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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If originally heard of this through the film which I was surprised to find was the highly sanitised version of the story. The peasophilia aspects are uncomfortable to read but they are integral to the story rather than being used for shock factor as they often are in horror. This is an extremely well-written book, with the pacing (often an issue in horror as the scares come either too late or too early) perfect for the story. I’ve seen the comparison made between this author and Stephen king a lot but it’s hard not to when it’s so well written and eerie, and is only intended as a compliment from me.
4 Stars
This was an incredible story. A very dark tone was set, right from the beginning. You think places like Swedan, Netherlands, etc.; are bright, cheery, touristy areas; well this book just doesn't show that. We are introduced to alcoholics, bullies, emotionally weak, and depressed individuals. Small town-minded people who don't 'see'; or who couldn't possibly see what's going on around them.
I think the book gave us the insights into Eli & Hakans relationship; insights that many of us, were not expecting..
I enjoyed this book, was grossed out by this book, intrigued by this book; and had many questions answered.
This book is definitely worth a re-read.
This was an incredible story. A very dark tone was set, right from the beginning. You think places like Swedan, Netherlands, etc.; are bright, cheery, touristy areas; well this book just doesn't show that. We are introduced to alcoholics, bullies, emotionally weak, and depressed individuals. Small town-minded people who don't 'see'; or who couldn't possibly see what's going on around them.
I think the book gave us the insights into Eli & Hakans relationship; insights that many of us, were not expecting.
Spoiler
In the movie, Hakan is made out to be a totally sympathetic character, who is lured in by years-long friendship and servitude with Eli (abby); only to find out that the book tells a different tale. It showed Eli's absolute naivete and youth to use this pedophile to fulfill his/her need for bloodI enjoyed this book, was grossed out by this book, intrigued by this book; and had many questions answered.
This book is definitely worth a re-read.
Well, that was disturbing. Very good but oh so creepy and unsettling. Every time I finished reading, I felt like I needed a shower, or confession, or some other way to cleanse myself. This book oozed icky beauty. Maybe the best vampire tale I have read in years.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
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