Swedish author David Lagercrantz has been punched by publisher Norstedts to continue Stieg Larsson’s Millenium trilogy. The hugely popular The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest and The Girl who Played with Fire mystery novels have been translated from their original Swedish into English, and made into feature films in both Sweden and Hollywood.
Though Larsson, who died suddenly in 2004, had been working on a manuscript for the fourth novel, Lagercrantz has stated that he will ‘start fresh’ with the fourth book. Indeed, he’s already begun writing.
Taking off from the third novel’s characters and plots, Lagercrantz has confidence in his new Millenium book, even without Larsson’s pointers: “I think I’m quite good at going into another person’s universe.”
In a statement suiting the mystery novels, friend and occasional translator of Larsson’s work John-Henri Holmberg has stated: “There is supposedly a laptop somewhere, and on this supposedly is what was finished, or however much was written of the book.” But nobody knows where the laptop is, or if they do, they’re not sharing.
It is unclear whether or not the new beginning is Lagercrantz own choice, or a development of the fact that Swedish publisher Norstedts does not have access to Larsson’s unfinished writings.
Also unclear, the divisions of royalties coming from this fourth book. Larsson’s partner, Eva Gabrielsson, has openly stated her distaste of the seeming money-grab this new book represents. How will authorship and rights be decided?
The question remains, did Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomqvist have a fate decided for them that they will now never reach? Can Lagercrantz continue the story adequately, compellingly, or is this even a possibility? Put the clues together.
