Människohamn

Written by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Narrated by John Ajvide Lindqvist

”Pappa, vad är det där? På isen?”

Det är en strålande vinterdag. Högst upp i Gåvastens fyr står Anders med sin sexåriga dotter Maja. Isen ligger snötäckt så långt ögat kan nå och Anders kan inte se något speciellt där hans dotter pekar.

Maja går för att undersöka och fem minuter senare börjar mardrömmen. Trots att det inte finns någonstans där Maja kan försvinna, är det just det som händer.
Hon försvinner. Spårlöst. Anders och hans hustru Cecilia har inte längre något barn.

Det lyckliga livet på ön Domarö i Roslagens skärgård är slut. Bara förtvivlan och skilsmässa återstår.

Ett par år senare återvänder Anders till ön, nersupen och deprimerad men fast besluten att leva. Då nås han av ett meddelande som tänder ett vansinnigt hopp: Maja finns ännu i världen, på en plats där han inte kan nå henne.

Ett sökande tar sin början. Det kommer att föra Anders till Domarös hemlighållna förflutna, mot havets mörka hjärta. Genom avgrunden måste han gå för att finna den han älskar. Om det nuverkligen är hon.

En mopedmotor hörs i skogen om nätterna. Brevlådor vandaliseras och hus brinner. Havet kastar sig mot klipporna. Någon hatar oss.

Människohamn är en saga om kärlek, hat och magi. Det är berättelsen om de dolda krafter som har skapat skärgården.

• Language: Svenska
• Publisher: Word Audio Publishing International
• Release date: Jun 27, 2008
• ISBN: 9789185771417

Reviews for Människohamn

[alsatia_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you've ever seen Let The Right One In, you kind of have an idea how this book will go. It's a satisfying ghost story set on an island inhabited by the descendants of fishermen who made an unfortunate bargin with the sea, and it's about what happens once the villagers stop holding up their end of the bargain. An eerie, but not disturbing book, funny in places and touching in others. Recommended.

[slmr4242 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting. The characters were the best part, but the end has a lot of resonance--rings true to life.

[mandathestrange · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Don't get me wrong, I liked this book...I truly did...However I felt that there was just that certain 'something' missing. The book circulates around the character of Anders, a desperate man who has lost his daughter Maja on the frozen sea surrounding the island of Domaro. Anders leaves Domaro after Maja's disappearance, becomes an alcoholic and is drawn back to the island to find out what happened to his daughter. Eerie things start happening as soon as Anders returns, mischievous pranks, people returning from the past and strange occurrences involving the sea.Not only does the book focus on Anders, it also circulates around his grandmother Anna-Greta and his Step Grandfather Simon, a retired magician. Simon notices the strange occurrences surrounding the sea and turns to the mysterious Anna-Greta for answers. Anna-Greta tells him about the legends and pacts made hundreds of years ago by the inhabitants of Domaro with the cruel sea. Once the truth is out, Anna-Great & Simon help Anders counter-act the supernatural forces on the island.I particularly enjoyed the story of Simon and Anna-Greta. The flashbacks of Simon acquiring and using 'spiritus' (an element of magic which controls water) was intriguing, I also was hooked with the love story between Simon & Anna-Greta. I didn't particularly like all the references to the 80's...and it was rather annoying having the two ghosts constantly quoting "The Smiths" by means of communication. I think it could have been more frightening with the ghosts not even talking. All in all it was a good book and there were a few moments when I was chilled to the core. However, I feel that the book did not end well, rather than answering questions it created a million more. I would have like to have known more about the happenings of the sea and had it explained a little more. It reminded me of LOST in many ways...but not in a good way. Even though LOST had a multitude of story-lines they flowed so well, allowing us to fit the pieces together like a brilliant puzzle. This story was all over the place, far too many pieces were missing. It delivered in someways...it failed majorly in others.This is a good read...but don't get your hopes up like I did.

[huge_horror_fan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Having not read previous novels by this author, especially LET THE RIGHT ONE IN that I have heard so much about, I had no idea what to expect. Yet, expectations were still high based on rumors. Language use was fantastic, although translation was not the best and awkward in a few spots. Each of the characters are provided with its own back-story causing the main plot to feel lost, which was too bad, since the initial hook had me. The history provided solid introductions to the characters but overly long. Consequently, the plot moves very slowly and it does not grab the reader with the adrenaline nor does it really deliver enough. It is not to say that it does not have its moments, because there are some really good scenes in here.It was one of those books that I was fairly entertained while reading, but always had difficulties picking it back up. It just did not have any of the ‘wow factor’ that I expected from novels dealing with this sort of material.All in all, a solid three stars is in order and I am still looking forward to reading LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.

[azuaron · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the best Lovecraftian horror I've read since Lovecraft, and even better than most-to-all of Lovecraft. I won an ARC of it from Tor, and promptly spent 6-7 years _not_ reading Harbor, which I now regret.

[stephanie_m-868484 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel isn’t really a horror novel, to me. It was rather tense a couple times, but I wouldn’t classify it as horror. I’m not sure what I’d say it’s genre is, but it was good...!
This novel varied from incredibly interesting history and knowledge of Sweden and the towns mentioned, to utter weirdness. GOOD weirdness! Usually it takes me two days to listen to an audiobook, or maybe three if I don’t have much time. But with this novel I kept rewinding parts to listen to again. The narrator isn’t Swedish so I wasn’t having issues understanding a thick accent or anything ; in fact, he’s British. I think....lol. The narrator is Julian Rhind-tutt, and easily understandable. Maybe it was just that Sweden and Swedish things are so foreign to me that I had to hear some parts twice (and one part three times) just to get what was happening ‘straight’ in my head. But it was mostly enjoyable.
The only part I didn’t like was the ending. Just BOOM and it was done, and you have no idea what happened next. I hate this. There was also a disgusting part where the main character ate a bug, but that’s no big deal lol.
Anyway, read this book! You might like it.
4 stars, and recommended.

[robinrowlesauthor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Why did I read this book? - My favourite genre is children's books! - Maybe this has happened to you? - Your'e in a store and a book cover catches your eye. You're stood there reading the storyline and the feedback about the book. I was intrigued about the sudden disappearance of the girl. I soon bought the book!

It didn't take me long to get drawn into the story. I found the author's writing to be creative, gripping, stylish and at times compelling.
It was interesting to read about the small community of people who lived their lives on the island of Domaro.

Anders, Cecilia and their feisty six-year-old daughter, Maja had been waiting all winter for the perfect weather conditions, so they could visit Gavasten lighthouse. It was only about two kilometres from their home; named as 'The Shack'.
This trip promised to be a perfect day-out for the family. Maja was excited. She was full of enthusiasm as she set-off on her skis, wearing her red snow-suit. Anders and Cecilia had no concerns about letting Maja ski-along in front of them. The ice was thick with a good covering of snow. Anders was pleased when he discovered the lighthouse door wasn't locked. They were able to enjoy their picnic inside the lighthouse, while staring at the fabulous views! Anders took the opportunity to take some pictures of Cecilia and Maja.

Moments later, a curious looking Maja, was on her way outside the lighthouse to explore again!
A short while later, Anders and Cecilia came back out of the lighthouse, to discover their daughter had vanished! At first, Anders thought Maja was playing hide-and-seek with them! But that hope soon proved to be fruitless.
As the daylight faded, four people arrived to help with the search for Maja. They were all riding mopeds.
It was already dark when a police helicopter with a searchlight arrived to extend the search area. But alas, Maja wasn't found!
At page 37 of this 650 page book, there wasn't any reason or logical explanation given as to how this extreme event could have happened. Indeed, the reader will have to wait until almost the end of the story, for this to be finally revealed.

The story continues two years later, when a wrecked Anders returns to the island to investigate.
By now his marriage to Cecilia is over, and his daughter is still missing. Sadly, he's fallen to the depths of unemployment and alcoholism.
The author's writing was very detailed. He persistently moved from the present time to the past, in order to explain his ever-changing situation. Indeed, what follows is a story of forceful emotion, that is superbly plotted - although at times, I have to confess I found it fairly creepy and horrific. Especially as the psychological isolation and loss unfolded for Anders.
Anders thought he could feel a presence, as if someone was trying to communicate with him. I found that intriguing and compelling. But this caused confusion for Anders. He tried to control his drinking habits. He was worried he was going mad!

An amusing reference about Simon and Anna-Greta - who were good friends with Anders:
Needless to say, but there's not very much humour to be found in this book. However, the author's description of Simon and Anna-Greta's lovemaking skills, certainly had me laughing!(I'm sorry, but you'll need to read the story to find out why!)

I think this is one of the best written books I have read this year. Overall, it's an impressive novel, but ultimately, I have to confess I didn't find the last seventy-pages or so, as good as the author's earlier writing.

I'm pleased I was able to complete this book, because at times, I felt slightly out of my comfort zone. (I have never read any supernatural or paranormal literature before)

I would rate this book 3.5 stars. In my opinion it's better than 3 stars, but falls just below 4 stars.
However, I'm not surprised that many readers have given this book a higher rating. I'm sure it's almost perfect for people who love to read this particular genre.

[heather_brock-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book started off a little slow and then started to pick up steam toward the end. I have to add that I was highly disappointed by the actual ending, though it certainly has me thinking about what I would do in a similar situation, and what I would be willing to sacrifice for my own wants and desires. The main character is a bit selfish in a lot of ways, but I suppose parents have a habit of seeing only the best in their children and really will do anything for them, even at the cost of the lives of others.

[carol420 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

How can a child just vanish into thin air? That' is indeed the question surrounding six-year-old Meja's disappearance while visiting the llighthouse with her parents. Three years later a man moves into the village and soon discovers that many strange happenings have taken place before and after Meja's disappearance. This book really had atmosphere. You could feel the anguish and fear. A really scary trip.

[altheaann · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Like many people, I was introduced by ‘Let the Right One In.’ A disturbing, masterful film – and an even more disturbing book. This is the second book I’ve read by Lindqvist and, well, it’s good. It’s a well-crafted murder-thriller-horror novel with the dark elements often associated with Scandinavian crime fiction. However, it didn’t quite live up to my (admittedly, rather high) expectations.

A young family is spending a seemingly-idyllic winter vacation on a tiny, remote Scandinavian island when, on a sightseeing trip out to a lighthouse, six-year-old Maja disappears. A couple of years later, this event has destroyed the relationship of Maja’s parents; her father is stuck in a haze of obsessive, alcoholic depression, and he returns to his cabin on the island to keep the memory of his daughter alive. Indeed, he seems haunted – almost possessed – by his certainly-gone child. At first this seems nothing more that the grief of a man whom tragedy has pushed over the brink – but the elders of the island seem to know more than they’re telling. Thinking back – why did one old man warn that being out at the lighthouse was a bad idea? Does something ancient and evil lurk in these cold Scandinavian waters?

The strengths of this book really lie in the portrayals of the facades that people create, and how we can even fool ourselves into believing in an idyllic fantasy. As the book progresses, Lindqvist tears down layer after layer to reveal a human darkness. However, the supernatural elements, I felt, were a bit weaker. I felt it was aiming for a Lovecraftian sense of unexplained chthonic horror, but at times it just seemed vague, and weak in comparison to the psychological elements of the story. I have to admit getting a kick out of the malevolent ghostly Smiths fans, though.

[honeysucklepie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Yep, too many unanswered questions.
Which is too bad because you really want to know what happened and why. Loved the characters, the setting, the idea, I just don't feel that it wrapped up in any climactic way...which you really need by the time you slog through 3/4 of the book.

[suzemo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Disclaimer: I received this for free from St. Martins.

This was my first book by this author. I love good, non-gore horror, so I was excited to read this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first third (or so) of the book. The writing is beautiful and the book is wonderfully atmospheric. Both the writer and the translator deserve mountains of kudos for it (and for the rest of the writing).

When the story of the mystery of the island/sea start coming out, I thought it was a little odd, and not very satisfying. The characters are all real, the motivations make sense, but some of the "twists" are just a bit much.

Towards the very end of the book, the mystery/horror got a little crazy and the last few pages were just a jumbled hot mess. There was no explanation as to why the sea "monster" (for lack of a better term) was at that island, how it came to be, what the denizens of the island (who were so intertwined with it) were or anything. There was much made of how the sea was "weak" but no explanations, no resolution.

Beautifully written book, but the end just fell apart, like the author didn't know where he was going.

It's really 2.5 stars. I really, really liked the writing and the beginning, but the end kind of ruined it all for me.

[mausi21 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fand die Geschichte sehr interessant, es wurde sehr detailreich erzählt, was einerseits die Erlebnisse lebendiger erscheinen ließ, anderseits aber auch manchmal zu langatmig war. Kann nicht genau sagen, ob ich das Buch nun wirklich mochte oder nicht, daher bleib ich mir drei Sternen in der Mitte. Es gab Stellen, die fand ich toll und andere, die mir zu langweilig oder wirr waren. Auch das Ende hätte etwas mehr erklären dürfen.
Nichts desto trotz finde ich das Buch durchaus lesenswert, schöner Schreibstil, der einen dass Buch wie einen Film sehen lässt.

[amanderson_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Supernatural maritime thriller/horror (in the scary, not gory sense) novel set on a small island in Sweden. It got extra points from me because I like stories set in Sweden, but it really was creepy and good. The "Swedish Stephen King", I've read; I agree, but this novel was more mythical in theme than King's. The author also wrote Let the Right One In, which was made into a movie - I haven't watched or read it but I gather it has a vampire theme.

Harbor is set on a small village in Sweden in modern times (skipping back and forth in time to Anders and Cecilia's 1980s childhoods on the island) and kicks off with former islander Anders and Stockholm wife Cecilia and six-year-old daughter Maya visiting from the city, doing a day trip on skiis on the ocean ice from the island out to the decommissioned lighthouse on another tiny island. Maya inexplicably disappears, footprints in the snow just stopping, even though the ice is very thick and there's simply nowhere she could have gone. Fast forward two years; Anders and Cecilia have separated, and Anders is an alcoholic, a broken man. He picks himself up enough to go home to the island, where he and his step-grandfather (of sorts) find that the native islanders have been keeping dark secrets about the ancient and more modern history of the island. The novel uses the fear of the danger of the sea and its untold depths and mysteries to good effect here.

[aethercowboy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If H. P. Lovecraft lived in a day and age where writing a 500+ page novel was acceptable, he may have written something very similar to Harbor. If you’re not familiar with Lindqvist, as was I when I first started reading this massive tome, you may automatically assume that he’s a horror writer. Well, he is, but not exactly that. Lindqvist takes a horror trope and writes an engaging, sweeping, epic story around that trope, and how it affects real people.In Harbor, we meet an isolated cluster of islands, its people, and a history of dissapearances to some unseen, underwater force. We have magicians who know real magic, a town surrounded by malevolent water, and two ghosts who ride a moped around and quote The Smiths. The narrative spans, mostly, three generations, but also occasionally takes a peek at times more ancient than that.While undertaking a reading of Harbor may itself be a challenge, if you’re willing to dedicate the time to read its many pages, you will find not only a horror story that is approachable by readers on non-horror, but an interesting tale of people, both dead and alive.

[titania86_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

John Ajvide Lindqvist is an amazing Swedish author. His books take horror conventions, such as vampires, zombies, and ghosts, and make them into so much more. Harbor is no different. It's similar to Stephen King's It, but so much better. This is atmospheric horror at its best. It combines a kind of magic with malevolent ghosts, missing people, and small town conspiracies. The novel is dense and takes a while to read, but it's definitely worth it and highly recommended.

[aerrin99 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is easily my favorite of Lindqvist's novels so far. Here, he finally perfects the skill of using fantastical elements (in other books zombies, vampires; here, sea monsters) to highlight human relationships and the things that make us work or not work, while still maintaining an interesting and forward-moving plot. Some of his other books suffered a bit from being too 'conceptual' - the ideas were neat, but not a lot happened. In Harbor, he fixes that problem. The story remains compelling even as we explore sacrifice (ourselves, that of others), tradition, danger, love, and a million other things that make us human. I really recommend Harbor, even if you weren't thrilled by his other works.

[mrsmich02 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lindqvist is quickly becoming one of my favorite suspense-horror writers because just like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Peter Straub and John Saul, he gets you to invest emotionally in his characters. Another unique idea. I look forward to what he'll create next.

[nickknight_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I must admit I wanted to read this book simply because "Let the Right One In" was such an awesome film. The book has scenes of brilliance that are creepy as hell. For these elements alone I'd say the book is worth consideration. I can't wait to read his other novels.

[ljbwell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

John Ajvide Lindqvist once again delivers a haunting novel of love, loss, and sacrifice, not to mention more than a bit of magic and ghosts.It's winter at Stockholm's Archipelago. Anders, his wife and their 6 year old daughter Maja go out to explore the lighthouse. Maja disappears, seemingly into thin air. She's not the first. She's not the last. A few years later, Anders, alcoholic and divorced, moves back to the archipelago. He is still struggling to cope with the loss of his daughter and the failure of his marriage. He's also dealing with being back amongst the archipelago residents, including his grandmother Anna-Greta and her long-term partner Simon (both of whom are harboring secrets of their own). People start coming back. Others begin acting strangely. The setting is as much an active character to the novel as any of the people. The harbor is alive. It swells. It recedes. It gives. It takes. It is mysterious. It resents. It provides. It protects.The easy comparison is to Stephen King - both authors are at their best when they go beyond horror to delve into the psychological aspects of the subject at hand. This novel is not just about ghosts and magic, but about the aftermath of loss, the tricks one's mind plays, the desperation to hold on to happy memories. It is about the safe haven friends and family and home can provide.My main criticism is that it sometimes felt there were too many threads that could have been tightened. I believe it was initially a short story that he fleshed out into this novel; at times it did feel it could have been better suited to a tauter novella. That aside, if you enjoy early King, JAL is well worth a try.

[thetwods · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As demonstrated in his debut novel Let the Right One In, John Ajvide Lindqvist masterfully mingles the subtleness of quiet horror with bursts of terror from unexpected directions. Whereas he has previously tackled vampires and zombies and imbued each mythology with his own flourishes, in Harbor Lindqvist boldly creates a supernatural novel which does not easily fit into the boundaries of any specific genre. Lindqvist continues to be insterested in love, the past and how we can either learn or escape from it and the ramifications of the choices we make.The islands of Sweden's Stockholm Archipelago are much like any other island communities around the world, insular by nature, the year-round residents often resent the presence of the summer residents and the lifelong and multi-generational residents resent the more recent arrivals. On Domaro, one such island, the long-time residents keep a secret from the others that transcends family and relationships. Domaro's fate is, and has been for centuries, deeply intertwined with that of the sea. Ghosts, possessions, strange weather and other natural and supernatural phenomena are employed to either support or punish people. The sea demands its tribute for ensuring the survival of the island with bountiful fish harvests. In the past, this tribute was determined through a Lottery-style drawing and over the centuries evolved into a method of punishment.Now a young family, the father descended from long-time islanders, is shattered when the young daughter goes missing on the frozen sea. She did not fall through the ice, she simply disappeared, her footprints ending in the middle of a snowy expanse. The father's struggle to metaphorically find himself and physically find his daughter forms the plot which propels the narrative through numerous historical vignettes that gradually coalesce into a history of Domaro and those who inhabit it.Once again, Lindqvist delivers a hauntingly beautiful story of love and loss. He proves worthy of the comparisons to Stephen King. Perhaps one day we'll speak of early Lindqvist in the same revered tones as early King.

[ct4bergeron · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book, I wasn't expecting much, since I found that the movie for "let me in" was just OK (I should know better than to think the book was similar) but I found myself completely drawn into this book. The story follows Anders a man who lost his daughter Maja. After an afternoon of ski and picnic, Maja disappear from the face of the earth never to be seen again. 2 years later Anders return on the island where it happen with the hope of starting a new life. However, the resident of the island seem to be hidding a secret. The book was a mix of horror (some part were really creapy) and supernatural. One thing that deceived me a little was the ending wish came to abruptely for me. Nonetheless a good book!!

[lpmejia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

With Let Me In, John Lindqvist reinvigorated the vampire novel, managing to create a vampire character that simultaneously evoked both sympathy and terror. In Harbor, the author has done it again, creating a dark, spooky atmosphere, while also managing to capture the heartbreaking terror and panic of losing a child. Interspersing the present day with lots of back story provides the reader with a thorough and unique portrait of the characters while simultaneously holding the readers interest with well-written suspense.The final reveal doesn't fail or feel like a let down. It's nice to read a horror novel without feeling like the writer is searching for ways to appeal to purely visceral frights. Without a doubt, Lindqvist should be counted among the great horror writers working today.

[ccourtland_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Each character is provided with a backstory, so you're getting several stories within the story. This can work in character development, but in this particular book, the original plot is dragged under and seemingly lost. The twists are slow to develop and after 300+ pages I really needed more to happen. Perhaps, because the intent is horror and suspense, but I became rather bored and disinterested. The pacing, like the island, is isolating and distant. For me, it created a detachment with the plot and I had no problem putting the book down, but soon found it difficult to pick back up. The gap between current bizarre happenings and long back story fractured the experience, making reading choppy and awkward. Frankly, what should be intriguing became boring and uneventful. By the end, the pages themselves were killing me and I had little motivation to read on.

[skstiles612 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a strange book. It starts with the disappearance of Maja. Then the majority of the book is told not as a flashback but as back-story. I mean we look back at the past with the present interspersed. It is an effective way to tell a story. They have listed this as a horror story but I thought of it more as a mystery or thriller. The book is about a Swedish island that is full of mysterious secrets known by a few. It includes a former magician that has bonded himself to a Spiritus, which is a centipede like creature. When he allows his saliva to touch the body of the Spiritus they have formed a bond and he has obtained some of the powers from the Spiritus. This is definitely one of those books that you can say nothing is as it seems. The story is not written in the usual chronological way, which adds to the mystery. It is told in a way that holds the reader. The people on the island love the sea and at the same time, you can tell they fear it on some level. The question is, why? For the answer to this, I would suggest you read the book. Maybe then you will find out why and how people, have for years just vanished. Perhaps you will find out the true power of the sea.

[klarsenmd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as part of the LT early reviewer program. After a long, angst filled wait to receive this book, I dove in and was smothered by the darkness of this unbelievable well written work of terror. Anders is a man who has lost his daughter and with her his will to live life. After 2 years he decides to return to the small island where she vanished. as he begins to unravel the mystery of what has happened to her, the horror of life on the island that it long time residnets are trying to keep hidden slowly comes to light.I felt many chills and tremors as I tore through this wonderfully written tale. I had a hard time putting it down as the pacing was just wonderful. Written with the same attendtion to spine tingling detail as Let The RIght One In, Lindqvist proves he is a master story-teller. A definite must read for fans of the thriller.

[gcplreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The sea is the monster here. And the sea demands much of the inhabitants of a quaint Swedish island. Although some plot elements were perhaps silly, this Stephen King-like thriller really delivered, largely thanks to fantastic character development. There's the depressed Anders, who returns to the island two years after the inexplicable disappearance of his young child, his grandmother,the matriarch of the town who knows the dark secret history of the sea, and her old boyfriend Simon, a former magician, who comes across a mysterious, worm-like, saliva awakened "Spiritus" that.. (no, I won't tell you!) The many backstories are each fascinating and often heart-wrenching and the novel moved at a brisk pace. -- quite a good read

[erikschreppel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I first read “Let the Right One In” I thought it was not just the best vampire novel I have read, but one of the best novels I had read in a long time. Right out of the gate Lindqvist produced a masterpiece. Since then I have read “Handling the Undead” and now his latest translation “Harbour”. And I have found that I have trouble rating both novels, because of the brilliance of the first. I hearken it to Orson Welles, in that Welles burst on the scene with a masterpiece in “Citizen Kane”, and then everything after inevitably failed to live up to it. Welles made some fantastic movies in their own right in films such as “Touch of Evil”, “The Magnificent Ambersons” and “The Stranger”. But because Kane was so perfect, everything else paled in comparison. Lindqvist is in the same boat, “Let the Right One In” was perfect in every way, and both “Handling the Undead” and “Harbour” are wonderful novels on their own. But trying to forget “Let the Right One In” while reading them is difficult to say the least. “Harbour” is a good solid novel, with some fantastic parts in it. Lindqvist does a great job conveying the coastal Swedish culture, as well as what it is like growing up in a small tourist town. His sense of teenage alienation that never quite goes away is wonderful, and the concept of two ghosts roaming around speaking in Smiths lyrics is fantastic. The plot moves along, and the sense of foreboding is well written. Lindqvist has a real gift for using the supernatural aspects of his work to focus in on basic human emotions and foibles. Both “Harbour” as well as “Handling the Undead” do a great job discussing grief and what we do to not let go. This is very good book and one that I would recommend, but with the caveat that this is not “Let the Right One In”. But comparisons between the two is my failure and not Lindqvist’s fault, it just is a compliment that his masterwork was so good, nothing else will live up to it.

[jlparent · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very uneven - perhaps due to translation or not-yet-completed edits (I read an ARC)? The background on the island where the story takes place is fairly interesting, as are the inhabitants but I found the ghost story part dull and incredibly hard to wade through. The ending was also a little too ...unrealistic and unacceptable. Not a fan.

[kraaivrouw · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was very excited to get this advance copy because I love this author. His vampire book, Let the Right One In, pleased me so very much because it came out at a time when vampires were going all sparkly and My Little Pony on me - Let the Right One In is one of the books that restored vampires to their predatory glory and did it in a very sophisticated way. It remains one of my favorite reads of all time.Harbor is maritime horror and it's hard not to love that - haunted islands, wrecked ships with ghostly crews, spectres on the widow's walk - all great stuff for horror fans. I just knew that Mr. Lindqvist would bring a great new point of view to this.Harbor is really two different books inside one - and that's the problem. There is the elegantly written and beautiful homey sort of story of the island, its inhabitants, and their relationships with one another. I loved that book. Then there's the horror part - people mysteriously disappearing over time, one after the other. I just hated that book. I'm not sure whether Mr. Lindqvist needed a better editor, a better translator, or just permission to write something that wasn't horror, but whatever the reason the book just doesn't work for me. Very disappointing.Despite that, it's worth reading for that first book I mentioned and I'll whatever Mr. Lindqvist writes next because he's always interesting and surprising.