Mats Wahl (1945–2025)

Generally, I expect to enjoy a book better than the movie that it eventually becomes. In this case, I was unspeakably disappointed.

Though I can't say how much it has to do with the translation, I have to say in the end that the book is, simply, not worth reading. Throughout, the dialogue is stilted, the prose awkward and heavy handed, and the book as a whole flat and without emotion or any real suspense. The objective tone might be explained by the focus on investigative technique and drive, show more but there's no excuse for the characters themselves to come across as unbelievable and emotionless, often verging on unbelievable and cliche.

I actually had high hopes for the book--I didn't expect much from the movie, but enjoyed it for what it was. I thought, with the originality of the idea, the book had to be better. Unfortunately, I'd say that the book's center is far less original than the movie, and that the power of the movie is entirely its own--the book is only flat narrative and uninspired writing, and I'm actually rather sorry that I ever discovered the movie was based on a book....well, perhaps not, since my faith in popular film might be stronger after reading this.

In other words? Don't bother. show less

As Hilmer walks through his school, he realizes that there is something terribly wrong with him; he has become invisible! No one can hear him, no one can see him. What's worse is that Hilmer is starting to forget that night - the one where he was murdered. Desperate to find answers about his own murder, Hilmer follows detective Fors, who is the leading investigator in the crime.
We see most of the story through Fors's point of view as he investigates and uncovers clues about Hilmer's death. show more Mats Wahl is a real master at the little details that bring characters or situations to life. The dialog is realistic and forward. The only reason I'm not giving this book 5 stars is that the ending was pretty predictable and there was no real twist. But I highly recommend this book if you enjoy detective stories and thrillers on the creepy side. show less

Completely different from the movie - the concept of an "out of body" experience is what initially drew me to the book. It was a little hard to get into at first because of all the Swedish names of the characters and the subject of Nazism and Immigrants is pretty touchy to say the least. But once I got into it I actually enjoyed reading it. From the get go, however, there was no mystery as to who "did it" and the "why" was pretty irrelevant. I think the strongest thing the book has going for show more it is its realistic depiction of teen violence and how the youth of today basically face no consequences for their actions. The ending was disappointing, there was no real resolution the climax kind of just happened and that was it. Needless to say, it's not a book I'm dying to read again. show less

Picked this up at a library sale. It was good, read it straight through. Swedish crime book about a teenage boy who discovers that he is invisible when he goes into school on Monday morning. 3.5 stars