The Girl Who Played With Ficus

Laura and Charlotte return to the Millennium series in this week's new episode of The Lettuce Podcast. They're talking about the second in Steig Larsson's original trilogy, The Girl Who Played With Fire. The conversation covers the book's rich and complicated cast of characters, the role of women in Sweden's society, Stieg Larsson's writing style, and more. Laura draws some similarities between main character Lisbeth Salander and the book's foremost villain, Zala. Charlotte shares appreciation for the novel's primary focus on Lisbeth as opposed to the prior book's focus on Mikael Blomkvist. Together the girls outline the problematic police force in Stockholm, wonder about Erika Berger's unique marriage, and make predictions about what a true romantic relationship between Lisbeth and Mikael would look like. Can Lisbeth come out of a triple murder accusation unscathed? Will Mikael be able to rekindle his friendship with Listbeth? And what the hell does a professional boxed have to do with this crime thriller story? All these questions and more are discussed on this week's new episode!

After a long and spirited conversation about The Girl Who Played With Fire's long list of complex characters, Laura and Charlotte only had time for one game in the Fun & Games segment. They used a name generator to find out what their Swedish names would be!

This week's podtails were inspired by events in the book! Charlotte sipped on wine just like Mikael at his sister's birthday party. Laura enjoyed a fruity cocktail called Tropical Temptation in honor of Lisbeth's vacation (and love affair!) in the Caribbean.  


Listen to this episode now!

The Lettuce Podcast is available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Podcast Addict. If you like what you hear and want to be part of the conversation, feel free to leave a comment on this or any blog post. You can also help us reach a wider audience by rating and reviewing The Lettuce Podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks for listening and for your support!

  
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Don't forget to join us next week for another episode of The Lettuce Beets. Charlotte will be taking over the moderator spot for the next topic episode of The Lettuce Podcast. She and Laura will travel to a galaxy far, far away to cover the new film Star Wars: The Last Jedi!

Until then,
Arugulater!

The Garden with the Dragon Tatsoi - Show Notes

Happy New Year from The Lettuce Podcast! Laura and Charlotte start the year off with one of their favorite books The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. They're excited to start this crime thriller series and chat about its cast of vivid characters, themes of social injustice, and commentary about society's treatment of women. Laura talks about the loveable playboy Mikael Blomkvist and wonders if his actions with women are respectful or problematic. Charlotte shares why she liked Erika Berger's put-together no-nonsense attitude. Both girls talk about their love of the strong, but troubled Lisbeth Salander, why the entire Vanger family is a mess, and the ways in which Salander and Berger are complementary characters. They also take the opportunity to compare the book with its US film adaptation, covering the changes made in both good and bad ways. Was the Vanger family's choice to cover up their ugly past a savvy business move or a rich family's power play? Does the “Locked Room Mystery” set-up work in book form? And is there any sympathy at all for the slimeball Nils Bjurman? (Spoiler Alert: NO!). All these subjects and more are discussed on this week's episode of The Lettuce Podcast.

In the Fun & Games segment, the girls end 2016 and welcome the new year with two of their tried and true favorite games: Madlibs and Kill, Marry, Pity Date.

For this episode, Laura enjoyed a podtail called the Swedish Polar Bear. A perfect beverage to accompany winter on the cold Hedeby Island!

Listen to this episode now!

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We'll be starting off 2017 with TWO topic episodes in a row! Join us next week for another topic episode about the new film everyone's talking about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story!

Until then,
Arugulater!