Versions of Reality Quotes in The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

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

Quote #1

"I hired Niedermann as an assistant a number of years ago. I thought he could protect me, but he has actually taken over my life. He comes and goes as he pleases…I have nothing more to say about it." (3.24)

Zalachenko is trying to spin his story and bury the truth. Zalachenko a helpless victim? Come on! Zalachenko is also pretending Niedermann is some random guy, when he's actually Zalachenko's son.

Quote #2

"[Zalachenko] is down the hall. But don't worry about him for the time being. You have to concentrate on getting well." (3.123)

The nurse is cut off from the reality of the situation. Salander has every reason to worry that her father is so close to her.

Quote #3

She is twenty-six years old and not even five feet tall. She has been called a psychopath, a murderer, and a lesbian Satanist. There is almost no limit to the fantasies that have been circulated about her. (3.143)

These are the first lines of the book Blomkvist write about Salander and the Section. The book is an attempt to help the public see the real Salander, while exposing the true identities of the corrupt people who have been victimizing her.