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Interview with the Vampire
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Interview with the Vampire- December Read
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Nick wrote: "Amy wrote: "Nick wrote: "Amy, thanks for all the remarks. I do like Rice's descriptions but I do find my mind wandering from time to time during the narrative and I always thought that it was just ..."Awww, thank you, Nick! I was worried I may have ruined stuff for you. I hope you enjoy the rest. I look forward to getting back to it in January with Lestat and Queen of the Damned, etc. Already not signing up for different group things as I have some things I'd personally like to start instead of ones being chosen for me. Maybe you will move on in the series then as well :)
Amy wrote: "James wrote: "In my earlier post I wrote that I felt sorry for Claudia. It seems that some people saw her as evil. I just thought of her as a child always being the same age physically but never ge..."I absolutely agree with both of you I just think its possible for her to be evil and sympathetic at the same time. The interesting thing about Rice's vampires is how outside of normal human interaction they actually are. They are totally "inhuman" and therefore not subject to the same morals or even emotional reactions. They see beauty and even love in something that humans regard as barbaric and tragic. They've transcended things like lust or greed. Which makes sense when you're going to live forever.
So I guess you could say Claudia is only evil by our human terms. She's actually a totally normal vampire. Its Louis really who is the aberration.
The crux of the novel, for me, is Louis coming into his vampirehood and setting aside his humanity forever. You could make the argument that (view spoiler) is the thing that finally allows him to do that.
Amy, you're point about Armand is so interesting. I think he DID know what Claudia's death would do and I think (in addition to needing to maintain his control for the moment over the theatre) that's exactly why he did it. His own life and rebirth in the vampire world told him what Louis would need to experience in order to leave the human world behind forever. His miscalculation was in thinking Louis would have the exact same reaction he did when he lost Marius and was taken by Santino and the others.
Just a comment on Tom Cruise casting. The movie was made after The Vampire Lestat and everyone (I for one) was in love with Lestat. People weren't separating the Interview Lestat from the Vampire Lestat. Tom Cruise was Maverick NOT Lestat
Okay, very close to the end of the book, and I have to say that hearing it on audio has been a hell of an experience; I probably appreciate it more than I would in a straight read, and I think that's because the reader's performance is extraordinary. I think he clarifies Rice's descriptions and action scenes which can be so buried in reflection that some moments might otherwise be lost. I have to say that even though I never saw the movie I knew about the casting, and frankly I couldn't picture any of the principal actors in my mind as I was reading... maybe Tom Cruise because there's something basically depraved just below the surface of that guy anyway. I just bought the DVD and will take a look when I finish the audiobook. One last note, it takes at least three times as long to listen to an audiobook than to read it, I'm sure... plus of course the listening is confined to times when you can listen. That slows down the read even more. Maybe I won't do that on the next group effort so that I can stay up with the crowd. Now I feel I have to go back and read all the notes with their spoilers to get the complete picture of everyone's opinion.
I'll be interested to know what you think of the movie adaptation.
So I just finished the book and I immediately upgraded my rating for four to five stars. My review is posted:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bottom line, it's a powerful story, a great portrait of vampires in general but especially of Louis the guiltiest vampire. I think the plot is remarkable though it IS buried under layers of emotional reflections by Louis, but that only make it more tantalizing. I think Claudia is an incredibly complex and interesting character and I can't wait to see how she is portrayed in the movie... same with all the others. Rice's powers of description never fail to measure up the the locations and the scenes she's presenting. All in all: great stuff. Read my review.
Amy wrote: "James wrote: "In my earlier post I wrote that I felt sorry for Claudia. It seems that some people saw her as evil. I just thought of her as a child always being the same age physically but never ge..."Just went back through a few reviews, Amy. I really like what you say here and agree completely. Luis and Claudia are tragic characters and victims... but they still make victims of others.
I can't wait for you to read the next one, Nick; if in fact, you plan to keep reading the rest. I'm hoping to maybe pick up the next one in January. I only have two books slated for then, so think it shouldn't be a problem to add that one. I read The Vampire Lestat years ago and loved it. I'm interested to see if I will still love it so many years later.
Amy wrote: "I can't wait for you to read the next one, Nick; if in fact, you plan to keep reading the rest. I'm hoping to maybe pick up the next one in January. I only have two books slated for then, so think ..."I've got a few other books piled up but I really think it's worth the effort so yes, definitely in January.
I haven't quite finished this book yet. I had an extremely difficult time getting into it. it did finally get interesting but it's definitely taking me awhile to read this one. This is my first book that I have read from Anne Rice. I would like to to finish this book and give another one of her books a try before I make a final decision of how I really feel about her writing.
I know the month is nearly over, but I'm going to be participating in a readathon and I think I might pick up this book for it after I finish my current read. I forgot that I owned it until I seen that it was this months group read. I'll definitely be back with my thoughts on it if I do end up reading it :)
Vada wrote: "I know the month is nearly over, but I'm going to be participating in a readathon and I think I might pick up this book for it after I finish my current read. I forgot that I owned it until I seen ..."I think it's worth the read and this is the first ann rice I've read.
James wrote: "Vada wrote: "I know the month is nearly over, but I'm going to be participating in a readathon and I think I might pick up this book for it after I finish my current read. I forgot that I owned it ..."I'd love to hear your thoughts Vada. I'm still going to try and take a look at the movie. If I'm able to I'll post my reaction.
@Nick ....Just started the movie not long ago...I've had it on my DVR for two months since I read the book. Figured I'd finally sit down to watch it and clear it off. Have you watched it yet?
Amy wrote: "@Nick ....Just started the movie not long ago...I've had it on my DVR for two months since I read the book. Figured I'd finally sit down to watch it and clear it off. Have you watched it yet?"
It's been on my shelf for a month. My wife refuses to watch it with me otherwise I would have seen it along ago... but I think tonight's the night. I'll let you know what I think maybe tomorrow.
Amy wrote: "@Nick ....Just started the movie not long ago...I've had it on my DVR for two months since I read the book. Figured I'd finally sit down to watch it and clear it off. Have you watched it yet?"
Amy -
OKAY THIS COMMENTARY IS FULL OF SPOILERS. Just watched the movie, and then I read Leonard Maltin's review. He gave it 1.5 stars, mostly because (apparently) he didn't like the story. Of course, I liked the story going in, and so I was anxious to see how well it was handled. When the author of the book writes the screenplay you should expect (if she or he is competent) a pretty accurate retelling, with changes in the story made (in addition to condensing the work and making it more visual) to accommodate changes of heart of correction of misunderstandings that the author has experienced. I think that happened here, and it happens mostly in the characterization of Lestat. His pure monster status from the book is diminished when he doesn't show up in Paris, which allows his appearance at the end of the film to be more revivifying (first time I've ever used that word I think). I think Cruise does a great job, he's the excitement of the story. Pitt is okay considering the personality of Louis to begin with. Kirstin Dunst is older than the kid in the book I think, and that's okay, but it takes away an extra dimension of paradox that was present as I imagined a much younger claudia being so damn adult in her decisions and actions. The visuals were often spectacular although once again there were a couple of scenes that I imagined to be much more powerful than in the film. So there was a little disappointment there. Could you pass a college final exam on the book by seeing the movie? Probably. It was that close. Of course I would have asked who finally condemned Claudia in Paris, and if you had only seen the movie, you would have gotten it wrong. 3.5 buckets of popcorn for the film, and a golden kernel for Mr. Cruis, Mr. Jordan, Ms. Rice, and whoever was in charge of creating all those fires.
Lena wrote: "Yes, today it's all weak ass fire."
Hmmmm.
Nick wrote: "Amy wrote: "@Nick ....Just started the movie not long ago...I've had it on my DVR for two months since I read the book. Figured I'd finally sit down to watch it and clear it off. Have you watched..."
Excellent review, Nick! I had seen the movie many years ago without reading the book first and wanted to revisit it now that i had read it. I felt the same as you did that they gave great performances and noted right away that Mrs. Rice had done the screenplay. Overall, I agree with your review. I felt all the actors did a good job but found Antonio Banderas the only casting issue for myself personally. Others would disagree with lots of the casting, I am sure.
Nick wrote: "Lena wrote: "Yes, today it's all weak ass fire."
Hmmmm."
Hey Lena - guess you disagree with me (I think) ... no problem of course. Great visual though. :-)
That was me agreeing. 80s/90s fx were real! I'm also a Jim Henson fan. The Dark Crystal kicks Disneys animated ass!
Amy wrote: "Nick wrote: "Amy wrote: "@Nick ....Just started the movie not long ago...I've had it on my DVR for two months since I read the book. Figured I'd finally sit down to watch it and clear it off. Hav..."
Amy - I had a little bit of a problem with Banderas too but not as much as I expected. Almost none of the characters looked the way I pictured them while reading, but I don't think that's really a requirement.
Lena wrote: "That was me agreeing. 80s/90s fx were real! I'm also a Jim Henson fan. The Dark Crystal kicks Disneys animated ass!"
... a lot of the time anyway. Another good image too, mom's on fire!!
Real fire! No one believed JLaw was on fire, no one.
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The Vampire Lestat (other topics)Merrick (other topics)
You misunderstood me, Amy... I'm definitely going to finish, and I apparently forgot to mention that I've read this book before... a few years back. I remember liking it, but I can't remember a lot of the details. Anyway, I'm just about to get into part two and enjoying it (in spite of the morbid reflections)... no worries. I enjoyed your comments, but thanks for you concern.