“ ‘I wanted love and goodness in this which is living death,’ I said. ‘It was impossible from the beginning, because you cannot have love and goodness when you do what you know to be evil, what you know to be wrong. You can only have the desperate confusion and longing and the chasing of phantom goodness in its human form…’ “
I’ve always been afraid to read this book or watch the movie. I don’t do well with the horror/supernatural genre in general, but since I liked Twilight and LOVED Dracula, I thought I might as well try Anne Rice’s book for the R.I.P. Challenge. I read it in a period of only two days. It was sufficiently creepy, much creepier than Twilight of course, but not nearly as bad as I feared it would be. I actually enjoyed the book much more than I thought I would, as I am a complete wimp when it comes to this genre.
Minor spoilers ahead….
First of all, I’m surprised that this was Anne Rice’s first book. It’s very well written, and from everything I’ve heard and read online, it’s probably her best novel. The main characters – Lestat, Louis, and Claudia – really do come ‘alive’ on the page (hee hee – little vampire joke there). I found Claudia to be especially creepy and am looking forward to seeing how well she is portrayed by Kirsten Dunst in the movie. I hated Lestat at first, but I did feel sympathy for him in the end. It did seem that he cared more for Louis than he let on, and vice versa. Louis does seem to be a mystery, always wanting good and hating himself for the evil he does. I am glad that we’re left wondering a bit if the ‘love’ he has with Armand, though, is erotic or simple companionship. If it’s the former, I’m glad Rice wasn’t explicit in this regard. I’m very curious to see how these relationships play out on screen with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas. Interesting casting choices there! I’ve read that Rice was pleased with the movie so that’s encouraging.
I’m not sure if I’ll continue to read any of Rice’s other novels in the Vampire Chronicles, but I am interested in her latest religious books and her memoir. I’m intrigued by her turning from atheism to Christianity and do want to find out more about that aspect of her life.
Recommended for Twilight fans and fans of vampire fiction.
1976, 340 pp.
I have this on my shelf. I’ve started it several times but I just haven’t been able to get into it. I need a nice week-long vacation to really…ahem…sink my teeth into it.
Wicked!
This one is definitely for ME!
I read this when I was 18. I own ALMOST all of her books. The Witching Hour series is by far her best work,but if you continue the Vampire Chronicles…#5 is Memnoch the Devil and there is a lot of religious exploration in it. She started out as catholic, rebuked it and has now returned to it. I am looking forward to reading her memoirs too.
I have started reading Christ the Lord, but have not been able to pick it back up.
I thought the movie version was done really, really well. Tom Cruise captured LeStat perfectly as far as I was concerned. Pitt, Dunst and Banderas were fabulous. All these years later, they may or may not be embarassed about their participation in the movie, but I thought they were all wonderful!
The most interesting thing to me about IWTV, both the book and the film, is that it’s not really about vampires at all. I’ve said that for years, and Anne Rice herself says it in an interview on the VHS version of the movie. (I don’t know if the interview is included on the DVD or not.) Vampires are merely the vehicle she chose to ask questions about humanity, our need for religion and relationships, etc. When I kept that in mind, it all took on a new and more meaningful identity.
Lezlie
I read this book when I was 12 years old. It was the first ‘adult’ book I ever read and I read it in one afternoon. I loved it and I loved the language. Anne Rice opened up an entire world to me. “Big Words” and in depth characters. I love her to this day and look at her and her Vampire Chronicles as books that certainly shaped me to be the person I am.
I really enjoyed this book, but I really enjoyed Lestat, the second book in the series, much more.
I agree that the movie was well done, and much better than the movie of the third book, Queen of the Damned with Stuart Townsend as Lestat and that singer as the Queen Akasha!
I think you’ll enjoy the movie if you enjoyed IWTV. I recommend you at least read book 2!
I read this when I was about 13 and loved it. Always have done. This and Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot” really got me into vampire books at a young age. I’ve been addicted to horror fiction since.
To be honest I really didn’t like Twilight but didn’t mind New Moon.
I loved this as well, though I haven’t gone on to read any more of the Vampire books. I may someday. I saw the movie ages before I read the book but remember enjoying it.
As to her Christianity, it is my understanding that she was a lapsed Catholic who found her way back to the Church.
I’m just a couple of pages into the first Sookie Stackhouse novel right now, and it looks like it might bring back some of my interest in vampire books which Twilight killed (I hated the book, sorry!) Maybe I’ll pick this up if Sookie goes well.
I read this last year. I thought it was OK, but then, I’d seen the movie and could hear Brad Pitt’s voice in my head for most of it. Also, I found Louis to be a bit on the whinging side. Still, I’m glad I read it.
I really enjoyed the film but must admit that I have never been inspired to read the books.
I’ve only read a very few vampire books, this year for the first time. I wonder if I’d like this one? I never read any Anne Rice before.
This is actually the only Anne Rice book I have read. I didn’t like it very much, but I think I might now that my reading interests have changed…
I love this series, it’s one of my favourites overall. I recommend you read the next two for a look at how her vampire mythology is put together. I think Kirstin Dunst is excellent in the film, shame she isn’t so good now.
I’ve never read any Anne Rice, but I did like the first few vampire books I read this year. Maybe I’ll give this one a try- it certainly sounds good!
What a great choice for the RIP challenge. I’ve been compiling the books I would like to read for that challenge and this would be a good choice for me since it’s already sitting on my shelf!
I read this one when I was younger because I had a fascination with the movie. Honestly, it’s only one of two Rice books I’ve been able to get through! I’m not sure what it is that doesn’t jive between ole Anne and myself, but something just doesn’t. Having said that, however, I really like that all of her books–no matter how creepy, are very historical in scope. They’re very lush and rambling, which I admire.
I actually think the Witching Hour series is the best of Anne Rice … it’s fantastic!
I remember reading this when I was a young teen in French translation, and again in English a couple years ago. I LOVED this book! And yet, I have never read the ones that came after. I don’t know why, though!
I read this a long time ago and all I remember is enjoying the setting but not the plot. By the way, Concrete Blonde’s Bloodletting album complements the book wonderfully.
Hello Michelle
Just came by to tell you that I’ve given you a blog award, so maybe you’ll come by some time to check it out?
I have always wondered about this book myself. I tend to shy away from most vampire books because I am so strongly attached to Dracula. I have read one Anne Rice book, The Mummy, and I really enjoyed it and found her to be a very entertaining, capable writer.
I had no idea she converted to Christianity. That is fascinating. I’m going to have to take a look for that book.
I watched the movie a long time ago and loved it (and I’m not even a fan of vampire or scary movie). I’ve been thinking to read the book for the longest time but just haven’t. I definitely recommend you check out the movie!
I have this on my RIP list, but I was iffy about reading it as well. Due to your review I think I will definitely have to give it a shot. I loved the movie so why not! Thanks!