Friendship Quotes in The Girl Who Played With Fire

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

[Blomkvist] was not in love with her – they were as unlike as two people could be – but he was very fond of her and he really missed her, as exasperating as she sometimes was. (1.43)

In a way, they aren't really so different. They have similar approaches to sex and relationships (though she is usually the seducer, while he lets the ladies make the moves). They both have strong ideas about what is right and wrong. They both aren't afraid to break the rules to find the truth…. We'll let you continue the list from here.

Quote #2

If Salander thought so little of him that she could not even bring herself to greet him in the tunnelbana, then their friendship was apparently over and the damage irreparable. He would make no attempt to contact her again. (1.45)

Poor Blomkvist! Sadly, this is exactly what Salander claims she wants him to do. He doesn't know it, but she sees him as more than a friend. He's actually the first person she's ever fallen in love with. If he knew, how do you think he would react?

Quote #3

He had hurt her. She acknowledged this had not been his intention. He had behaved rather decently. It was her own fault that she had fallen "in love" with him. The very phrase was a contradiction when it came to Lisbeth F***ing B**** Salander. (4.48)

She loves him too much, in a way, to be friends with him. She's also too afraid of his rejection to tell him the way she really feels. For her, the only way to tamp down the pain is by keeping Blomkvist away from her.