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The Man Who Left Too Soon: The Biography of Stieg Larsson Hardcover – May 28, 2010

by Barry Forshaw (Author)

3.6 39 ratings

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The stranger-than-fiction life story of the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo His three novels are violent, terrifying, brilliantly written, and have sold millions of copies around the world, but Stieg Larrson was not able to witness their international success. Since he died in 2004 the author of the Millennium trilogy has received international fame with dizzying speed. But when one looks a little deeper at the man behind these phenomenal novels, it is clear that his life would be remembered as truly extraordinary even had his trilogy never been published. Larrson was a workaholic: a political activist, photographer, graphic designer, a respected journalist, and the editor of numerous science fiction magazines. At night, to relax, he wrote crime novels. By the time of his death at the age of 50 he had completed The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Next, the third book featuring the hypnotic Lisbeth Salander. His relentless personality and political convictions did not make life easy. He famously took on some dangerous neo-Nazi opponents, making for much speculation that his enemies, who often told him that his days were numbered, may have a hand in his premature demise. This difficult man, brilliant and multifaceted, is the subject of a penetrating biography and a celebration of his remarkable life and books.

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Barry Forshaw is the author of Italian Cinema and The Rough Guide to Crime Fiction.

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ John Blake (May 28, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 294 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1844549402
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1844549405
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,029,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #22,078 in Author Biographies

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3.6 39 ratings

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3.6 out of 5

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Erwin Koenig

A Millennium treat!

Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2010

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I strongly suggest you read this book AFTER you have completed the Millennium Trilogy! Forshaw devotes over half the book discussing in detail each of the three books of the Trilogy!

Forshaw provides all of the biographical basics regarding Larsson's life and his career and examines the current turmoil that exists regarding his late estate. He gives a very thorough account of the relationship between Eva Gabrielsson (Larsson's life long companion) and Larsson's father and brother. There are some great pictures included as well that put faces to the names in the headlines.

The best part of the book is when Foreshaw writes about the books themselves. He has a chapter devoted to each of the titles which provides a complete synopsis of what happens in the book as well as his own insights. Foreshaw is quick to point out any parts of the book that have a strong bearing on Larsson's personal life and his career. (There are many many references as such.) These chapters would act as a complete spoiler for anyone not familiar with the actual storyline.

Foreshaw provides some very interesting insights into the literary references provided in the books. He states the obvious ones that are actually referenced in the books themselves but also delves into the style and structure of Larsson's novels as they compare to writers such as Raymond Chandler, Agatha Christie and Ian Fleming among others. Larsson was a devout reader of mysteries and knew them well!

Two of the chapters are key to understanding Larsson's thoughts on his creation: "Publishing Larsson" and "What I Want To Say"
Here are Larsson's own notes and communications between his editor and himself discussing the approach to the characters and the story line. For any Trilogy fan this is must reading! It is amazing how much of Larsson's real life has worked it's way into the trilogy; both on a personal level and regarding his strong convictions and career.

Forshaw holds no punches and even though he is a big fan he does point out the 'flaws' or 'weaknesses' that he sees in the books. To the casual reader this would be the extreme amount of background details that are provided for some of the 'extra' characters. But, Foreshaw is also quick to point out that this could just as easily be a plus for the true fan... who wants to know as much as possible about everything that is happening.

Besides his own views Foreshaw also provides a chapter of comments by some of the better authors of the day and what their views are regarding Stieg Larsson and his trilogy- this chapter provides some interesting perspectives. As somewhat of a bonus he also includes a chapter of Stieg Larsson 'rivals' which examines some of the best Scandinavian writer's of today and gives a summary of what their writing is about!

Besides the past the book also takes a snapshot of today and also a little of what the future may hold for the Larsson legacy. First; we have the Millennium tours that are now being offered by travel agencies to allow readers to take their own tour of the places in the book. Second; Foreshaw talks about the movies that either have been released or will be made going forward. Last; he discusses a little about the possibility of a Part Four?(Eva Gabrielsson has 250+ pages that Stieg Larsson had written before his death)

I would say that "The Man Who Left Us Too Soon" is a perfect 'after dinner mint' or even 'dessert' for anyone who is a fan of the Millennium triology! It is both a quick and highly enjoyable read.

107 people found this helpful

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Steven Peterson

We get a glimpse of Stieg Larsson, but--overall--a bit disappointing

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2010

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First, this is a welcome volume. The Millennium Trilogy phenomenon and the untimely death of author Stieg Larsson is compelling material. There is enough here to make this a worthwhile purchase. Still, it is, in the end, a bit disappointing.

Why? For one thing, the summary/.synopsis of the books is not representative of what I read. Maybe the author read the book in the original language and the translation didn't capture things clearly. Examples: On page 178, Forshaw notes that Salander--after coming back from her grave--is back in Zalachenko's house holding on to Niedermann's P-83 Wanad gun. The giant had a Sig Sauer--the Wanad was from someone else. Page 130. Forshaw notes that Salander fantasizes setting her abductor (presumably Teleborian afire); unless I misread the thing, she is remembering her attack on Daddy Dearest, not Teleborian. Pages 116-117. He doesn't mention that Salander had identified additional possible victims beyond the original five that Blomkvist was aware of. Page 202: The doctor in the emergency room who did surgery is identified as a psychiatrist. While that had been an interest, he was a surgeon. This takes away from this book.

There is a useful portrayal of Larsson and his family and his partner, Eva Gabrielsson. But it seems to be rather cursory. There is not a lot of detail. I come to see Larsson as not taking care of himself very well, perhaps contributing to his early death. We see him as driven by political concerns. And so on. But I don't get a clear sense of Larsson the person.

Toward the end of the book, there is a fine discussion of other Scandinavian crime fiction and I did truly enjoy other writers' comments--both critical and laudatory--of Larsson's trilogy. There are a handful of pages on the Swedish movies that have come out of the books. A bit brief, but I did find this helpful.

So, there are some good aspects of this work, but it gets some details wrong in the synopsis of the three books and I don't really get an insight into Larsson the person and those close to him.

29 people found this helpful

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Z. B. McGlashan

Shallow to the Max

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2010

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My original enthusiasm for "The Man Who Left Too Soon" has faded --and I'm only on pg. 35. This British writer, Barry Forshaw, has jumped on the Larsson bandwagon and will make mega bucks on this very superficial book. Made my journalistic blood boil re the holes in the narrative big enough to drive a semi through. For example, he talks about Steig's brother, Joakim, without giving a clue as to what he does. And, in relation to the father, he's an "artist" but what kind? And mother is mentioned and then disappears. Did she die? Divorce? What?

Best to wait for Eva Gabrielsson's book. zb

33 people found this helpful

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Marjorie A. Greene

The Man Who Left Too Soon

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2010

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It surprised me that this book was labeled biography. The facts about his life are scant. To me it was more of an analysis of how his life and experiences might be reflected in his fiction. The title is great! I learned a lot about Swedish mystery authors that made me want to research a few more books. The book did some teasing of readers that notes on his laptop might produce more. A good marketing strategy.

One person found this helpful

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JAH

Made me Cry

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2013

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Lovely tribute to one of the best writers of fiction mystery stories of our times. So sad he is gone and this is done by the mystery woman in his life...His companion, common-law wife and brilliant writer. Great insight to the man.

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sulis

for Larsson Fans

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2010

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A must for all of you who relished the Trilogy and are loving the movies. This is less a biography of Larsson himself than a critical examinatiuon of the structure of the trilogy - utterly fascinating for any fan, especially for those of us fellow authors !!

2 people found this helpful

Crescentman

The book that can't be dropped too soon

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 26, 2010

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I bought this book some time ago and put it on one side as a treat for my holidays it was a bitter disappointment. Most of what I have to say has already been said but I am so outraged I want to reinforce it. This book was obviously rushed to market and it can in no way be called a biography.

The book is 292 pages long and 1% of these pages are blank. The rest comprises:-

1. pp 1 - 62 (about 21% of the book) biographical material
2. pp 63 - 214 (about 52% of the book) detailed outlines of the millennium trilogy
3. pp 215 - 225 (about 4% of the book) an outline of other Scandinavian authors
4. pp 227 - 231 (about 2% of the book) a description of the "Millennium" tour
5. pp 233 - 285 (about 18% of the book) interviews with other authors Larsson
6. pp 287 - 292 (about 2% of the book) details of the three films based on the books

Part 1 is light on information in my mind. To be honest it contains very little information that isn't available by reading just a few internet sites such as Wikipedia. It certainly isn't a detailed account of Larsson's life. In fact if it wasn't for the fact that it was a biological certainty one would assume that he didn't have a mother unless we assume that the few references to his Father's wife was Larsson's mother. We are left with little idea of Larsson as a child or a young man. If it wasn't for a picture of him sailing we would have to assume that his interest were solely in writing.

I take issue with other reviewers that it was well written. For example on page 19 we are told:-

"... Erland Larsson [...] speculated that Stieg's interest in journalism may have been prompted [...] by the Vietnam War."

On the same page 10 lines later we are told:-

"According to his father, Stieg's interest in journalism [...] came at the same time as his growing involvement in Vietnam issues."

As to the 52% of the book outlining the trilogy: this is nearly all padding most of it is repeating the plot. There is by comparison a small amount of critical observation by Barry Forshaw but this hardly counts as biography.

Stieg Larsson was I understand a tireless advocate of democracy and a courageous adversary of Fascism. Why then is 78% of the book focussed on his millennium trilogy? Why are there just interviews with authors, don't politicians, colleagues at Expo and people from other international Anti-Fascist organisation have anything to add about Larsson?

If this biography is the only testament to survive about Stieg Larsson's contribution to our world then future generations would be forgiven for assuming that he was merely a successful author whereas it is my understanding that not only did he contribute to our literary heritage but to our moral one too.

14 people found this helpful

Tweedledum

Food for thought.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2012

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The man behind the girl with the dragon tattoo died tragically quickly after the trilogy's
publication. Here we get a glimpse into who he was, what drove his writing and why his books are so important.

Laurie Mansfield

The man who left to soon

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2013

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I first found it ok ,,,,,but then it began to dry up as if suddenly someone else had taken over the writting ,so lost intrerest , but generly not bad ....let's put it this way ..I re-read his other books over again but not this one

Edward

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2014

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