Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: I picked up this book at a local bookstore after having been told by numerous people that it is a must read, and after having seen and loved the movie. As is usually the case, the movie just deosn't do the book justice. Though the movie stayed fairly true to the book, Anne Rice conveys so much more depth to her characters and atmosphere than any Hollywood film has yet to accomplish. After reading this first book of the Vampire Chronicles series, I have since been sucked (no pun intended) into the rest of the series, and indeed all of Anne Rice's novels. "Interview with the Vampire" is the story of Luis, Lestat, and Claudia as told by Luis. The three work themselves out to be a "family" of vampires until Luis and Claudia grow weary of living with Lestat, and mourn for answers that Lestat can't really give them. Thus, the pair set out to find more of their kind in Europe and are met with something different than what they were looking for. Rice also intertwines the philosophical debate of whether or not there is a god/devil as well as the omnipotent struggle to find ones place in the world (that all of us go through). This book is something that everyone should read, especially if you enjoy a good horror novel and/or are interested in all things occult or supernatural. This book is a modern day classic! Most of you have probably seen the movie, but if not then try to read the book first. The movie simply pales in comparison. And if you have already seen the movie and loved it, then you will certainly enjoy this book as much as I did!
Rating:
Summary: Thirst Quenching
Review: One of the very few classic novels of the 20th century. Anne Rice creates a beautifully rich universe that is irresistible and loveable, no matter what kind of books you enjoy. There isn't any way you couldn't love this book
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: Honestly, no amount of review reading can give you a clear idea of whether or not you will like a book. I loved this book despite all the bad reviews. But I'm not alone. Similarly, I hated Lord of the Rings, despite all the good reviews...and I also wasn't alone there. I think this book is more for people who enjoy getting to know characters rather than a quick-paced plot. It's more about feeling empathy for something supposedly evil than being amazed by story twists. Some people like this sort of thing, some don't. I recommend you at least give it a try; you may discover an awesome read for yourself. I finished it in only a few days and it usually takes me at least two weeks to finish a novel if it bores me. And definitely watch the movie. The movie is REALLY good.
Rating:
Summary: The exquisite classic that rejuvenated the vampire genre
Review: With Interview With the Vampire, Anne Rice completely rejuvenated the genre which I feel to be horror's most important, primal, and soul-stirring, the legend of the vampire. I have described Richard Matheson's classic I Am Legend as the second greatest vampire novel, but I must retract that statement now. Only with a second reading have I recognized the unparalleled power, beauty, eroticism, and grace of Anne Rice's contribution to the subject. Unlike Matheson, Rice luxuriates in the Victorian appeal of Stoker's masterpiece, while taking the subject to planes far beyond those Stoker could have envisioned for his Count Dracula. The modern writer does not have to hide the vampire's erotic appeal behind convention, nor does she need to classify her subject as an evil in and of itself. The vampire nature of Rice's creation is a complex, unfathomable subject that transcends good and evil. This first novel in The Vampire Chronicles centers around four very different yet almost equally fascinating vampires. The story is that of Louis, a wealthy eighteenth century Louisiana plantation owner who became a vampire in the depths of his despair over his brother's suicide. Lestat, the inscrutable force that hovers above every page of the tale, made Louis a vampire for basically economic reasons; he wanted the wealth that Louis possessed, but he also wanted a companion. Narcissistic and vain, the dapper Lestat does not teach his creation what it means to be a vampire, does not share the secrets he claims to know, does not even help Louis through the soul-shattering change that comes about when the body dies so that it may live eternally. Louis stays with Lestat only because, so far as he knows, there are no other vampires to whom he can turn for help and instruction. His distaste for Lestat grows over the years, however, and in order to keep Louis by his side, Lestat takes a young girl whom Louis had fed upon during a period of emotional turbulence and makes of her a vampire, knowing that Louis could never abandon the child. It is the story of Claudia, doomed to a most tragic life of immortality trapped inside the body of a little girl, that makes this book so powerful in my eyes. Lestat is of course fascinating, Louis is the epitome of tragedy and a fountain of knowledge by way of his questioning, eternally sad nature, but Claudia's story is an unbearably exquisite one. She accepts her vampire nature with some ease, being too young to really ever remember her human childhood, but the growth of Claudia the vampire woman inside the body of Claudia the child is a beautifully painful thing to watch. When she manages to separate Louis and herself from Lestat to go searching for other vampires in Central Europe and eventually Paris, giving dramatic voice to both her love for and hatred of Louis, the door to the dungeons of utter tragedy are thrown asunder. The introduction of the four hundred year old vampire Armand in the second half of the book gives us yet another unique vampire soul to ponder, but Armand at his most vivid pales in comparison to Claudia at her most unprepossessing. In the end, we are left with Louis and his story, which is full of unanswerable questions. Even the meaning and lesson he tries to express about his miserable existence utterly fail in their influence it has upon the boy chosen to hear his extraordinary story. Literature really provides no better character study of the emotional meaning of vampirism than Louis, however. He became a creature of the night only out of despair, and his development as a new creature on earth proceeded without any instruction whatsoever from the cold Lestat. Thus, he questions everything about his new nature, desperately longing for a mentor. He does not relish the taking of human life, and the thought of creating another creature like himself is anathema to him. He sees vampirism as a curse, eternally wondering if he is indeed a child of Satan doomed to an immortal yet cursed life. The source of his moral suffering is his inability to really give up his human nature, and this causes him a long, long life of torment and pain. Never before had the moral, spiritual, and philosophical nature of the vampire been explored in such depth as that found in this exquisitely beautiful novel, and that is one of the primary reasons why it rivals Stoker in terms of its beauty and resonates with an emotionally hypnotic power that is unmatched in the long tradition of vampire literature.
Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: Growing up, reading books was quick and simple, but as time went on I grew up, and it became an awful school assignment, and I hated it.
Now, with a much re-newed love to read, thanks to Anne Rice, and her glorious story of Interview with the Vampire, I look forward to sitting with a good book.
Interview is a wonderfully written, and massively creative piece of art in words. In the words of Louis, the beloved main character, he leads the reader through many passages and times with his haunting and hypnotic stories of Paris, Claudia, his quest to find vampires with answers, and his beloved brother. Accompanied by Lestat, the vampire who gave him the "dark gift", he describes his hatred for immortality, and questions the existence of God, the Devil, love and loneliness.
From start to finish, Louis will captivate you with his mystery, and his ongoing journey for meaning.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever
Review: I read this thinking it would be interesting, I had no idea it would be one I couldn't put down and that I'd tell anyone that they should definetely read it too. It's descriptiveness it electrifing and the characters are dasterdly lovable. It's a gripping novel that leaves you wanting more and more. Everyone should read it.
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Summary: The definate and ultimate reason why I became a writer
Review: This book was the book that inspired me to become a writer. It's deep sensuous prose and the tale of vampires damned to an eternity of hunting mortal lives had me hooked. I fell in love with Lestat, Louis and Claudia and their story made it one of the best novels I have ever read. It leaves you hungry for more and like all of the other Chronicles, it is beautiful
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating glimpse into the mind of a tortured vampire...
Review: First book in the Vampire Chronicles, Ms Rice introduces to us a tortured vampire named Louis.
Louis was made in 1794 by a notorious vampire named Lestat. Lestat was notorious for not following the 'rules' and known amongst other vampires as the 'brat prince'.
Louis opens up to an interviewer after nearly 200 years of silence and tells his story of torment and loneliness in which the writer publishes named...Interview with the Vampire.
Louis is a soulful vampire looking for redemption and forgiveness in a cold world that loathes him and his kind. He hates the kill, lives nearly off of the blood of rats and evildoers. He hates what he had become but lacks the courage to kill himself, because, where would he go? What is out there beyond this world?
Telling the sad tale of his undead life with his sire Lestat and how he sees his sire as the brutal and cold soul he is. Heartlessly killing and feeding off of human misery until Louis cannot take anymore and takes off.
Lestat has no patience for the 'child' and seems to be vicious and deadly. We feel for the gentle soul of Louis. Yet we see the enormous love Lestat feels for Louis and does indeed understand his torment.
Through the wild streets of New Orleans during the 18th century to the opulence of Paris and beyond, we are taken on a journey like no other. Louis tells of his 'sunshine' when Lestat makes another vampire, this time a child of 6 named Claudia and how they become inseparable.
65 years they live, hunt and travel together as a family, until tragedy strikes and Louis cannnot go on. Driving a knife right through the bond they shared, Louis sets out on his own for the last hundred years alone, looking for meaning in his cursed life and finding none.
Make sure to read this one first and then the next one called 'The Vampire Lestat', 'The Queen of the Damned', 'Tale of the Body Thief' and so on.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: From the moment I started reading it, I couldn't put it down!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best vampire books ever written
Review: This book is wonderful. I am not usually a horror fan, because unless done right, horror can be lame and boring. I used to think only King could do horror, but Anne Rice really brings her vampires to life. Louis is a depressed vampire. Being over 200, he has had a lot of hardships in life. He tells his life story to a an interviewer, who is only refer to as the boy, who he first planned to be his victim. Throughout the story, you meet many interesting characters. Such as, Lestat, Claudia, and Armand. Lestat is supposed to be mean and hated, but I can't help but love him. He's so evil and charming. You wish you could do half of the things he does. The way this story unfolded is wonderful. Anne Rice is a wordful writer. The story is sad and yet beautiful. The only problem is at times she can be a bit too descritive. The story is exciting, detailed and never boring. I rarely give books five stars, but I did for this one. Why? The books was near perfect and had little errors. I was going to give it four, but I decided on five because I know I will most likly never read a vampire book by another author that is better than this. On a final note, I've also seen the movie. I saw the movie before reading the book. The book and movie are very similar, but there are many differences. The book verison will still surprise. There's a lot of juciey little tid bits the movie left out that are worth reading. The beginning, some of the middle, and the end of the book are different than the movie. In my opinion, the book verison is better. So, even if you've seen the movie give the book a read. The only problem is you may get addicted to Rice books like I am.
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