A review by nytephoenyx
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

dark reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Where Interview with the Vampire absolutely bores me, I really enjoy The Vampire Lestat. Lestat’s passion and vitality better embody what it means to be a vampire, at least in the popular sense of the word. Unlike Louis, he is curious and determined and emotional. Unlike his creations, Lestat has gone all over the world and discovered what it means to be a vampire, not just to be trapped as a vampire. 
 
Like the rest of her Vampire Chronicles, Anne Rice’s writing style is tedious and self-praising. While I will give her a credit for shaping the way we see vampires these days (excluding Twilight of course) it remains that her writing style is slow, overly explanatory, and rambles. The Vampire Lestat has no beginning, middle, and end. It is simply an expression of who Lestat is. It is not a story, it is a slice. 
 
I have found it is best to take Anne Rice’s books as individual stories instead of greater parts of a whole. With that in mind, The Vampire Lestat is one of my favorites. This, and The Tale of the Body Thief have always captured my attention. While there are a lot of other more modern books available, if you want to read about traditional vampires at both their best and most vulnerable, this is a great start. Best of all? You don’t have to read Interview with the Vampire first.
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