Book review: Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Who's the hunter and who's the prey?
CCB rating: 4.5/5
Genres: Horror, supernatural, speculative fiction, translated fiction
Gruesome and disturbing, Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist reveals that true terror lies not in the brutality of blood-sucking vampires, but in how humans treat each other, leaving you to question: “Are we the real monsters?”
Gee whizz! I had to lie in a dark room after finishing this. It’s not an easy read, but it’s well worth your time. Let’s get into it.
I’m a sucker for a vampire story (no pun intended, ok, maybe the pun was intended), and Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist (translated by Ebba Segerberg) certainly leans more towards Bram Stoker’s legendary Dracula than the glamorous, sparkly creatures of the night found in Twilight. Lindqvist offers a fresh and unsettling twist on this well-trodden genre that will leave you sick to your stomach.
Set in the bleak suburban landscape of Blackeberg, Sweden, during the 1980s - a time in history marked by events like the christening of ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ in 1973, deteriorating relations with the Soviet Union, and the 1986 assassination of Prime Minister Olof Palme - the story follows Oskar, a lonely and bullied twelve-year-old. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Eli, a mysterious child who moves in next door. Eli isn’t your average kid; Oskar soon discovers she’s a centuries-old vampire trapped in perpetual childhood. Together, they navigate the challenges of adolescence while confronting the darkness around them, dealing with isolation, violence, and the blurred lines between humanity and monstrosity.
Their unlikely friendship forms the story's beating heart. By the end, you might just find yourself rethinking traditional notions of love, acceptance, and companionship.
“Are you OLD?"
"No. I'm only twelve. But I've been that for a long time.”
One of the standout aspects of this 528-page novel is its unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of adolescence. Oskar is plagued by much more than raging hormones and schoolboy crushes. He is the victim of intense bullying, depicted with brutal honesty, which makes for some very uncomfortable reading. Lindqvist captures the deep psychological scarring left by such torment within his prose, writing: “Theirs was the intoxication of the hunter, his the terror of the prey.” Lindqvist doesn’t shy away from the dark aspects of childhood, using Oskar’s story where he identifies as “prey” and others as “hunters” to evoke empathy and highlight societal indifference to such suffering. It is an intriguing (and clever!) use of language. In what other context - say, a vampire novel, for instance - does the idea of hunter and prey ring true…?
Oskar’s isolating reality sharply contrasts with Eli’s supernatural existence. While Oskar is trapped in a cycle of bullying and neglect, Eli’s isolation comes from hiding her true nature and sustaining herself on human blood. One moment that highlights this contrast is when Eli hesitates before entering Oskar's home, needing his invitation - a common trope in vampire lore but also a poignant metaphor for her perpetual state of being on the outside, always needing permission to belong.
“Which monster do you choose?”
Eli is a conflicting character and one you should dislike. She has all the classic vampire traits - immortality, a need for blood, and a dislike of sunlight - but, she’s also incredibly lonely and existentially burdened. She is not a suave, rich, beautiful, aristocratic type, but a young kid living on the outskirts of modern society. This makes her a tragic figure, not just a predator. The novel blurs the lines between humans and monsters, making readers question their own preconceptions and sympathise with Eli, despite her nature. But, Eli isn’t the only ‘vampire’ in this tale. Throughout the book, various leech-like and unsavoury characters who are equally as lost come to the foreground, and I despise them much more than Eli. I actually didn’t dislike Eli at all.
Lindqvist’s writing style is immersive and atmospheric, effectively capturing the bleakness of the Swedish winter and the oppressive mood of Blackeberg. His prose is unflinching and often graphic, particularly in its depiction of violence and vampiric acts. Some instances are extremely unsettling to read, but this adds to the stark realism of the supernatural elements in a believable context, evoking a sense of dread and unease. It doesn’t rely on jump scares and the tension building isn’t rushed. Instead, it leaves the reader sweating until the very end.
A noteworthy aspect of Let the Right One In is its exploration of moral ambiguity. The title itself is a significant metaphor on multiple levels. Literally, it refers to the lore that a vampire must be invited into a home. It is also an allusion to "letting someone into" one's life (Oskar > Eli, Eli > Oskar). Symbolically, it speaks to the themes of acceptance and trust that permeate the novel. Oskar’s decision to allow Eli into his life is transformative, one that brings both danger and salvation, redemption and destruction, and sees his character shift from a scared little boy to someone who fights back.
“Real love is to offer your life at the feet of another.”
The actions of the characters often exist in a grey area. It is almost impossible to determine who and what is right or wrong. Eli’s need to kill to survive, for example, is juxtaposed with her genuine affection for Oskar. This creates a morally complex character that challenges readers to reconsider their definitions of good and evil. Similarly, Oskar’s fantasies of revenge against his tormentors and his complicity in Eli’s actions raise questions about innocence and culpability. It is fascinating to see how each character’s morals are revealed and tested as the plot unfolds.
This leads us nicely to humans being exposed as the true monsters, as opposed to the traditional ‘bad vampire’. Oskar's bullies exhibit far more cruelty and malice than Eli, who kills only out of necessity (albeit mercilessly and without consideration). By juxtaposing Eli's predatory nature with the casual brutality of Oskar's peers or that of her loyal admirer/self-appointed father/paedophile, Håkan, for example, Lindqvist critiques latent violence within human society.
The novel’s ending further flips the conventional human-monster dichotomy on its head. As Eli and Oskar flee together, they form a symbiotic relationship that defies traditional norms. Eli, no longer just a vampire, becomes Oskar’s protector and companion, making way for a world where marginalised beings can find solace and acceptance in each other. It begs the question that maybe a future built on acceptance and mutual understanding, rather than violence and oppression, is possible. This sense of hopefulness, although unconventional, is rather lovely.
“Please, dear God. Let her come back. You can have whatever you like. All my magazines, all my books, my things. Whatever you want. But just make it so she comes back. To me. Please, please God.”
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist is a profound and unsettling novel that transcends the boundaries of horror to offer a deeply human story. There are so many layers to this book it’s impossible to unpick it all in one post. However, through an eclectic cast of flawed and richly developed characters, atmospheric setting, and exploration of complex themes, Lindqvist invites readers to confront their fears and prejudices to redefine what it means to be human.
It even suggests that maybe, just maybe, love can exist in the most unexpected places with the most unlikely people.
Recommended for fans of:
Stephen King, Adam Neville, and Richard Matheson
Nordic horror
Jordan Peele’s horror films
Vampires without the sugar-coated romance
Content warnings:
Graphic violence, gore, body horror, bullying, murder, vampire attacks, sexual violence, adult/minor relationships, substance abuse, alcoholism, animal death, and domestic abuse.
Buy the book:
Bookshop.org | Waterstones | Amazon
Have you read Let the Right One In? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
As always, happy reading!
Until next time,
Sian | Criminally Creepy Books
Any links mentioned above are non-affiliated and I do not make any money from these companies. These are the places I shop at regularly. No affiliations, just recommendations!
Sounds great, I have only watched the film, which was pretty good!