Customer Reviews

The Vampire Chronicles/the Queen of the Damned/the Vampire Lestat/Interview With the Vampire

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anne Rice revamped the vampire-horror genre with the publication of "Interview with the Vampire," a supernational drama from the vampire's own mouth. It became an unexpected hit, and spawned a series of sequels that came to be known as the Vampire Chronicles. The first three books of the series are compiled here, and arguably remain her best.

"Interview With the Vampire" is the story of Louis, a grieving young widower and plantation owner, whose life is turned upside down when he meets the charming vampire Lestat. Lestat offers him a way out: become a vampire. Louis accepts, but once it's done, he finds that vampirism is more than he bargained for -- especially for his conscience.

"The Vampire Lestat" takes a totally different tack, showing us the world through the enigmatic, charming Lestat's eyes. After years of dormancy, Lestat wakes up in time for the early MTV years of the 1980s, becoming a rock star in the tradition of Ozzy and Black Sabbath. And like Louis, Lestat relates his long life's story -- how he became a vampire, his wanderings over the earth, and his investigations into the origins of vampirism itself...

"Queen of the Damned" builds on that research. Lestat's metal music has caused quite a bit of mayhem -- but not this much before: Akasha, Egyptian queen and mother of all vampires, has reawoken from her comalike sleep. The lesser vampires are having strange dreams, some are being murdered by the ruthless queen. Apparently she wants to kill virtually all men. What is more, Akasha has taken a shine to the roguish Lestat himself...

Vampiric autobiography is a given in Anne Rice's bibliography -- she has plenty of bloodsuckers telling us about their lives. But Lestat and Louis's were not just the first ones, but perhaps the most compelling and rich, especially since the two had such radically different viewpoints -- including of one another. Is Lestat a heartless fiend, or a roguish good-craving bad boy? I'd lean towards the latter, to be honest.

The first two books are quite personal -- one is Louis recounting his own miserable life and un-life. Then we get Lestat, a radically different viewpoint, a guy who enjoys his un-life even more than his mortal existance. Finally, there's an epic view of all vampires, throughout history, from the ancient Egyptian queen to the modern biker vamps.

Despite the more controversial recent novels, Anne Rice's first Vampire Chronicles are often reckoned to be modern horror classics. Rich, intriguing and far deeper than you'd think vampire fiction would be.

This review is for this particular edition.

I love that the first three (and argueably best) books of the Vampire Chronicles were combined with sleek and well designed cover art. The cover was actually taken from the short-lived Broadway musical, 'Lestat', and this was made as an obvious merchandise tie in. It was nice to see, nonetheless.

It's of a much better quality than the mass market paperback versions and a better deal at $13, since each mass market edition will cost you about $7. The book itself is rather heavy (about 4 lbs), so if you have weak wrists it may be a struggle for you to hold, but text is large and easy to read, the ink does not smudge like the mass market editions do, and the pages are thin and smooth.

If you're contemplating 'plunging into the stream' (the words that the Vampire Lestat himself 'lives' by) by giving Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles a try, than buy this particular version. I can't recommend it enough.

I didn't know Anne Rice untill three weeks ago. I read her book 'Interview with a vampire' and i didn't stop reading untill i read it out. I love the story and the way she wrote it. The story is emotional, and sometimes a bit scary, but always beautiful, just like all of her other books. Anne, we love you!!

I would recommand this Book to anyone that Loves "Vampire's" and Anne Rice this collection of her Vampire chronicles is great you can have them all in one book and enjoy. I know i did.

I knew about Anne Rice, but I had never read any of her books before. I read Interview With The Vampire, and I couldn't put it down! It's one of the best books I've ever read. Now I'm reading the whole set. It was great!

It's hard to me try to describe with words what I feel about these books...As I earlier said; Beatiful, wonderful and they really put me to the other levels. *Lestat is a lovely creature, I love him sweet evilness.*

These books are the best books I never read. I started to read this author when I saw "Interview with the vampire" it was incredible.

The three books in this volume are all AMAZING, and I'm proud to say that they are some of, if not my favorite books. They have so much substance to them, so much complexity and emotion. I haven't felt nearly as emotional while reading a book as I did while reading these. The characters dig into your heart and stay there forever.

Out of the three, I might say I liked "Queen of the Damned" the best, but only because there were just so many happy reunions and I loved how it had a nice, clean ending.. (Why, oh why couldn't it stop there?) I liked "The Vampire Lestat" too, a close second. "Interview with the Vampire" was just as good, but I have to say Lestat is a much more fun narrator. Lestat and Louis have got to be my favorite fictional characters of all time. Oh, I just love them both so much, I could go on forever! Their relationship is so tragically adorable.

This is a superb trilogy, with a solid ending. I laughed and I cried. They made me think, and I found so much inspiration in them. I will forever treasure them!

A note on this edition: I think it's perfect. In my opinion, the three books included in this are the only ones worth reading. :P

The Vampire Chronicles Vol.I holds three of Anne Rice's great vampiric masterpieces behind it's covers.

Interview With The Vampire tells the story of Louis, a plantation master outside of New Orleans who after the death of his brother spirals into depression. Enter the vampire Lestat who offers him the 'Dark Gift' of immortality and issues him forth into the world eternal life and unending hunger.

The Vampire Lestat, the second book, finds Lestat awoken in the modern era by the sound of 80's rock. Lestat takes over a band and uses his music to summon forth some old lovers and deadly enemies while telling the tale of how he came to be.

Queen of the Damned, the final book, finds Lestat and his immortal companions up against the mother of the vampires, Akasha. Told through the eyes of the ancients and newly turned vampires alike, Queen of the Damned chronicles the beginning of the vampire race and the clash against a Queen who would devour all of mankind.

A must have for all vampire fans!

Anne's collection is by far and wide the best I have ever read concerning vampires. Far from your run of the mill dime story vampire stories, these books will sweep you off your feet. Blending our love for vampires with a spiritual side that is to be highly commended, I have never been so impressed with a set of novels before. Dont stop with these either! Her next book, Memnoch the Devil is a triumph as well.