Mick and Lizzie represent two sides of the same coin. it is impossible for both of them to get together because they are one and the same. Mick represents Stieg Larsson’s voice of reason throughout the series while Lizzie would be his feminine, wild and super-heroic alter-ego.

Adding on to that, Niedermann would be something of a mutant. In a way, Larsson has created an alternate reality which is present in oh-so subtle tones that it is hard to realise it.

Posted by Andrew Situ in Fremantle ,

Id have to agree with Andrew. But Stieg Larsson is reported to have planned for 10 books before his death. The 4th is actully half finshed with 400 words written of the 600 planned. It is unfortunate but personaly i feel Lisbeth and Mickael may have been re-explored in that or a later book.

We will never know, but i like to thing that beyond the trilogy their relationship would have grown to something more.

I both curse and grieve Larsson for his death. But for someone else to finish his book it would be like a four year old finishing a Da Vinci. A crying shame.

Posted by Nigel in London ,

I didn’t pick up any romance between Mick and Liz. To me, it was just “Wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.” Without the thank you.

They hooked up. What am I missing?

Posted by Barbara Cartland ,

Lisbeth falls in love with Mikael and almost tells him so twice in the series. It is her jelousy of seeing him with Erika that makes her feel a fool and sends her into self-imposed exile. Mikael has so many sexual relationships with the women he knows, that he doesn’t see any real importance to an affair. He says repeatedly that he doesn’t know what happened between them. He does however have a deep emotional attachment and respect for her because of all they’ve been through. Old friends!

Posted by PWE in Tewksbury, MA ,

I didn’t care for Mikael’s numerous sexual liasions, especially his affair with Berger ( are we really supposed to believe that her husband was OK with all that?). I found it annoying that Mikael wound up in bed with so many women and was happy when Lisbeth cut him out of her life. I haven’t finished the 3rd book yet, but I hope Liz doesn’t take him back – he doesn’t deserve her!

His romance with Figuerola particularly annoys the shit out of me. I’ve just finished the third book and was hoping the whole ordeal would be squared up in the end. It just annoys me that he ends up falling for someone that we as readers barely know a thing about. Why Larsson? Why would he fall completely for her and not Berger or even Lisbeth? I feel like his relationship with Figuerola needed to be expanded far more for it wo be credible.

As much as I enjoyed the books I would have been a sucker for a happy ending for Lisbeth and Mickael together. It really seemed like it could have been heading that direction too. Where did Figuerola come from? Sorry, it’s clear her involvement in the story really gets to me.

I think I’ll have to live with the fact that maybe Larsson had planned for it all to go that way after The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. Who knows?

Posted by Ro in Ireland ,

I fell deeply in love with Lisbeth Salander and am brokenhearted that’s she’s gone

Posted by Buck in Montgomery ,

I agree with Ro about Figueola, she just didn’t seem

like Mikael’s type. No believable at all. We will

never know why Steig had them have a relationship.

I can understand why he and Berger’s affair survived

and I think she was his main love.

Posted by Diana in Florida ,

Yeah, definitely. Although, its hard to believe her husband would let someone else share his wife. I think Mikael really felt stronger for Erika than she did for him, otherwise they probably would have been together properly. I think the lack of monogomous relationships is hard to deal with for me, I’m too used to reading books with a bit more romance in them! Erika is a great character though. I’ve never seen so many strong female characters in any book.

Posted by Ro in Ireland ,

Actually I find all the characters in the book in one sense emotionally stunted in one way in that they do not need commitment or “romance” but then we are living in a new age of different relationships and perhaps it is the nature of these kinds of relationships ie non manogamous that Larsson was exploring. There is something coldly Nordic about it all. Very interesting. Margaret Wales

Posted by M John in Swansea ,

I agree, Margaret. I somehow put it down to the Swedish nature of the books but I’m not really sure that is a very relevant explanation. It would have been interesting to see how Mikael’s relationship with Figuerola would have progressed. I doubt it would have lasted through a fourth book, really. It’s interesting that Larsson chose to have so many unorthodox relationships between his characters, having presumably been relatively monogamous himself throughout his life. Maybe Blomkvist represents some kind of fantasy, that is sleeping with countless women without ever initiating any of it or causing any apparent harm.

Posted by Ro in Ireland ,

When Lisabeth threw away Mickael’s Christmas present and went home, it broke my heart. Larsson planned 10 books. I like to think that Mickael and Lisabeth would have teamed up to solve more mysteries, but never really be on the same wavelength romantically until the very last book, when surely he would have had them together ever after!

Oh–I agree with Ro that Mikael’s being so irresistable to women was Larrson writing out every man’s fantasy.

Posted by Amy in Tennessee, USA ,

Totally agree with Amy in Tennessee

Posted by Angie in Hong Kong ,

Great idea Amy! You sound like a romantic soul. Wish I had thought of that instead of cursing somewhat that Larsson didn’t get Mikael and Lisbeth together again.

Posted by Vickie in in California ,

Oh—and I agree with Ro in Ireland. The relationship between Mikael and Figuerola didn’t work for me. Figuerola came off as jealous without Mikael catching on. I like to think it wouldn’t have lasted another five minutes. They just were polar opposites.

Posted by Vickie in in California ,

Many seem to be commenting on the long string of Micke’s lovers. But I don’t see him as a womanizer, meaning picking up frequent random women for brief flings. He has the twenty year affair with Berger. The series adds 3 more; Harriet, Lisbeth and Figuerola. He is apparently attractive, earnest and open about his feelings. I feel his devotion to his work makes him reluctent to enter into a traditional home and family, as he said “been there, done that” alluding to his rather brief marriage. But I too was hoping for he and Lisbeth to settle into something of a permanent nature. She deserves some lasting love and stability and he seems like a good balance to her ‘asocial’ personality. (Any one be asocial or a lot worse after experiencing what she did.) Since a long series was planned I feel she would have mellowed a bit with time and he would have become the one she would always turn to. Since Larsson did the outlines for all 10 books I hope someday we could at least have an overview of what he planned. I love the books and would give a lot to know how it all turned out.

Posted by Marion in Clearwater ,

I think that Lisbeth and Micke would make an awful romantic couple and that Larsson was using their relationship of respect and trust as a way of helping Lisbeth to launch herself into society. She is learning how to trust him and also learning that there are people who have no interest in exploiting her for their own ends. The ideal ending would be that Lisbeth becomes a fully functioning person that finds love with another fully functional person. She started this process with her first guardian and her mother – I think Micke is just another step in this process. As for Micke’s women, with larsson’s view towards women’s rights,isn’t he giving them a traditionally male role ie initiators, many partners etc..?

I do think the relationship with Figuerola felt rather forced, more like an afterthought than a real developed plot point. Maybe it was just Larsson’s way of coming back to, and underscoring, what a “ladies’ man” Mikael really is, as we didn’t see much of that in the second book. There’s definitely something about it that feels underdeveloped, and maybe if Larsson had lived, he would have fleshed it out a little more.

Posted by Linnea in Minneapolis, MN ,

well actually i think that stieg planned to releave 10 books about micke and lisbeth ,so he could not make that they were together at the third book.about figuerola ,she wouldn`t last more than the fourth book or the fifth ,she`s just one more caracter in stieg`s books..:)

Posted by francesca in pizza ,

Lisbeth was deeply in love with Blomqvist and that’s why she got so angry when she saw him with Berger on the street..then she kept him at arm’s length because she knew he had the power to hurt her..

Posted by Vas in Washington DC ,

I thought I was to naive and didn’t get nowadays relationships….But may God I hate Figueroa and yes Im a sucker for a happy endings too, so it wroke my heart when they dindn’t end up together

Posted by Jime in Mendoza – Argentina ,

When you made the list of Blomkvist’s bedmates, you left out Cecilia Vanger. In the first book, she approached Mikael and suggested the idea of a secret affair. This arrangement went on for several months. The movie (Hollywood version) left it out altogether. Blomkvist’s dalliances all seem to be instigated by the woman, who then falls deeply for Mikael and feels jealous when he wants to be with someone else. Kalle Blomkvist is emotionally shallow, but then all the characters in this series are damaged in some way. I think that Lisbeth is looking for somebody she can fully trust and depend on. Mikael is trustworthy as a friend, but he proved unreliable as a lover.

Posted by Margaret B in Virginia ,

the only problem i have with mikael blomkvist’s character is that he thinks he can fuck almost every woman mentioned in the story and get away with it that really pisses me off and the fact that he cant see the damage hes causing .he needs to think twice before fucking someone .i cant imagine blomkvist in a stable relationship he only screws and then leaves.

Posted by trinity ,

I didn’t care for Figuerola either. His relationship with her seemed to be a betrayal of Lisbeth more so than his relationship with Erika. This is perhaps because he admitted he was falling for Figuerola – something he didn’t feel for Lisbeth while Lisbeth fell in love with him. Stupid man. We’re all on Lisbeth’s side.

Larsson’s series feels unfinished to me. Book 3 ends neatly, resolving the plot that started in book 2. But I was just getting to know Lisbeth and Mikael and in my view both still had a lot of growing to do as individuals and in their relationship with each other. Mikael and his serial relationships and lack of desire to make a commitment. Lisbeth and her antisocial behaviors and penchant for no-strings-attached connections. Mikael was a warm and social person, but he also had a wall around himself. Lisbeth’s “wall” was more obvious. They are different on the surface but they are a lot alike on the inside.

I wonder what arc the story would’ve taken after book 3. There’s a part of me that feels these two belong together.

I don’t buy Larsson’s neat ending that had Lisbeth not loving Mikael anymore. She was a young woman perhaps in love for the first time. He was perhaps the first man who demonstrated that he cared about her in a big way. They experienced some big dramas together that built a bond between them. I believe Lisbeth was still in love, and Mikael was too dense to realize he was too. He went to some lengths to try to get back in touch with Lisbeth when he could’ve just let her go after she disappeared. He does serial relationships after all. And he cared enough to go to great lengths to rescue her when she needed him. I don’t think it was just because he was after a good story or because he owed her after she saved him.

Posted by Ronna in texas ,

It is my belief that Blomkvist’s true love in life is Erika but like Ro mentioned in her thread, Blomkvist loves Erika more than she loves him. Blomkvist even admits to his willingness to marry her if she wasn’t married to someone else. Therefore, Blomkvist is unable to commit to anyone else until he can let go of Erika as a lover.

After Lisbeth refuses to see Blomkvist, he states that he can take a hint and won’t go where he is not wanted. This character trait is reenforced by the fact that all the women he is with always make the first move and chase after him. Yet, Blomkvist is always concerned for Lisbeth and makes every effort to find her and help her.

In the end, even after Lisbeth is sure that Blomkvist will keep his distance because that is the type of stubborn person he is…he still comes knocking at her door. Blomkvist may not know he is in love with Lisbeth but his attachment to her is much stronger than he is willing to admit. She may be the girl that breaks the unhealthy bond he has to Erika and helps him find a love that is mutual.

If Lisbeth does have a type of Aspergers or some mild form of autism, allowing Blomkvist back into her life is a huge step forward for her. She is learning to cope with difficult emotions in a mature manner as well as learning to completely trust another person.

So despite Blomkvist’s desire for Erika and his new-found “love” for Figuerola, he still seeks out Lisbeth even after she no longer needs him to rescue her.

Posted by Violet in Miami ,

I totally agree with Violet , but I would really love that Lisbeth ends with her doctor Johansson , he seems to care about her and at the end of the third book . But Mikael said in some part of the third book is falling in love for Figuerola as a teenager .

Posted by catherine in lima ,

She’s in a towel, he’s got coffee and bagels … passion, relief and release overcome them both and WHAM! POW! into the tub and bed they go. Now, that would grab our attention from the get go. Where’s that 4th Book!!!!!

Posted by Jeanne in Denham Springs, LA ,

The last scene between Mikael and Lisbeth is the same as when they first met. But unlike the first time, when Mikael had to quickly sneak into her apartment, in the 3rd book, Lisabeth opens the door wide open. To me this is significant. If Larsson had lived, at some point they would realize they love each other equally.

Posted by sonya in new britian ,

I also thought that Mikael felt that Monica Figuerola was becoming a little obsessed with him. It didn’t seem like he was in love. Until he told Berger that he thought he was falling for her, that is.

It didn’t flow and didn’t seem realistic.

Reading the third book, I didn’t feel like Figuerola was one of the likable characters. She was pushy and a little aggressive (in a bad way). I didn’t think she would be more than a fling for Mikael.

Posted by HB in Tel Aviv ,

Monica was a poor subsitute for Lisbeth. She had blond hair and big boobs like Erica and built like an Amazon to mirror Lisbeth’ warrior heart. In Hornet, there is a scene when Mikael is at Lisbeth’ apartment. He stares at her king size bed for a long time and then calls Monica.

Mikael, saying he thinks he is in love is not the same as knowing he is in love. Plus he is very secretive about Lisbeth when speaking with Monica. And he agressive defends her too.

Posted by sonya in new britain ,

For me Lisbeth and Mikael show some love affairs in the first book while the second and third book shows them as if they are only friends. It is important to show those two always because the story shows a sideline of the two characters stories and life. Because they are only main characters where Mr. Larsson focused. I know everyone felt sad that the two remain as if friends hey maybe if there’s a fourth book coming maybe they can be together. What really Lisbeth is falling for is hes attractive and kinda sort of good to her. I don’t know what makes Mikael make him falling for her as usual. What make them appear everytime is that they were actually u know the first introduced by the author in the book

Posted by Mawyy in PHILIPPINES ,

I don’t think they were only friends in the last two books. I believe Mikael was driven to prove his profound feelings for Lisbeth, even though on a conscious level he did not realize what they were. He was haunted and hunting for Lisbeth as she was haunted (by her feelings for Mikael) and hunting her father. Mikael was obsessed with Lisbeth to the point where he endangered and risked the lives of all around him to save and free Lisbeth. That’s not friendship or even best friends.

Posted by sonya in new britain ,

Micke is definitely attracted to her and it could grow into something significant. As for her, it remain(ed)s to be seen if she really is over him. As everybody stated, I have no love for Monica and I think for Micke and Lisbeth to get anywhere he will have to pry himself off of Erika. I have nothing against their relationship as a whole but she herself noticed it’s not good or fair for him.

Posted by Iantonia in Ottawa ,

You all keep commenting on the Lisbeth and Mikael relationship. How do we not know that Steve and Eva didnt participate in such adventures with trading partners and was a good easy to write about. Steve and Eva had to help one another to write through the scenes. I am sure Eva wrote some of the book with Steve and should have some rights to continue writing the books. I want to finish the books..

Posted by Derek in Phoenix ,

Eva’ name isn’t on the book. The courts will have to settle this. I want more books so badly but its going to be a long wait, if it ever happens.

Posted by sonya in new britain ,

Agree with most of what Violet says. BUT I think we are too hung up on turning these books into romance novels. Real life doesn’t work like mass market fiction and I think Stieg was aiming for more realism and depth in his characters’ psychological makeup.

Lisbeth is a ‘broken’ person. She has never experienced love as we know it. When she ‘falls in love’ with Blomqvist, it is a powerful feeling, but she does not know what it means or how to cope with it, so she copes with his ‘betrayal’ in the only way she knows how…avoidance and escape. During her year-long trip abroad, she finds she no longer has feelings for Micke and rarely even thinks about him. This is the real Lisbeth…detachment. If Blomqvist had returned her love, the relationship would have shattered. He is a bit of a tool, intellectually plodding…not on her level at all…and he’d be sure to disappoint her because of his lifelong attachment to Erica. Plus, with all Lisbeth’s mental problems, if Blomqvist had loved her back she would have eventually sabotaged the relationship anyway. Who would be mentally capable of enduring Lisbeth’s focussed, laser-like intensity? She’s an all-or-nothing kind of person. I prefer to think Lisbeth had a massive crush on Blomqvist initially…not a normal or enduring love. Ultimately, Lisbeth is not normal…she can learn coping skills for life events, but there is no cure for Aspergers, if that’s what she has. Being much older, Blomqvist would not live long enough for all the therapy Lisbeth would need. He is so flawed that he’d do her more harm than good anyway.

Posted by Jean Ferguson in Toronto, Canada ,

Still, Micke and Lis belong together. Micke because nothing good will come of being with a married woman and Lis because where else is she going to meet people. Haha

Posted by Nini in New York ,

I think this is a serious thing to talk about the trilogy ok so the first thing is that salander get mad because mikael runs away with Berger the first time if Berger had spoken with her like she did with Monica figerola his heart won’t broken in pieces that is my opinion. On the other hand Lisbeth never hadvent fall in love never in his entire life and to get to that point to be dissapointed it’s really mess up and it hurts in a sort of way because everyone had pass for that in one point of their life’s and she always avoid to had feelings for the same reasons .

Posted by Wspjims in Zurich ,

Micki and Lisbeth together is just sick. He’s old enough to be her father for god sake.

Posted by Charlene in NY ,

so what. the heart wants what the heart wants.

Posted by sonya in nb ,

i think both do have feelings for each other but mikael is unconscious with this feeling of his. lisbeth on the other hand is confuse with her feelings as well.

Posted by Neil in philippines ,

To me it’s pretty obvious that when Larsson created the characters of Salander and Blomkvist, he created them in such a way that they fit together. Since the series would last ten books, he probably wanted to establish some chemistry between them right from the very start to make their relationship interesting, but obviously he would not keep that up for ten books, because it would be rather uninteresting. I think he wanted them to only properly get together in the tenth book, which sadly will never be written. Of course, along the way Blomkvist has to live out Larsson’s sexual fantasies with tons of other attractive women. As to what Charlene said about the age difference, Larsson always expressed that age should not be a factor in relationships, it’s just the feelings (and the sex…) that counts. Blomkvist slept with Cecilia and Harriet Vanger, both who were much older than him, and Salander clearly did not care for the age of her love interests. She made it clear when she said that the fact that Blomkvist was twice her age did not bother her in “Tattoo”.

Posted by Kaat in Singapore ,

It bothers me very much there is no form of closure in the trilogy in terms of relationships. While Blomkvist’s relationship with Fig-whatshername seems to work out at first, I’m pretty sure that Larsson won’t have them end up together. Their thing is just a fling, just like Harriet and Cecilia Vanger. However, Blomkvist and Lisbeth’s relationship would carry on for a long time, and it is obvious that Blomkvist feels a certain level of attraction to her from the way that he keeps trying to contact her and talk to her despite how she pushed him away because she was hurt. I understand that these aren’t romance novels but the chemistry between the characters are a big part of the stories and it just bother me that there is no attempt at closure at the end of the third book. I really wish for the fourth/ fifth book to be published, even thought the transition would be kind of sloppy, I would read it just to see how the characters develop, especially since the relationship between Mikael and Lisbeth was at a cliffhanger the last time we saw them.

Posted by Kaat ,

Everyone had quite valid thoughts and ideas. But chew on this…In The Girl Who Played with Fire, Blomvist himself says, “…During the autumn to years ago, I was seeing her. The relationship ended around Christmas of that year…” (Chapter 14) Obviously, seeing someone is a casual, but it’s more limitied than dating. Dating is casually seeing someone or many others, whereas seeing someone is a pre-coupling stage, until the couple move onto the next step, which would be an exclusive gf/bf relationship. When you admit to seeing someone, isn’t that some sort of decloration of commitment? Maybe I’m being overly critical or just desperately wanting Blomkvist to be in love with his Sally. Either way, if she was just a friend, he would have said, the friendship ended, not relationship. That’s just my POV.

And am I imagining things, or did he not completely seperate himself from Berger -the supposed love of his life- for six months. Sure, he had reasons to avoid her, but it was so easy for him, while it gnawed at her core. He had Lisbeth to keep him company, a company he very much enjoyed, and missed when it disappeared.

And the dude went over and beyond to reestablish his connection and build a stronger companionship, through phonecalls, e-mails,and handwritten letters. I mean who does that, if not a school boy that has a crush? He even went to lengths as to physcially go to her apartment, on several occasions as well as stubbornly waiting outside her apartment.

Lisbeth is no limerance to this man, and she’s always on his mind. He even once confided in his sister about her disapperance, which drove him up a wall and kept his mind preoccupied on the night of Annika’s b-day. She’s someone he clearly loves. He didn’t deny, yet didn’t admit to Figuerola that he loves her. I don’t care for Ms. Monica either, btw. her and Blomkvists relationship is going to hell in a handbasket. The only difference is, she recipricated feelings, and Lisbeth didn’t. She wouldn’t even let him hug her. Anyways, I find that Blomkvist chooses to ignore that possibility of falling for Lisbeth, for whatever reason. He probably factors in their age and figures, it’s not possible, it can’t work. Mainly because, Salander keeps cutting ties from him, and he’s completely oblivious as to why.

Then there are small things that stick out, such as Erika stating to Monica, “So you’ve been to Sandhamn? Then it is serious.” Mikael only brings special women to his cabin, that CLEARLY means Lisbeth was one of these women.

For me, I clearly understand that Lisbeth feel in love, and she may have fallen in love with him again. What I question, is when Mikael Blomkvist is going to realize, “Damn, I could fall in love with this girl. Or maybe I am?”

Sadly, we will never know, but I will forever imagine that Lisbeth’s love for Mikael returned. Steig must have been heading in that direction. And as for Blomkvist, I think once Lisbeth works on her social skills and allows Mikael’s affection, their romantic relationship would evolve. Just imagine if she allowed intimacy from the get go? They would have been a couple after they left Hedeby Island and most likely stayed a couple since they are so alike, cerebrally. Plus they enjoyed sex with one another, and that certainly can’t hurt a relationsihip.

Okay to much, I’m done…..

Posted by ELLE in Cali ,

I can’t agree more with ELLE!

Posted by Rose in Seoul ,

Not to mention Mikael escorted Lisbeth to her mother’s funeral.

Posted by Fan in California ,

I agree 100% with ELLE in Cali… Steig would have gotten Mikael and Lisbeth there by (but no sooner) than book 8… you can’t get the “Main Love Couple” together in book 3 or 4 of a 10 book series (I feel like this a writers rule).

Posted by B.L.Mac in Seattle ,

I hate Figuerola–to me, her and Blomkvist’s relationship is a betrayal of Lisbeth. There she is lying in a hospital, severely wounded, about to be put on trial for murders she did not commit, and Mikael is out screwing the first floozy to come his way–and it’s especially terrible because he had just found out about everything Lisbeth had been through (he saw the Bjurman video)…she’s madly in love with him and he betrayed her when she needed him the most. He should have been at that hospital every day holding her (or at least attempting to) but instead he was out screwing Figuerola. Ugh I don’t even like typing her name! I’d like to think that, had Larsson lived, Mik and Lis would have ended up together–to me, they are soulmates.

Posted by Belle in Alabama ,

Belle:

Let’s face it, Mikael is a slut–Stieg Larsson even said so himself in an e-mail to his publisher. Also, don’t forget that Dr. Jonasson would not allow anyone but the hospital’s medical personnel and Giannini (Mikael’s sister/Lisbeth’s lawyer) into her room. He even denied Dr. Teleborian entrance. Mikael wouldn’t have stood a chance of getting in.

Posted by rickbull in Nashville ,

Me too, I am disappointed Mikael and Lisbeth didn’t get together. But, maybe that’s just too predictable and if they did, we’d all have already forgotten about them.. I agree Lisbeth needs someone in her life to love and cherish her. Maybe in the future books it would’ve been the lovely Doctor Jonasson? Lisbeth did tell him she’d never forget him..

Posted by anne in ottawa ,

Don’t forget the final line of the third book: “She opened the door wide and let him into her life again.” Larsson left us with, at least somewhat, a ray of hope.

Posted by rickbull in Nashville ,

I think this novel would have rung totally and utterly untrue if it had a Hollywood style “happy end” with Lisbeth and Michael officially “getting together”. These books examine the width and the depth of violence and injustice done to women in a patriarchal society. A book that does that *has* to examine the romantic notion of a love relationship between a man and a woman which is based on ownership and exclusive mating rights.

Lisbeth’s character is far too damaged to even be able to cope with “loving someone” – which is precisely why she runs away from Michael as far and as fast as she can. It hurts too much. Besides, she has just been through the ordeal of having her inmost secrets dragged out into the public eye, and I guess on some level she blames Michael for making her do it. At the same time I also think he is definitely the person who can help her heal and teach her to function in an intimate relationship. But a very important part of this is that he *accepts* that she wants to keep her distance.

Micheal Blomqvist has his own emotional issues – as several people have pointed out, his relationship with Erica Berger is not very healthy. He gets the short end of the deal in it, and it has already led to his marriage breaking up. But he is a mellow sort of guy who goes along with what life throws at him, and who seems to be at the beck and call of several assertive women who want his sexual favors. That is, by the by, traditionally a female role – he’s for all matters and purposes, a married woman’s mistress. I think part of Lisbeth’s anger at Erica is that on some level she sees this, and wonders why Blomqvist lets himself be exploited that way. At the same time, she is frightened by the feelings her jealousy of Erica brings up in her: it is said in the book that she felt like she wanted to *hurt* Erica when she saw her and Blomqvist heading off to bed at the end of book 1, and I think she is very worried that – being the daughter of Zalachenko and the sister of Niederman – she too has a patholigically violent streak in her. After all, she has been *told* that she has psychiatric problems since she was 12. I think this is probably why she starts reading up on genetics while in hospital – because she wants to find out where she stands in this respect.

Someone has pointed out that on a deeper level, Blomqvist and Salander have similar emotional issues, and I think this is quite right. Neither of them is sexually faithful, and both have problems committing to another person.

Monica Figuerola, to my mind, is deliberately a caricature of the happy, healthy, physically fit blonde superwoman, who drags her man off to bed in handcuffs. She is way over the top bossy, and she has all the typical hangups about commitment and whether or not her relationship with Blomqvist is “serious” – precisely the sort of thing that seems to make most men pack up and run. I definitely think we are supposed to read that between the lines here. Her relationship to Blomqvist is good sex, that’s where that ends. I even think that for him, perhaps it is a release for the unadmitted (and, as far as he can tell, unrequited) feelings he has for Lisbeth.

One of the major themes of the book is that love is far more complex than who you sleep with. And that what Blomqvist calls “friendship” is much more long-lasting than any sexual fling. He calls Erica Berger his “friend”, not his lover.

As to Lisbeth, he *says* he’s not in love with her, but I think his actions show that he is epically head over heals very much so. But he probably hasn’t realized it himself. Monica offers him good sex, Erica offers him good sex and a long term working relationship, but Lisbeth is a soul mate. Not only does he doggedly try to keep in touch no matter how often she rejects him, by book three he has practically moved into her apartment. While she is not there, but still. And is quite clear that several other characters have picked up on it – Erica, much as she tries to deny it, is jealous, and perhaps this is why she seems so ready to give way to Figuerola – because at the end of the day, she is far less of a threat to her own importance in Blomqvist’s life.

I totally think Lisbeth and Kalle will have an ongoing relationship which will very likely include sleeping with each other on a more or less regular basis, but I also doubt they will ever end up in a marriage type arrangement. And why should they? Isn’t exploring the alternatives, what the books are all about?

Posted by Asni in Wellington ,

I think the author is planning to have Michael and Lisbeth together in the end. Only 3 out of 10 books are published. But I think that the only person who could answer if there’s going to be a happy ever after for Kalle and Pippi is Eva, the author’s life companion.

Posted by Leo in Philippines ,