Anne Rice - The Vampire Chronicles

[qweenie]

Any other fans here? I'm re-reading Interview with the Vampire at the moment, which is probably the first vampire book I ever read way back when I was fourteen or fifteen. I'm having more fun with it this time around, though - picturing Alex as Lestat certainly makes for a rather entertaining experience

These are the vampire books to beat as far as I'm concerned - anybody else?

[blustar]

As you mentioned somewhere else, Anne Rice has indeed created the modern vampire.

Anne Rice's vampires were the first I ever 'met', but it's been a very long time since I read her books, and I think I only got up to number 3. Everytime I watch/read new (to me) vampire series, I can't help compare them to hers.

The only thing I think that someone else has done better is the way the Buffy/Angel vamps go 'poof' when they die.

[Eldanuumea]

I've been looking at my two Lestat books (the first 2) sitting together on a shelf and thinking it's time for a reread......

I never thought of it that way......"Anne Rice created the modern vampire".......but that's probably true for many readers.
There have been so many variations on the theme in these times.....
Christine Feehan's "Carpathians"
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Count St. Germaine (if you truly love history, these are a must)
Stephanie Meyer's brand of vamps - glowing in the light and so on
Laurell Hamilton's vamps - probably closer to Rice's than any other modern writer I'm familiar with

And now, of course, Harris's gang....

Good days for vampire fans, I'll say.

[qweenie]

I don't think there are many vampire writers out there who can say that they haven't been influenced by Rice in some way, shape or form. To my knowledge she was the first writer to really go into the vampire psychology, to explore the realities of being immortal, and the moral dilemma of sustaining your own life by taking the lives of others.

I finished Interview last night, I really want to move on to The Vampire Lestat now. I think that was my favorite of the books - Lestat was essentially the villain of the first book, but once you know his backstory he becomes a much more sympathetic character.

Chelsea Quinn Yarbo's books - I've heard of them but never managed to find them. As for Twilight....call me a snob (plenty have ) but that's not my thing at all. Sparkly vampires? No thanks. A Twilight/Vampire Chronicles crossover would be interesting, though. If Lestat thought Louis was a massive whiner, what would he make of Edward Cullen?

[Eldanuumea]

I read Twilight when I saw many of my students sneaking a read during class, and then got hooked pretty quickly. By the time I got to it, books 2 and 3 were out, and I just remember vividly how pretty and striking the covers were on the front display at the local BAM. Read all four, and actually own two sets so I can loan them out. I am never sure which stucent has what book!

You may be pleasantly surprised.

Yarbro's Count St. Germaine is truly fascinating.....he becomes a vamp in Ancient Rome, and she moves him through time with each book. One literary device she uses is to start each and every chapter with some kind of "document." It is usually a letter, but not always. I have found myself relearning a tremendous amount of world history through her books.
Some are better than others. I prefer the ones set in the Middle Ages, Russia/Eastern Europe, and Central/South America.

Back to Lestat. I remember considering him one of the most fascinatingly complex literary characters I'd ever encountered. I really do need to reread those books.....right after rereading books 4-8 about Sookie.

[qweenie]

I admit that it's been quite a few years since I first read any of these books - when I first picked them up it was in the wake of the first film coming out (so...what? 1995?) and I was probably too young to appreciate them.

But I would say that The Vampire Lestat is my favorite. You're right - he is a great character and I think it's totally undertandable that Anne Rice shifted the focus to him for the other books in the series. Louis' story does make a great entry point - he's probably an easier character for readers to identify with. But he's also...dare I say it? Kinda dull?

[katmars]

I'm a die-hard Vamp Chronicles fan. The Tale of the Body Thief is my favorite of the series.

[Caporali]

I'm a die-hard Vamp Chronicles fan. The Tale of the Body Thief is my favorite of the series.

I really enjoyed that one, too... One of these days, I'll have to pick them up again and re-read them. It's been a loooong time since I read them. Eons, in fact. Mmmmm... maybe after we get DAG... It'd be a good cure against Eric-withdrawal pains!

[greenfairy]

I picked up Interview, Lestat & QotD in a 3 for a fiver deal yesterday. Haven't read any other than Interview (well half of it when I was about 14) so I'm looking forward to given them a go once I finish the book I'm on now.

[Elysium]

I'm huge Anne Rice fan. The first bookd I read was Queen of the Damned. I was instantly hooked. Armand has always been my favorite. At first I thought Lestat was little annoying but I've grown to love him also

[martik0]

I'm dissapointed I can't get in to TVC. I saw the movie ages ago and didn't really like it, but thought the book would be good.
While it's written really well I can't get crappy Tom Cruise out of my head when I read it I got QOTD too, so I'll give that a go.
I think if I am interested in any movies based on books that are coming out I should make myself go and read the book first so I can let my imagination do it's thang

[Evelyn]

It has been a long time since I read anything by Anne Rice, but Interview with the Vampire made a lasting impression on me. I remember the first time I read it, I couldn't put it down and Lestat interested me from the beginning, when we first meet him through Louis' eyes.

[Carrie]

I like all of them except "The Vampire Armand."

Too much sex. It's like really out of control.

I think "Merrick" might actually be my favorite though.

[lkc]

Did anyone see on Anne Rice's FB page on Dec. 15th she really disses TB Eric. Lo es TB Bill and says her vamps would all like Bill better. Calls Eric one dimensional and a disaster! Boy did she get a lot of flak for that.

[bezzo]

I love Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and I adore Lestat and Louis. I have to say that my joint favourites of all her books are Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat, I'm not too keen on Memnoch the Devil though, bit too religious for my liking. I love the way her books just suck you in. I'd sit there for hours totally absorbed. I really love the relationship between Lestat and Louis and was truely heartbroken (at first) when I was reading those last few chapters of Merrick. Luckily, Lestat saves the day and all is well again.

Helen

[Marleneemm]

I love Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and I adore Lestat and Louis. I have to say that my joint favourites of all her books are Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat, I'm not too keen on Memnoch the Devil though, bit too religious for my liking. I love the way her books just suck you in. I'd sit there for hours totally absorbed. I really love the relationship between Lestat and Louis and was truely heartbroken (at first) when I was reading those last few chapters of Merrick. Luckily, Lestat saves the day and all is well again.

Helen

Bezzo/Helen:
Did you know that Anne Rice,Queen of the Louisana Vampires, & Lestat's mother is a fan of
TrueBlood and watches the show all the time.
She has said on her facebook page that she loves Charlaine Harris's books and charachters.
I've read most of the Vampire Chronicles~have them packed away somewhere in my basement
have to get them upstairs and all put away. Missed some of the books~need to check a biblography
for the listing of the books.
I would love to see a "Vampire Summitt" Lestat,Armand,Louis,Eric Northman,Bill Compton,
Pam Ravenscroft, Mick St. John,Henry FitzRoy,Blade,Deacon Frost,and all of the other Vampires
would meet in a city,lets say New Orleans.
Can you just imagine something like that????

[bezzo]

Yeah, I know, I'm on her FB page too

Helen