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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I didn't know much about this book before reading it, except what little I remembered from the movie, which I saw possibly two decades ago as a child. I have, however, at times been interested in delving into more fantastical books, so I wanted to start with one of the classics of the genre. It's important to note that vampire stories on TV and in film don't usually hold my interest, so I wasn't expecting to adore this book.
That said, I do have specific critiques for the story. For one thing, not much happens. The characters undergo changes and trials, but these are either glossed over or are resolved extremely easily and quickly. There isn't much detail on how the main character, Louis, is feeling while experiencing these events and they aren't that scary on their own, so the book doesn't leave much of an impact in that regard. It's not really a character- or plot-driven story.
Perhaps what bothered me most--and almost brought down this rating to 2 stars--was the pervasively sexual nature of this book. About halfway in, Louis starts talking about nipples and desires and kisses and sensual touches (including in relation to children), and he can't stop for the rest of the book. I couldn't tell if he was in love with certain characters or he just lusted after everyone. I guess that's a vampire thing? It didn't do anything for me, and often caused me to wonder at the point. (But, again, this could be my inexperience with all things vampire.)
That said, I do have specific critiques for the story. For one thing, not much happens. The characters undergo changes and trials, but these are either glossed over or are resolved extremely easily and quickly. There isn't much detail on how the main character, Louis, is feeling while experiencing these events and they aren't that scary on their own, so the book doesn't leave much of an impact in that regard. It's not really a character- or plot-driven story.
Perhaps what bothered me most--and almost brought down this rating to 2 stars--was the pervasively sexual nature of this book. About halfway in, Louis starts talking about nipples and desires and kisses and sensual touches (including in relation to children), and he can't stop for the rest of the book. I couldn't tell if he was in love with certain characters or he just lusted after everyone. I guess that's a vampire thing? It didn't do anything for me, and often caused me to wonder at the point. (But, again, this could be my inexperience with all things vampire.)
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire is the literary equivalent of a rich, red velvet curtain being pulled back on an eerie stage. Everything feels decadent, shadowy, and just a little bit doomed - and I was absolutely here for it.
Told through the confessional lens of Louis, a reluctant vampire with a poet’s soul, this novel is drenched in emotion. Guilt, longing, despair, rage… every feeling is dialled up to eleven. The structure is brilliant: an actual interview, unfolding in real time, with a human boy as the audience surrogate. It adds this eerie intimacy, like you’ve pulled up a chair too close to a fire that’s burning a little too hot.
Rice’s writing is gorgeous. Gothic and sensual, but never afraid to wallow in moral ambiguity. There are no easy answers here, especially when it comes to Louis and Lestat. Their dynamic is a toxic waltz - manipulation and dependence wrapped in elegance and horror. I kept wanting to throw things at Lestat, then turn around and quote him. He’s that kind of character. Infuriating and fascinating.
That said, this book is a bit of a slow burn. The plot sometimes drifts in dreamlike circles, which can either enchant or frustrate, depending on your mood. And while Claudia’s storyline is gripping and tragic, some of the pacing around it felt uneven to me. I kept waiting for a second wind that took a little too long to arrive.
But even when the story meanders, the atmosphere never lets up. Rice creates a world so vividly haunted, so steeped in its own mythology, that you can practically smell the candle wax and old books. It’s a vampire novel that feels eternal - aching and opulent and deeply weird in the best possible way.
If you're looking for a blood-soaked meditation on immortality, identity, and what it means to be truly alone in the world—this one’s a must. Just maybe light a candle and pour a glass of wine first. You’ll want to set the mood.
Told through the confessional lens of Louis, a reluctant vampire with a poet’s soul, this novel is drenched in emotion. Guilt, longing, despair, rage… every feeling is dialled up to eleven. The structure is brilliant: an actual interview, unfolding in real time, with a human boy as the audience surrogate. It adds this eerie intimacy, like you’ve pulled up a chair too close to a fire that’s burning a little too hot.
Rice’s writing is gorgeous. Gothic and sensual, but never afraid to wallow in moral ambiguity. There are no easy answers here, especially when it comes to Louis and Lestat. Their dynamic is a toxic waltz - manipulation and dependence wrapped in elegance and horror. I kept wanting to throw things at Lestat, then turn around and quote him. He’s that kind of character. Infuriating and fascinating.
That said, this book is a bit of a slow burn. The plot sometimes drifts in dreamlike circles, which can either enchant or frustrate, depending on your mood. And while Claudia’s storyline is gripping and tragic, some of the pacing around it felt uneven to me. I kept waiting for a second wind that took a little too long to arrive.
But even when the story meanders, the atmosphere never lets up. Rice creates a world so vividly haunted, so steeped in its own mythology, that you can practically smell the candle wax and old books. It’s a vampire novel that feels eternal - aching and opulent and deeply weird in the best possible way.
If you're looking for a blood-soaked meditation on immortality, identity, and what it means to be truly alone in the world—this one’s a must. Just maybe light a candle and pour a glass of wine first. You’ll want to set the mood.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An excellent read. I’m glad I took my time with it. I also had a blast annotating and making comments back at the characters, like telling Louis to STFU because he’s being a whiny baby boy again. I’ve heard that the next books from Lestat’s POV are far more engaging just because he’s a better narrator. All in all a beautiful, sad, ambient story. (Except for the Eastern Europe plot line, that was a drag and honestly didn’t feel necessary)
Loved the whole series. The first vampire books I ever read. Super unique when no one else was doing it.
I read this years ago, and still think it's the epitome of soulful vamps. the thing Buffy's based on and Twilight.
loved
loved
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated