Scan barcode
aoakley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
elles_bells_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Despite the murder mystery within this story being pretty gripping (if you’re not fatigued by the amount of abuse against women featured, not only in this story, but in so many crime dramas) it was hard to not see this story as some sort of self-insert erotic fantasy. Mikael Blomkvist, a disgraced journalist, though arguably not from his own misdoings as we find out, ends up having sex with all three of the main female characters, with the exception of Harriet. I want to make a disclaimer before I go down this path of discussion: I am all in favour of women taking control of their sexuality. However, all of these women instigate sex in such a way that, from Blomkvist’s point of view, it feels as though the sex is something that keeps happening to him without much effort on his part. This isn’t helped by the fact that I know more about the women, what they’re wearing, and what their breasts look like, than anything about the main character. Dare we even to delve into the character of Lisbet and her immediate trust of Mikael despite her history of abuse with men? I can’t speak from any experience, but I just felt his characterisation of her was off (and not in the way that he indeded). Overall, coupled with the graphic scenes of rape and abuse, it left a bad taste in my mouth, no matter how good the mystery was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
More...