending is inevitable!

So Blomkvist is adding thread after complex thread to the plot. Salander manages to add a few of her own. Yet none of these are red herrings: the only people who misread the facts... are the evil-doers.

Larsson writes a complex book but, really, it is quite straightforward. Like building a brick wall: It seems to be made up of a whole lot of independent bricks but really, it doesn't take long to see the pattern emerging.

I enjoy that straightforward approach to a story. No doubt, no great surprises, just a gradual build-up to ensure the inevitable conclusion. Plus, all the good guys are not just good, they are clever, and dedicated, and honest, and law-abiding.

Hornet's Nest offers a strong message about the possibility of evil in the middle of a complacent society. The story itself is positive, a feel-good novel with a very satisfying conclusion, as all of the baddies are arrested. Just as importantly, Salander may be overcoming her decidedly asocial tendencies... Happy endings all round!

Pick your favourite character, wish that you were even half as good -- and enjoy the book.

..o0o..

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