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Most Helpful Favorable Review
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
A Vampire Story with a Twist
I absolutely loved this book! The plot is gut-wrenching, funny, scary, and tragic. It is an unexpected tale of vampires, love, and revenge. I have spent hours discussing it with friends who have read it as well.
posted by Bella_Quileute on November 17, 2009
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3 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Investment of time with no return
I started off liking this story of the underdog who is bullied in school. Twists, turns, too many characters who I grew not to like or care about made me anxious for the book to end. I was determined to finish this since I had put so much time into it, but didn't find...Read More
I started off liking this story of the underdog who is bullied in school. Twists, turns, too many characters who I grew not to like or care about made me anxious for the book to end. I was determined to finish this since I had put so much time into it, but didn't find it very satisfying in the final pages. Odd, disturbing, and uncomfortable reading.Show Less
posted by ba5080 on February 5, 2010
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A Vampire Story with a Twist
I absolutely loved this book! The plot is gut-wrenching, funny, scary, and tragic. It is an unexpected tale of vampires, love, and revenge. I have spent hours discussing it with friends who have read it as well.
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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New and Unusual, but Well Worth It
Noted as the Swedish Stephen King, Lindgvist absolutely fits the role. A new brand of vampire traits with a refreshing dose of family discord for every character. Alternating perspectives helps the story move along (although a little confusing at first) so the author easily prevents himself from getting trapped in first-perspective like so many first-time authors do. Character development and the effects of one character on another needs just a little, teensy-tiny bit of improvement, and also some explination on Eli's past. (It hinted and gave parts, but not the whole story. And the blond gentleman after Eli drank some bad blood? Hmm ...
Worthy of a sequal, worthy of re-reading, worthy to pass on to a friend. I highly recommend this for Stephen King, adventure, and horror fans. Maybe even for the ones who like to curl with with a good thriller on a rainy night.9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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thrilling
For those of us who are tired of bella/edward/unrequited love, this book is the ultimate vampire story. Oskar is a 12 year old boy who is picked on by bullies at his school. Without friends, he relies on his imagination for entertainment. However, Oskar is about to make the best friend of his life who is an unlikely creature with a dark secret. I read this book in 3 days because I could not put it down. Due to some graphic scenes, I would not recommend this book for younger children. But Let the Right One in is definitely a must-read.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Not Another Regrettable Vampire Tale
There are far too many carelessly written vampire books with no substance available today. This book is the farthest thing from those. While we the reader know Eli is a vampire, it is barely mentioned until the last third of the book. From the first page to the last, there is never a moment where you want to stop reading. It tells the story through various lives, so you are never stuck with one viewpoint. For those of you wondering, it sticks to the classic vampire rules told in Bram Stoker and Anne Rice. No sparkling nonsense. This is the first book I have read in awhile I have been completely satisfied with. It's thrilling, dramatic and at points, utterly gruesome. Not a waste of money, if you want a good, chilling read.
5 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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unique addition to vampire literature
"Let The Right One In" is not only a good book, it is different than much of the vampire fiction being published right now. It is not for everyone - not so much for the violence (par for the course in these sorts of books) as much as the peek into damaged psyches. It's to Lindqvist's credit that he presents even the most revolting human beings as full-fledged characters and not just drooling, one-note lunatics. The vampire, Eli, is also that rarity in horror fiction - a sympathetic vampire who is by no means "good." Eli will attack and kill innocent human beings, yet still remains sad because of her loneliness; in this way, she reminded me of Miriam Blaylock in "The Hunger." Definitely recommended for fans of the weirder side of vampire fiction, and a book to add to your permanent collection.
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Vampire novel WORTH reading!
Don't let the current vampire fad sour you on this gem! While this quirky Swedish novel won't answer all the questions it raises, it will make you ponder life with a capital L. The concepts of victim and prey, friendship and co-dependence are all re-framed in startling ways. The bleakness of the Swedish winter helps to underscore the emotional setting as well. An award winning movie has been made from this novel- it is more stripped down, which makes the narrative better suited to the film platform. Both are well worth your time. Be aware that this is not a novel or film for preteens.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Vampire Classic
This novel should redefine the vampire genre. It is up there with Interview with the Vampire (Rice) and Dracula (Stoker).
It is brilliantly written, plotted. Thanks to this amazing translation it flows smoothly, I'm sure due to the fact that the Sweedish author knows how to tell a tale and not get stuck in the horror of it all, but in the human element of all involved including the "little girl" Eli. The portrayal of Oskar is heartbreaking. The portrayal of Eli is so realistic you can't help but empathize with her predicament.
This novel is so well written that the sinister aspect of it is lost in the vivid characterization and the gentle way the author has of dealing with the protagonists.
It truly is a great novel. One of the best, if not the best novels I have ever read. As for the genre of horror/vampire it is way above the current tripe that is being peddled in this genre.4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Finally!!
This book was one of the best ones I have ever read. It is haunting story that tells of the life of Oskar, a twlve year old boy that is picked on in most of the novel in desturbing ways. He meets a girl who just moved in next door , Eli. Oskar sees something in Eli, a kind gentle sparkle almost, but she proves to be a vampire. Eli's arrival coincide with a series of brutal death's in Okarks suburban swedish town that twists the life of many people in the town, especially El's "father" who goes out into the night to get blood and feed Eli. Despite it all Okar and Eli share a bond that goes beyond the elements of any romance novel. The novel is written in a very real narrative that explores the bleak side of life and its triumphs, but also maintains a gripping horror novel that is unretellingly profound.
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted February 5, 2010
Investment of time with no return
I started off liking this story of the underdog who is bullied in school. Twists, turns, too many characters who I grew not to like or care about made me anxious for the book to end. I was determined to finish this since I had put so much time into it, but didn't find it very satisfying in the final pages. Odd, disturbing, and uncomfortable reading.
3 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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vareaderVA
Posted January 1, 2010
Exciting, Intelligent, Moving
This novel is unique. It shows the absolute worst of human nature and the best. It scares you to death, makes you think, and touches you.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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luv2readPS
Posted August 25, 2009
hauntingly strange
Talking with my daughter one day she told me she saw this incredible movie and mentioned the name. The title must have settled someplace in my brain, because I picked up this book by accident. What a strange and wonderful read. Unlike any of the other vampire books out there now. The story leads you to understand why Oscar finally Let the Right one in, even though in my mind it came down to his only choice. A readable but thought provoking novel. Do we always let the Right one in? I don't know.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Fantastic vampire story.
In this age of half-baked vampire romance with every-girl and her cohort swooning over vampire this and Edward that and hot topic those, this book is a beautiful return to the essence of vampirism. There is blood, there is young love, there is violence.
Oskar is an outcast. He is antagonized by a group of bullies on a daily basis. He is truly a 12 year old kid, stuck at the crossroads of childhood joy and teenage angst, which is a trying time for anyone. It is a power struggle, and Oskar is losing. He lives in terror of what is going to happen next, and can't stand the powerlessness he is feeling. When Eli enters the picture Oskar finds a compatriot, someone else who is at that same crossroads, but has been for a much longer time.
This story is great, and I recommend it as a must read for anyone interested in vampires. It not only has a vampire that is a thinking, feeling creature that both realizes and regrets their animal nature, it also has a classic European mythical vampire that is mindless and zombie-like.3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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A thinking man's "Twilight"
John Lindqvist has written a great vampire story, which the film of the same name was adapated from. It contains a boy's torment in school that we've all experienced and his first love, but Oskar doesn't know right off that Eli (Elee) is a vampire. If you've seen the film fist as I have, read the novel to compare, It even has a section of how Eli became a vampire which I won't spoil here. It's a brilliant novel full of real characters and has what every novel needs; conflict, action and suspense. Read it and you'll see what a great book it is. So is the film.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted February 16, 2009
Let the Right one In is one of the best films and greatest horror stories that I've had the pleasure to read
I guess since I saw the movie first there was no spoiler alerts besides the a couple plot points that hopefully the English remake to this Swedish horror classic.
Its about 472 pages and even though you might be tempted to skim alittle since it might just sag in a place or two but if your into horror, romance, and a bit of undead (who is'nt?) then this is an absolute must read. The movie was one of the best films of 2008 and I must say the the book does it justice_or vice-versa.
I can talk all day or you can just buy this peice literature that will melt your heart and curl your toes at the same time.3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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MBeem
Posted May 16, 2010
Good read.
I saw the movie before I read the book and, although I had good idea of what happens next, the book was still a fascinating read. I then went back and watched the movie again but it now paled in comparison.
I would recommend to those who enjoy the connection betwen the horrors we inflict upon each other and the horrors created in literature over the centuries. Not so different from each other.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted February 27, 2010
Extraordinary read!
This book was recommended by a B&N employee and I absolutely loved it. Such a different take on the vampire story. With all of the vampire books that are out now it's a refreshing plot.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Violet63
Posted May 25, 2009
suspense from beginning to end
This book is absolutely superb. I first watched the movie after reading the rave reviews it received during the Cannes Film Festival. I was drawn to the book because some back story & character relationships were cut out of the movie. For instance, the book explored the relationship between Hakan & Eli, the local drunks, the police officer, and Eli's vampire origins. The book also delved deeper into Oskar's lonely existence & the budding relationship between he & Eli. Superb story!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Lacks thrills and suspense. Overall good, not great
This book was well written but not totally absorbing. The characters are well developed and really interesting. The plot was interesting and at times suspenseful. It just lacked the thrill factor I was looking for in a story of this genre. Most of the story was dark with violence and tragedy,but lacking in fright and gripping suspense. A more complete ending would have made a big difference. The ending left too many lose ends. It was a good, but not great read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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My fave book of the year!
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! Definitely a must read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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mgambrosi
Posted August 26, 2010
Chilling and unique
This is not your typical vampire read. The writing style was unique in the sense it was written by a Swedish author. I'm not positive but I believe the book was translated into English. However, I greatly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed seeing through the boys eyes and getting into his head. He's certainly not your dream child. Getting a look into Eli's point of view was interesting, and showing us the transition from a personal view of Virginia was captivating. This book might not be enjoyed and appreciated by all and I truly hope it gets the attention it deserves.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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