In the trails of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist
Original posted in the NNL FB group in Aug 2020
Some might ask, what is your issues with Mikael Blomkvist? Chill, he is a Hero!
I know, but he embodies what I don't like with my generations male. I Will try to put this in a social and historical context, just like much NN works in a political and social context.
Kalle Fucking Blomkvist ,Lisbeth calls
Mikael Blomkvist. And in the press he
is also the Kalle character. Why?
Mikael Blomkvist. And in the press he
is also the Kalle character. Why?
Stieg Larsson did put some Astrid Lindgren references in the books.
V. Kulla is a Pippi Longstocking reference, and Kalle Blomkvist is
another.
V. Kulla is a Pippi Longstocking reference, and Kalle Blomkvist is
another.
Astrid Lindgren was not only the
most translated and read Swedish author at the time, she also was open with her anti racist stance during a time when Swedish youth was drawn to the White Power movements.
most translated and read Swedish author at the time, she also was open with her anti racist stance during a time when Swedish youth was drawn to the White Power movements.
And you who know your Stieg Larsson know that he founded the anti racist magazine Expo.
Mästerdetektiven Kalle Blomkvist was Astrid's crimestories for the young people. A bit like Enid Blytons the Five Mysteries. In English the young detective went under the name
Bill Bergson the Master Detective.
Bill Bergson the Master Detective.
That in his passion for solving crimes was considered a bit anoying in his self rightness.
It has been over 40 years since I read them so I just say at least I remember them that way.
It has been over 40 years since I read them so I just say at least I remember them that way.
Lisbeth both had a problem with Mikaels self rightness attitude and had a problem with that she
let her heart open to be vurnerable to a man that by todays view to define people would say he is a bit of a sex addict.
let her heart open to be vurnerable to a man that by todays view to define people would say he is a bit of a sex addict.
Therefor the Kalle Blomkvist epithet. It is not to flatter him.
Just like Kurt Wallander Mikael is self centered in a less flattering manner. But far more successful in it than the emotional chaotic Kurt.
Mikael embodied a male ideal that was around in the culture and mediaworld in Stockholm at the
time. White males on Söder into music, art or media with more than one attractive woman by his
side. This was the way, don't ask me how I know.
time. White males on Söder into music, art or media with more than one attractive woman by his
side. This was the way, don't ask me how I know.
I have to admit that I might was a bit like him back then or if not, att least I wanted to be like him
when not. With todays eyes I say, what a ....... . With the differences that Mikael was successful
in a way I only could dream of.
when not. With todays eyes I say, what a ....... . With the differences that Mikael was successful
in a way I only could dream of.
He was a fantasy that came to life in Stiegs writing that probably was very honest.
The racist and fascist gained popularity after Stiegs premature death. Attacking the privileged media and culture elite on Söder in media. The People Like Mikael and Erika was said to pray on the common people for they own succes. A partly succesfull strategy that gain the far right seats in the Parliament (Riksdagen), and today in the Government. It was said, by many, that Stieg Larsson was a leftie. But there are very few working class people in his Millenium stories. Except Lisbeth Salander that is placed on a pedistal. In David Lagercrantz Millenium books there
is no sight of the poor, the imigrants and the problem we see today. It is a world of IT geniuses, actors and journalists. A very upper middleclass world.
is no sight of the poor, the imigrants and the problem we see today. It is a world of IT geniuses, actors and journalists. A very upper middleclass world.
And why shouldn't it be there? The northern Södermalm is today a privileged part of town. Where Mikael Blomkvist is shielded from the gang violence in the poor suburbs.
He have to handle crises in the Millenium boardmeetings, not the increasing inequality in the
Swedish society.
Swedish society.
It is both a nice pause from what fill the real life news, and portrait of a forgotten culture.
I still think it is a bit of too good to be true that Mikael lives at Bellmansgatan 1. The reason Mikael got the contract is too Good to be true.
To me it lowered the credability of the stories in the beginning.
But that is overshadowed by the apartments inpact on the people that comes visit and taking selfies i front of it. The house and it's block are spectacular in a steampunk, R.L Stevenson andHarry Potter way even without the Millenium context.
In the films they imply he is living in the yellow house, not the red.
For the Fincher/Daniel Craig version of the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo they choose the building
on the other side of the street. Even more posh and out of credability for the Blomkvist character. That adress will have a post of its own.
on the other side of the street. Even more posh and out of credability for the Blomkvist character. That adress will have a post of its own.
I might also be green of envy?If by nothing else, then by the fact that his local pub is across the street from where he lives.
How to get there? A seven minute walk from Mariatorget Subway station.
Or a 10 minuter walk from Millenium.
It is no22 on the map.
