Reviews

To understand Stieg's work, I said, one had to know who he really was.--pg. 185

I picked up this book yearning to learn more about the author who died before his novel legacy was even published. That fact in itself intrigued me; I just really wanted to learn more about Stieg Larsson's life from an unbiased source. With this relatively short biography, you get the straight facts--no beating around the bush, just the candid and honest facts--from the one constant presence in his life: Eva Gabrielsson.

For thirty-two years, Eva Gabrielsson was Stieg's life partner--no, they never married, though not for lack of trying. Job circumstances, politics, and then Stieg's untimely death prevented them from ever making their relationship formal and legal. Because they were not married, legally, Eva was left with nothing--she can only own half of her apartment, has no access to the bank accounts they shared, and could not legally take any part in or have control over the publication of Stieg's novels. But most of all, she just misses Stieg, her "soul mate".

A general overview of Stieg's interesting life: He was raised by his grandparents in a little cabin in Northern Sweden. He got involved in political activism at a young age, and consequently met Eva at a support meeting of the Front National de Liberation in Vietnam. Stieg had so many ideas, and Eva encouraged him to start writing about them and sending in his pieces to local newspapers. Thus, his journalism career exploded. He was involved in many controversial political arguments through the articles he wrote for many different newspapers and magazines all across Europe. Together, with a few others, he and Eva founded the magazine Expo, which wrote unbiased articles about the different political dilemmas they saw, as well as their own ideas. And because of his involvement in journalism and political activism, his life (and, consequently, Eva's too) was threatened on multiple occasions by multiple groups and gangs, compromising his physical safety. And yet:

"Without Stieg's battles and crusades, The Millennium Trilogy would never have seen the light of day. His struggle is the heart, brain, and brawn of that saga."--pg. 64

What I found absolutely fascinating is that almost every detail found in The Millennium Trilogy is autobiographical in some form or fashion, whether it be similar situations and problems Stieg dealt with in real life, or creating his settings based upon his favorite spots around town, or paying homage to important people in his life by literally naming a character after them. In many ways, Mikael Blomkvist is very similar to Stieg Larsson, from the way he dresses to his passion for investigative journalism to his obsessive love of coffee. And the addresses where all of the characters lived in his novels? They came from the many walks that he and Eva took through the parts of town where her architectural projects were taking place, or from the plans sitting in her office, or from her most current work. The Millennium Trilogy was born from the people and places in Stieg's life, and this book series (intended to be 10 novels) was the impetus in Stieg taking life slower and remembering how much he cherished Eva.

Yet, in spite of all of those fascinating details, the center of this biography/memoir, to me, is the emotional journey that Eva is forced into (and still faces everyday) when Stieg suddenly passed away in November of 2004. Her unconditional love and affection for her "soul mate" is so incredibly evident as she recalls his death, the preparations, the funeral, and the mythological cursing ceremony she holds for all of those individuals (work-related and political) that pushed Stieg into such a premature death. Her grief is such a prominent part of this entire biography, and you can feel her love for Stieg flow straight off the page. She includes snippets from her diary in 2005, where she kept epiphanies as well as accounts of the mundane daily life, saying that "the diary was a way of proving to myself that I was alive" (pg. 159).

A majority of what is published in this diary chapter deals with the legal aftermath of Stieg's death, and of his father and brother's hostile takeover of all of Stieg Larsson's estate, including The Millennium Trilogy. This part of the biography also describes the deep emotional turmoil Eva was left in after Stieg's death and how she learns to survive and to keep on living. All that she continually fights for is extremely inspiring to those who knew and loved Stieg, but also to those who got to know him through reading his works. Eva's struggles have gone global, and many people have joined up in her fight not only to gain control of Stieg's intellectual estate (books, articles, etc), but also to change the law so that other couples in their situation do not have to suffer through what she had--and still has--to go through.

"The Millennium Trilogy is not just a good story made up by a good author of good crime novels. These books talk about the need to fight to defend one's ideals, and the refusal to give up, to sell oneself, or to grovel before someone powerful."--pg. 195.

This is what Stieg Larsson did until the day of his death, and this is what Eva Gabrielsson continues to do to this day--to fight for what they believe in, and to refuse to give up.

This is an quick-read if you are looking for/needing to read a biography. But more importantly, like The Millennium Trilogy stresses over and over again, this biography gives you the truth about Stieg Larsson's life, about his death, and about what happened after his death, all told by the person that knew him best. What a heart-wrenching and interesting read that answers a lot of questions surrounding both the novels and his purpose for writing them. Fans of the novels should definitely read it! You will not be disappointed!

-JP

Check out the real story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the focus of the new George Lucas film, Red Tails:

Dogfights Season Two

Nightfighters

The Tuskegee Airmen

Think back to 2006. Do you remember the first time you heard that a group of astronomers had decided that Pluto was not a planet anymore? Remember that sad feeling of “Oh, poor Pluto” or maybe you got angry and thought, “Why are they picking on Pluto? What did Pluto do to anyone?” Now you have someone to blame. Meet Mike Brown, the astronomer who discovered “the tenth planet”, which ultimately led to the downfall of Pluto. In How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming, Brown raises the question of what exactly is a planet. You think that the answer would be simple, but Brown raises several important arguments that might change your views on the former planet. How I killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming made me wish I had paid more attention in astronomy class in college. Who knew an astronomer could write so charmingly? By the end of the book, I was rooting for Brown’s cause. This story is filled with intrigue, backstabbing, love, and even a baby. Sandra Tsing Loh said it right when she wrote, “Mike Brown is the funniest, smartest, and most surprisingly poetic Caltech astronomer who ever made my daughters cry. Certainly their happy nine-planet childhoods were worth sacrificing for this truly fascinating and engaging read.”

Be sure to check the catalog and reserve your copy of How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming today!

-JW

Once you have died and gone to the Underworld, nothing will ever be the same. Seventeen year old Pierce is trying to put her life back together after she escaped from Death, but he just won’t let her go. And she isn’t sure if she wants him to.

The first book in bestselling author Meg Cabot’s new series creates a modern day retelling of Persephone. Riding high on the mythology trend, Abandon follows reckless and headstrong Pierce as she deals with the aftermath of her death. Though she was given a second chance at life, she cannot forget him. Abandon artfully sets up the trilogy and leaves you begging for more!

Watch the book trailer for Abandon here!

-JW

I just finished reading Rawhide Down by Del Quentin Weber, a reporter for the Washington Post. The book is about the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan March 30, 1981 outside the Washington D.C. Hilton hotel. It reads like a thriller even though we all know the outcome.

Weber has a unique way of following those involved: the E.R. trauma team at George Washington Hospital, surgeons, nurses, Mrs. Reagan, White House staff, Vice President Bush, the President's cabinet, Secret Service agents, FBI agents, D.C. police and, the shooter, John Hinckley, Jr. He weaves a tapestry of 24 hours in the people whose lives intersected that day.

Weber leaves the reader with a view of their personalities and gives followup on what became of them 30 years after the shooting of the President, Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service Agent Timothy McCarthy and police officer Thomas Delahanty. It was a page turner!

-Joann

The month of March always brings out the Irish in me, and I have just enjoyed two books set in Ireland: the audio version of Patrick Taylor's Irish Country Girl and the print version of Maeve Binchy's Minding Frankie.

The first is read by John Keating and it is delightful to hear his variety of Irish accents, changing for each character. This book is the latest in Taylor's Irish country doctor series and fills in the background of the doctor's housekeeper, Kinky Kincaid. In Minding Frankie, I love the continuing saga of Binchy's residents of St. Jarlath's Crescent, in Dublin. She skillfully interweaves the lives of a diverse population and makes the reader want it to keep on going. I can't wait for the next book in either series!

-Alice

Inside Job received the top prize for documentaries at last month’s Academy Award ceremony. It examines the build up to the current global financial crisis.

Although the filmmakers are passionate about the subject, clearly evidenced in Ferguson’s Academy Award acceptance speech, “Forgive me, but I must start by pointing out that three years after a horrific financial crisis caused by massive fraud, not a single financial executive has gone to jail, and that’s wrong,” the documentary appears to be well researched with interesting interviews, and some notables who declined to be interviewed.

It takes aim at politicians from across the political spectrum, regulators, academics and a host of players from across the financial system. It moves quickly and works to tie up things as neatly as possible, but at times seems disjointed from the rush of faces and names to keep straight.

Other documentaries in this vein include (links go to the library catalog):

The Ascent of Money: Boom and Bust

Capitalism: a Love Story

Collapse

In Debt We Trust: America Before the Bubble Bursts

I.O.U.S.A.

Maxed Out: Nothing is Priceless

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In Christopher Nicholson’s delightful novel, The Elephant Keeper, eighteenth century England is described in exciting detail as one boy grows up alongside two spectacular companions, Timothy and Jenny, elephants – the first elephants to be seen in Europe.

Owned by a wealthy merchant, the elephants are both marveled at and scorned by the local townsfolk. The merchant encourages Tom to write a history of the elephant which he spends years on. Then, after an accident, the elephants are separated, Tom accompanying Jenny to a wealthy Lord in another part of the country. At this eccentric estate where there is a hired hermit in the woods, Jenny fits right in. Tom documents his continuing affection for his companion in loving detail. However, after the Lord of the manor dies and the estate is broken up, Jenny is sent away to another estate.

Tom and Jenny grow older and wiser through their experiences but his love endures all. After twenty plus years of shuffling from estate to estate, Jenny and Tom end up in a menagerie in London with a pitiful monkey, a tired lion, and a sleeping snake, Jenny delights the dwindling crowds by banging on a drum at Tom’s bidding. We readers are left to wonder at Jenny’s fate – did she escape on a ship captained by Tom’s brother back to the Indies or does Jenny catch pneumonia and die in London? However we imagine her ending, we see Tom faithfully beside her till the end.

The first Thursday book group will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 7th to discuss The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson. We meet in the first floor Theatre-level meeting rooms. Call 444-7820 for more info.

SH

In Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes, Elizabeth Bard captures the sights, sounds AND TASTES of Paris, the cultural challenges of an expat living in France and the angst of a Renaissance woman trying to find her place in a practical world. If you liked Eat Pray Love and Under the Tuscan Sun, you’ll love this delicious memoir!
NK

We've just added lots of great new nonfiction titles! Here are just a couple that caught our eye.

Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make with Your Kids by David Erik Nelson

The title might lead you believe that these projects are just for children but nothing could be further from the truth! Sure there’s a PVC and canvas teepee, cardboard boomerangs, and kites made from FedEx envelopes. However, this book also contains instructions for exciting devices musicians of all ages will love – spring reverb, tremolo, and fuzztone stomp boxes , a cigar-box synthesizer, an “electro-didgeridoo”, drums and more. Another intriguing project – The Ticklebox – give instructions for creating a device that delivers a small, and supposedly fun, electric shock to friends and family. CRAFTS 745.5 NEL.

Woodland Style: Ideas and Projects for Bringing Foraged and Found Elements Into Your Home by Marlene Hurley Marshall

This lovely book explores a fantastical earthy woodland aesthetic by presenting work by a variety of fine artists, architects and designers, and showing how their work in natural materials can inspire easy decorative projects that anyone can do at home. Everything from mushroom foraging to mythology is touched upon to highlight the beauty, vitality and versatility of simple natural materials like twigs, bark and moss. HOME DECORATING 745.5 MAR.

Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life by Nick Vujicic

Nick Vujicic, leader of a successful Christian ministry and viral video star, has written a book about his life and his uplifting philosophy. His story is not to be missed! 248.4 VUJ New Book.