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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. Where do I begin? Reading this book was like quenching a thirst I didn't know I had (ha, ha). To cozy up with such beautiful, vivid writing that articulates emotions and the mind-body connection of the senses as richly as another might describe the visual world was incredibly satisfying. Ultimately, this book was a study in sensuality (not sexuality) -- the opulence, decadence, and horror of a changing world experienced through augmented senses locked in a mind defined by a period of time, and how the senses remain sharp through the finite experience, but become dull and despairing when confronted with infinity and eventually the transgression into unfamiliarity.
Anne Rice uses vampirism as a distorted mirror through which we (humans) may learn more deeply about ourselves, and our fatal flaws in our love for the world as well as our associated attraction to and flight from the ephemeral. This book is a warped reflection throwing back to us fractured shards of human nature, for us to study individually and piece together the complicated whole. It is with rich intelligence of human thought and behavior that Rice produces this reflective retelling. The book rings with the truth in observation that only hindsight can provide -- a characteristic of the interview format... and yet, even by the end, can we trust the narrator in this episode of self-reflection? Is he chained to yet another spiral of despair? But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Our main character, Louis, is the odd vampire out. Within him is the fire of humanity, a passion that erupts with disdain for the murderous non-life a vampire must live lest he die. He is described by his love, Armand, as "the spirit, you are the heart" (286) as opposed to "the parody of the miraculous" (287) of the other vampires. For all the richness the world has to offer, it is the fire of passion that is most coveted, most rare.
And Claudia's story was such a powerful sub-plot; the child turned immortal, the woman locked in a child's body. I'm sure we could spend a full review studying simply this concept (in fact, someone else already wrote a book about her). I will let it rest for now, and instead contextualize her story within Louis' alternating narrative of horror and wonder, and how she fulfilled both facets of the narrative. His wonder at the world upon his "birth," his horror at the dreadful sins vampirism would compel him to perform; his horror at turning Claudia into a vampire, and his wonder expressed through his love (paternal? fraternal? something more?) for her; his wonder in Armand's power, beauty, and control, and his horror in his waning passion, in the descent to a deep and steady sorrow.
In the end, humanity is characterized by wonder, passion, and yearning; a desire for more, to squeeze the richness of life for all it's worth. And so this book is witnessing the death of a human in slow motion.
Five stars. This book will haunt me for a while.
"I drank of the beauty of the world as a vampire drinks. I was satisfied. I was filled to the brim. But I was dead. And I was changeless. The story ended in Paris, as I've said." (Louis, pg. 321)
Anne Rice uses vampirism as a distorted mirror through which we (humans) may learn more deeply about ourselves, and our fatal flaws in our love for the world as well as our associated attraction to and flight from the ephemeral. This book is a warped reflection throwing back to us fractured shards of human nature, for us to study individually and piece together the complicated whole. It is with rich intelligence of human thought and behavior that Rice produces this reflective retelling. The book rings with the truth in observation that only hindsight can provide -- a characteristic of the interview format... and yet, even by the end, can we trust the narrator in this episode of self-reflection? Is he chained to yet another spiral of despair? But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Our main character, Louis, is the odd vampire out. Within him is the fire of humanity, a passion that erupts with disdain for the murderous non-life a vampire must live lest he die. He is described by his love, Armand, as "the spirit, you are the heart" (286) as opposed to "the parody of the miraculous" (287) of the other vampires. For all the richness the world has to offer, it is the fire of passion that is most coveted, most rare.
"It is conceivable your [Louis'] own sensitivity might be the instrument of madness. You speak of works of art and natural beauty. I wish I had the artist's power to bring alive for you the Venice of the fifteenth century [...] And what a sadness it is to me that time doesn't dim the memory of that period, that it becomes all the richer and more magical in the light of day." (Armand, pg. 284)
And Claudia's story was such a powerful sub-plot; the child turned immortal, the woman locked in a child's body. I'm sure we could spend a full review studying simply this concept (in fact, someone else already wrote a book about her). I will let it rest for now, and instead contextualize her story within Louis' alternating narrative of horror and wonder, and how she fulfilled both facets of the narrative. His wonder at the world upon his "birth," his horror at the dreadful sins vampirism would compel him to perform; his horror at turning Claudia into a vampire, and his wonder expressed through his love (paternal? fraternal? something more?) for her; his wonder in Armand's power, beauty, and control, and his horror in his waning passion, in the descent to a deep and steady sorrow.
In the end, humanity is characterized by wonder, passion, and yearning; a desire for more, to squeeze the richness of life for all it's worth. And so this book is witnessing the death of a human in slow motion.
Five stars. This book will haunt me for a while.
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
довго вагалася щодо кількості зірочок – але я ж її все-таки дочитала, так шо ок, дві.
мабуть, люди, які говорять про cheesiness лірики ore (а це чи не улюблений комент на ласт.фм, да), просто не читали енн райс. це якийсь вампірський жан-жак руссо, не знаю, як це ше можна описати.
мабуть, люди, які говорять про cheesiness лірики ore (а це чи не улюблений комент на ласт.фм, да), просто не читали енн райс. це якийсь вампірський жан-жак руссо, не знаю, як це ше можна описати.
Perfect book to reread for the third time on Halloween weekend.
Was half-way through The Prince Lestat and decided I needed some reminders, so I'm starting over at the beginning. Skimming a little, not much.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes