So we've made it through part 1 of Let Me In. Let's look at the characters:
Oskar: Oskar seems to be just a boy that wants to make it through the day. He doesn't seem to have many friends, but is very close to his mom. He has some internal issues though... going out and massacring logs and what not pretending they are his classmates, however, considering what he's gone through at school, at least that's the worst that Oskar has done. Oskar seems to be a very well behaved boys who just needs some companionship.
Hakan: Well, we have gotten far enough along in the book to realize who Hakan is, but we might not understand why. Hakan is in love with Eli for whatever reason. I'm not sure how long their relationship has gone on, or what the boundaries of their relationship is, but it sure seems that Hakan is more in love with Eli than she is with him. It does seem, though, that Hakan has a growing conscience of what is going on, there was that strange scene at the library where he almost gave in to the boy... and then when he told Eli enough was enough. He does not want to kill for Eli anymore... but the question is... can he stick to his word? He didn't kill for her again.. but he did clean up her mess... which to me, is condoning it.
Jocke and company: Well I'm assuming the rest of the company will come into play, but the death of Jocke was so unfortunate, he seemed to finally be pulling himself together, and then, as luck would have it, he tries to do a good deed, and bam.. his life ends. Good samaritans tend to get taken advantage of, and in this case, the good samaritan dies. What do you think is going to happen with the rest of the crew? Do you think they'll do something when Jocke comes up missing?
Eli: Well, she's obviously the vampire. It's interesting the way the vampire is portrayed in this book. She looks like a young girl. I do not understand why Eli comes out in the cold with not much on and doesn't really care for her appearance or her personal hygiene. It makes her stick out and look odd already. I would think she would try to hide herself or at least appear as everyone else does. I wonder what brought her to Oskar's town. I wonder if there are any more, or why, right now, she is the only one.
Okay... so what do you guys think? What's going on? What's going to happen? Where are the characters taking us?
Well, I do agree with you on the characters. I feel that poor Oskar has a lonely life and is just trying to make it through with the bullies, a doting mother. His acting out with the pretend weapons. He sometimes seems to me to be a little out of touch with reality but that must be a coping skill.
ReplyDeleteEli does not seem to care what others think. The smell, the same clothing, etc. I wonder if this author wants to present vampires as the not normal creatures they are instead of the glorified version we see in the Twilight series. We do know that vampires can live for a long time unless they are killed. So maybe this was the age she was when she was turned. She definitely doesn't seem to know much about feelings or love. She does seem to know how to manipulate as she does with Hakan.
I'm not sure about Jocke and the company. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.
Even though Eli says she can't be friends with Oskar, she does stay and interacts with him. However, she showered and cleaned herself up for him and then, tries to bite him but fortunately for Oskar, that was interrupted. So she is just an animal trying to keep herself going.
I am not sure why she needs Hakan other than to try to have some sense of normalcy wherever they go. That's why he has to try to get her fresh blood or cleans up after her when she strays and goes on the hunt by herself. I think you are right Jennifer, that he does this cause he is in love with her so he must realize she is very old and not the young girl she is portraying. Why he is in love with her is a mystery but look at Bella with her vampire lover. There is no explanation of why we love whom we do. It will be interesting to see if he stays to do her bidding or if he can't stomach doing what he does for her anymore. That could explain the drinking.
Hopefully, Part 2 can explain more as the plot develops.
OMG this is the third time I am trying to get my comments in and I am losing my mind. Sorry. I feel bad for Oskar as he is being bullied in his life and especially at school. Jonny is the epitamy of a bully and I'll be curious to see if Oskar gets the upper hand with him. It certainly seems like he is definitely wanting him out of this earth - thinking that the boy who got killed, by Hakan, was Jonny. He does have a close relationship with his mother, watching shows together and she definitely cares about his safety. The only thing is that he can't really talk to her, he appears to be alone without friends to talk to. Oskar does act out, due to his relationship with peers, by being what he considers, a Master Thief. Then he attains credibility by selling items to others who appreciate buying from him for a good deal. What his intentions are for the hunting knife he took will be forthcoming I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that Hakan hates what he is doing, he is also nervous about it. Surprisingly, he appears to have some morals as he chooses not to kill the young girl because she was too young and he wondered why any parents would let their child out alone in such a questionable area. Hakan also asked for forgiveness from his first victim in the story. Does he do it for 'love' and does Eli love him or just needs him.
Oskar obviously is in need of friendship and that's why he is curious about Eli but doesn't really question her smell, unkempt look, athletic ability and her ability to solve the rubric cube when she had never heard about it. It is also surprising that Eli doesn't see Oskar as a source of her next drink and that she is willing to bathe for him.
I am anxious to find out whether anything happens with Jonny, when Oskar will realize what Eli really is, what Hakan thinks about the 'relationship' between Oskar and Eli. Good reading ahead.
So I finished Part 2 and wanted to give my input so I can start Part 3.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, Hakan sure suffers for his Eli. I don't know why he picked such a public place for his next victim for Eli. Definitely was his undoing but to throw acid on himself - ouch, - that is extremely painful and harmful. I am surprised he has survived that. Even though he does these despicable acts, I kind of feel sorry for him. His love for Eli is definitely destructive.
AS far as Eli goes, I would like to hear or learn more about her. There is not much we know about her background. To hit on a cancer riddled woman for her sustenance was desperate. The morphine hit her hard and who was that voice on the tv? Is that her master who turned her? So whenever she gets her blood fix, she looks better according to Oskar.
Poor Oskar, he definitely is in need of some good friends but there are none to be found at his school. He really suffers under the bullying of those guys. But we see glimmers of his getting stronger thanks to Eli. We'll see how that progresses. Will it be helpful or harmful to Oskar?
Then, there is Johnny. These kids from broken homes sure are messed up. Sounds like the policeman boyfriend makes the mom happy but Johnny shows indifference.
So far it is another story like the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. The plot keeps evolving wanting you to find out what happens next.
Plus, Jocke and company. We already know what happened to Jocke but his buddies are at loose ends without him. What role will they have to play in this story of Eli and Oskar?
Am wondering what you guys think.