Cry to Heaven

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Summary: Truly a cry...disturbing and at times unbearable
Review: Because I've fallen so helplessly in Love with Anne Rice'swritings, I would forgive her nearly anything. But this novel waslittle bit too much for me. I admit that I've been enchanted with the grand historical background of the 18th century Italy and "the otherworldly society of the castrati", of which I knew nothing before reading the novel, and which Anne Rice has been able to bring back so magically to life. The acute and indescribable pain of Tonio, the protagonist, is just at times too real and haunting to the extent that I had to put down the novel for a while to calm down and be able to bear all that pain. Yes, Anne Rice can make you stay up all night reading her book or stop reading at one point to digest the too real emotions she describes or the questions she raises. Tonio's confusion and questions are so touching and disturbing that they became mine for quite some time. What was far too disturbing for me and at times unbearable is the total indulgence of desires that Tonio practices. I would have really loved the novel far more if that indulgence has not been described so often and sometimes with so much details. All in all, Anne Rice has proven her ability to write a book of supernatural strength though there are no supernatural beings in it and once more she captivates and captures her readers as only few writers could.

Rating:
Summary: Cry to Heaven
Review: This is a very good book, it actually got me interested in opera! Iwas flipping through the channels the other day and suddenly came on to The Marriage of Figaro on PBS. Being bored and remembering Cry to Heaven I decided to listen to some of it and while I was watching it I kept thinking of Tonio and all of his voice excercises and how beautifully Anne described the music and I was really enjoying listening to it and this from someone whose usual musical perference is The Smashing Pumpkins and Tori Amos! Anyway, back to the book. Its a great book and really wonderfully written and I think I may like it better than her vampire books (Feast of all Saints is probably my favorite book,or at least the one that kept me the most hooked while reading it) I was wondering though about the eunechs, were they really as supernaturally beautiful as she made them out to be? They all seemed to be super tall and she said they had strange skin. The only complaint I would have against this book would be that while the beginning and the end are very fast paced and interesting the middle sort of drags and there is too much talk about Tonios relationships with other people. I also didn't like the way that he just seemed to drop Guido for "real men" like the cardinal. And Christina was not needed at all, she was boring and I hated every scene with her and Tonio's love for her didn't seem very realistic, not like his love for Guido or the cardinal. I got so sick of reading about her "little darling wrists" or her "little nose." She could have been such an interesting and complex character (a woman painter from that period, a rebel against society) but she came off as flat and boring and I can't believe such a dull person could have been such a glorious painter. Besides that it is a really good book and I fully recommend it. even if you don't like her vampire books you will like Cry to Heaven.

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Summary: DAZZLING IN ITS DARKNESS
Review: In my opinion, Cry to Heaven is definitely Anne Rice's finest book. Beautifully written in the lush, gorgeous prose for which Rice is famous, Cry to Heaven is rich in detail and presents a fascinating look at the lives of Italy's 18th century castrati. The protagonist, Tonio is extremely well-drawn and memorable. His struggles to come to terms with both his life as a whole and his sexuality in particular are nothing less then soul-wrenching. I found the erotic scenes, criticized by some reviewers, to be beautifully written and central to the book's premise. I did think, though, that the character of Christina, a central figure in Tonio's struggles, could have been more fully drawn and introduced earlier. It seemed to me as though Rice, herself, was not completely acquainted with Christina and I think the book suffers slightly because of this. Cry to Heaven, which contains no witches, vampires or other preternatural beings, is well-plotted and well-paced, something which cannot be said for all of Rice's books. She controls this story masterfully and resists the urge to people the novel with extraneous characters, ultimately ending the story on a haunting but richly rewarding note. With Cry to Heaven, I can pay Anne Rice the highest compliment--this is the novel I wish I had written and I can say that about no other book.

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Summary: I re-read it all the time!
Review: The first time I read this book it took me 2 days. I thought it was twisted and beautiful. It has sort of Count of Monte Cristo feel to it that keeps you on the edge wondering if revenge would ever take place. I also absolutly love the way that Anne Rice seems to bring old world Italy alive in my mind. When ever I am between books I re-read it and I love it more each time. Thank you Anne!

Rating:
Summary: Well written, but at times very disturbing.
Review: I would have really liked Cry to Heaven if the "love" scene with Tonio and that girl wasn't in the book. It was really frightening the way he forced her into bed with him, and it definately made me dislike the character. And the fact that she forgives him so quickly as if he didn't do anything wrong was really unrealistic; sickening even. I'm surprised Christina or whatever her name was wasn't totally psychologically damaged after what he did to her. I noticed a lot of Anne Rice's books contain a lot of stuff. Maybe she should rethink doing scenes like that in her future books.

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Summary: Sensual and Savvy
Review: What a wonderful combination that is! I loved the setting and times and Anne Rice constantly amazes me. What a mind she must have to come up with all of these characters. This book came highly recommended to me and I would do the same to you if you are an Anne Rice fan!

Rating:
Summary: boring
Review: I am sorry, but I can't stand this book. The premise was intriguing and Anne is definately the one author who can pull it off, which is why the dullness of this book is such a disappointment. She piles details upon details, heaps on the prose, and drags the whole tale out. I was actually skipping ahead to see how it ends and if it was worth the effort to finish. Very slow to warm up to in the biginning, then a sagging dragging middle and finally a pretty good end. Sad, poetic, even haunting at times? Yes. Her prose is not pulp fiction, it is literary and lovely. But less is more! And this book could have been IMHO 10 times better if a few dozen pages were shaved off, a few scenes shortened or cut, and a few details glossed over or omitted altogether.

I started this one on vaction--maybe the atmosphere was too light for such a zaftig book? Or maybe I am just making excuses for this latest effort by Rice?

She's seen better days and so have I!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: This is an excellent book, captivating and interesting. Perhaps the finest compliment I can offer is that throughout the book I was never certain whether the leading characters would actually make it to the end. Their peril seems almost palpable, as do the other emotions evoked within its text.

Rating:
Summary: IMPRESSIVE
Review: I read this book like a bizzillion years ago and as many times since. The amount of research that this author does is evident in anything she writes, but this story seemed so much more *real*. Yes, it's got mature subject matter (homosexuality, etc.) but if the reader is able to really read the lines and also inbetween them, and more importantly pay attention to what the author is writing, then they can completely identify and understand *why* it's that way. Anyway, it's an amazing, captivating read. A favorite of mine! ^_^

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Summary: Operatic Talents
Review: One of Anne Rice's non-goth novels is also one of her most interesting. The descriptions of 1700's Italy are astounding, the character devolopment is first-rate. Good job, Anne!