Memnoch the Devil

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Summary: Interesting Read. Thought provoking theological concepts.
Review: I found this to be an interesting book which i read in two days. The beginning is somewhat slow, but the discussions between L'Estat and Memnoch (the devil) are very interesting. The reasons and explanations behind the fall from grace of Memnoch would be of interest to anyone who is interested in christian theology.

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Summary: Very disappointing; good premise but lousy execution
Review: Was looking forward to reading this but was very disappointed. The story was boring, even though the idea behind it was fascinating,

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Summary: You take a different road and...
Review: I am rather sick of people saying "Why does Anne Rice have to change? I want her to write the same stuff she was writing 15 years ago!" or "Stick to your old formula, Anne Rice". I loved the first four novels in the Vampire Chronicles, but Memnoch absolutely blew me away. I read the book, and it made more sense to me than probably anything I have ever read on organized religion. Sure, she could have "stuck to vampires", but she chose to expand, and I thought it was incredible. It fit the character of Lestat to a "t" -and who else would capture the interest of the devil? The book completely fulfilled me. I had heard, before I read it, that it would be the last book that she would write about Lestat, and I was sad. I considered begging and threatening her to never stop writing about him, but then I read the book, and I didn't need anything else. When I reached the end, and read the time, it was over for me. The story was completed, and though I have reread all of the novels in the Chronicles several times over, I hope that she doesn't tell us any more about Lestat. She took him to Heaven and Hell, and ripped the world apart while doing so. Rice writes about universal issues that she's always written about, that her vampires have always dwelled upon: if you just want a story about bloodsuckers, I wouldn't suggest reading this, but if you are open to more, Memnoch is an incredibly powerful book.

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Summary: Anne, why?!?!
Review: I love the character of Lestat. I love the chronicles. I do not love this book. I feel like I deserve an award for getting through the entire middle part. ACK! And please, having him gorge on menstrual blood...what was the point? You destroyed Lestat for what reason?

This book just does not match any of the chronicles so far. The character development of the other novels just got blown to bits with this "novel". The story, ugh. I still just don't get the point because I was waiting for it to have something to do with the other Chronicles...to keep the characters true and this book seems to be a completely new thing borrowing character's names.

If you like having your characters in a series tossed out for something else and a story that is just a very long winded diatribe on concepts of good/evil and belief systems, then this book is for you. For me, it put the brakes on my fascination with this series. I am almost afraid to try and read the next book in this series.

I have to apologize for the review...I just cannot give this the right words to tell you how disappointed I am in the way it made me feel after completing it.


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Summary: The Agony and The Ecstasy
Review: In his latest adventure, our loveable Lestat-by far the most amusing anti-hero I've ever admired-is at it again. That is, testing all boundaries to find the `Truth,' in his unorthodox and unimaginable methods.

This time: God and the Devil [aka Memnonch]. Who are they and what do they both want? Why do they exist and what are their means and ends? What is Hell? What is Heaven? And what is the price rendered in both places?

These are the kind of questions that Lestat attempts to tackle by not merely posing the question aloud but by learning about the two most powerful beings in Heaven and in Hell-God and the Devil themselves.

With Memnoch the Devil at his heels, Lestat is given the ultimate amnesty for his acts and answers by being asked to become either an angel in Hell...or a soldier in Heaven. He is given the chance to understand and see both places, to discover the Truth and meaning of it all--the choice is his.

This is the most mind-blowing and intense tale by Rice to date. While Eloquent and beautifully written from beginning to end, so much is going on that you might lose sight of what the book is about. I'm not completely satisfied but it was a terrific read I encourage everyone to experience. It is not one to miss or to shake off lightly. You will either read it in a day or take the longest possible time to finish it and whether you understand it is the real question. I'm still scratching my head and thinking about it. Regardless, it's meant to throw you off and as always, her postulations and imagery may shock you or they may be old stories you already knew.

Ultimately, she never gives a final stance but presents a point of view that is timeless and thought provoking. The truth is whatever you're willing to risk of your own sanity and reality. Enjoy the ride.

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Summary: Can't put it down, page turner delight!
Review: I have not yet finished this book but my neck hurts and my shoulder from not being able to put this book down. I have never had a book take me away into the other realms and have creation theorized in a different outlook, via Memnoch the former angel. It reminded me that nobody has questioned the bible as literature and history enough. Maybe this is a fable from Anne Rice, but it stops to make anyone think that there are many ways of viewing creation, evolution, and what could have happened afterwards to the spiritual war going on when humans keep evolving. I hope her other novels are as good as this one, I intend to keep reading after finishing the first 4 in the Vampire Chronicles series. One starts to believe these creatures really do exist.

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Summary: philosphical
Review: Great book if you start it from about the middle. The beggining is not so captivating. Memnoch. Is he really the devil? I mean the devil? I like his story, I believe it's really good, well built. Makes people question things. If you're not fanatic about relligion and you keep an open mind, you'll enjoy this book. Please be patient at the start, it takes a while but it gets really good. The end isn't the best, I can't rate this 5 stars, sorry. I don't claim I fully understand everything in this book, but, it's not so bad and if you'll read the next one "Vampire Armand"...than you'll find out two things: first, and very important, Armand didn't suceed in killing himself, second, Armand looses his charm in that book, his only excuse is Beethoven...I mean the sonata "Appassionata":) That's one 1 star book:(, this one is much better.

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Summary: Lestat God and the Devil
Review: Great it really made me question what I was tought at church what Anne said in this book really made me stop and think esp. since my chrch has a passion for changing there stories from the bible every few years I no longer go there and part of the reason was they wanted me to stop reading these kind of books starting they was of the devil just because it had the name of the devil in it Now I am not saying all the religion is like this but for people like me who live in the Northern Tip of the bible belt we know how it is but back to the book try the book Memnoch's story is great this is one of her best works IMO I am support Anne 100% is what ever she does and I will continue to as well try it out and for all you haters try reading the book with your MIND not your EYES think about it

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Summary: To Those Negitive Voices Out There.....
Review: You have the concept all wrong. If you say it is too wordy, then you are probably just plain S-T-U-P-I-D. Can you tell me what that spells, dumb ass?

To you church people who are offended by the novel: I myself am atheist, however, Ms. Rice's portrayl of religion seems perfect. It actually made me consider going to church. Of course I went to church and found it to be extremely boring.(Sorry Ms. Rice!)

Also, to those who comment about the sex: That just so happens that Ms. Rice likes erotics in her novels, so just don't even go there!

Let me just say it was an ingenius novel of stunning accord, and I loved it, LOVED every single one of those 500 pages. I would recommend it to adults who are not childish enough to not understand it, and perhaps to mature teenagers like myself who would appreciate her work. Thank you for your time, and I'm sorry I lost my temper and called the not as smart people dumb asses.

Rating:
Summary: WHO IS THE DEVIL HERE?
Review: POOR WRITING - BOOK DOES NOT FLOW AND HAS NO REDEEMING VALUE. DON'T BUY!