Questions About The Vampire Lestat (The Vampire Chronicles, #2)

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Answered Questions (11)

I see that it has a higher rating that 'Interview with the Vampire' and I want to know, for those of you who liked it better than the first, what makes it better? 'Interview' was a near perfect novel in my eyes, and I couldn't stand Lestat. What changes here?

EliasAlucard The Vampire Lestat is a far superior novel compared to Interview with the Vampire, for various reasons, and many at that. The most important reason is…moreThe Vampire Lestat is a far superior novel compared to Interview with the Vampire, for various reasons, and many at that. The most important reason is that IWTV is basically a vampire family drama, with some occasional violence, and nothing really hardcore. In that regard, the Cruise/Pitt film, is actually a much better film than the novel is a novel, because IWTV is a boring reading about Louis' endless whining, conscience, guilt, humanism and so on. That was done well in the film, but reading several hundred pages of Louis being a crybaby, was no fun, I can tell you that. Had Anne not written the other sequels in the Vampire Chronicles, I find it hard to imagine that IWTV would be a well known novel today. Not knocking on it, it's not a bad book, it was actually a unique and revolutionary vampire novel in its own way for its time, and well written and all, but 'the Anne Rice magic' didn't really begin in the first book.

Now TVL on the other hand, was written like a decade after IWTV, and at this point, Anne Rice had not only matured as an author (IWTV was her first novel), but she had also become more erudite and enlightened in anthropology, religion. history and the arts. TVL is a testament to that, because a novel like IWTV isn't really difficult to write (not saying it's a piece of cake, but TVL requires far more erudition), but TVL was something else.

Basically every Vampire Chronicles novel that has been written after TVL, all followed or built upon the vampire universe and laws, first seen in The Vampire Lestat. Queen of the Damned is a direct sequel to TVL, and followed its recipe very closely; The Vampire Armand as well as Blood and Gold, are short stories we first read in TVL, and so on. Even Memnoch the Devil, though clearly Anne was influenced by Paradise Lost when she wrote it, is a continuation of the theme Armand and his Satanist posse had going on in Paris, as first seen in TVL, not in IWTV (where Armand had become a theater guy). When and where The Vampire Chronicles deviated from The Vampire Lestat formula, those novels were never really as good and purist as TVL (Vittorio, Merrick, Blackwood Farm and Blood Canticle). Anne simply had her best ideas in TVL; this was her prime; The Vampire Lestat, was Anne Rice's moment of glory and grandeur.

The best part about TVL is that it was this book, that gave Anne's vampire universe, a great origin story, that was not only an original take or spin on it (you know, as opposed to the traditional, "it all started with Dracula or Carmilla" stuff), but also paid homage to ancient Mesopotamian proto-vampire myths about blood drinking spirits and so on (you can tell that Anne had thoroughly done her research on vampire mythology, before penning TVL). It was like we got all the answers Louis (Brad Pitt) was asking Armand (Antonio Banderas) but which Armand couldn't answer, but The Vampire Lestat gave gave us those answers; Lestat answered all our questions.

And the powers of the vampires, were shown off more here, such as telepathy, telekinesis, pyrokinesis and so on. Louis in IWTV had basically no powers other than being immortal (he can't even read minds), and Lestat barely showed off his powers there, whereas TVL had a lot more action. IWTV was basically a story about two guys drinking blood and pretending to be parents to a little girl. That was it. TVL is more like an action/adventure tale about a powerful, self-confident and cocky vampire, who loves being a vampire and goes all the way with his immortality, as opposed to being depressed and emo 24/7.

Anyway, The Vampire Lestat is probably the best book in the entire Vampire Chronicles series, although I have to say, it's right up there with Memnoch. Not everyone likes Memnoch though, due to all its theology, but I personally loved it. I still reread TVL and Memnoch from time to time, like every 5 years or something.

To summarize: The Vampire Lestat is vampires done right; Interview with the Vampire (the novel, not the film, which is actually a classic film and a masterpiece) was an interesting experimental, first attempt of Anne Rice becoming a great author. She became one when she published The Vampire Lestat. That was when Anne Rice cemented her status as a cult legend.(less)

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Do I necessarily need to read "Interview with a vampire" first?

Cidney S. Hi. Even though this question was posted a year ago, I decided to answer just in case there are others who have the same question. Also, this is one o…moreHi. Even though this question was posted a year ago, I decided to answer just in case there are others who have the same question. Also, this is one of my absolute favorite books, and Lestat just might be my favorite character of any book I've read. That being said, I don't think it's necessary to read IWAV first.

Something to consider is that The Vampire, Lestat is written from Lestat's point of view, whereas, IWAV is written from Louis' viewpoint. Personally, while I thoroughly enjoyed IWAV and did read it first, I did not like the character, Lestat as depicted by Louis. Because of that, I almost didn't buy TVL. However, after reading a few pages, I decided to read it - so VERY glad I did. Lestat in the second book (his book LOL) is much more engaging, interesting, and ... ahem ... dare I say, fleshed out.

Lastly, it seems a good thing in a lot of cases, to read the first book in a series before moving on, but this book can stand alone. While you won't be lost, you will probably become very curious to know the first.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!(less)

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How does this compare with the Interview with the Vampire? The first half of the first book was fantastic, really deep, insightful and great characters. However it really fizzled out in the second half and I found that part very boring. Lestat was a great character however and following his story is why I am contemplating this book. I assume it is set after the events of the first book?

Allen Cross It's actually Lestat's backstory and what events in his mortal and vampire life led up to his encounter with Louis. I agree that Interview With the Va…moreIt's actually Lestat's backstory and what events in his mortal and vampire life led up to his encounter with Louis. I agree that Interview With the Vampire gets a bit dull after the first half, particularly after Lestat leaves the story, but I didn't find the same issue with this one. If you like Lestat, as I did I, then you should definitely give it a shot. I can answer any further inquiries you may have.(less)

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What is the meaning of the 'Savage Garden' and how does it relate to Lestat's being a vampire?

Cidney S. Hi. The Savage Garden is Lestat's nickname for the world. It's how he sees it. How did you become aware of the term? Are you reading the book? That is…moreHi. The Savage Garden is Lestat's nickname for the world. It's how he sees it. How did you become aware of the term? Are you reading the book? That is the best way to know. (less)

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