"We're all going on a summer holiday"...
"No more troubles for a week or two” as the song has it, and one of your toughest choices might be which book to take with you for your holiday reading…
We reckon the biggest `beach books` this year will be any of the Stieg Larsson crime novels – (The Girl with the dragon tattoo, The Girl who played with fire, or The Girl who kicked the hornets’ nest) – keep your eyes open, and see how many people you spot with a copy…
Where’s Stieg?
Larsson’s publishers must have made a fortune from these bestsellers…not that it’s done poor Stieg any favours, he died a few years ago in mysterious circumstances, aged only 50.(There’s also a new biography about his life & work just out – try reading The man who left too soon). Larsson’s Swedish crime novels, featuring the feisty and mysterious Lisbeth Salander, have sold millions…Why not join the club and try one – you won’t be alone on the beach!
Nordic nasties…
And, if that’s whetted your appetite for more of the same, Bexley Libraries have loads more Nordic novels of a criminal bent…Try books by Henning Mankell (Sweden), Jo Nesbo (Norway) or Arnaldur Indridason (Arnaldur’s from Iceland by the way, so beware the volcanic ash!)
Whatever you pick, enjoy your holiday reading, and tell us about it…
TTFN
5 comments:
Not sure I agree with Larsson's death being "mysterious" he actually had a massive heart attack and the fact that he smoked "60 or more hand-rolled cigarettes a day" may not have helped him live to a ripe old age!
I DO agree with the recommendations to read Henning Mankell & Arnuldur Indridason however - the translators do a fantastic job in making these authors very readable and even though I may think the plots of some of mankell's novels would not be of interest to me the style & quality of his prose is so good I am hooked straight away. Also recommend Karin Fossum!
Very interesting. Unfortunately I'm far too squeamish to try any of these. Any recommendations for those of us who like our crime not so nasty?
Too squeamish, eh?...
How about some `gentler` crime writers - try M.C. Beaton or Jacqueline Winspear, perhaps? Or Alexander McCall Smith's African books, or Simon Brett's English ones?...
I am fortunate enough to have watched the DVD of the book last night. A Swedish clone of Kenneth Branagh took the lead role and was very impressive. The beautiful sets and impressive cinematography are in complete contrast to the slowly unravelling horror of the main theme. Must win awards.
Splendid!
The actor, by the way, is Michael Nyqvist...
And remember fil fans, the DVD is available from Bexley Libraries!
TTFN
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