POSTSCRIPT

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On rereading this book, I thought to myself, “This is Grand Hotel!” That film spawned a whole genre of movies where individuals from all walks of life assemble in a single place. Jan, Maria, the Stows, Bierce, Weizmann—all of these people are forced to examine their lives as they travel with D.

At first, I thought of making this story simply about D. Questions about destiny or the pursuit of his humanity could wait until later. A sense of speed and intense action were going to be my first priority. But as the book came together, that’s not how it played out.

Even if she hasn’t turned into a Noble, someone who’s been drained of blood is shunned by her fellow humans. Abandoned by parents and siblings or sometimes even marked for death by them, these individuals have an air of isolation. And then there are the fathomless depths of the pointlessness and grief of the Nobility—vampires who realize their mighty race is sliding toward destruction, yet still behave as if they were the rulers. As this is a novel rather than a comic or a movie, I just couldn’t pass up those emotions. Call them the theme, if you will. Needless to say, I could’ve just gone ahead with a straight action tale like I’d first intended. I guess you could say I was feeling righteous. (laughs) But I chose the latter.

So while this evil god is being exterminated, the flavor of human drama among the characters is particularly strong. However, it’s difficult to weave that together with D’s actions. While he goes about his work as usual, the people around him are forced to reflect on their lives to the point where it pains them, and then they either overcome that pain or are destroyed by it. And when that happens, D must perform his duty whether he likes it or not, like a doctor. However, this physician doesn’t offer comprehensive treatment. He doesn’t even inquire as to what’s bothering his patients. Quietly he discharges his duty, leaving his charges to find their own road to recovery.

Such is D’s story.

 

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Hideyuki Kikuchi

June 13, 2011

while watching Let Me In