Stieg Larsson
One of the most renowned authors of our times, Stieg Larsson was a Swedish writer who is best known for his three-part mystery novel series known as the Millennium series. This series follows protagonist Mikael Blomkvist and the ingenious hacker Lisbeth Salander through challenging detective investigations and thrilling conspiracies. Larsson first wrote the books in Swedish before they were translated into many other languages, gaining the author a wide international readership. Sadly, Larsson passed away in November 2004 and was not able to live to witness the success of the Millennium series.
Larsson’s life was full of fascinating contrasts between his real and virtual identities as a journalist and an author, respectively. Born in 1954, Larsson was raised by his parents in nearby Norsborg and Södermalm, two districts in his hometown of Stockholm, Sweden. Growing up, he was an avid reader, particular of crime novels like those of Agatha Christie, and inspired by the feminist works of his aunt, the writer Eva Gabrielsson.
Larsson got his start in journalism from a young age, at 15 years old publishing his first article for a local weekly paper. He worked for several years as a freelance photographer and journalist, writing for left-wing magazines and newspapers, passionately covering topics related to gender equality, far-right extremism, and racism in Sweden. Because of these writings, Larsson had numerous run-ins with the neo-Nazi movement in Sweden.
Although Larsson was already recognised for his journalistic work, he was not an internationally acclaimed author until 2005, with the publication of the Millennium series shortly after his death. This series follows the exploits of amateur hacker and victim of sexual abuse, Lisbeth Salander and the controversial journalist Mikael Blomkvist as they navigate dangerous plots and solve mysterious crimes. It consists of three books – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest – and although the final book was not finished at the time of Larsson’s death, he had managed to outline the rest of the novel with detailed notes.
Larsson’s sudden death in 2004 at the age of 50 caused international outcry, but his legacy remains in the form of the Millennium series which was an instant hit with readers and continues to be incredibly popular to this day. His works were successful in large part due to the strong themes used. Larsson dedicated his life and works to the fight against far-right extremism and racism and this underlying message is what inspired eager readers from all over the world.
The author himself was awarded several prestigious awards for his most notable pieces of work, including the 2008 distinctions of Best New Author by Börsens Authors' Club of Sweden and Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of 2005 by the German crime-writing organization, Krimi-Couch. In 2011, lifetime achievement awards were presented to Larsson posthumously.
Although Stieg Larsson's works are widely available and celebrated, it is a shame that he was not able to witness the success of the Millennium series. His name will remain immortalized through these stories and the strong messages they contain and continue to be relevant and popular amongst readers worldwide.
