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Biography
Background
Stieg's grandfather, an inspiring role model
Stieg Larsson was born in Västerbotten in northern Sweden in 1954. At the time of his birth, his parents were too young and too poor to keep him, so he was raised by his grandparents in a small village in the north of Sweden. Stieg's grandfather, Severin Boström, became the male role model for the young Stieg. Severin was strongly anti-fascist and during the Second World War he was imprisoned in the work camp in Storsien for his anti-Nazi opinions. Had he been Danish, he would no doubt have been placed in a German Concentration Camp. The fate of his grandfather deeply affected and shaped Stieg's character. He wanted to protect equal rights and fight for democracy and freedom of speech in order to prevent history, and what happened to his grand father, from repeating itself.
Youth, left-wing movement and far travels
When Stieg was nine years old, his grandfather died and he moved to live with his parents and his younger brother. Stieg was given a typewriter for his 12th birthday, and he spent most nights of his youth staying up writing, keeping his family awake with the drumming sound. At 18 years of age he met Eva Gabrielsson at an anti-Vietnam War meeting in Umeå. Eva was to become his life long companion. With some short exceptions, mainly due to the fact that Stieg was sometimes too obsessed with his work, they lived together until Stiegs death the 9th November 2004. After his military service, Stieg travelled in Africa and has been described as "an early backpacker". He rarely had enough money on his travels, in an interview with Norra Västerbotten in 2006, his father describes how he had to work as a dishwasher and sell his clothes to afford a ticket home from Algeria.
Stieg Larsson was also interested in Science Fiction. Among other things was he the chairman of the Scandinavian science fiction society and published two magazines.
A life under constant threat
During the last 15 years of his life, he and his life companion Eva Gabrielsson lived under constant threat from right-wing violence. When a labor-union leader was murdered in his home by neo-Nazis in 1999, the police discovered photos of and information about the couple in the murderer's apartment. So it was not without reason that the couple took precautionary measures. They were never seen together outside the house, they moved mirrors in the hall and they always kept the blinds down. Those are just a few examples. Stieg was an expert in the area, and wrote a book of instructions on how journalists should respond to threats for the Swedish Union of Journalists ("Överleva Deadline", 2000).
Writing as a relaxation
The situation created a contrast between Stieg's work at Expo and his night-time novel writing. He regarded his writing of detective novels as relaxing. Keeping track of loose ends, characters and made up conspiracies posedno problem since it was, after all, fiction and no one would threaten either Eva or himself because of it.
Work
Se our article about Stieg Larssons working life.
Now you can discuss everything about Stieg Larsson and The Millennium Series in our new Discussion Board!
Awesome books he wrote!!! I will definitely buy his other books..
I hope all the best for Eva and if there is a story to write about your life I will most certainly want to read as well ... =)
- Sonya - Australia - 21 Jan 2010, 21 January 2010
My friend is Swedish, knew of Stiegs writings but never got to his books til recently. Amazing stories, took me one week to finish all 3! And read til 3am in mornings, still got up to go to work at 5am. Thats how much they gripped me! What a great loss
- Aj Australia 24 Feb 2010, 24 February 2010
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we are all reading the triligy here on the mornington peninsular vic australia summer 2010. I want more too. Too bad about no equal rights - goes with the story of Salander. Perhaps his defacto wife may defect to Australia to publish.
got another good read to recommend? lagranVivi
- , 4 January 2010
- Kate Mallia, 9 January 2010
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Hi,
the trilogy of Stig Larsson is wonderful, im just finish the thirth part and I feel sorry to be finished...
Somebody knows if S.Larsson write some anothers books, please answer me.. thanks a lot..
David Toro. Spain.
PD. Sorry for my bad english... im better in spanish ]]]
- David Toro, 3 January 2010
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Just loved his books, Fantastic!
- Mitra, 2 January 2010, 2 January 2010
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Just finished reading the 3 books and I must say they are fantastic!
- Tracey, 28 December 2009
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It's amazing that this english translation is so good. I wonder how it was in swedish. I was so intrigued by the plot that I wanted to get a map and go online to see the countryside.
The description of swedish culture and customs is very refreshing especially if you have never gone there. I'm sorry this great writer and thinker is gone.
- Carmen Barros, 17 December 2009
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I have discovered that I have been a neighbour to Stieg Larsson when he wrote his books. I probably saw him from my bedroom window at Reimersholme..
- Sanna/asfaltblomman, 14 December 2009
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These are the best three books I have ever read- I was creeping out to the bookshop late at night to have the next one ready to start!His writing and storyline are fantastic- I don't want it to end-I felt I had new friends.I am so sad he is gone and the story ends.
- Estelle-Dundee-Scotland, 12 December 2009
NEAL-OHIO
- I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE 4TH BOOK PUBLISHE D -I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE 3RD ONE AS HIS STORY IS ONE ON THE BEST EVER! ., 30 December 2009
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I've just finished the trilogy and am still curious about Camilla. As well, how did Steig die?
- P. Quillinan, 1 December 2009
He died Nov 9, 2004 aged 50 of a massive heart attack.
- Aliz Steyn, Brazil, 2 December 2009
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I have just finished The girl who played with fire, 80 pages before the end I went out and bought the next and unfortunatly last book in the series. I'm hesitant to read it because when I do it will be the last and I'll not be able to run out and buy the next.
I've not been able to put the last two books down!
Really enjoyed them, kept a map of sweden near me so I could try and work out where things were taking place. And shit the swedes drink so much coffee, can't believe that any sleeping goes on!
- rachywalne@hotmail.com, 28 November 2009
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I love this novels. Salander is the best.
- Aga poland, 9 November 2009
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Isn't it ironic that Larsson created female characters that, for the most part, were strong and independent minded in a country that recognizes the equality of women and men - yet Eva Gabrielsson is denied her right of inheritance after having to live with a difficult, seemingly obsessed writer who, no doubt, caused her much emotional pain.
- An old Canadian Viking, 2 November 2009
There is no evidence he caused Eva "much emotional pain"!
- Younger Canadian Viking, 19 December 2009
Im agee with you, Younger Canadian Viking...
- David, 3 January 2010
...agree.. sorry.
- David, 3 January 2010
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I have enjoyed the Millennium series very much. however it is too much of a conincidence that Stieg died the way he died - was an autopsy done? It looks like he was murdered. What a shame he did not realise his success. i sincerely hope his life partner and family are.
- Liv Munro, 26 October 2009
lagranvivi
- , 4 January 2010
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Very impressed by Stieg Larsson, his character and writing, and sad that he is no longer alive but believe that the messages in his writings will profoundly impact millions of people, for the good.
- Nancy Kelly, 14 October 2009
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What a sad, sad loss to the literary world. I have just finished the third book and it is as good as the first two. I couldn't put it down. I too was wondering about the coincidence of Stieg's writing and his sudden death, but that question has been answered..too many cigarettes, too many late nights and too much stress. Again, what a loss, but I will treasure the Millennium series and recommend it to others. Thank you Stieg. RIP.
- Fragomeli SJ, 9 October 2009
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What an incredible loss
- , 2 October 2009
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Cardiac infarction
- Tina, 1 October 2009
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I LOVE the novels.......but what did Stieg die of?
- Toots Mettura, 28 September 2009
...3 packs of cigarrets a day, plus 20 coffees a day, plus overstress....
- Sonja, 20 October 2009
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To Kim J. of the Netherlands, Carl Larsson is one of Sweden's most famous and beloved painters. I don't think he's an ancestor. Viveca, 29 September 2009
- , 25 September 2009
And Henrik Larsson is one of the best footballers of all time, do not think he is related either, probably a lot of Larsson´s in Sweden
- A Larsson fan, Scotland, 30 December 2009
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A few writers like Stieg left in this world... I feel so lucky to have read al Larssons books.
- Mexico, 8 Mars 2010