It's a set to stir the blood of all fans of the undead.
Rice wrote Interview with the Vampire, she said later, "without ever realizing I was writing about loss. I was writing about my daughter's loss [Rice's daughter died in 1972]. And I was writing about my loss of Catholic faith long before that, because I had lost my faith in the year 1960, when I first went to college."
After her first book, Rice continued to write about loss -- and about vampires, witches and demons -- for more than 25 years. She also wrote, under the pen name A.N. Roquelaure, the Beauty series, an erotic retelling of the story of Sleeping Beauty; writing as Anne Rampling, she published two other novels, Exit to Eden and Belinda.
But it is as the queen of gothic fiction that Anne Rice's fans know her best. Her fans are passionate about her, and she returns the sentiment, e-mailing tirelessly with them and occasionally posting on their blogs. She also adores communing with them in person on book tours: "They give me personal, priceless and unforgettable feedback and verification of what I have achieved for them in my books," she once explained in a Salon interview.
After Blood Canticle was released in 1993, her readers, accustomed to an output of one book a year, kept asking her what was coming next. "And I've told them, 'You may not want what I'm doing next'," she said in a Newsweek interview.
They were in for a surprise. In 1998, Rice had returned to the Roman Catholic Church, and in 2005 she published Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, a novel about the childhood of Jesus, narrated by himself.
"It's the most startling public turnaround since Bob Dylan's Slow Train Coming announced that he'd been born again," wrote David Gates in Newsweek.
But as Rice sees it, Christ the Lord represents the fulfillment of a longing that has been in her books, and in her soul, all along.
"This subject is in no way a departure from that of my previous works; no one who knows my work could possibly think so," she said in a Q&A on her publisher's Web site. "The whole theme of Interview with the Vampire was Louis's quest for meaning in a godless world. He searched to find the oldest existing ‘immortal' simply to ask ‘What is the meaning of what we are?' I was always compelled to seek the ‘big answers.'"
Christ the Lord received mixed reviews, but many critics were as impressed with the book's style as its ambitious subject matter. "Rice's book is a triumph of tone -- her prose lean, lyrical, vivid -- and character," noted Kirkus Reviews. Janet Maslin wrote in The New York Times Book Review: "Even in biblical times and in the Holy Land, Rice retains her obsessions with ritual and purification, with lavish detail and gaudy decor. But she writes this book in a simpler, leaner style, giving it the slow but inexorable rhythm of an incantation. The restraint and prayerful beauty of Christ the Lord is apt to surprise her usual readers and attract new ones."
Some of those usual readers, of course, are now wondering whether she will write any more vampire novels. Will the vampire Lestat ever return?
Anne's response, from her publisher's Web site: "I can't see myself doing that. My vampires were metaphors for the outsiders, the lost, the wanderers in the darkness who remembered the warmth of God's light but couldn't find it. My wish to explore that is gone now. I want to meet a much bigger challenge."
"My first job was as a cafeteria waitress at a Walgreen's cafeteria over the drugstore on Canal and Baronne Street in New Orleans when I was sixteen years old. What a plunge into reality. Canal Street was then the only downtown in town. And I was in fact a boarding school student and unbeknownst to the principal, Sr. Felix, took this job on weekends. When she found out, she did not approve of a St. Joseph's Academy girl being a waitress. I was undeterred. I had discovered that I could turn time into money. I never forgot that lesson. The crashing boredom of childhood was over!"
"I was employed from then on a shocking variety of low level jobs, including grill cook at a huge downtown cafeteria in San Francisco. I had to be there at 5:00 a.m., and once while I was en route on a bus, a drunken man fell asleep against me. The conductor had to wake him up for me to get off, poor guy. I think he'd staggered out of an after hours club. I was a crack waitress, a receptionist, a claims examiner, a theatre usherette in a big Cinerama house, and must have seen It's Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World over one hundred times while standing there with a flashlight. My last job in the straight world -- after motherhood -- was that of proofreader for a law book company. I hated it. Then my devoted husband Stan, who was already teaching and had been for some time, said, 'Stay home and write, I believe in you.' And I wrote Interview with the Vampire."
"I was a painfully slow reader. Never really read a novel for pure pleasure until I was 35. It was Ordinary People by Judith Guest. Thought it very good."
"How do I unwind? There are different levels to unwind. The primo way for me is to read history or some form of involving scholarship. A good book on an obscure subject. The recent bestseller Krakatoa by Simon Winchester was a wonderful example! That's a delicious unwind book. And there are others out there like that. The British writers seem especially good at it. But I can't get enough on how or why the Roman Empire fell. That's my idea of a good evening. To be in Florida with the deck door open to the roar of the waves, and a good book open to pages on the decline of paganism."
"But! There is another kind of unwind. The gripping fiction bestseller that takes two days. The Da Vinci Code is a good example. Every now and then I have time for that. I was smiling all the way through it. At one time in my life, I had read everything I could find on the Knights Templar (see First Way to Unwind, above), and on Opus Dei, and Holy Blood, Holy Grail, and so I was just tickled by what the author did with the material. And of course, I couldn't stop reading. Such cleverness, such a puzzle and right up to the last page."
"Interest and hobbies: well, my interests are pretty much literary, except for maintaining two pre-Civil War houses in New Orleans (both family homes, one used for Mardi Gras season entertaining), and then I do devote some attention to my doll collection, which includes a small assortment of French antique dolls -- but this part of my life is drawing to a close. I am divesting myself of possessions rather than acquiring them. I am decorating, yes, and redecorating, but cutting down on the area, and the amount of things I have to maintain. I've let go of my huge property, St. Elizabeth's Orphanage -- a monster building which used to house my doll collection and so many other things. It was the fulfillment of dreams for about 10 years for me and so many other people. Weddings, book signings, book parties, benefits, fundraisers -- all kinds of events were held there. We even hosted President Clinton there. But that chapter of my life is over. For those ten years I asked 'what if?' many times. And I found out and as the result I am a satisfied person and a happy one. But it's over."
"I guess you could call my cats a hobby. I have five of them, all Siberians and very lovable and demanding and sweet. They are keepers certainly. Other than that, I don't know that I have hobbies so much as passions, and my passions center around my writing."
"My only other diversion of late is seeing that The Witching Hour will soon be made into a television limited series -- that is, a mini-series that will extend over 10 hours. The scripts that have been written by writer-producer John Wilder are very simply wonderful -- profoundly faithful to the material and the characters. Our producer, Mark Wolper, is extraordinarily dedicated and we have the network behind us. It looks very good."
"Other news looming is that Elton John and Rob Roth are making a musical based on the Vampire Chronicles for Broadway. I've talked to Elton John several times. He's absolutely charming. I've heard the first five songs, performed by him, and they were great. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics, and will write the lyrics for all. The other people involved have top credits. The treatment I read was a wonder -- very true to the books, quite terrific. My conversation with Rob Roth was very exciting."
"What I've learned from both these experiences so far -- the television series and the Broadway production -- is that the passion of people makes all the difference in the world. And sometimes it is the passion of a few key people that moves a project forward. Sometimes one person alone goes to the hard work of getting everybody else together, and making the studio that owns the underlying rights respond. People who love the work, who want to make something of it, can be brought together by that one key person. That one key person has to believe that past disappointments or failed connections don't mean anything. When you have that sort of person, something can happen."
"I've also learned that the author of the books usually can't do it. Not unless she wants to stop being an author altogether and move to L.A. or N.Y. and become a producer."
Anonymous
Posted August 20, 2009
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I have not read these books for a while, but when I did, I, like many others, fell in love with the words, the characters and the world they inhabit. Yes, the stories are complex and dark, somewhat disturbing- they are not for everyone. They are also well written, smoothly read, and while fiction, incorporate much historical research.
I would like to point out that I think it was very smart that Memnoch the Devil was not included in this set. With Memnoch, the series changed considerably, and most people either loved it or hated it. If you are a skeptical person, if you love lestat's character in the first books and want to see him in all his brattish, cynical glory continue- and if you are not interested in Christian dogma being incorporated into the series as a forefront, decidedly changing the characters, then STOP before you reach Memnoch. I know its tempting to find out what happens, but honestly it will ruin it for you. The Chronicles dont need to be concluded, and considering many people find the series goes downhill from Memnoch on, spare yourself the pain and let the story live on in your imagination as you want it to.
And go read Rice's Violin, Feast of All Saints, and Cry to Heaven- all magnificent, singular novels that arent bogged down by being part of a never-ending series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 30, 2008
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The series mainly centers around the title character Lestat. Lestat is a fascianting study of the flawed uber-vampire who does what he wants and refuses to conform to the vampire "rules". He knows he is not perfect but realizes the only way to live through immortality is to enjoy oneself whenever one can. The supporting cast has their fair share of interesting characters and the personalities of the vampires are really the heart of the series.<BR/>A couple of things Rice does makes her vampire world so fascinating. The vampires act as their own little microsociety with rules and taboos that are well thought out and extremely interesting. For example the longer a vampire makes before creating another vampire determines how powerfull that new vampire will be. There are complications to living forever that you never would of thought of. The vampires have no sexual urges but instead the act of bloodletting serves as their mental and physical urge for copulation. Vampires don't marry each other but instead have extremely strong emotional bonds with each other and thier own fledglings, IE: When you create another vampire they become your fledgling. They stay together for an indefinite period until an unknown force breaks their emotional connection. This makes for some fascinating relationships that almost seem like "couples" but without the physical relationship. These bonds are often between same gender vampires and sometimes include three or four vampires. All these interesting parameters make for an web of relationships that frequently change.<BR/>Fantastic writing with the finest detail.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 2, 2003
Even if you read this when the title of the article no longer applies I strongly recommend that you do it anyway. I first saw the film, Interview with the Vampire, which was one of the first that I ensured was in my DVD collection when I started it a few months ago, which I thought was nothing short of sheer brilliance. Following seeing the inspiring film, I hunted down the book. I read it in a matter of hours as I could not drop it. I had not previously heard of Anne Rice, but was well impressed, the book exceeded the quality of the film, to my suprise. However the latest film offering based upon Anne Rice's books was "The Queen of the Damned" starring the sadly late Aaliyah was no short of shambolic, although is no reflection of the book of the same name which is intreaguing and wonderfully written. To my delight I found that their were a whole series, the "Vampire Chronicles" and went out to find them, which is rather strange for me as by nature I love sports, swim and go to the gym, and usually am not at all interested in books, normally its girls, sports and Ferraris.So that just goes to show how good these books are. "The Vampire Lestat" is by far the most absorbing book in the collection, however all four are instantly involving wonderfully spun tales full of stories in which Anne Rice gives the reader the ticket for her Emotional Roller-Coaster ride through the books packed with lavish description. All the tales have perfect continuity from one to the next and the lavish emotional description of the environments that completely involve the reader make them feel in the midst of Anne Rice's novel. The Vampires are not cliche, with no garlic rubbish, some are even religeous, and all of their traits are convinvingly explained. The connections between the characters are fabulous, and are made extremely clear through the third book "The Queen of the Damned". The books are all thouroughly involving and very emotional. "The Tale of the Body Theif" puts another interesting spin on the supernatural elements of the tales providing another sensual, emotional and intreaging journey through the world of Lestat and the others. They are my favourite series of books due to Anne Rice's amazing powers of description and her amazing ability to make the smallest of things very intricate and emotional. The quality of "The Vampire Chronicals" will no doubt make you want to go out and read the next book in the series "Memnoch the Devil" in which Lestat meets the Devil who takes him on an adrenaline pumped journey through time, creation and the world, and is again highly intreaging and emotional.If you only buy one set of books this make it these. I guarantee that you will enjoy them. You need these books on your shelves!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 6, 2011
Anne Rice goes into an almost psychotic detail in her dramatic books. Although i'm more of a "get to the point already" guy, her writing has earned my respect, and all of these books are great novels by Anne Rice, but I believe her magnum opus is her book, "Memnoch, the Devil" (sorry if i spelled that wrong) I have never seen a better attempted explanation of god, religion, and the meaning of life than is expressed in positively psychotic detail in this novel!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Banapple
Posted April 15, 2010
I got this for my best friend as a birthday present because she loves reading science fiction, fantasy novels etc etc, and she absolutely ADORES Anne Rice so I got her the entire set of the Vampire Lestat series. The cost is very good and the set is pretty portable and easy/light to carry. I can't comment on how great the books are since I've only see the movies a few times but my friend said that she finished them fast and they were really good. I like Anne Rice's Interview With A Vampire, and I believe that her vampire series is far beyond Twilight (totally incomparable).
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Just finish reading interview with a vampire to me was kind of boring, but now i'm reading vampire lestat and is great so far
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have never really been interested in vampires and although I read a great deal, I have always shied away from them. that is until a friend of mine made me promise to give the "Twlight" series a look. Well I finally did and although it was probably written for a younger person (younger than myself that is (and that includes almost everyone)) it was totally refreshing. Now I have a diferent view of vampires and the "Twlight" vampires are adjusted just for my sort of person.
Anyway I purchased "The Vampire Chronicles" and it was one of the best reads I have ever had. It totally opened me up to so many new thoughts. This woman is an excellent writer but I know none of you need me to tell you that. I am now reading "The Tale of the Body Thief" and then the next, etc. I am also looking at other series written by her and I am delighted to have a new writer to explore. As most of you know who love to read, a reader is not really happy unless they have an engrossing book to go home to or to take with them. I am happy as a clam these days and I have a notion that B&N will be shipping me more of Anne Rice's books.
Can't say enough about her!!!!!
Jensa
Posted December 19, 2009
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I really could not get into these books. I saw the movies a long time ago and have just finished another set of vampire books and was excited to read the classics, but was really disappointed. Just to slow maybe.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I finished the whole vampire chronicles and it was incredible.Much to good for words.Anne Rice is a passionate writer, no one will ever compare to her.The musings and conversations between the vampires are great!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have loved Anne Rice's vampires for some years and am so happy to have this edition in my collection! No one writes vampires with more sensual flair than Anne Rice and I recommend this one for all her fans.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Shively
Posted July 18, 2009
Anne Rice's series "The COMPLETE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES" has you convinced that there have always been vampires among us with her detailed descriptions. I had a hard time putting each book down. I wanted to read each book from beginning to end all in one day.
I have also read the continuation books of this series and with each book I am truly delighted. If I could rate her books that I have I would rate them past a 5 star. They are exquisite.
Mina_Dark
Posted May 26, 2009
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Forget the Twilight series! Those books are good for two things: reminding you of the teen angst you have so happily forgotten, and making vampires seem like the happy little family that lives next door. These novels, Anne Rice, is what vampires are all about. Dark, tortured souls, who live in agony or in sin depending upon their decision to try to remain good, or to let themselves become evil. The Vampire Chronicles are quite frankly the best books on vampires ever written, with only "Dracula" itself as competition.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anne Rice is an amazing author, everything i have read by her is always extrmely interesting and its never a bad read. This series was one of my favorites and i would recommend it to anyone whom loves a good fiction.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.becca31
Posted April 14, 2009
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This is an amasing series. If you have seen the movies and not read the books then you seriously need to the detalis of the characters are much better than the movies explain. Interview with the vampire explains Louis and his torment and his view of his experiece is just fantastic. As for the Vampire Lestat if you htought that you knew what he was like then you have no idea. It answers alot of questions that run through you mind when your reading interview. Queen of the Damned is action packed. the series is a must have. i wont go into deatils and ruin it for you.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anne Rice is one of the greatest vampire novelists since Bram Stoker. Her characters and stories pull you in and you cannot put the books down, they are that awesome!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kins811
Posted March 15, 2009
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This book series started my love affair with vampires a very long time ago and I can't help but go back and re-read them every few years. This series is for true vampire fans and is nothing like the recent Twilight Saga. Although those books weren't bad, they were definitely geared toward a much younger crowd. These are my kind of vampires. Sex and violence embodied. Excellent books!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.im just finishing readinh "The vamp lestat"... its excellent... he's this loving n exitin creature.... if you havent read it... you have toooo.... "interview with the vampire" is a good book... but lestat i better... cant wait to read queen of the deamed....
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kari4eva
Posted February 16, 2009
let this be the book that gets you into vampires. if you are already a fan, why haven't you read this series yet!? totally original and keeps you interested.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.-CoKit0_LiNd0-
Posted February 9, 2009
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I'm in love with all kinds of vampires. I have read SEVERAL vampire books and none of them is like this one. Anne's writing style is like no other writer. And her stories can keep you entertained for hours non stop. For BIG TIME readers like me i really recommend it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Vampire Chronicles are great stories compiled together by a wonderful Author Anne Rice...She keeps you interested and captivated with imagination of a world only bloodlovers can relate to..
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Overview
It's a set to stir the blood of all fans of the undead.