Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Title: Let The Right One In
Author: John Ajvide Lindqvist (translated by Ebba Segerberg)
Publisher: Quercus
Release Date: 22nd January 2009
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Crime, Fantasy

Summary:
Oskar is 12. He is a wimp. He has no friends, dad or courage and is constantly lonely.

Eli is 12 and has been for sometime. She has no friends and only ventures out to the playground at night.

Review:
I have to admit, I read this book a while ago so it is not a recent read; but, I have always loved this book and it started my addiction to foreign horror and crime- so I thought I would give it a quick review.

My favourite aspect of book, is the gory horror which is present throughout. Whilst some writers shy away from the details, writers such as Ajvide Lindqvist present things how they are in such a twisted, scary, disgusting but nonetheless fascinating way. These details make this book a staple of the genre and a must for all horror fans (another prime example of this is Jo Nesbo, and his Harry Hole series; he, however, deserves a post all of his own here...).


After reading this book I will never, ever look at a swimming pool the same way; it was so scary... and kind of revolting!!

However, what sets this book apart from the rest is the fact that, as well as being scary and a staple of the horror genre, it also tells a moving story of friendship, loyalty and love between two unsuspecting and lonely children who have no-one but each other. Similarly, the characters, in particular Oskar, are so weird; they are lovable. I could not help but feel sorry for him and fine joy in the fact that he finally finds a friend in Eli.

The only problem I had with the book, and as with all foreign books, was the confusing Swedish names that I felt hindered the flow and accessibility of the story, at points. However, considering that the book was originally written in Swedish; it would have been inappropriate to change the names (like they have done in the 2011 film adaptation) to suit English readers.

Rating: 10/10. Read it!!

The book has also been the inspiration behind two films; Let The Right One In (2009) and Let Me In (2011). I thoroughly recommend the latter, which is the American adaptation, as it is in English and avoids the need for the really annoying subtitles in the Swedish version.

You can buy Let The Right One In from Amazon here.