The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Empowering or exploitive to women?

[mentalsolstice]

42. I didn't think it was exploitive.

I've worked closely with rape survivors and it didn't bother me in the least. For those who put the first book down without reading the whole thing, I can understand why the first 100-200 pages may not have gripped you. I found myself slogging through it. However, it picks up after that, and the 2nd and 3rd books start off fast and continue with a very quick pace. I've told plenty of friends that they can enjoy the 2nd book without having read the first. However, the 2nd book is pretty critical to understanding the 3rd. I've told other friends this book can be a big hit or miss, and to do whatever is most comfortable for them. I would not judge anyone's intelligence by whether or not they read and finished this, and certainly would not use it for discerning whether or not they are edumacated.

My husband has about 150 pages left to read in the 1st book. No, it doesn't read as a rape fantasy to him. In fact, that part was disturbing for him, but he understood why it was in there to develop Lisbeth's character. However, he's enthralled by the story and the character development, so it's a page-turner for him. We plan to see the movie during our holiday vacation.

I recently finished "We Need to Talk About Kevin". It's film counterpart is coming out in January, with some amazingly talented actors. That is one really disturbing book, it certainly creeped me out more than "Dragon Tattoo." As unsettling as the book was, I look forward to seeing the movie as well. I guess I like being challenged by hard-to-like characters in difficult situations.