Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THE GOOSEBUMPS SERIES DIDN'T RELEASE ITS FIRST BOOK UNTIL 1992 THUS OSKAR'S PURCHASE OF A SET OF USED(!) GOOSEBUMPS BOOKS AROUND 1981 IS A HORRIFIC ANACHRONISM
Another victim of hype. The core Oskar/Eli/Hakan story is interesting and creepy, and Virginia/Lacke provides a contrasting b-plot that slowly grows in pathos, but the book is held down by peripheral perspectives that merely serve as embroidery. Some of them do serve a purpose, like the scene where Johnny and Jimmy look at the photo album their father sent them, but most don't. Lindqvist does not have Stephen King's yarnspinning ability to give such minor characters enough quirkiness to seem worth reading about.
Which is a shame, because the main story has plenty of good stuff, like Hakan's perverse nobility of spirit, Oskar's trials and tribulations in his life, his romance with Eli, and the cat attack. It explores interesting ideas, like the degree to which we are driven by unaccountable desires, and whether children are innocent or amoral. And of course, whatever Lindqvist is saying. I also have to applaud him for giving the story an ending in which .
There's disappointingly no Swedish flavour to the vampires I could discern, it's all well worn concepts (garlic oddly doesn't come up). Lindqvist does put his own spin on the concept, with vampirism being a transmissible cancer forming its own neural system in its host, granting the powers and weaknesses of vampirism. Ludicrous as far as realism goes, but presented outside of a supernatural context. And despite that, there is one scene where what seems like a literal miracle occurs:.
Another victim of hype. The core Oskar/Eli/Hakan story is interesting and creepy, and Virginia/Lacke provides a contrasting b-plot that slowly grows in pathos, but the book is held down by peripheral perspectives that merely serve as embroidery. Some of them do serve a purpose, like the scene where Johnny and Jimmy look at the photo album their father sent them, but most don't. Lindqvist does not have Stephen King's yarnspinning ability to give such minor characters enough quirkiness to seem worth reading about.
Which is a shame, because the main story has plenty of good stuff, like Hakan's perverse nobility of spirit, Oskar's trials and tribulations in his life, his romance with Eli, and the cat attack. It explores interesting ideas, like the degree to which we are driven by unaccountable desires, and whether children are innocent or amoral. And of course, whatever Lindqvist is saying
Spoiler
with Eli being a castrated boySpoiler
Oskar's bullies get brutally murdered lmao get rekt while Oskar and Eli ride into the sunsetThere's disappointingly no Swedish flavour to the vampires I could discern, it's all well worn concepts (garlic oddly doesn't come up). Lindqvist does put his own spin on the concept, with vampirism being a transmissible cancer forming its own neural system in its host, granting the powers and weaknesses of vampirism. Ludicrous as far as realism goes, but presented outside of a supernatural context. And despite that, there is one scene where what seems like a literal miracle occurs:
Spoiler
the flash of light when Tommy is trapped in the dark room with Hakan's zombie
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was fantastic. Around 2/3s of it is like the movie, but everything they left out of the movie was a treat to read. Both the backstories and motivations for the characters, as well as the storylines that didn't make it into the movie. If you liked either the Swedish or the American versions of the film, the book is well worth the read.
An enthralling and terrifying new take on the vampire tale. Personally, I needed a bit more confirmation from the conclusion, but it is just a small criticism on my part – I'm happy with what I think happened to Oskar. Lindqvist balanced the supernatural horror of creatures who need to drink blood to survive against the real horrors of paedophiles and sadistic bullies. At the start, I found the real horrors a bit much to take, but am glad I persevered through. Let Me In (alt. Let The Right One In) is a quite a superb work, though it won't be to everyone's tastes.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is quite a disappointing read actually. I expect a lot more for a book this popular.
The concept around younger vampire and protagonist were very disturbing borderlining pedophile……too disturbing for me.
Most of the books was exploring many relationships that don’t even matter. The storyline of Tommy, his mother and Staffan could be cut completely and it will have no impact.
The concept around younger vampire and protagonist were very disturbing borderlining pedophile……too disturbing for me.
Most of the books was exploring many relationships that don’t even matter. The storyline of Tommy, his mother and Staffan could be cut completely and it will have no impact.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Started this expecting vampires and got a horrible creepy wannabe-serial-killer boy instead. Disturbing in the worst way. I wish I'd never opened it. When I get home I'm gonna leave it by the front door till it goes back to the library, cos I don't want those vibes on my coffee table at all ......
dark
tense