The Girl in the Spider's Web: How to Read the Fourth Book in the Millennium Series by David Lagercrantz
The Girl in the Spider's Web: A Thrilling Continuation of Stieg Larsson's Millennium Series
If you are a fan of crime fiction, mystery, and suspense, you have probably heard of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the first book in the bestselling Millennium series by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. The series follows the adventures of Lisbeth Salander, a genius hacker and social outcast, and Mikael Blomkvist, an investigative journalist and publisher of Millennium magazine, as they uncover dark secrets and expose corruption in Sweden and beyond.
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But what if we told you that there is more to the story than what you have read in the original trilogy? That there is a fourth book that continues the saga of Lisbeth and Mikael, and introduces new twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat? That book is The Girl in the Spider's Web, written by David Lagercrantz, who was chosen to carry on Larsson's legacy after his untimely death.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about The Girl in the Spider's Web, including what it is about, how it came to be, where you can read it, and what's next for the Millennium series. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer to the world of Lisbeth Salander, you will find something interesting and useful in this article. So let's get started!
What is The Girl in the Spider's Web?
The Girl in the Spider's Web is the fourth book in the Millennium series, and the first one written by David Lagercrantz. It was published in 2015, almost a decade after Larsson's death. It is set two years after the events of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, the third and final book by Larsson.
A brief summary of the plot
The story begins with a mysterious phone call that Mikael Blomkvist receives late one night from a source who claims to have information vital to the United States. The source has been in contact with a young female superhackera hacker resembling someone Blomkvist knows all too well: Lisbeth Salander.
The source reveals that he is Frans Balder, a renowned computer scientist who has been working on artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He has discovered that his research has been stolen by a ruthless cybercriminal organization called the Spider Society, which is led by a mysterious figure known as Thanos.
Balder also reveals that he has a son, August, who is autistic and has a prodigious talent for drawing. He fears that his son is in danger from the Spider Society, and asks Blomkvist to help him protect him.
Blomkvist, who is in desperate need of a scoop for Millennium, agrees to meet Balder and his son. However, before he can do so, Balder is murdered by a hitman hired by the Spider Society. The only witness to the crime is August, who manages to draw a detailed portrait of the killer.
Meanwhile, Lisbeth Salander, who has been hacking into the NSA and other agencies, learns of Balder's death and decides to intervene. She rescues August from the hitman and takes him to a safe house. She also contacts Blomkvist and tells him that she has information about the Spider Society and its leader.
As Blomkvist and Salander work together to unravel the mystery of the Spider Society, they discover that it is not just a criminal organization, but a powerful network of spies, hackers, politicians, and businessmen who have a sinister agenda. They also discover that Thanos is someone from Salander's pasta person who knows her darkest secrets and wants to destroy her.
Will Blomkvist and Salander be able to stop the Spider Society and expose its leader? Will they be able to protect August and his extraordinary gift? Will they be able to overcome their own personal demons and find closure? You will have to read The Girl in the Spider's Web to find out!
The main characters and their roles
The book features many familiar characters from the previous books, as well as some new ones. Here are some of the most important ones:
Lisbeth Salander: The protagonist of the series, a brilliant hacker and vigilante who has a troubled past and a tattoo of a dragon on her back. She is also known as Wasp, her online alias. She is determined to stop the Spider Society and its leader, who has a personal connection to her.
Mikael Blomkvist: The co-protagonist of the series, an investigative journalist and publisher of Millennium magazine. He is Salander's friend and occasional lover. He is intrigued by Balder's story and wants to expose the Spider Society.
Frans Balder: A computer scientist who specializes in artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He is the father of August, an autistic boy who can draw anything he sees. He is killed by the Spider Society for his research.
August Balder: The son of Frans Balder, an eight-year-old boy who has autism spectrum disorder and savant syndrome. He can draw anything he sees with perfect accuracy, including faces and numbers. He witnesses his father's murder and draws a portrait of the killer. He is rescued by Salander and forms a bond with her.
Thanos: The leader of the Spider Society, a mysterious figure who goes by various aliases. He is a mastermind of cybercrime and espionage, who has access to classified information and powerful connections. He is also someone from Salander's past, who knows her secrets and wants to destroy her.
Camillo Borgia: A wealthy Italian businessman who is involved in the Spider Society. He is also a descendant of Pope Alexander VI, one of the most notorious popes in history. He has a fascination with ancient history and art, especially Leonardo da Vinci's works.
Hans Faste: A police officer who works for the National Security Unit (NSU). He is assigned to investigate Balder's murder and August's disappearance. He is arrogant and prejudiced, and has a grudge against Salander.
Ed Needham: An NSA agent who works for the Foreign Intelligence Division (FID). He is in charge of tracking down Salander, who has been hacking into the NSA's systems. He is smart and resourceful, but also frustrated by his superiors' bureaucracy.
Holger Palmgren: Salander's former guardian and lawyer, who helped her escape from her abusive father when she was a child. He suffers from a stroke and is hospitalized. He gives Salander some documents that reveal more about her past.
The themes and messages of the story
The Girl in the Spider's Web is not just a thrilling and entertaining novel, but also a thought-provoking and relevant one. It explores various themes and messages that resonate with the contemporary world, such as:
The power and danger of technology: The book shows how technology can be used for good or evil, depending on who controls it and how they use it. It also shows how technology can affect human relationships, communication, and identity.
The abuse and exploitation of children: The book exposes the horrors of child abuse and exploitation, both physical and psychological. It also shows how children can overcome their trauma and find their voice, with the help of caring adults.
The corruption and greed of the elite: The book reveals how the elite can manipulate and influence the masses, using their money, power, and connections. It also shows how the elite can betray and harm each other, driven by their selfish interests.
The importance and difficulty of justice: The book illustrates how justice can be elusive and complex, especially when dealing with international crimes and conspiracies. It also shows how justice can be achieved, sometimes by unconventional means.
The value and challenge of friendship: The book demonstrates how friendship can be a source of strength and support, especially in times of crisis. It also shows how friendship can be tested, strained, or renewed, depending on the circumstances.
How did The Girl in the Spider's Web come to be?
The Girl in the Spider's Web is not just a novel, but also a product of a long and controversial process. It involves the background of Stieg Larsson and his original trilogy, the dispute over his estate and the rights to his work, the selection of David Lagercrantz as the successor author, and the reception and reviews of the book.
The background of Stieg Larsson and his original trilogy
Stieg Larsson was a Swedish journalist and writer who was born in 1954. He was best known for his activism against racism, sexism, and violence. He was also an avid reader and writer of crime fiction, especially Nordic noir.
Larsson began writing his Millennium series in 2001, inspired by his own experiences as an investigative journalist. He planned to write 10 books in total, but he only finished three before he died of a heart attack in 2004. He was 50 years old.
The three books he completed were The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. They were published posthumously between 2005 and 2007 in Sweden, and between 2008 and 2010 in other countries. They became international bestsellers, selling over 80 million copies worldwide. They also received critical acclaim and numerous awards.
The books were praised for their complex plots, engaging characters, social commentary, and stylistic flair. They were also adapted into films, both in Sweden and in Hollywood. The Swedish films starred Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander and Michael Nyqvist as Mikael Blomkvist. The Hollywood film starred Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander and Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist.
The controversy over his estate and the rights to his work
After Larsson's death, a legal dispute arose over his estate and the rights to his work. Larsson did not leave a will, so according to Swedish law, his estate went to his father and brother. However, Larsson had a long-term partner named Eva Gabrielsson, who claimed that she deserved a share of his estate.
Gabrielsson argued that she had been living with Larsson for 32 years, and that they had collaborated on his work. She also claimed that she had an unfinished manuscript of the fourth book in the Millennium series on her laptop. She said that she would only give up the manuscript if she got a fair deal from Larsson's family.
Larsson's family denied Gabrielsson's claims. They said that they had never seen any evidence of her involvement in Larsson's work. They also said that they had the legal rights to his work, and that they wanted to honor his legacy by continuing the series.
The dispute lasted for several years, and was widely covered by the media. It also divided the fans of the series, some of whom supported Gabrielsson, and some of whom supported Larsson's family. The dispute was eventually settled in 2015, but the terms were not disclosed to the public.
The selection of David Lagercrantz as the successor author
In 2013, Larsson's family and publishers announced that they had chosen a new author to write the fourth book in the Millennium series. The author was David Lagercrantz, a Swedish journalist and writer who was born in 1962. He was best known for his biographies of famous people, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alan Turing.
Lagercrantz said that he was honored and excited to take on the challenge of continuing Larsson's work. He said that he had read and admired the original trilogy, and that he wanted to stay true to Larsson's vision and style. He also said that he had a lot of respect for Larsson's characters, especially Lisbeth Salander.
Lagercrantz spent two years working on the fourth book, which he titled The Girl in the Spider's Web. He said that he based his plot on some notes and outlines that Larsson had left behind, but that he also added his own ideas and twists. He said that he wanted to write a modern and relevant story, that would explore the themes of technology, espionage, and child abuse.
Lagercrantz also said that he faced a lot of pressure and criticism from some fans and critics, who questioned his legitimacy and ability to write the fourth book. He said that he understood their concerns, but that he hoped they would give him a chance and judge his work on its own merits.
The reception and reviews of the book
The Girl in the Spider's Web was published in 2015, in 27 countries and 24 languages. It sold over 6 million copies worldwide in its first year. It also received mixed to positive reviews from critics and readers.
Some reviewers praised Lagercrantz for his skillful writing, compelling plot, faithful characterization, and timely topics. They said that he had successfully captured the spirit and tone of Larsson's work, while also adding his own voice and perspective. They also said that he had created a worthy sequel that would satisfy fans of the series.
Other reviewers criticized Lagercrantz for his lackluster writing, predictable plot, inconsistent characterization, and superficial topics. They said that he had failed to match the quality and originality of Larsson's work, while also diluting his vision and style. They also said that he had created a disappointing sequel that would disappoint fans of the series.
Where can you read The Girl in the Spider's Web?
If you are interested in reading The Girl in the Spider's Web, you have several options to choose from. You can read it in different formats and editions, depending on your preference and availability. You can also read it from different sources and platforms, depending on your convenience and budget.
The different formats and editions of the book
The Girl in the Spider's Web is available in various formats and editions, such as:
Hardcover: This is the most durable and expensive format of the book. It has a hard cover that protects the pages from wear and tear. It also has a dust jacket that features the cover art and information about the book. It is suitable for collectors and readers who want a high-quality copy of the book.
Paperback: This is the most common and affordable format of the book. It has a soft cover that is flexible and lightweight. It does not have a dust jacket, but it may have flaps that feature the cover art and information about the book. It is suitable for casual readers who want a portable copy of the book.
Ebook: This is the most convenient and versatile format of the book. It is a digital file that can be read on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, or e-readers. It does not have a physical cover or pages, but it may have images or links that feature the cover art and information about the book. It is suitable for tech-savvy readers who want an accessible copy of the book.
: This is a graphic novel adaptation of the first book in the series, published in 2012. It is written by Denise Mina and illustrated by Leonardo Manco and Andrea Mutti. It follows the same plot and characters as the original book, but with a more visual and dynamic style.
The Girl in the Spider's Web: A Lisbeth Salander Short Story: This is a short story that serves as a prequel to the fourth book in the series, published in 2015. It is written by David Lagercrantz and translated by George Goulding. It follows Lisbeth Salander as she hacks into the NSA and encounters a mysterious hacker who challenges her.
The Girl Who Danced with Death: This is a graphic novel sequel to the third book in the series, published in 2018. It is written by Sylvain Runberg and illustrated by Belen Ortega. It follows Lisbeth Salander as she investigates a conspiracy involving a neo-Nazi group and a Russian troll factory. It also follows Mikael Blomkvist as he tries to help her while dealing with his own problems.
These spin-offs are also available in various formats and editions, including epub files. They have also received mixed to positive reviews from critics and readers.
The adaptations and media appearances of The Girl in the Spider's Web
Besides the books and graphic novels, there are also other adaptations and media appearances that feature The Girl in the Spider's Web and its characters. They are:
The Girl in the Spider's Web: This is a film adaptation of the fourth book in the series, released in 2018. It is directed by Fede Alvarez and stars Claire Foy as Lisbeth Salander and Sverrir Gudnason as Mikael Blomkvist. It follows the same plot and characters as the original book, but with some changes and additions.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: This is a TV series adaptation of the first book in the series, announced in 2020. It is produced by Amazon Studios and Left Bank Pictures, and written by Alice Birch. It will feature a new cast and storyline that will explore Lisbeth Salander's origin story.
Lisbeth Salander: This is a video game adaptation of the series, announced in 2020. It is developed by Hivemind and Yellow Bird UK, and published by Tencent Games. It will be an action-adventure game that will allow players to control Lisbeth Salander and use her hacking skills to solve puzzles and fight enemies.
These adaptations and media appearances are also available in various formats and platforms, depending on your preference and availability. They have also received mixed to positive reviews from critics and viewers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Girl in the Spider's Web is a thrilling continuation of Stieg Larsson's Millennium series that follows Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist as they face a new threat from a cybercriminal organization called the Spider Society. The book was written by David Lagercrantz, who was chosen to carry on Larsson's legacy after his death. The book was published in 2015, and has sold over 6 million copies worldwide. The book has also received mixed to positive reviews from critics and readers.
If you want to read The Girl in the Spider's Web, you can choose from different formats and editions of the book, such as hardcover, paperback, ebook, or audiobook. You can also choose from different sources and platforms to download or buy an epub file of the book, such as Kobo, Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, Barnes & Noble Nook, or OceanofPDF.
If you enjoyed reading The Girl in the Spider's Web, you can also check out its sequels and spin-offs, such as The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye, The Girl Who Lived Twice, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Millennium, The Girl in the Spider's Web: A Lisbeth Salander Short Story, or The Girl Who Danced with Death. You can also watch or play its adaptations and media appearances, such as The Girl in the Spider's Web film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo TV series, or Lisbeth Salander video game.
We hope that this article has given you a comprehensive and useful overview of The Girl in the Spider's Web and its related