Let the Right One In

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I've noticed this book elicits strong reactions from nearly everyone. And it's warranted. Let the Right One In is a beautiful, disturbing, haunting love story. Eli and Oskar are one of the most... unusual couples you might meet. But there's no denying that their bond, such as it becomes, is unbreakable.

I saw the film (the original Swedish version) before I even knew about the book. It's stayed in my mind sharply ever since.

It was one of the first films shown by the now-defunct Oban film club at the now-closed-down local cinema. It was a dark and stormy night... the lights flickered on and off a few times (was it intentional?) and the mood was perfect.

And from the first, I was breathless. Oskar, a pale, silent child, makes sinusy sniffing noises and stares vacantly out the window. His loneliness and status as an outcast lie on him, thick and smothering. Outside, a sickly yellow fluorescent glow bounces off the snow and the grimy apartment buildings in the outskirts of Stockholm.

There is a girl outside. Her eyes are huge and she looks drawn and sad. She wears too little clothing in the cold. She is unearthly beautiful. And she smells bad.

Oskar and Eli's first encounter, and everything they become to each other following it, combines the magic of first love with the threat of dark secrets and the fear of being hunted.

I enjoyed the book, but I think I actually prefer the film. It might be because I saw the film first, but it was incredibly powerful. There was one thing that was unclear in the film, which was explored much more fully in the book, but I won't give it away here.

Let's just say that the combination of the two is marvellous. One will enhance your enjoyment of the other, and vice versa. That said, I'd easily give the film 5 stars.

Like Chris, I am absolutely appalled at the thought of an American remake. The Swedish film was perfect in every way. I can't even begin to imagine how devastatingly an American interpretation would ruin this essentially very weird and very dark story. Some things are best left to the Scandinavians.

I'm very glad I picked up this book. Eli and Oskar and their powerful yet indefinable bond will stay with me for a long time to come.

See Chris's book review at Stuff As Dreams Are Made On here.

See (another) Chris's comparison of the book and movie at Park Benches & Bookends here.