Akiva Reads

by Stieg Larsson, Reg Keeland

I really don't get what the fuss is about. It gets more readable about 2/3 of the way in, if I remember correctly: it stops being a chore and starts being mildly entertaining. I can think of a lot of trashy mystery novels I have read with a lot more gusto.

I wonder if my problem is not being awestruck by Lisbeth. She is interesting---the bits following her investigations are some of the most interesting in the book---but her philosophy and approach to life really don't shock me or shake me up. Perhaps, as nerds, we're a little too similar.

Oh, and I nearly forgot how much extraneous detail there is in the writing. Meals, clothes, you name it. It reads like a mediocre fanfic. Hm, that's sort of how I feel about all of the characters, too.