Let The Right One In Novel Summary
Introduction
Let The Right One In is a novel written by John Ajvide Lindqvist, a Swedish author, and was first published in 2004. The novel is a horror and vampire fiction that tells the story of a young boy named Oskar, who is bullied at school and finds solace in his friendship with a vampire.
The Plot
The story takes place in a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, during the early 1980s. Oskar is a lonely and bullied 12-year-old boy who lives with his mother in an apartment complex. One day, he meets Eli, a mysterious young girl who has moved into the apartment next door with her father.
Oskar and Eli soon develop a close friendship, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Eli is not an ordinary girl. She is, in fact, a centuries-old vampire who survives on the blood of others. Despite this revelation, Oskar remains loyal to Eli and tries to protect her from those who would do her harm.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Eli's father is not her biological father and that he is responsible for finding her victims. Oskar discovers this and, with the help of a local detective, tries to stop Eli's father from continuing his murderous ways.
The Characters
The two main characters in the novel are Oskar and Eli. Oskar is a shy and introverted boy who is bullied at school. His parents are divorced, and he lives with his mother. Eli, on the other hand, is a mysterious and enigmatic girl who has moved into the apartment next door with her father. She is a vampire who has lived for centuries, and she survives on the blood of others.
Other important characters in the novel include Håkan, Eli's "father," who is responsible for finding her victims, and Lacke, a local man who is trying to catch a serial killer.
Themes
The novel explores several themes, including loneliness, bullying, and the nature of evil. Oskar is a lonely boy who is bullied at school and finds solace in his friendship with Eli. The novel also explores the idea of whether vampires are inherently evil or if they are simply creatures trying to survive.
Adaptations
The novel has been adapted into several different formats, including a Swedish film in 2008 and an American film in 2010. The Swedish film was directed by Tomas Alfredson, and the American film was directed by Matt Reeves. There has also been a stage adaptation of the novel.
Conclusion
Let The Right One In is a haunting and atmospheric novel that explores the themes of loneliness, bullying, and the nature of evil. The relationship between Oskar and Eli is both touching and eerie, and the novel's exploration of the vampire mythos is both fresh and original.