Let the Right One In

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Let the Right One In, also known as Let Me in, is work of vampire fiction novel written in 2004 by Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist. The story centres on the relationship between a 12-year-old boy, Oskar, and the 200-year-old vampire child, Eli. It takes place in Blackeberg, a working class suburb of Stockholm. The book focuses on the darker side of humanity, dealing with issues such as bullying, drugs, theft, pedophilia, prostitution and murder as well as the obvious supernatural themes.

The book was a bestseller in the author's home country of Sweden, where it was published under the title Låt den rätte komma in. The book was translated into many languages including German, Russian and English 2007.

[edit] Story

Oskar is a 12-year-old-boy who is being bullied at school. He befriends a mysterious girl, Eli, who moves in next door with her father Håkan.

In the course of the story the reader finds out all is not what it seems. Eli is really a vampire and her 'father' supplies her with fresh blood by murdering young boys. As Oskar gradually begins to understand who Eli really is, the bond between them grows stronger. Eli teaches him to stand up to his bullies and Oskar grows increasingly fond of 'her'.

[edit] Title

The title refers to the Morrissey song 'Let the right one slip in' but also to the fact that vampires cannot enter a house unless invited.

[edit] Film

The book became a film in 2008, directed by Tomas Alfredsson.

Won the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature.