A (literally) haunted novel of grief and mourning, Violin is perhaps one of Anne Rice’s more overlooked works, as it isn’t part of her vampires or witA (literally) haunted novel of grief and mourning, Violin is perhaps one of Anne Rice’s more overlooked works, as it isn’t part of her vampires or witches series—but it does deal in much of what is familiar to Anne Rice readers.
A woman is mourning the death of her husband, when a ghostly figure appears across the street, playing a violin. From there the two become close, needing each other.
Violin is obviously personal, as anyone who knows of Rice’s life will be able to pick out pieces that the writer clearly drew upon from her own autobiographical experiences, especially the death of her young daughter. This is a novel obsessed with death (what Rice story isn’t?), but it is more.
Not overlong, briskly and effectively written, this is one of Rice’s tautest and most rewarding reads. Certainly a new favorite of mine....more
Fantastic! I took my time with this book and savored every page. While I quite enjoyed Merrick, I took a 3-year break from the Vampire Chronicles. AnnFantastic! I took my time with this book and savored every page. While I quite enjoyed Merrick, I took a 3-year break from the Vampire Chronicles. Anne Rice is one of my favorite writers, but I can take her works only in small doses. Does that make sense?
And maybe I’m doling this series out slowly, not wanting it to end.
Or maybe I just dread reaching Blood Canticle…
This is the story of the life of Marius, my favorite vampire in all of Anne Rice’s works. Lestat is a lot of fun, but I personally relate to Marius more. All the guy wants to do is hang out, paint, read. And occasionally kill innocents for their blood. He isn’t about the drama and intrigue, like Lestat. His life is one of quietness, of humbleness, and he just wants to revel in life’s pleasures with those he loves.
Rice successfully covers huge swaths of time in this book, as is common in her stories, but I feel this covers even more: thousands of years. She is great at making each time period feel distinct, and the reader really “feels” Marius living this long life, surrounded by many mortals he comes to care for who he knows will eventually die.
This book was also successful at making me want to reread The Vampire Armand, arguably my least favorite Vampire Chronicle thus far, because some things were clarified for me.
I’m sure I will soon move on to Blackwood Farm. When that is I do not know, but hopefully not in another 3 years!...more
After the abominations that were Lasher and The Vampire Armand, I had almost decided to give up on Anne Rice. Seriously. Though she has written some oAfter the abominations that were Lasher and The Vampire Armand, I had almost decided to give up on Anne Rice. Seriously. Though she has written some of my favorite books, she’s also penned some stinkers (then again, what author hasn’t?). But I’m lowkey obsessive compulsive, and I want to finish the Vampire Chronicles. I finally decided to solider on with 2000’s Merrick, and... color me shocked! This short tale of voodoo and spirits stands with the best in Rice’s most famous work.
Acting as a shake-up in this long series, this book introduces in full the reader to Merrick, a young woman with an interesting past and a talent for witchcraft. The narrator of this novel is David Talbot, one of my favorite Rice characters. I enjoyed spending time in his head, and I enjoyed his interactions with Louis — a character I’ve not particular enjoyed, as he tends to whine. Rice does a good job of fully rounding him out, finally making him sympathetic (at least, to me). Though this novel severely lacks Lestat de Lioncourt, that is made up for with the interactions between David and Louis, and Merrick too.
I simply had a helluva good time with this book. On display are some of Rice’s scarier moments, from the scenes in the jungle to the return of a certain deceased character. I was on edge, and mystified, and in awe of the literary talent. I cannot wait to continue with the Chronicles....more
I am giving this book two stars only because Anne Rice is a talented author, and I can’t bear to give this a single-star rating (though, honestly, it I am giving this book two stars only because Anne Rice is a talented author, and I can’t bear to give this a single-star rating (though, honestly, it might deserve it).
Man, what a bummer. I loved the last four volumes in this series, but this was a mess. Written after a short hiatus from the Vampire Chronicles, this volume follows Memnoch the Devil, which Rice said was supposed to be the series finale. That would have made sense, and it would have been a fine note to end on. Instead, three years later, this mess hit bookstore shelves.
First off, Lestat is almost nowhere to be found here. I think because, up to this point, the Brat Prince features heavily in all the vampire novels that Rice wasn’t sure where to go with this story. Armand is certainly one of the more interesting immortals — for his age, if nothing else — but he makes for a booooooring narrator. He lacks all the wit and humor of Lestat; he has no personality of his own. What a dud. And don’t get me started on the disjointed ‘feel’ of the story: first half is littered with awkward, heavy-handed sex; second half is . . . I don’t even know, dude. Boring AF. I can’t remember a thing that happened. Maybe that’s for the best.
They can’t all be winners. I will be taking an extended break from this series. ...more
When Anne Rice fans are asked which of her books they feel most passionate about — whether positively or negatively — the answer is almost invariable:When Anne Rice fans are asked which of her books they feel most passionate about — whether positively or negatively — the answer is almost invariable: Memnoch the Devil. Acting as a bit of a precursor to Rice’s Christian fiction novels of the mid-00s, this book is tonally out of step with the previous Vampire Chronicles (save for, perhaps, Interview With the Vampire, as this too has the ‘feel’ of an interview in spots) And seems to be cause for great joy, and disgust, in many readers.
Lestat wants to know the will of God, and the Devil: what are their purposes for him? Which does he serve? What is Heaven, what is Hell, what is the true story of creation, where and why is purgatory? These questions and more Memnoch, Lestat’s guide of the spiritual regions, are answered. This one is steeped in biblical and evolutionary history; I found it fascinating but can understand those who can’t get on with this book.
Perhaps more than anything, this novel is remembered for the infamous scene in which Lestat feeds on the bleeding crucified Christ. That moment, I think, sums up this book well. This certainly isn’t for all readers, but I had a great time. This book offered up questions I often find myself pondering and will continue pondering for time to come. The idea of an imperfect, foolish God and a tricky, boastful, but generally well-natured Devil (or Memnoch) is intriguing . . . not to mention the concept of what Hell really is. But I won’t spoil that!
I’m totally addicted to this series now and am blowing through the books. I don’t want it to end. ...more
It is official: this is the book that made me an unwavering fan of Lestat. While the previous Vampire Chronicle, Queen of the Damned features an arrayIt is official: this is the book that made me an unwavering fan of Lestat. While the previous Vampire Chronicle, Queen of the Damned features an array of characters and scenarios, there wasn’t as much a focus on the Brat Prince. In this, the fourth book in the series, Anne Rice has almost inverted that: Lestat de Lioncourt is front and center through all of it; the reader gets to, finally, see him fall, and seek redemption.
The concept is pretty simple: Lestat, after over two centuries of being a vampire, has grown weary of it all. He’s tired of the purgatory, the repetition; he longs to feel human pleasures again. He comes across a mysterious spirit — a body thief — that allows him to trade places with a human man.
By combining her trademark erotic and horrific tendencies with a hilarious and enthralling fish-out-of-water scenario (Lestat was human in the 1700s, mind you, and is attempting human life once more in the early 1990s), Anne Rice created a truly addictive read — perhaps the closest she’s come to a true crime thriller . . . sort of. This book is jam-packed with cool ideas and a lot of intriguing theology talk. I know the next novel in the series goes deep in that direction, and I can’t wait to jump on it. ...more
The Vampire Chronicles — Anne Rice’s seminal work — keeps getting better. While I was lukewarm on Interview With the Vampire (though my reading of itsThe Vampire Chronicles — Anne Rice’s seminal work — keeps getting better. While I was lukewarm on Interview With the Vampire (though my reading of its sequels has deepened my appreciation of that dark little novel), I quite enjoyed The Vampire Lestat and was blown away by The Queen of the Damned. This novel shows Rice getting a firm grip on her vampires; she juggles action and exposition (and angst — oh, the angst!) expertly here, never allowing the story’s pace to flag. Not once was I bored or wanted to skim, as has been the case at times in the previous two Vampire books.
At the end of book two, Lestat awakened Akasha, the Queen of the Undead, from a six thousand-year slumber, and upon wakening she yearns to rule with an iron fist. The worlds of the mortal and immortal alike are in peril; some Vampires are spared from certain death . . . why? What is She saving them for? Read and find out.
This book features, on top of many exquisitely horrific moments, some superb character development. Marius, Armand, Pandora, Jesse, Daniel, the Twins . . . I loved these characters, one and all, and can’t wait to read about them in future volumes. Lestat and Louis’s relationship is also brought full circle in a heartbreaking callback scene to Interview With the Vampire. I was choking back the tears when reading that.
What can I say, I had a blast with this book. I will soon be starting volume four!...more
Dammit, I am now in love with Lestat de Lioncourt.
The second novel in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles series, The Vampire Lestat, includes everything Dammit, I am now in love with Lestat de Lioncourt.
The second novel in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles series, The Vampire Lestat, includes everything that worked in its predecessor, Interview with the Vampire while righting that book's wrongs. I felt that novel — IWTV — was good, but far from great. The characters Rice had created were intriguing, mysterious; she had obviously done her research into the history of the settings she explored in that narrative, making the locale described truly come alive . . . but the narrative was as dry as the 300-year-old bones of Lestat's victims. Sure, there was flair and pizzazz every now and again, but those moments were few and far between. I almost gave up reading Interview but pressed on. And I am so glad for that, for I was able to read its sequel: a book that does a fine job of pushing the pedal to the metal.
This novel is, of course, all about Lestat — his childhood, how he became a vampire, his comings to grips with having eternal life and what that entails. It's a heady first person account of the Vampire world. Lestat's journey is one of tragedy and excitement, of love and power. He comes in contact with vampires new and old, powerful and non-powerful. Lestat interested me in the previous novel; he truly comes to life in The Vampire Lestat. I'm not typically one for developing 'crushes' on book characters, but that has happened here. What an endlessly fascinating character Lestat is!
As far as pure writing goes, this is arguably the most beautifully written novel I've read this year. Yes, Rice is too wordy at times; yes, her plotting can be contrived and exhausting (hence my docking a star), but she has a grasp on the English language like no author I've read. Even if this story were pure shit, I would still have to award this one at least three stars for the sublime prose alone.
The Vampire Lestat is certainly a thrilling experience. I am glad I gave it a chance, and I cannot wait to read The Queen of the Damned....more
It’s a shame this book follows after The Witching Hour and Lasher, arguably two of the best (and scariest) novels in Anne Rice’s catalogue. This book It’s a shame this book follows after The Witching Hour and Lasher, arguably two of the best (and scariest) novels in Anne Rice’s catalogue. This book is a mess.
The follow-up to The Witching Hour, 1993’s Lasher, continues the masterful world-building of that precious volume while fully standing on its own: it The follow-up to The Witching Hour, 1993’s Lasher, continues the masterful world-building of that precious volume while fully standing on its own: it is a cold, horrifying treat filled to the brim with Anne Rice’s signature gothic, sensual overtones.
The daemon that is Lasher — He who has bestowed wealth and punishment upon the Mayfair clan for centuries — wants nothing more than to reproduce, but it has been a challenge. In Rowan, the most powerful Mayfair witch yet and current keeper of the ancestry, He has found his vessel, the would-be bearer of his spawn. And He will force her to keep trying, if attempts prove unsuccessful — no matter the cost.
Though this book did not immediately grab me, unlike its predecessor, I did soon fall into its groove and could not put it down. As is Rice’s way, I was spellbound by her luscious prose, the unfolding, understated horrors; I was once more captured by the Mayfair family history (and future). This a more than worthy follow-up to the first novel in the Mayfair Witches trilogy, and I will soon read the finale....more
The whole time I was reading this 1,000+ page epic, a thought continuously ran through my head: “This is Anne Rice’s IT.” The subjects of The WitchingThe whole time I was reading this 1,000+ page epic, a thought continuously ran through my head: “This is Anne Rice’s IT.” The subjects of The Witching Hour and Stephen King’s horror novel couldn’t be more different, but the writing style — its grandiosity — is quite similar. In this, surely the New Orleans author’s magnum opus, a time span of three centuries is covered; this is the quintessential generational saga.
The Mayfair family has a sordid, macabre past, and the center of it all is the large plantation home in New Orleans that has been passed down in the witch clan through the years. The largest chunk — and the most intriguing section — of this novel is concerned with the Mayfair history, which Rice details in lush, evocative detail. Against this is a forward-moving narrative set in the present day about Rowan Mayfair, the most powerful witch yet, coming home to New Orleans. I absolutely loved Rowan. Michael—the man she comes to have an interesting relationship with—too. Their arc is an erotic and enlightening journey into the mysterious.
The first book in the Mayfair Witches trilogy, this is my favorite Anne Rice novel as of now, and I expect to read the sequel soon. Highly recommended!...more
This was my first Anne Rice novel, and I have never seen the film adaptation. I went in totally blind. While often slow and excruciatingly dramatic, IThis was my first Anne Rice novel, and I have never seen the film adaptation. I went in totally blind. While often slow and excruciatingly dramatic, I am glad I started and completed this novel. I will soon dive into The Vampire Lestat. Lestat was my favorite character in this story, and I am eager to read the volume about his life.
While not great by any means, I did enjoy Interview With the Vampire just enough to recommend it. It's hauntingly dark; the nature of evil is pondered in memorable ways. For a debut novel, this is just fine....more
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