The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is getting ample attention in the literary world. I had been wanting to read it, and finally, after seeing it chosen as one of my book club's books of the month (on GoodReads), I bought it. 

I sat in Barnes and Noble with two friends, surrounded by all the other patrons, with the loud, upbeat music playing in the background. I decided the book wasn't so scary, and I would just read it during the day (did I mention that this book is a thriller supposedly in the vein of Silence of the Lambs?). I read the first 19 pages, and then took it to the counter to pay. The bookseller started a conversation with me about the wonderful reputation of the book. He informed me that the author published three well-written books (a series), and just as they were gaining popularity, he died. This intrigued me even more. I wanted to be one of the people to read this book, to jump on the gently swelling wave before it grew into the tidal wave I think it will become. 

I took the book home, opened it to the page I had left off on, in the store, and realized I would not be reading this book. I knew that even if I read in the day, even if I read while on vacation surrounded by hords of people, in the end I would eventually have to be alone again. At night. And that would be when I despised my decision to implant this thriller, and all of it's details, in my mind's eye. I just couldn't do it to myself. 

Grudgingly, I took it back to Barnes and Noble and told the booksellers (the same guy and his manager) that it was too scary for me. The bookseller frowned and reminded me of the interesting story he had told me before, but alas I had to decline. The manager, however, decided then and there that he would get the book and read it promptly. Well, at least I sold the book!

Have any of you read it? Will you? If you do, please post here and let us know how it is. I want to know if it is scary in a realistic this-could-happen-so-I'll-never-sleep-again-as-long-as-I-live way, or if it is just an interesting mystery thriller like The DaVinci Code. Who knows, maybe I psyched myself out. But with my track record (Candyman, the movie, haunted me for a good 13 years, and I can just recently go into a dark bathroom without turning on the lights first), I'd rather be safe than sorry.

xo,

The Coconut Librarian

Comments

[BookLady]

Wow, really that scary? I gave the book to my sis for xmas, need to ask her about it! You've sold it to me now, too!

[Coconut Library]

Not sure it's as scary as I think it is. Like I said, I'm definitely not into scary (books, movies, things in general). Please DO read it and let me know what you think! If it's not too bad, I'd love to give it another try.

:)

[jaydek]

I, too, heard rumors about how amazing and rich this book was and bought it for my boyfriend to read (another avid reader). But I don't think he's cracked it yet...I'm now curious to see! I didn't think of it as a scary book at all, so now I'm anxious for one of us to pick it up and check it out. Will let you know. I hear it's amazing once you get in to it...