Interview with the Vampire was written in 1976 by Anne Rice. She was inspired to write the novel when her young daughter died at a very young age. The book had a mixed critical reception, but slowly built a cult following inspiring eleven sequels which would become known as the Vampire Chronicles. She would also introduce a vampire character that would resonate long in the public’s mind by the name of Lestat. The series would inspire several films and even a Broadway musical.
The story begins as Louis, a centuries old vampire, gives a young man an interview about his life. The time period is 1791 on a Louisiana plantation where Louis grows up. He eventually meets Lestat who is infatuated with Louis’s shyness and introspective nature. Louis is made into a vampire but he has a conscience and will only drink blood from animals. The duo eventually travel to New Orleans where they encounter a five year old orphan girl who is dying. They name her Claudia and she is transformed into a vampire. Unfortunately Claudia matures emotionally into an adult but she will forever be trapped in the body of a five year old having to depend on “adult” vampires to take care of her. Louis and Claudia eventually destroy Lestat to escape his possessive manipulation. The two eventually escape to Paris where they encounter a theater where all of the actors are vampires led by the enigmatic Armand. This group does not take kindly to Claudia and she is considered an abomination. Will Louis find peace with his nomadic, immortal, blood drinking existence? Will Claudia be allowed to continue her existence as an eternal child? All of these questions will be answered by novel’s end.
Anne Rice created some memorable characters in this novel. Louis’s turmoil over his blood lust is heartbreaking. Claudia’s pain of being an eternal child and her sophistication are definitely evident. Lestat is charismatic and ruthless. (In the second novel in the series, The Vampire, Lestat continues his story after he survives his near destruction and he becomes a rock star in the present). Armand is seductive and mysterious. Anne Rice writes wonderful descriptive passages really making the reader feel as if they have traveled back in time. This atmospheric horror novel does an excellent job transitioning from the character development to the action sequences.
Availability: Book; Book on CD; eBook Rating: **** Stars (I really liked it)
Reviewer: Van, Reference Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH? DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS! Interview with the Vampire
GENRE: Books to Movies; Gothic Fiction
TONE: Atmospheric; Melancholy
WRITING STYLE: Richly Detailed
SUBJECT: Good & Evil; Immortality; Mortality; Redemption; Vampires
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