Customer Reviews

The Tale of the Body Thief (Vampire Chronicles)

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(62)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

This book is undeniably entertaining. The whole 'Lestat can't even handle everyday aspects of being a human' had me laughing out loud at times, and was a wonderful characterization on the part of Anne. However, I can't help but feel that this novel didn't drag me into its narrative so wonderfully as the first three books in this series. The writing seemed to have lost that...indescribably beautiful flow. The breathtaking mixture of gothic tragedy, horror and romance so notable in its predecessors remains, for the most part, aloof, and at times it feels like you are reading a well-written piece of fan-fiction rather than part of the Vampire Chronicles. I also had real problems with the character of David. Granted, he was mildly intriguing in 'Queen of the Damned', but now he just appears as yet another character in what had been a wonderful cross-section of characters created in the first few novels. He also annoyed me because the excellent love-hate relationship between Louis and Lestat, something that this series is infamous for, was often ousted for his ramblings on God. Enough! In fact, this character so bored me that I have to draw on points raised by some of the other reviewers-- you end up hoping desperatley that Louis, Armand or one of the others will show up again. And that's the thing; the scenes between Louis and Lestat are so entertaining, so insightful that when Lestat leaves to return to David, you just groan and think 'here we go again'. This novel is good for two things-- firstly, as an insight into the tragedy of growing old, of the waste of life, (so wonderfully linked to Yeats's 'Sailing to Byzantium') and also if you are just in the mood for a comic-book type of adventure. However, if the reason you read the first novels was for that blend of history, romance and gothic themes-- you will find it here, only not quite as much as you had hoped. Shame. In summary, all I can say is that perhaps this series should have ended with 'Queen of the Damned'. Memnoch was a travesty; this story, though entertaining, does not feel as 'tight' as the others in terms of narrative and characterization. I feel it should have simply ended with the scene where the other vampires have gone off to pursue their own adventures, and a furious Louis is stalking the streets of London with a grinning Lestat who howls, 'Tell me how bad I am! It makes me feel so good!' That's only because this story doesn't end quite so well, for all its excellent parts. Think of it as 'Ernest does necromancy'.

I wonder why _The tale of the Body Thief_ didn't get the same success as _Interview_ or _The Vampire Lestat_.
The story is strong and original: Lestat, bored of his immortal and static life, accepts to exchange his supernatural body with a rascal, named Raglan James. Thus Lestat can experience human life: food, drinks and, for the first time, sex.
His love affair with the young waitress is an enchanting piece of literary skillness. We see Lestat enjoying sex with the reluctant girl -but his real problem is not the girl's unwillingness, it is the relation with his new mortal body!
The romance with the nun is less convincing: Lestat could have chosen something less complicated for his spiritual evolution.
But that doesn't matter: the immortal vampire experiences human life, he is attracted by it, but finally prefers to return to his originale condition. No sweat, no hunger, no bad smells, no problems....
Of course, Lestat will have to face the treacherous and unfaithful Raglan James for returning to his original state. But this is not very important: I think that in the seconda part of the book the most interesting scene is Lestat's visit to the waitress, to beg her pardon. Something very human and sweet, a very significant moment in Lestat's development from _Interview with the vampire_ Miss Roce's style is at its best, vivid and intriguing.

Of The Vampire Chronicles, this is my absolute favourite. They are all magnificent books, but this one is a bit different than the others. It focuses even more on Lestat, his mistakes which always leads him into great adventures, and on his friendship with David Talbot. When the story begins, Lestat is tired. He is not sure whether or not he wants to live. Infact, he tries to take his own life, but fails. This doesn't make him feel any better... Then this Raglan James comes forward, and gives Lestat an offer; he wants them to switch bodies... For three days, Lestat could be human again, if he agrees to the offer given by Raglan James. Of course, it would be irresponsible to let a human use a body as strong as his, Lestat thinks, but still he is tempted. Well, Lestat isn't known for always being responsible and thinking about the consequences, and so he accepts. And what happens? Raglan James escapes with his new vampire body, and Lestat is stuck inside a human body. Some way, he has to get his own body back... This book is truly brilliant, it has everything! As soon as you start reading, you're stuck. I read it in two days, almost without eating or sleeping during the time. You really fall in love with Lestat, and his neverending mistakes.... Read this book, you will not regret it!

After the dreck that was "The Queen of the Damned," I can't say that I was necessarily overzealous to work my way through the rest of the Vampire Chronicles. Alas, money spent means money wasted if you never make use of what you buy, so it was only a matter of time before I got to the dusty portion of the bookcase that houses Anne Rice (in one of my usual displays of sheer asininity, I rushed out and bought all that Anne Rice had ever written after finishing "The Vampire Lestat." Poor me...).

As Lestat states in the very beginning of "The Tale of the Body Thief," this is a contemporary story--just a narrative of an exciting event that transpired, with no religious revelations of any sort of immortals confiding the story of their life. Which means that there is going to be a sheer abundance (read: redundancy) of petty descriptions of rooms and buildings, bland events and appropriately prosaic reflections on them. This we know from looking at the previous installment of the Vampire Chronicles, in which Rice displayed a total lack of talent for describing the little things that culminate to a large event; everything dragged on and on, and frankly, it was hard to care for any of it when it appeared so meaningless at face value.

Fortunately, "The Tale of the Body Thief" displays a slightly better understanding regarding the mechanics of a narrative devoid of moral, philosophical or theological questioning. But there's a small problem: apparently Rice couldn't hold back from inserting a few of her notoriously-elaborate sermons here and there. And in the scheme of things, seeing how they serve no purpose but to extend the length of the novel, they are utterly worthless, completely out of place, and they give off the type of putrid smell that says either "I don't know how to tackle this subject--give me one year to concoct another novel" or "My editor doesn't know what he's talking about; this is sheer genius!" In short, it's what a careful writer always avoids, or at the very least elaborates upon in a subtle manner from the first to the last page of a story.

Secondary to that unbelievably salient flaw lie Lestat's set of reactions when he undergoes the body switch and becomes human. The fastidiousness he displays is pure Lestat, to be sure, and an all-out hoot for a little while--but after that little while, it's hard not to wish that Rice had spent a slightly longer time dwelling on the beauty of the daylight world as opposed to the nuisance of "eating, pissing, sniveling, defecating, and then eating again." A wasted opportunity, to be sure, and it paints Lestat in a much more childish light than any of the previous works. But you can't entirely blame Rice for this aspect since it does work off a frighteningly alluring charm.

"The Tale of the Body Thief" is really more than anything a frivolous take on the nature of the vampire and his place in the modern world. Given the heavy-handed philosophy of the previous novels, it's disappointing to see the style all but dissipate in favor of a more intimate look at the personal mind of Lestat. I tried hard to like it, but in the end I just couldn't shake off the feeling that the work seemed rushed, that somewhere along the line Rice said "To hell with it, just publish it" and forgot about all the little details that were left up in the air.

Certainly, you'd think that human life involves something other than acquiring counterfeit passports every two or three hours. Maybe a quick read-through would have said "Let's omit these forty-seven banal passages that mention the shady character who gives our heroes passports for their travels."

Nothing against Anne Rice's style, that has not changed at all, and continues to amaze me. However, I must say that this was my least favorite thus far of the Chronicles. Despite Rice's hypnotic dialogue and emotional detail, It was a very predictable story from the start.

This time, Lestat makes a deal with a Body Theif, a human who can switch souls with another being, who also happens to be a very talented con-artist. Against the advice of his friends, Lestat agrees to temporarily switch bodies with the man, so that he can once again experience being a human.

Lestat, as a human, must deal with the new challeng of being cut off from his vampire powers. His vampire companions will have nothing to do with him. His only friends through this ordeal are Mojo, a faithful dog; and David Talbot, the human from the Talamasca, introduced in Book 3. Further, he must re-learn everything he once knew as a human, centuries ago. Rice describes in detail how challenging it is for Lestat to learn all those simple dialy routines that we take for granted. Eating, using the bathroom, staying healthy, making love, and even walking all become a new challenge to master.

The detail is great, but the plot lacks any mystery whatsoever. You see everything coming, so the story really lacks any suspense or excitement. If the thought of Lestat's humanity intrests you, then by all means read it. However, if you are looking for the same excitement and intrigue Rice presented in earlier volumes, then skip it

First off, Lestat is dumber than paint in this book. "Duh...I'll give this crook superhuman strength and immortality and duh...he'll give it back to me for a little bit of cash." Secondly, not only is Lestat dumb but the plot as well is getting out of hand. I mean, a BODYSNATCHER? really.

I've been a loyal Anne Rice reader (and vampire fan) for some time now, and it all started with this book! Rather than the usual run down vampire plot (in which a normal person is transformed unwillingly into a vampire and has trouble coping) or the "classic" horror movie motif (usually along the lines of a psychotic vampire terrorizing everyone on his mad and seemingly pointless killing sprees), Anne Rice has pulled through with a truly innovative plot from deep whithin the regions of imagination. The Tale of the Body Thief is the story of a once powerful and headstrong vampire who finds himself with the prosect of becoming human again. He readily accepts the mysterious stranger's offer and recieves what he has always wanted- or has he? Lestat soon realizes that being human isn't all wonderful moments and experiences. He finds himself longing for his strong vampiric body back, only to find that the man he traded bodies with has reneged on their agreement and decided to keep his body after all. Lestat now finds himself in unfamiliar territory- unable to defend himself. All the more determined, he calls upon the help of an old friend, and all of his tricks and cunning. Filled with magic, chases, and friendship, The Tale of the Body Thief leads both characters and readers on an adventure that is sure to change their perspectives forever

OMG this book was great. Ann does not always write Lestat with such humor. But this book we laugh and cry at Lestat's problems once he becomes human again. I saw a more humors side to Ann's writing this time. I enjoyed every page of this book and I think you will too.
And if there is a leason for Lestat in this book its some times its better to be what you are then to try to be some thing you are not meant to be.

Unlike the some others reviewers I feel that this was a well written book. I thought it had a much faster pace then The Queen of the Damned, I could not put down Tale of the Body Thief.

Even if you haven't read the other books in the series you can read this one without feeling lost. The other characters are not really mentioned as they are in the other books. Although it it better to read them in order to get the full effect.

I like the sucide atempt at the beginning, as another already said. I found Lestat's decriptions of being human interesting. I loved the dreams of Claudia and how they occured even after the fever dreams. I did not feel that the reader could not relate with Gretchen, she had questions about life that I could relate with. Gretchen's reaction to Lestat in his real body felt real. I loved finding out more about David. I felt David's rejection when Lestat agressivly turned him. I am glad that Rice did not over do it when she mentioned the eroctism between David and Lestat, it felt more real the way that it is.

It was a good book and ends the mystery of Lestat wanting to see the sun again. It leaves him happier to be himself.

I really want to rank this book as highly as "Queen of the Damned" and "The Vampire Lestat" but I just can't. I found the book to be only so-so. Still the concept of Lestat experiencing the daily rituals of human life was interesting. He hasn't been human for over two hundred years and totally forgot about all the little nuances that humans experience daily. Lestat was completely naive to think that this body thief would be willing to return his body back in several days as promised. His friend David Talbot (introduced in "Queen of the Damned") even warns Lestat to not go through with this body switching.

The subject of body switching is rather old. After all, Hollywood has run this subject into the ground. I like this book but not as much as "Queen of the Damned" and "The Vampire Lestat". I can't say I hate it completely either. I just found "The Tale of the Body Thief" a bit dull on my part but don't take my word for it.