The Girl Who Was Disappointed

So, finished the third Stieg Larsson mystery the other day, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, and I have to say - I just don't get it.  The books are fine, but the world-wide frenzy for them?  Really?  And this one was probably the weakest - there wasn't even an actual mystery, really, it's just part two (the wrap-up) part, of the mysteries from The Girl Who Played With Fire.  Interesting, but not gripping.  Played is the best, in my opinion, but I really think the trilogy is actually a duo: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and then a two-volume sequel, which for some reason was published with two titles given to the two parts.  But I would not consider Kicked to have any credibility as a stand-alone, and maybe it's not supposed to be, but for something as hyped-up as this series, it should be.

But "Steig" makes me think of William Steig, author of such classics as Doctor De Soto and Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, so that's good...

Obviously, I've read all three now, so I don't hate them.  I rather enjoyed The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo when I first read it (was it years ago, now?) and the same for Played, but it's always been a casual kind of thing.  Certainly I waited until I could get my hands on a library copy to read Kicked - I will, and do, spend a hell of a lot of money on books, but not on this one.  Not even if the mass market paperback had come out right away, and that's saying a lot.

On the other hand, just started Room, by Emma Donoghue, this morning on the bus, and am so impressed.  I guess I "could" put it down, in so far as I had to, when my boss walked into the office, but I didn't want to - I think I actually felt a physical ache as it left my hands.  I can absolutely see why it was shortlisted for the Booker prize.