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klimtsonian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gory, graphic, and gripping. Perfectly juxtaposes the mundanity and sterility of modern, suburban existence with the pervasiveness of horror in every form — from the systemic to the supernatural. The prose is straightforward and incisive, with some really stomach-turning descriptions that linger on the details just enough to get the point across without reveling in it. Even through it all, there’s a hopeful, tender core to the story: that there is someone out there for everyone, no matter how fucked up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Torture, Murder, Sexual violence, Medical content, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Self harm, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Body horror and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Addiction
froginawaistcoat's review against another edition
4.0
Gender??? gender topics??? funfun this shit was queer!!
All of the intertwining storylines were done very well and the connections were satisfying. I think this book was long but approachable. I enjoyed the story and the disturbing imagery--vampire violence woo! The queer themes and bullying in this book were great to read about and I think Lindqvist did a good job. I'm excited to watch the film after this because I think it will help solidify the storyline in my head, but honestly, I don't think it's that jumbled, I just took a while to finish it.
4-4.5/5 stars -- recommended
All of the intertwining storylines were done very well and the connections were satisfying. I think this book was long but approachable. I enjoyed the story and the disturbing imagery--vampire violence woo! The queer themes and bullying in this book were great to read about and I think Lindqvist did a good job. I'm excited to watch the film after this because I think it will help solidify the storyline in my head, but honestly, I don't think it's that jumbled, I just took a while to finish it.
4-4.5/5 stars -- recommended
noesbookishthings's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Swedish dude is an amazing writer. There were a lot of characters in the book, but he described and developed them so well that it wasn't distracting like it can be in other novels. I was however a bit disturbed by his seeming obsession with erections, pedophilia and gay sex. Fortunately there was enough other stuff going on in the story that it never stopped me from reading. I just kind of blazed through those parts while trying to minimize the creep-out factor.
Oskar is adorable. Eli is icky. Hakan is super icky. And Jonny, well you just want to punch Jonny in the face.
I could see myself rereading this book, just because I felt like there were some things I may have missed the first time around. And now I'm excited to watch the movie. :)
Oskar is adorable. Eli is icky. Hakan is super icky. And Jonny, well you just want to punch Jonny in the face.
I could see myself rereading this book, just because I felt like there were some things I may have missed the first time around. And now I'm excited to watch the movie. :)
aimeedobson01's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
4.0
This is one fine vampire novel. But it's so much more than that because of the way Lindqvist treats his characters and the way he navigates the narrative. Although there are two central protagonists--Oskar and Eli (and one could make an argument for Håkan as a third)--Lindqvist treats the baker's dozen or so minor characters (and the dozen or so more really minor characters) with just as much care. There are no bad guys; there are no throwaway characters. There are angry children from broken homes trying to hold on to some particle of a remembered happiness, even if it's only a secondhand remembrance; there are boys trying to navigate school and the castes that come with any lunchroom, classroom, field-trip, or after school activity; there are lonely adults seeking out like-minded souls in hopes of making their days and nights less isolated; there is even a squirrel looking for a nut who is a minor (very minor) character for about a page.
But because of the omniscient narrative Lindqvist uses, the reader gets insight into each and every one of the characters and feels at least at bit of sympathy, and sometimes empathy, for each, even if their actions are unfortunate, mistaken, misunderstood, or just plain despicable. And Lindqvist's ability to create this effect ultimately shows that he is both interested in and has the ability to observe, understand, and explain human behavior. So although this is, technically, a vampire novel, it's a great character study and commentary about adolescence, nostalgia, human nature, suburban living, and the ability to do violence.
But because of the omniscient narrative Lindqvist uses, the reader gets insight into each and every one of the characters and feels at least at bit of sympathy, and sometimes empathy, for each, even if their actions are unfortunate, mistaken, misunderstood, or just plain despicable. And Lindqvist's ability to create this effect ultimately shows that he is both interested in and has the ability to observe, understand, and explain human behavior. So although this is, technically, a vampire novel, it's a great character study and commentary about adolescence, nostalgia, human nature, suburban living, and the ability to do violence.
brigii's review against another edition
I only remember bits and pieces (not enough to rate the book) but I was definitely too young for it.
virgil12's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sarahdelaemery's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
soupgirl9's review against another edition
2.0
this book could have been a really awesome novella if it wasn't diffused with 350 pages of unnecessary side characters drinking, dying, and fighting. the only one i was actually interested in was virginia but anything interesting about her plotline was squashed with 150 pages still left in the book. not enough vampires and too much pedophilia -_-