which we've seen people reading on the subway, on airplanes, on beaches, and in bars and restaurants. Namely: how did this book become so popular? And: Why is it not called The Girl With The Wasp Tattoo?
The second question we'll tackle first. We're told the book was originally entitled Men Who Hate Women, which makes sense (and which leads back to our first question, doesn't it?). So, if you're going to change a title of a book loaded with graphic atrocities against women, why not pick the tattoo most relevant to the character you've decided to feature? We're talking about Salander's wasp tattoo. Wouldn't The Girl With The Wasp Tattoo make more sense? Yes. Her dragon tattoo is only mentioned in passing. Her wasp tattoo is part of her identity. Sheesh.
Though, really, this book is Blomkvist's story, so it should be called The Reporter Who Somehow Did Not Impregnante The Girl With The Wasp Tattoo Though The Writer Made A Point Of Mentioning The Lack Of Condom, which is like introducing a gun but not shooting it off. Anyhoo, we all know the title was manipulated so the book would sell to countless book clubs full of unsuspecting readers. How how how did this book become the #1 National Bestseller in a nation full of...you know...churchgoers and whatnot.
weird! i thought the same thing the other day! there were maybe 6 people on the train reading that!
whatever the reason, you guys should hire that PR person for your new venture ...
Posted by: karina | June 28, 2010 at 12:07 PM
No kidding.
If we mirror the path of GWDT, we'll rename 30toMidnight HotBarelyLegalGirlsWantYou to increase traffic
Posted by: Sara Pepitone | June 28, 2010 at 03:02 PM
If I remember correctly, and it's been 3 books ago that I read GWDT, the wasp tattoo was a split second decision for the character, but her dragon tattoo was her most predominant one. And in the next book you'll see it (the wasp tattoo) isn't of great importance to her. I too thought the writing was OK,but I will say I am one of those people that always figures out a plot and how everything is connected right off the bat and this is the first book in a very long time where I thought I knew the connections,then ended up being wrong. I absolutetly did not like the end of the book when it gave the prologue to the next. I was assuming again and thought crimes against kids, I can't read, but again I was proven wrong ....AND it was kind of mindless easy reading,great for summer.
Posted by: Susan | June 28, 2010 at 04:11 PM
mindless reading excluding the jarring nasty bits. and I too figured that "ending" was a prologue to a violence against kids sequel. hmm. tattoo decisions not discussed in book 1. except the one she got to remind her of her state assigned protector.
Posted by: Sara Pepitone | June 28, 2010 at 09:38 PM
you guys should read this awesome book that's coming out in a few months called: i'm a nerd from a tiny colorado town that justin timberlake sometimes visits.
Posted by: daniel | July 02, 2010 at 11:15 AM
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a mystery-crime novel, I had read some pages of this book, it was really great to read me of this book, nice concept.
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