Top 10 Qestions of the Novel

[TigerEyes]

This would be my general advice to writers: don't indiscriminately add superpowers to your characters, they create more problems than they solve. You'll have to bring out the kryptonite all the time.

I agree, don't add superpowers. But alas, i doubt Eli has the hypnosis power. But it is rather interesting how Eli got the money, but my fear goes straight to people like Hakan who went to the Library. (Shudders) But i hope i'm wrong and Eli just takes money from her helpers (Not in that way) and from her lunch.

[PeteMork]

Maybe she has a power, but it's not super-strong. Maybe it's more like "suggestion."

This is what I think. Not mind control, but an ability to mildly affect the feelings of her victims. Which would be why the nurse at the reception desk in the hospital felt the strong, otherwise unexplained, urge to give Eli something.

[metoo]

This is what I think. Not mind control, but an ability to mildly affect the feelings of her victims. Which would be why the nurse at the reception desk in the hospital felt the strong, otherwise unexplained, urge to give Eli something.

Yes, it's true. Much of that Eli's success be attributed to Eli's good looks, and his apparent vulnerability and innocence, but there is this additional effect.

JAL hasn't used it more than in that episode, and possibly when Oskar wanted to give Eli his Rubik's cube. (Right?)

This gave me an idea for a writing a piece of fan fiction. Thanks!

[drakkar]

JAL hasn't used it more than in that episode, and possibly when Oskar wanted to give Eli his Rubik's cube. (Right?)

Hey! Stop! Wouldn't that detract to the correspondent scene in the film, where Oskar evokes Eli's deep buried humanity by offering her the cube?

[metoo]

Hey! Stop! Wouldn't that detract to the correspondent scene in the film, where Oskar evokes Eli's deep buried humanity by offering her the cube?

No, because the effect is absent in the film. In the novel Oskar stroked Eli's cheek just before, offering Eli the cube didn't have that meaning there.

[bore]

JAL hasn't used it more than in that episode, and possibly when Oskar wanted to give Eli his Rubik's cube. (Right?)

Hey! Stop! Wouldn't that detract to the correspondent scene in the film, where Oskar evokes Eli's deep buried humanity by offering her the cube?

First of all there is as far as I can tell no indication of this "power" in the film. You can still imagine that part if you would like to but I can't see it there.
Then this: Just because Oskar is "tricked" into giving away the cubed does not mean that Eli doesn't appreciate the gift. Eli does not have to be aware of the specifics of this, only that people for some reason want to help him and/or give him stuff.

[drakkar]

First of all there is as far as I can tell no indication of this "power" in the film. You can still imagine that part if you would like to but I can't see it there.

Agreed, my outburst was out of pure symbolism only. Because I see so much parallels otherwise between book and film.

[cory]

As I was reading the book again tonight I'm in agreement Eli had the power of limited mind control. Someone made a great point by saying if she had this power why not make Oskar fall in love. Our make Hakan kill. I think her...his mind control is limited in thee ways. One if you have a strong mind our will(Joke/virginia)it won't work. Maybe its easy to do with young people and old people. Two I think it works stronger when she touches you. The old women for example.

ELI MOVED A LITTLE CLOSER, AS IF TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE TV BETTER, UNTIL THEIR ARMS TOCHED. SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE WOMEN....

Next thing the women wants to relax. Ask Eli if she can lay in her lap and tell her a story! Lol When Oskar was scared and about to leave she walks up to him took his head between her hands...fingertips brushed against his ears...a sense of calm welled up quietly inside his body...said to himself "let it happen" all this brings me to my third point which is this power of mind control dosent last long. Its meant to distract you for a moment to let her do what she wants. So I don't think its as simple as her...him saying bark like a dog and you'll do it forever. I think she has to focus...touch you and speak to you in a calm manner. But then this spell or mind control will only last for a short time

[rgh]

When Oskar was scared and about to leave she walks up to him took his head between her hands...fingertips brushed against his ears...a sense of calm welled up quietly inside his body...said to himself "let it happen" all this brings me to my third point which is this power of mind control dosent last long. Its meant to distract you for a moment to let her do what she wants. So I don't think its as simple as her...him saying bark like a dog and you'll do it forever. I think she has to focus...touch you and speak to you in a calm manner. But then this spell or mind control will only last for a short time

You know, this doesn't have to be any level of mind control. If this had happened to me at 12, with the girl I liked, I would have been saying to myself "let it happen" too.

As for the old cancer woman, she was loopy on morphine and likely tired. She is also old and dying, and it is late. I don't know that her behavior is all that strange.

Sorry, the whole mind control/suggestive power just doesn't work for me.

[a_contemplative_life]

I like to think Eli, being a little vampire, can work a little magic on people. I think JAL would want her to, too.