Opinion: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo turned out to be exactly what I had expected based on the reviews: terrific. Dark, brutal, and intriguing, it's a page-turner. There is absolutely nothing negative I can say about it. In addition to the novel, I wrapped up my journey to Sweden by watching the American film, which I also review below. Complex and captivating, the interpretation of the fantastic novel received 8.5/10 stars from me.

First, about the novel. I'm going to be honest here and say that I reluctantly started reading because of a recommendation, and had to bully myself into finishing the first few chapters. Maybe because I don't care much about business (the first chapters), or maybe due to other factors. It wasn't dry and the story kept moving, but it did not capture my attention until about a quarter way through, when the mystery got underway. I couldn't put the book down after I dived in.
As expected, my favorite character was Lisbeth Salander, the pierced and tattooed social outcast aiding Mikael Blomkvist. I must say that I idolize her quick and innovative mind, as I would have called the case dead closed right from the start. The writing style was praiseworthy, and the author patiently explained the important aspects without boring the reader, as well as planting the incredible twists right where they would have the most impact. It wasn't an easy case to crack.
Now to the movie, which, in the amount of time permitted, retold the story quite well. The acting was some of the most believable I've seen in a long time. Warning: contains various disturbing scenes, ranging from blue-lipped torture to pornography. Nothing wrong with the soundtrack, although in my opinion it could have been a bit better suited. The movie was unavoidably shortened and therefore did not include many aspects, including allowing the viewer to become one with the Vanger family, as in the novel. One fairly important piece that downgraded the movie was the interpretation of Salander. I felt like I read about one person and watched another one on the screen. The novel and film described two different individuals, which was unfortunate.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo left a mark with its ruthless and troubling nature, and landed a spot in my favorite novels list. A fresh and ingenious mystery to thrill all.