Monday, September 6, 2010

Not All Friends Should be Invited In

*WARNING: Parental Guidance is strongly recommended. Though this book contains characters who are children, it is not meant to be read by children due to the violence and graphic content. This book is classified for ADULTS ONLY.

Most vampire lore tells us that the undead should never be invited in—unless you want to be the main course that is.

Never has there been so much hype on vampires. Ever since Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series, more and more readers have been drawn to the so-called "darker side" of literature. Of course, its much more palatable when love is involved. Fear is often replaced by readers rooting for couples like Bella and Edward; blood and gore is overlooked, superseded by that highly anticipated kissing scene between human and vampire.

Not so with John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let the Right One In, which is the tale of an unusual "friendship," one that has dire consequences. The love involved is marked by an innocence that can only exist between children. Unfortunately, this innocence is marred by one of the protagonists' dark nature.

The story is set in Blackeburg, Sweden and revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Oskar. Ridiculed and bullied at school, Oskar keeps to himself. When a gruesome murder of a teenager takes place in his neighborhood, Oskar harbors a secret hope that somebody out there will do away with all bullies once and for all. And then he meets Eli. Finally, Oskar has a friend. So what if she looks a bit strange? She likes him for who he is. Funny thing is, unlike normal kids, Eli can only come out to play at night...

Chilling and masterfully written, you won't be able to put down this book until you have reached the last page. It may make you think twice about your new neighbor... kidding, of course!

Adapted into film in 2008 and directed by Tomas Alfredson, Let the Right One In bagged the Best Narrative Feature FOUNDERS AWARDS in the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Here is the trailer:

5 comments:

  1. "Let the Right One In" is a fantastic story that does not stray far from the underlying conflict in a vampire story - that people are not meant to reach beyond the finite existence of humankind.

    Vampires were not always romantic creatures that sparkle under the sunlight. They were originally creatures that killed indiscriminately and without consideration or remorse and their love born more out of the need for companionship through ages of lonely existence than out of romantic attraction.

    Linqvists's story "Let the Right One In" explores the friendship between a boy and a vampire in a way that maintains what sets vampires apart from humans which, in the words of Lestat from Anne Rice "Interview with a Vampire" is that the undead creatures of the night are "beautiful, powerful and without remorse".

    ReplyDelete
  2. How much is this, and is it available in paperback?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've read this books and i think it's AMAZING...
    The movie adaptation of this book is Excelent.
    A must see chilling romantic horror film.

    Also... an American re-adaptation movie of this book. The title was change from "Let The Right One In" to "Let Me In" It star Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl from Kick Ass) as Eli/Abby and Kodi Smit Mphee as Oskar/Owen.

    Here's The Trailer of The American Version of the movie which is set to released on October this year http://bit.ly/bhfxMM

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi, everyone! Thanks for your comments!

    Hi, Stepford Mum! This is available in paperback at P734!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love your insights, Joel! Spot on!

    ReplyDelete