Let The Right One in by John Ajvide Lindqvist

[Sarah]

Rusalka, Lisa and I will be reading Let the Right One In fo the April monthly challenge. Feel free to join us - the more the merrier!

[Janice, Moderator]

I think this will be a good book to discuss in a buddy read. There's lots of depth to this story. Enjoy!

[Almeta]

Janice wrote: "I think this will be a good book to discuss in a buddy read. There's lots of depth to this story. Enjoy!"

I agree. I might lurk about on this one!

[Susan]

This one does sound interesting. I'm trying to track down a copy, if I'm successful I'd love to join in as well.

[Janice, Moderator]

I'll lurk too, and may throw in a word or two if I remember enough.

[Sarah]

I've already watched the film. I saw it when it first came out although I can't remember much about it and I've heard it's a little different to the book but that's usually the case anyway.

[Janice, Moderator]

Yes, it's a bit different than the book, and not as good.

[Lisa]

I haven't seen the film, although I really want to. I can't wait to read the book, it sounds like it will be really good and will make for an interesting discussion :)

Is there a start date or will it just run for the whole of April?

[Sarah]

As the challenge runs from 1st April until 30th April, lets just pick it up as and when we get to it and discuss as we go along a little like we do with the group reads. Sound ok? It's a chunkster after all so it might take some of us a while (thinking me) to get through it.

[Lisa]

Yes, that sounds great Sarah. It will probably take me a while to get through it too.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Thanks Sarah! Back home again after 12 hours of driving to spend 18 hours in Victoria. I'll probably start it over Easter as we have 4 days off, and as it's a bigger book, want to give myself time to finish it in April.

[Lisa]

Phew, that's a long drive Rusalka! Did you have a nice day at your uncle's vineyard?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Wonderful! The vineyard is gorgeous, they throw great parties, and my family is pretty awesome. Can't really complain, but partying with my cousins until 3am and then driving 6 hours home (7 with stops) was a bit much.

[Lisa]

Sounds like fun! Except the driving.

[Janice, Moderator]

That's where audiobooks come in handy. They make that 6 hours zip right on by.

[ceeeeg]

i would very much like to try to follow along with this...i grabbed up copy and i am ready to run with it...

[Sarah]

Welcome to the group ceeeeg. Good to see you jump right in. I'm itching for the start of the month so I can start this. I found myself in between books so I started a book of short stories to tide my over.

[Sarah]

I'm going to start this today on my commute to work. Not sure whether it has chapter numbers or names throughout. It starts off with a chapter name so we shall see what happens - that might just be the prologue.

[Lisa]

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it Sarah :)

I will probably start it at the weekend.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Me too. Finishing my date with my Norwegian policeman first.

[Susan]

I'll be joining in as soon as my book comes in. Looking forward to it!

[Sarah]

I started this yesterday and I'm amazed at how much I've read. Up to page 82 already. While it's over 500 pages long, I think it will be a quick read because of the way the dialogue and the chapters are laid out. Seems like a good translation - everything has made sense so far.

The book starts off like many books with several quotes from other books or songs. This one has a quote from a Morrisey song so I knew from the start that this was going to be a dark book. (As a side note, I actually quite like Morrisey).

I like the writing style. The Scandinavians definitely know how to set the scene and pull you in. I reckon you'll need to read something light and fluffy Rusalka after two Scandinavian crime/thriller in a row!

The chapters are set out in date format so that should make marking spoilers easy.

Wed 21st Oct 1981 (view spoiler)[I hate bullies. This poor boy - nosebleeds and incontinence and nobody who he can tell. The pissball thing freaked me out before I read further to find out why he had made it. I hope he washes it.

So I started off feeling sorry for Oskar but then when he gets his scrapbook out at home with all the murders and how he muses that he'd like to watch someone fry in an electric chair, I lost all sympathy for him. Definitely a serial killer in the making. Even though he's only 12, he gives me the creeps.

I wondered what was going on with Hakan and the gas. I thought at first he was a terrorist and going to blow something up so I couldn't work out why the woods was a good place. This was done well I thought as when he did eventually find a target, I was convinced it was Oskar. It would have been a very short book if it had been I guess.
(hide spoiler)]

Thu 22 Oct (view spoiler)[Crazy that Oskar thinks he has something to do with the murder. He is totally messed up. I get that he wants to seek revenge on his bullies but there is certainly more to it than that.

The little girl is intriguing. Showing signs of inhuman strength and agility and able to withstand the cold. I think we've found our vampire. This is no Bella and Edward though that's for sure ;-) (hide spoiler)]

23 Oct - My Birthday so I was hoping something good would happen in this chapter (view spoiler)[I think reading Scandinavian fiction has painted a negative image of Sweden in particular - in the Millenium Trilogy, it talks about the sex trade and abuse etc. and now Hakan recounts in this book about the Vietnamese boy and how to go about buying sex through the library. I am intrigued at how much sex trafficking and prostitution there actually is there now.

Interesting that Hakan is getting rid of his money, whether spending it or giving away as a gift. Makes me think he's gearing up for something. He seems remorseful for killing the boy and doesn't want to do it again.

I liked the quote "Killing for peace is like fucking for virginity" which Hakan sees on the wall of the toilet cubicle. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Oh and I just found that there is a follow up story in the short story collection Let the Old Dreams Die.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Thanks for the heads up. I have the Bill Bryson group read up afterwards so sounds like it will be welcome.

[Janice, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "Oh and I just found that there is a follow up story in the short story collection Let the Old Dreams Die."

I ran right over to add to my wishlist, only to discover it's already on my wishlist.

[Mariab]

There is two versions of the movie. I think the Swedish one is pretty good

[Sarah]

I watched the Hollywood one I think. don't remember subtitles at any rate.

[Sarah]

I do that all the time Janice . Have you read any other books by this author?

[Almeta]

From my review:

"Unless you speak Swedish, you will probably not enjoy the movie. The dubbing was terrible, the subtitles didn't work well either...so although it looked like it was visually appealing the language barrier was too much of a distraction.

If you do speak the language, you will find that the movie follows the book pretty closely (except for one element). The recognizable literary scenes were superbly executed visually. Just as my imagination pictured them. Although my anticipation had me closing my eyes a lot, hoping I wouldn't see the coming grisly incident, both book and movie made good use of my imagination to their advantage."

I ended up watching both versions.

[Janice, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "I do that all the time Janice . Have you read any other books by this author?"

No, but I have a few on my wishlist.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I finally have given this a good start today. I've finished Part 1, so the days Sarah mentioned above. Interestingly, my edition doesn't have the year, only the dates.

21 Oct (view spoiler)[ Oskar rinces the ball in the bathroom Sarah. Lol. Love your reaction.

As someone who was bullied a lot at that age, I could understand his reaction and scrapbook to some extent. Don't agree, but understand the fascination a bit. But he's on the creepy side of the line. Not unredeemable though I think, if he found some good friends, people to care about him, bullying stopping etc. I was a bit confused as well about who the boy being killed was. I thought it was Oskar and then thought he must become a vamp. Nope, some other random. (hide spoiler)]

22 Oct and 23 Oct (as I can't remember what happens in which) (view spoiler)[ Mention needing a friend and creepy girl turns up. I like that she stinks. That amused me.

Swedish names are slightly confusing me, but I'll get over that in a sec. I do love that there is a Karlsson which is the surname of my Swedish friend (girl though) and that's confusing the hell out of me.

The sex trafficking thing is interesting. I don't think it's more commonplace in Sweden than other places. But maybe their ability to talk about it happening? Also possibly the fact it started earlier there, with it easier for people to move into Sweden than say the UK due to land access and such. I know that Sweden doesn't prosecute people for prostitution but prosecutes people with buying sex, so it does in some ways put the blame on the buyers, not the providers, which ties into Hakan being the disgusting old man, not the kids being dirty. I am glad we didn't have the follow through though.

Vamp up time! Interesting reaction to Oskar touching her. And as soon as Jocke was talking about making a decision and going for it, I was all like, you're dead mate. Never think those thoughts while monsters and murderers are around. Head nearly ripped off though I was not expecting. But shows she's still crazy strong. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

You comments mad me laugh Rusalka. Scrapbook (view spoiler)[Yes I know what you mean about true crime fascination as I do remember when Fred and Rose West did their thing here in the UK and all the newspapers/magazines featured the details that I was transfixed with it. But yes he is pretty creepy.

I think you're right about the sex trafficking - easier to come across borders than the sea so started earlier than here in the UK. And the people here are a little prudish about sex and nudity compared to the Scandinavians (at least they were anyway), so less likely to discuss it perhaps. (hide spoiler)]

The girl next door (view spoiler)[Yes a friend definitely showed up at the right time for him. I loved the reaction to him touching her face. She was definitely going in for the kill since she'd spruced herself up for him. I couldn't decide whether she had showered to impress him specifically because he'd commented on her smelling or whether she'd done it to go out to find a victim. (hide spoiler)]

Jocke (view spoiler)[I always think "Dead!" when someone starts talking about the future and making important decisions in films and books. There was a comedy show on here in the early 90s with a sketch along a similar lines. I always thought it funny. It's a little like the new characters who show up in Star Trek episodes - Dead! (hide spoiler)]

As for the year, I think it only appeared in the first chapter and then no dates after that.

I started Part 2 last night. Can't remember the first couple of dates now but pre-29 Oct (view spoiler)[A Russian sub has been spotted in Swedish waters. I was wondering if it was a real event or not. I might have to go check it out. It's the 80s so Cold War era.

Shout out to Stephen King - Oskar: "He took out the book e had in his desk, Firestarter, and read it until four".

Oskar is slowing standing up to the bullies in his own way but it doesn't seem to be doing any good. That whipping was really quite hard to read. And that Tomas, what a bastard!

Back to the pissball. He put it on his nose?!? Whether he washes it out or not, that is grim. And then the clown thing?! He comments that the voice sounds different like it's not him. Wondering if he has schizophrenia or perhaps that "other voice" is the strong one to get him through all this. I know we all talk to ourselves in our head.

Love the crazy cat man. Glad there was a witness to Jocke's death but not looking likely they'll come forward. Who'd believe him anyway?!
(hide spoiler)]

29 Oct (view spoiler)[Hakan is getting desperate to touch Eli so he's decided to kill again. What's in the jam jar?! (hide spoiler)]

I've read a bit more but not sure if it's the same chapter as 29 Oct or the next one (view spoiler)[Hakan in the swimming pool cubicle was pretty sick. He doesn't seem to care about leaving DNA around although it is the 80s and forensics are not what they are today. Glad he was found with the boy strung up. Pretty sure he hadn't killed him yet, just gassed him. Now I know what the jam jar was for. He won't be tracked back to the flats where Eli is at least. I say at least like I'm on her side. But she's the bad girl?!? Mmmm. (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

I still haven't started this yet. I haven't been able to get much reading done these past couple of days so I am still working my way through my current book. Hopefully I will get to this in the next few days.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Sub - yup. Real event. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_...

And then last year, happened again http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-...

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Lol Sarah. I have more problems with the cat man over the ball. The cat guy grossed me out no end.

Swimming pool (view spoiler)[ Glad he got caught, but yuck. Mental images of the acid burns are going to hang around for a while (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

Oh I loved this book! Hope you enjoy it too.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Erica wrote: "Oh I loved this book! Hope you enjoy it too."

Pop back in when we've finished Erica, and let us know what you thought too :D

[Sarah]

Nice one Rusalka for the links about the subs.

I agree about the swimming pool Rusalka (view spoiler)[It was very well described and I have vivid images of that acid face. Yuck. Interestingly, the policeman mentioned to the witnesses not to discuss the incident between themselves in case they start thinking something happened that didn't. I thought it funny because we were talking about false memories in the In the Woods discussion last month and here it is again. (hide spoiler)]

30 Oct (view spoiler)[I cringed when I read about the noose going over Oskar's neck during gym class. Those bullies are way out of control. I hate bullies.

I thought the whole scene with Eli and that woman in her house all a little surreal. I thought momentarily she was hypnotised by Eli as I got the feeling she knew what Eli was but was accepting of it. But I guess it was just the morphine. I liked Eli's reaction to drinking the tainted blood. I guess she couldn't finish it and that's why she had to burn down the house to stop her turning.

I think Eli and Oskar's relationship is really sweet although hugely creepy. I'm not sure whether a typical 12 year old boy would have been so understanding being told that the person in your bed wasn't of the sex you thought they were. If in fact, no sex at all. I'd have had way more questions and more of a reaction I think. Oskar just accepts it but I guess that shows how deep their friendship goes. While Oskar knows the terminology he doesn't really know what "going steady" means and I like that innocence in him and Eli clearly appreciates that too. Probably refreshing for her after Hakan.
(hide spoiler)]

No on to Part 3. 5 Nov (view spoiler)[yet more bullying out on the ice. Again, I was holding my breath at this. Going in the icy water is so dangerous. Glad Oskar fought back but he took it too far an realises that. I like that he helped Jonny despite their past history. I'm wondering how that will impact on their future relationship. Poor kid finding the dead body under the ice. Scarred for life!

I was a little confused at why Oskar cried all the way to the swimming pool. Any ideas? I know he had had the bad day at school with Jonny and the dead body, then a chat with his dad on the phone, then his mum but throughout all that, he didn't show much emotion so were the tears in response to all of it or something specific?

What's with all the piss anyway in this book? The pissball, Gosta the crazy cat man smells of piss, and the little kid went off to piss on the ice and found the body.

I was screaming at Oskar when he cut his hand for the blood pact. Eli seems to have scarred him silly.

So Eli can change her appearance too it would seem?! Didn't like that she could hear the bones crunching in her hands and feet when she made them more claw like. I'm pleased Virginia was saved. Or is she?!?
(hide spoiler)]

7 Nov (view spoiler)[We're so going to have another vamp on our hands now with Virginia. Lot's of people bandying the word vampire around now.

Still finding the brief Hakan visits yucky with the progress of his melted face.
(hide spoiler)]

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I will post more on my thoughts tomorrow. Just heading off to bed and I saw this on the webcomic I quite enjoy called Scandinavia and the World.

http://satwcomic.com/so-close-yet-so-far

[Lisa]

I think I am going to bail out on this one for the time being. I can't seem to get into it at all and haven't been able to read past the first chapter. I think it's probably just my mood as there isn't really anything specific that I can put my finger on as to why I can't get into it but it's just not working for me at the moment. I will probably try again at some point although I'm not sure if it will be this month. Back to the serial killer challenge for me, I think. I hope you all continue to enjoy it! :)

[Sarah]

No worries Lisa. We've all experienced that feeling with a book - it's happened to me quite a bit recently. I do think some books you need to be in the right mood for for sure. I hope your next read will be more enthralling for you.

I have to say that I'm really enjoying this book. It's much more than a vampire story or even a horror story. It really does explore the different nature of relationships in all forms.

Great link Rusalka. If a Dane can't understand then we have no hope.

the end of part 3 (view spoiler)[The whole incident at the hospital with Eli showing up in Hakan's room left me a little confused. So she comes in, drinks Hakan's blood then what, pulls him out of the window with her?! But what happened to the guard? He woke up. Then a nurse came in. I struggled to work out exactly what went on. I only realised later that Hakan had fallen to his "death" when the morgue attended thinks it. I found the whole scene in the morgue pretty creepy. What a way to go for the attendant too.
(hide spoiler)]

Part 4 - not sure what the date is - it's the first chapter of this part though (view spoiler)[I liked the shared memory Eli and Oskar had when they "kissed". So was Eli one of those kids? Is that when she became a vampire? I'm glad that Oskar still wants to be friends with Eli. They have an interesting relationship. He seems to have come out of himself a bit, stood up to his bullies, stopped using the pissball (Yay!).

I've really liked seeing Virginia's transformation. Interesting that there are brain cells forming in her heart, a second brain, and that if she dies, her body will go on living. Her cutting herself and drinking it made me cringe a bit.

So Hakan isn't dead. I can't imagine what witnesses who see him must think - I still have his acid face in my mind but now he's fallen from a window 10 stories up and had his throat ripped out and become a blood thirsty baby vamp. He will not be pretty. I was a bit confused about the sheep on the papers, but I'm guessing Hakan killed a sheep - I must have missed that.
(hide spoiler)]

[Susan]

Oh my, oh my! I finally got a chance to sit down last night and really get into reading this one. I couldn't put it down last night and kept hearing lots of little noises during the wind storm we were having...talk about scary. Then I just had to read a little bit before heading off to work and then again at lunch. I'm totally hooked now. I just peeked at the early spoilers above and I find your perspectives/comments right on point. I'm right at the part (view spoiler)[ where Eli kills the old woman while she is watching Dallas which I find hilarious. Not sure if any of you are familiar with that television show but it was really, really big out here and all anyone could talk about was "who killed JR?" So to have that as the backdrop for the old woman's death strikes me as great product placement. (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to seeing what's next.

[Sarah]

Glad you are enjoying it Susan.

While I'm finding parts of this book creepy and cringe-worthy, I haven't found it scary and in fact, I've been able to read it right up to when I go to bed which I wouldn't normally do with a horror book.

Dallas was big here in the UK too and I remember seeing a few episodes due to parents or parents of friends watching it but I was kid in the 80s so not something I followed. That said, I did find it entertaining where it was mentioned throughout this book.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Right. Catching up I think.

Swimming pool, I thought back to the In the Woods discussion as well.

Dallas, unfortunately Australian tv is behind the rest of the world, and was almost years behind the rest of the world in the 80s. I have no concept of it :( But I found (view spoiler)[Eli's physical reactions fascinating. (hide spoiler)]

Ice. (view spoiler)[ Oh Oskar snapped. No one could really go off at him for that. Push a kid so far and he's either going to kill himself or smack you in the head with half a tree. (hide spoiler)]

On the way to training (view spoiler)[ didn't really bother me but I just reread it. I remember early on he never wanted to upset his Mum. As she waved to him as he go, and then he cried, do you think that may be why? Hitting Jonny (no matter how deserved, upset/worried his mum. (hide spoiler)]

LOL Sarah, do you have a little phobia of urine there? I mean, I'm not all for waving it all about or anything, but I don't mind a kid going off to take a leak! Oh and as a non-cat person, it's the first thing I smell in a cat owners house. Particularly if they don't clean much or have a lot of them. I've also had the wonderful privilege of moving in with two cats who decided they would mark their territory by spraying my room and all my possessions, including my large school art projects and all my sheet music. Made an impression on a 15 year old girl unhappy already to be moved into a new blended family I can tell you! It takes forever to get that smell out.

Vamp form (view spoiler)[ seems to be human but with claws, elongated a bit, and after Hakan and the hospital, some form of wings or gliding ability. (hide spoiler)]

Hakkan in the hospital (view spoiler)[ I think she meant to kill him before she left, that was what they discussed, but was interrupted. So he tried to kill himself instead. He jumped. Eli jumped out the window, guard chased after her, called for a nurse, who came in and saw him fall out the window was my reading of events. Oh the morgue thing creeped me out big time. (hide spoiler)]

End of part 3 (view spoiler)[ I loved the Oskar and Dad relationship until the drinking started. I felt so incredibly heartbroken for him. (hide spoiler)]

Part 4 - 8th Nov
Oskar back home (view spoiler)[ the telepathic link thing was pretty cool. Guessing we'll finish that "vision" off later. I am liking Oskar more, less psychopathic. Interesting him trying to deal with the gender thing though. (hide spoiler)]

Virginia (view spoiler)[ I missed that about her growing a brain in her heart. I got interrupted while reading that bit though. She was seeing the infection inside her, but must have skipped a bit. I'm worried for the next person she runs into though. Watch out Lacke!! (hide spoiler)]

Hakan (view spoiler)[ HOLY HELL he would be scary see on the bridge! Talk about a monster. I think the media was at the farm as they were obviously looking for him then, and it was the King's sheep farm. If a murderer was hanging out at Balmoral in the grounds with a large police search, do you think the media would stay away? That's how I read it anyway. (hide spoiler)]

Righto, that'll do pig, that'll do.

[Sarah]

Lol. No phobia of piss. I just noticed all the references for some reason, although the pissball was a bit weird. But i guess it's just a makeshift incontinence pad. I should keep my mouth shut, probably be wearing them myself when I'm old. Lol. I'm not squeamish of bodily fluids after working in a hospital - I've been covered in most things.

[Sarah]

That makes sense with Hakan in the hospital and also Oskar crying on way to training.I agree about Oskar and his Dad (view spoiler)[to feel the need to flee to avoid his drunk dad. I liked the lines that described alcoholics as werewolves. But when he wasn't drunk, they seemed to have a good relationship. Funny how his dad wasn't mentioned up to that point. (hide spoiler)]

Yes I'm liking Oskar more now.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

heh didn't think so.
in bed reading some more and just got the brain cell bit. seems I was 10 pages behind.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I hit my level where I had to stop. The cats. Oh my god. Lexx laughed at me for turning away and shoving my head into my pillow from a book until he got a muffled "Shut the .... up. I'm trying not to spew."

Was okay in a minute and carried on.

[Sarah]

Yes I had a very similar reaction Rusalka. I finished the book last night. (view spoiler)[The cats, Gosta, Lacke and Virginia's reactions in those moments were so tense and emotional. I felt for all of them. Also there was another part where local cats wore tore up by Hakan.

I think Virginia's end was very fitting. I had wondered how that storyline was going to play out. My heart breaks for Lacke though. First his best friend then the love of his life (although he only realises that now). Good to see the other guys step up to comfort him though. I was kind of rooting for him to get Eli while at the same time wanting her to escape and be free. I think the way it ended for him was the the only way it could go.

I got a little confused again when Eli and Hakan and Tommy were in the basement. I get that Tommy was hiding. Hakan and Eli fought. She escaped leaving Hakan behind in the basement. Eli runs off and gets in the bath but she talks about knowing where fire is so I expected her to take action and set Hakan on fire or lead him out in to the daylight. Anyway, Tommy is going to be traumatised for life repeatedly hitting Hakan like that and still him not dying. I liked that Oskar gave him the rest of Eli's money.

I liked Eli and Oskar's farewell - the kiss that showed Oskar what he looked like to Eli. I think we could all do with being able to see ourselves from the perspectives of those we love.

So the title of the book comes from a line in the Morrissey song "Let the Right one Slip in". Interesting. I was wondering when something would crop up to explain the title. But I guess the friendship/relationship theme throughout also ties in, people strive for friends and partners and some people settle for anything and then are hurt or aren't happy, you've got to let the right person in and then things work out. I think "Let the Right one in" is a better title than "Let me in" especially as the song is quoted in the book. I'm guessing they chose "Let me in" for the film as it kind of sounds creepy.

The ending was pretty tense at the swimming pool. Another theme perhaps?! I'm surprised they escalated things as much as they did by knocking out the teacher. Love how Eli finished Jonny and Jimmy off and I'm glad that Oskar has gone off with Eli.
(hide spoiler)]

Holloywood film comparison(view spoiler)[All I can remember from the film was Oskar and Eli's interactions. I think Hakan was in it too but the Lacke/Virginia/Stafan storylines weren't in it. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Struggling to decide what to rate it at the moment. I really liked it and there were some 5 star moments. Then I got confused at a couple points and I'm wondering whether it was the translation (or I could have just not been paying attention). I didn't find it scary like I thought I might but then that isn't necessarily a bad thing. So I'm thinking 4.5 stars but still not sure. I'll definitely read more of this author's work as I liked the writing style.