Rating: Summary: I'm hopeful for this author's future. Review: I think Christopher Rice shows some promise. I gather that he is published earlier than he should have been because of his mother. In fairness, the book did grab me and I read it quickly. It is spectacularly uneven. As other reviews have noted, some of the writing is immature and clumsy and truly does remind one of a fairly promising student in a high school creative writing class. At other times, Rice turns out some fine pages, or at least, paragraphs. I don't mean to presume, but I do think as I read this that Rice over-identifies with the main character and has far too much emotional investment in the story. Just about every major character has sex with this guy, or abuses him, or has sex with him AND abuses him. One gets the impression that we are getting way too much of the author's fantasies here. We need good books about the struggles of young gay people, this one is spoiled by undeveloped writing, neglectful editing, and too much personal ax-grinding.
Rating: Summary: intense and deep Review: I am in love with this book. You can't help but to read more and more. Some books I read have a slow beginning and it drags for a good 200 pages but " A Density of Souls " grabs you from the start. The mystery and erotism of the book keeps me interested. The characters each has there own little personal hell which anyone human can relate to and I'm pretty sure after you've read about each character and how they deal with the world you can find someone in there that you can relate to in some way or another. I am straight and religious but I don't find this book disgusting at all. As a matter of fact this book opens my mind to male/male relationships and how difficult it is to deal with(not that I agree to them). But basically what I am saying is that you can't go wrong with this book. It will make you laugh, cry and think about your own humanity in the process. It's beautifully written and I can't wait 'till Christopher Rice next book comes out in Feb/2002
Rating: Summary: Incredible Review: This book is simply hypnotic... I couldn't put it down. It is beautifully written, eloquent and intelligent. I recommend this book to everyone who loves a good mystery tinged with eroticism.
Rating: Summary: a passionate, awesome, book Review: Usually the first book is the best it's the one you always remember.....i cant wait to see if his other books are up to the copetition with this outstanding phenomanuon.... He knows how to make a fantastic piece of work, without the use of supernatural powers that his mom used.
Rating: Summary: A Dark, Beautiful Story... Review: I won't go into the plot, you can read about that elsewhere. I thought this book was amazing! I think that Christopher Rice is a much better writer than his mother has ever been!
Rating: Summary: Like mother like son Review: i havne't read any ann rice novels, but they get alot of good reviews. i can only think that chris got it from her. this book is really awesome. i didnt' know what to expect really, but i like reading young authors, so i decided to buy this book and i was not dissapointed. this book was great and i definatly recomend it to anyone.
Rating: Summary: Depressing Drama! Review: It would be too easy to bash this book; Christopher Rice's first effort is a melodramatic mess of a novel. Although he captures mood and atmosphere excellently I just couldn't believe in the characters and what was happening. I must admit I am not a follower of Gothic novels which I think Mr. Rice is trying to duplicate here. (Leave the scary stuff to your Mom, Chris)Question: Is everyone in New Oreleans gay and/or a drunk? Hopefully Mr. Rice's sophomore effort will be more promising.
Rating: Summary: Beautiful Reading Review: For a first-timer, I thought it was beautifully written. I'm a huge Anne Rice fan, so I figured I would give her son a shot. He certainly has his mother's gift for words, & does give her a run for her money, as far as I'm concerned. Some of it was a LITTLE over the top, yes, but otherwise I thought it was wonderful. I cannot wait to read "The Snow Garden".
Rating: Summary: Entertaining, yet surreal Review: A Density of Souls, written by Christopher Rice, is a coming of age story focused around four high school students. Stephen, Meredith, Greg, and Brandon grew up in New Orleans as best friends until high school started. The friendship splits after Stephen's sexual incident with the group the summer before entering Cannon High. From then on, Stephen is a sensitive freshman who is afraid of his homosexuality, and is ostracized by his former friends. The narrative is then guided by juvenile emotions and displays of cruelty. After two mysterious deaths the story line jumps ahead 5 years. The friends are brought back together to discover the truth about the murders and the characters themselves. Rice uses 3rd person omniscient point of view to tell the story. He uses detailed descriptions of the character's thoughts and feelings to bring them to life for the reader. Rice also incorporates imagery to effectively introduce to setting. A Density of Souls is mainly based on the theme of betrayal. Stephen, the protagonist, deals with betrayal of his supposed friends through most of the novel. I cannot compare the plot of this book to any other books I've read. Rice portrays the high school scene in a graphic and tragic way. Son of the events in the story seemed forced and unnatural. While the book was entertaining and held my interest, I didn't feel a major connection with the characters or the story itself. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a different type of read. Be aware that the book can entertain, or greatly offend its reader.
Rating: Summary: Fantastic! Cannot be missed! Review: There's alot that can be said for the first book from the son of a famous author, but Christopher Rice is in a class by himself. No way can this book can be compared to his mother's creations. I think that would be unfair. He has a style all of his own. A Destiny of Souls is by the far, the best book I have read in a long time! Mr. Rice, weaves a grand tale of sexuality, wit, anger, rage, and mystery all in one. His character leap off the page on every turn and I for one, will read this book more than once. I loved this book and I recommend it to everyone. It's definitely a page turner. It wasn't too long or drawn out, and the ending will have you gasping. This is the first book that made me go, "Oh wow. Oh man. Oh no they didnt!" The story that unfolds here is unlike any I have ever read and I for one would love to see this turned into a movie or mini-series. I think it's a great story and with some real life situations that just seems to stir emotions for the characters he's created. At times you might feel that it can be off the wall, but it fits. Christopher Rice has a gift and he should be a force to reckon with. At his age, he has a jumpstart on becoming a premiere author very early and I for one commend him on his first venture out.
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