Memnoch the Devil
by Anne Rice
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Read in May, 2004
recommends it for:
AR fans, also people with an interest in religion/philsophy
I just want to say that before I started writing this review, I read the reviews of others, and numerous people who wrote on this wrote that it was their least favorite, or gave it the least stars of any of the Vampire Chronicles novels. A precious few gave it the five stars that I did.
May I just say: You all are completely and utterly insane?
This is by far the /best/ of the Vampire Chronicles novels. It shows the most scholarship, learning, understanding, and beauty by /far/. It is erud...more
May I just say: You all are completely and utterly insane?
This is by far the /best/ of the Vampire Chronicles novels. It shows the most scholarship, learning, understanding, and beauty by /far/. It is erud...more
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Read in January, 2006
i could see how some would have been greatly offened by Anne's choice to have such a heavy religious theme. Being raised Catholic myself, (though experiencing a change of heart while growing up) i wasn't shocked by a lot of what was said.
But, the only thing that truly, TRULY shocked me and almost made me forget the book all together was the -very- graphic scene where Lestat drinks from Dora's menstral blood. That is a very taboo line that shouldn't have been crossed, Mrs. Rice. And it has n...more
But, the only thing that truly, TRULY shocked me and almost made me forget the book all together was the -very- graphic scene where Lestat drinks from Dora's menstral blood. That is a very taboo line that shouldn't have been crossed, Mrs. Rice. And it has n...more
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Read in January, 1995
At the time that I read this book I was an agnostic, pagan, ex-catholic, confused about religion person. Anne Rice's technique and passion is so persuasive that I was a true believer after reading this book. And this was before she converted back to Catholicism! She is just so powerful, her narrative technique is, I want to say, loving towards her reader. I think her love for the characters she's created makes that happen. Anyway, this one is a must for followers of the chronicles and fans of Le...more
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recommends it for:
anyone who enjoys fantasy and is not a die-hard Christian.
This is one of Anne Rice's best works in my opinion. It is part of the vampire series, but you should be able to understand & enjoy the book without reading the others.
The vampire, Lestat, is taken to heaven, hell, and back in time to creation and during the Christ era by Memnoch, the devil. The story told is one very different than the Bible, but it's good. I love Anne Rice's books because she tells the story in a way that it could be true. Anyways, it's a good book, but if you get upset ...more
The vampire, Lestat, is taken to heaven, hell, and back in time to creation and during the Christ era by Memnoch, the devil. The story told is one very different than the Bible, but it's good. I love Anne Rice's books because she tells the story in a way that it could be true. Anyways, it's a good book, but if you get upset ...more
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Read in January, 2002
This was the last Anne Rice book that I ever personally plan to read, because after reading this I went into a three month fit of depression.
The events in this book were just so powerful and terrible in some cases that my mind couldn't take it. While I'm not going to say that I wouldn't recommend the book to people, I would at least put up the warning that a person may want to be weary about it if they aren't of any particular religion.
Also, by the end of the book, Lestat had changed in...more
The events in this book were just so powerful and terrible in some cases that my mind couldn't take it. While I'm not going to say that I wouldn't recommend the book to people, I would at least put up the warning that a person may want to be weary about it if they aren't of any particular religion.
Also, by the end of the book, Lestat had changed in...more
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Read in January, 1996
recommends it for:
anyone dealing with a question of faith
This book changed my life. I would not say it's one of the best books ever written, but it changed my life for the better. I was going through a bit of a spiritual crisis at the time that I read it and it lifted me out of a misplaced sense of obligation to the past. The past is just that, the past. This book gave me the permission I'd been seeking to see things in a different way. I will forever be in the debt of Anne Rice for that gift. It also does stand out as one of the better books in...more
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Ugh, what the hell happened to Anne Rice? Her books were dark, intelligent, passionate, and enjoyable. Suddenly with this novel in the vampire series, she turns all Jesus on us and from this point forward her writing becomes nothing more but constant, ongoing Christian rhetoric. I felt like she personally was standing on a soapbox blabbing on and on. It is with this book that she really lost me forever (though I made a couple more feeble attempts).
And I noticed that not too long ago she pu...more
And I noticed that not too long ago she pu...more
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2 comments
recommends it for:
Everyone
Out of all of the Vampire Chronicle books that I've read, this one which comes near the end of the series is 80% comprised of a long narrative and dialog between the vampire Lestat and the devil Memnoch. It creates a new biblical narrative of the life of the devil that makes much more sense and is much more intriguing than what I was taught in my Methodist Confirmation classes which really didn't mention the devil at all.
I recommend this especially to anyone who has had a strong Christian ...more
I recommend this especially to anyone who has had a strong Christian ...more
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One of her best, truly! I loved the complete contradiction in this story. It takes the protagonist, whom you would assume is bad and evil and his point of view. He gives all of his insight into God and how he is really sort of a senile, bumbling kind of ruler where most things that happen--good and bad, are a complete accident born out of incompetency and lack of foresight and knowledge. It is just a completely different view point and story than what you'd expect--and quite funny along the ...more
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
Fans of the series.
This fourth book in the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice was a step up from the few preceding installments following the first two. With Memnoch, we are given a fresh take on the traditional story of Jesus found within the Bible. Rice offers new and interesting perspective, allowing for opportunities of reflection. I was surprised by the bold new look and direction of this novel, and frankly feel that it revived the series somewhat (as if the series were in need of reviving at all).
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El punto clave de las crónicas de Anne Rice es definitivamente Memnoch the Devil.
En esta ocasión Lestat recibe la visita de un demonio llamado Memnoch, que no es otro que Satanás. Éste lo lleva al Cielo y al Infierno mientras le narra desde su punto de vista la historia de la Creación, desde el origen de la vida hasta su larga guerra con Dios (que consiste en llevar al Cielo todas las almas que hay en el Infierno). Esta aventura marcará a Lestat profundamente.
En esta ocasión Lestat recibe la visita de un demonio llamado Memnoch, que no es otro que Satanás. Éste lo lleva al Cielo y al Infierno mientras le narra desde su punto de vista la historia de la Creación, desde el origen de la vida hasta su larga guerra con Dios (que consiste en llevar al Cielo todas las almas que hay en el Infierno). Esta aventura marcará a Lestat profundamente.
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Read in April, 2001
recommends it for:
ehhh. . Fans of Rice.
I didn't care for this that much. I couldt really suspend disbelief for this one. There was bad phillosophy in it. . strange sex acts and the main attraction to the whole series. . in a coma on a floor at the end of it. Although I dont see what sort of satisfactory ending she could have given to Lestat other than that. I felt the whole blood of Christ thing was. . kinda silly. Either way. . I stopped reading them after this one. I really should pick them back up.
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Read in January, 1996
recommends it for:
anyone raised Catholic
I found this to be the most amazing of all the Vampire Chronicles. Though raised Catholic, my own religious beliefs have gravitated toward agnosticism as I grow older. Rice's take on creation and Catholicism blew me away in this novel. It was, quite frankly, shocking. The whole description of the angels and how they view humanity was just the most astonishing and profound series of passages. What a fantastic and amazing departure from the usual vampire chronicles!
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Read in July, 2003
This one's a lot heavier on the Christian imagery and traditions than the rest. Some fans call it "Memnoch the Paperweight," and while I agree it got a little dull and dreary in parts, I still recall, four years later, Lestat's descent into Hell and visit (I hesitate to call it an ascension) to Heaven as being vivid and interesting. Well worth a read if you're a fan of the series, though I wouldn't recommend it as a stand alone story, I don't think.
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Read in January, 1996
This book and I had a serious love/hate relationship. I loved it, like I loved all the books in the series. It really made me reanalyze religion. Her version of God and the Devil was a compelling story. I felt so bad for Lestat. I sympathized, he was so confused and so was I. Was it really the Devil? Who knows. I didn't want the series to end, and cruising around on this site, I've found that it didn't. Very Interesting.
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Read in January, 1995
The only Anne Rice book I've read and while it was very well done, I suppose it did not inspire me to seek out other works by her. I was especially impressed by the way in which she presented controversial viewpoints of fundamentally accepted Christian beliefs (as they relate to Jesus and Memnoch/Lucifer). Interesting enough that I remember chuckling out loud a few times at her audacity.
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Read in September, 1998
Fascinating philosophical examination of good, evil, Jesus, God, and the Devil. The Devil takes Lestat back through time to see the Crucifixtion, etc. The devil argues that the got a bad rap becuase he questioned God/Jesus' motives. He claims Jesus never really had a true human experience because the whole time he knew he was god and would return to heaven. There was never a doubt.
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recommends it for:
everyone
My favorite Anne Rice book. Very well written and gave us a great ending(?) for Lestat. I went to a private christian school for 8 of my 12 preliminary school years and this gave me a completely new perspective on Heaven/Hell.
Actually I think I need to find another copy. Ive never been able to read a book twice but this one might be the exception.
ACE work. 6 stars. ^_^
Actually I think I need to find another copy. Ive never been able to read a book twice but this one might be the exception.
ACE work. 6 stars. ^_^
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For me, The Vampire Chronicles are the be-all-end-all of vampire novels. And while I have my favorites within the series, I find myself comparing every other vampire novel I read to the entire set. So, if you want to discuss them, go ahead and send me a note. And if you're new to the vampire genre, you can't go wrong with Anne Rice. My third favorite of the series.
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Read in January, 1995
After Queen of the Damned, it went downhill from there, but this is at least more interesting than that Tale of the body thief thing. I didn't like that at all. At least I was interested in Memnoch's story and how it clearly differs from the popular Catholic story. I'm a Catholic, and it didn't changed my views at all, but it was different and interesting.
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