Stieg Larsson’s Unfinished Business no comments
"The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest"
I’ve read the first book in the series and have the second in my library waiting for me. I thought I knew the brief version of the author’s bio, but as with most things it turns out to be far more complicated than I thought.
Larsson was a Swedish journalist and writer. He turned all three of the Millennium manuscripts in to his publisher and then died of a heart attack before seeing them published and becoming international bestsellers. This much I knew, but the story does not end there.
When Larsson died he left behind his partner of 32 years, Eva Gabrielsson. As the two were not married and Larsson’s will was unwitnessed, all of his estate - including the royalties from his books – have gone to his estranged father and brother.
Larsson and Gabrielsson never married because Larsson reported on extremist organizations and was therefore under threat – in Sweden getting married would have made it easier for his enemies to find him through the public records.
Apparently Larsson was working on a fourth book when he passed away, which is variously reported as being one half to three quarters finished. That manuscript is currently on a laptop in the possession of Ms. Gabrielsson. She is refusing to give it up unless she is given the rights to administer Larsson’s estate and to ensure that it will be managed in the way that he would have wished.
In a recent interview in the Daily Mail Gabrielsson tells how she and Larsson “were constantly collaborating and it is my brainchild as well.” She has indicated that she may fight for the rights to the Millennium books on the basis that she is a co-author.
Ms. Gabrielsson’s plight has engendered quite a bit of sympathy. Fans have set up a website to help with her legal fees.
