grabowsk_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
letsreadwithcats's review
5.0
This is my third time reading Interview with the Vampire. I really love this book. I have spent a lot of time wondering why I am so drawn to this dark tale. I do think it has something to do with what was happening in my life the first time I read it. It was winter break my Freshman year in college. I had been diagnosed with a chronic disease and was horribly ill and in pain at the time.
And then I read this mesmerizing tale of darkness, death, grief, mortality and a search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless existence. No wonder I was hooked. I’m such a Louis stan. I know, he is so dreary. But he has reason to be. I love his determination to hold on to his humanity and his conviction that there is meaning and history to his existence as a vampire. It really is devastating when he finds out there is no higher purpose or meaning. Rice seemed to be someone who really wrestled with her faith. This inner conflict drives Louis’ character. It’s a sentiment I relate to, especially when I’ve struggled with my health. Sometimes there are no answers.
I also really love the world created in this novel. Rice’s vampires are so interesting. They are extremely sensual though not sexual. There is no physical sex. These desires are clearly replaced by the thrill of killing. Yet the relationships are very intense and romantic in nature. Because there is no sex, the gender or age of the individual really doesn’t factor into the relationship at all. This time through, I felt like I was following Louis as he found and then escaped a series of toxic paramours. Lestat, Claudia, Armand. I’m not sure who is the worst (it’s Lestat, lol). Armand and Louis intense attraction really got me this time, though. Swoon. Too bad it ends horribly.
I have always been reluctant to read other books in the series because I love Louis so much and I know the rest of the series focuses more on Lestat. I’m tempted to finally continue the series.
And then I read this mesmerizing tale of darkness, death, grief, mortality and a search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless existence. No wonder I was hooked. I’m such a Louis stan. I know, he is so dreary. But he has reason to be. I love his determination to hold on to his humanity and his conviction that there is meaning and history to his existence as a vampire. It really is devastating when he finds out there is no higher purpose or meaning. Rice seemed to be someone who really wrestled with her faith. This inner conflict drives Louis’ character. It’s a sentiment I relate to, especially when I’ve struggled with my health. Sometimes there are no answers.
I also really love the world created in this novel. Rice’s vampires are so interesting. They are extremely sensual though not sexual. There is no physical sex. These desires are clearly replaced by the thrill of killing. Yet the relationships are very intense and romantic in nature. Because there is no sex, the gender or age of the individual really doesn’t factor into the relationship at all. This time through, I felt like I was following Louis as he found and then escaped a series of toxic paramours. Lestat, Claudia, Armand. I’m not sure who is the worst (it’s Lestat, lol). Armand and Louis intense attraction really got me this time, though. Swoon. Too bad it ends horribly.
I have always been reluctant to read other books in the series because I love Louis so much and I know the rest of the series focuses more on Lestat. I’m tempted to finally continue the series.
andriella's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
almalotus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
clazbee's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ileniis_'s review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
booksnooksandcooks's review against another edition
3.0
Well it wasn’t as good as everyone made it out to be which, honestly, is true for many popular books. Part three and on felt so dull and it just slogged on.
kingofthehillxl's review
3.0
I really enjoyed this book, but it is very dense, so the ending was a little disappointing for me. If you have seen the movie and liked it, this book is definitely worth reading.
I probably would have enjoyed the plot of the book more if I had not seen the movie first. I’m a little sad that I’ll never be able to be surprised by this book. I was secretly hoping it diverged more from the movie, or that the movie had diverged from it I guess. I think you have to keep in mind that a lot of what this book has added to the zeitgeist in vampire and gothic literature has been made a cliche by other works. In that sense there isn’t much to discover in this novel. One thing left is a tale of grief. In that, this novel soars higher than most works could imagine. Another is the world the Anne Rice builds which promises a deep history and an air of mystery.
Overall I thought the novel was enthralling, if a little long in the tooth, and it’s at its best when it takes you through its winding path to the truth of immortality.
I probably would have enjoyed the plot of the book more if I had not seen the movie first. I’m a little sad that I’ll never be able to be surprised by this book. I was secretly hoping it diverged more from the movie, or that the movie had diverged from it I guess. I think you have to keep in mind that a lot of what this book has added to the zeitgeist in vampire and gothic literature has been made a cliche by other works. In that sense there isn’t much to discover in this novel. One thing left is a tale of grief. In that, this novel soars higher than most works could imagine. Another is the world the Anne Rice builds which promises a deep history and an air of mystery.
Overall I thought the novel was enthralling, if a little long in the tooth, and it’s at its best when it takes you through its winding path to the truth of immortality.