Rating: 
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating: 
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! ^_^
Rating:
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!
Rating:
Summary: Moving, haunting, amazing
Review: Knowing Anne souly through the Chronicles I just didnt Know what to expect from this book . I was vaguely aware that it had something to do with opera, a subject, I admitt, of which I knew nothing but thank God I had this novel to open my eyes.Opera is only one of the many subjects Anne approaches in this fantastic novel. The relationship between Guido and Tonio is so complex and deep that it almost at times made me want to cry. I am a young reader but I thought myself mature enough to deal with the homosexuality in the book. Unlike some of the reviews Ive read I had no problem what so ever with the content of that area and if anything this book shows us that the practise of homosexuality has been around as long as we have and that they can possibly love more deeply than many heterosexuals can. I praise Anne for writing such a powerful book, the charaters were so real that they almost jumped to life from the page. I only had one problem and that was with the character Christina, she seemed bearly one dimensional to me and really I dont think she was needed at all. This was a grade A book, written before Miss Rice fell into the slup that she is now in, but at least we have Cry To Heaven to remind us of the good old days
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Interesting
Review: I picked this book up expecting something of the usual sort from Anne Rice. That being gothic, dark and mysterious. Instead I was drawn into a world beyond expectations. I had no idea that I'd be so interested in the underbelly of classical opera that sets the stage for this story!! I generally find Rice to be painfully detail-oriented in her writing but this was beyond that. For anyone into a good dark, sensual, and interesting novelization of an historical nature do yourself a favor and read this book. It's definitely not what your used to reading.
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