Things you didn't like about the book

[Jameron]

I finished reading the book last week, and all I can really say is:

1. I wish there was less Tommy. Way, way less Tommy. He ended up only really making a difference in the plot at the end (and even then it wasn't a huge difference) so whyyy did I have to suffer through his boring story while chanting "We want Eli and Oskar!"?

2. Håkan's, uh, sexuality issues... I admit I skipped a few pages here and there when the sexuality got too graphic (which was very often in his storyline, ick). SO glad they kept that out of the movie. xD (We saw enough of him!)

Everything else I pretty much loved.

1. But Tommy (and Johan) was the only other kid that treated Oskar like a person (Johan ultimately betrayed Oskar, at least Tommy didn't do that). But Oskar nearly cried when Tommy showed him that moment of compassion. That was a serious contribution to the story, it showed (not told) us how much Oskar wanted to connect with others, how alone he actually was. And Tommy was also a connection between Staffan and the rest of the story/characters. Staffan represented the "good" people of Blackeberg, and he represented the "church" or religion in general. But even being one of the "good" guys, Staffan was flawed (he had anger management issues). Even the "good" people in this story are not completely "good", just as the "bad" person (Eli) isn't completely "bad". And, of course, Tommy met up with Eli and allowed her to feed without killing. Tommy had more than one role in this story.

2. Håkan is another example of a character that isn't all "bad". Yes, he was a paedophile, someone that is universally recognised as being a "bad" person, but Håkan wasn't a predatory sexual deviant, he wanted a loving relationship and was completely disgusted with the seedy side of his life. A character full of conflict.

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My 2 öre.

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[Aisu]

I finished reading the book last week, and all I can really say is:

1. I wish there was less Tommy. Way, way less Tommy. He ended up only really making a difference in the plot at the end (and even then it wasn't a huge difference) so whyyy did I have to suffer through his boring story while chanting "We want Eli and Oskar!"?

2. Håkan's, uh, sexuality issues... I admit I skipped a few pages here and there when the sexuality got too graphic (which was very often in his storyline, ick). SO glad they kept that out of the movie. xD (We saw enough of him!)

Everything else I pretty much loved.

1. But Tommy (and Johan) was the only other kid that treated Oskar like a person (Johan ultimately betrayed Oskar, at least Tommy didn't do that). But Oskar nearly cried when Tommy showed him that moment of compassion. That was a serious contribution to the story, it showed (not told) us how much Oskar wanted to connect with others, how alone he actually was. And Tommy was also a connection between Staffan and the rest of the story/characters. Staffan represented the "good" people of Blackeberg, and he represented the "church" or religion in general. But even being one of the "good" guys, Staffan was flawed (he had anger management issues). Even the "good" people in this story are not completely "good", just as the "bad" person (Eli) isn't completely "bad". And, of course, Tommy met up with Eli and allowed her to feed without killing. Tommy had more than one role in this story.

2. Håkan is another example of a character that isn't all "bad". Yes, he was a paedophile, someone that is universally recognised as being a "bad" person, but Håkan wasn't a predatory sexual deviant, he wanted a loving relationship and was completely disgusted with the seedy side of his life. A character full of conflict.

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My 2 öre.

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1. Very good point there. :0 I hadn't really put much thought into it but you're right, that aspect of Oskar was a good thing to see. I guess I just liked how... I suppose 'romantic' it was in the movie for Eli to be the only one who ever really shows Oskar kindness.

2. Oh yes, I agree of course that Håkan is not a bad character! I was just grossed out by how graphic some of his descriptions were, haha. Nothing against him.

[gkmoberg1]

For a long while I did not like that we did not get to listen in on every one of Oskar and Eli's evening meetings. Once I became aware there were many evening jungle gym encounters breezed over with just a sentence, I felt we were being robbed of knowing every last detail. The book is only so many pages think; once I had reached the end I still wanted to experience more.

But after thinking it over and realizing how conversations go between twelve year old children (I have such curious things inhabiting my house!) I can see how it would have actually taken away from the novel to have had a blow-by-blow enactment of their every moment. The tedium, the silliness, the drama - the world as known to kids of that age - is better left imagined than experienced.

My other dislike was - and still is - the late arrival of Prebbe and Roger. These two scoundrels ought to have been introduced earlier and worked into the story! I don't like having characters dropped in at the last moment.

[flypaper]

I'm really new to this forum, and a little bit hesitant to point any fingers at what I didn't like about this great story/ book......but what the hell unlike Oskar I will jump into the deep end of the pool.

The thing that I totally dislike and thought was the weakest part of the story was the explanation of Eli's "infection"......a cyst growing on her heart made up of brain tissue....please....come on...is this 'Let The Right One In' or 'Science Fiction Theater 3000'!!!

Here we are in the middle of a beautiful horror story, told from a total new viewpoint of view, a story that tugs at our heart strings and at the same the visceral fear of the unknown and we learn that Eli has a cyst....something that a few visits to a hospital could take care of....

To me this explanation totally destroys the Ying and Yang of Eli's relationship with Oskar and her struggle, on one side the struggle with herself to look at Oskar as something to care for...the budding relationship of friendship and perhaps love against her instinct to survive at any cost and her unending need to feed and puts in totally in the hands of a "third" party....a growth.
I would have much preferred to no nothing about that and to have read about her internal struggle and how see came to terms with these two forces pulling at her, the struggle over her being a 200 yearold killing machine, and her need to be a 12 year old with her only friend.

Just my two Króna

[. ._.. ..]

Things I didn't like about the book? Too much Tommy. Also the book was not as long as I would have liked it to be. I would have to say my LEAST favorite part of all though was the end. I hated that part. Because it ENDED T.T but all in all I think less tommy and longer book would have been good.

[intrige]

I never liked the bathtub filled with pool, mostly because: What is it there for? Is that human blood? Is that animal blood? Would he and Håkan have to gather up animal blood for Eli to sleep in? Also, Tommy got rather boring. I don't like zombie Håkan, but thatæs just because he's a pure monster.. I would also liked it even more if the other characters besides Eli and Håkan was described a bit more. Also with how things looked like, colors on the walls, shape of furniture. But it is pretty good still, and I love the rest. Of course.

[BloodyMary]

I never liked the bathtub filled with pool, mostly because: What is it there for? Is that human blood? Is that animal blood? Would he and Håkan have to gather up animal blood for Eli to sleep in? Also, Tommy got rather boring. I don't like zombie Håkan, but thatæs just because he's a pure monster.. I would also liked it even more if the other characters besides Eli and Håkan was described a bit more. Also with how things looked like, colors on the walls, shape of furniture. But it is pretty good still, and I love the rest. Of course.

I agree. The surrounding could have been more described, because, well, it definitely completes a picture in the mind. Which helps a lot, because I have trouble reading books. lol
Something about Tommy screams 'nostalgia.' He's the boy you could count on like a big brother of the neighborhood. I quite enjoyed reading about him.
I always thought that Tommy and Oskar, Conny and his big brother would have a 'brawl,' but alas, that did not happen.

[cr33d1sh]

The novel is too short

[Jameron]

I never liked the bathtub filled with pool, mostly because: What is it there for? Is that human blood? Is that animal blood? Would he and Håkan have to gather up animal blood for Eli to sleep in? Also, Tommy got rather boring. I don't like zombie Håkan, but thatæs just because he's a pure monster.. I would also liked it even more if the other characters besides Eli and Håkan was described a bit more. Also with how things looked like, colors on the walls, shape of furniture. But it is pretty good still, and I love the rest. Of course.

I agree. The surrounding could have been more described, because, well, it definitely completes a picture in the mind. Which helps a lot, because I have trouble reading books. lol
Something about Tommy screams 'nostalgia.' He's the boy you could count on like a big brother of the neighborhood. I quite enjoyed reading about him.
I always thought that Tommy and Oskar, Conny and his big brother would have a 'brawl,' but alas, that did not happen.

@Intrige.

The bath of blood was also a tiny plot hole. How could it have been full of blood when Lacke arrives in the flat if Eli had had a shower previously (to meet Oskar). It's not like Håkan has been extra good and acquired too much blood so they filled the bath on impulse. Having said that it didn't bother me too much.

@BloodyMary.

Finally. Someone else that doesn't hate Tommy #squeee

[drakkar]

As far as I read JAL's posts and interviews, the bath tub was a homage to Le Fanu's Carmilla, who rested in a coffin filled with blood.

Btw I also liked Tommy, he was the link between childhood (Oskar) and adulthood, perhaps even between childhood and the China winos. He made it easier to understand Oskar's choice to leave Blackeberg, and also sort of making it more emotional. (JAL also "left" the place at 13, attending the Swedish Magical Circle downtown Stockholm, having much of his social network there).