The vampires have always been metaphors for me. They've always been vehicles through which I can express things I have felt very, very deeply. - Anne Rice (American author)

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Anne Rice's books spin realistic tales of horror, humanizing fantasy and the paranormal.

Braum Stoker's Dracula started the idea of blood drinkers, followed by countless books and movies adaptations but IMO Anne Rice's 'Interview with the Vampire' is the best modern day version of the icon. I had a Ballantine first edition paperback in 1976, I still don't remember where I bought it but the cover intrigued me. This strange trio dressed in white, the exact opposite of the preconceived notions about vampires and perhaps the first time I noticed how a book's cover influences a reader's decision. I've always been a voracious reader and never experienced anything like it, reading the book twice before I lost it at the Quickie Mart in Oak Cliff, Texas on Jefferson and 1st street. I never recovered as you can tell. I have since replaced it but never forgot that cover. The unfortunately BADLY cast movie adaptation with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt only slightly dimming my love for the story (Kirsten Dunst's Claudia being the exception). To date, Stewart Townsend in 'Queen of the Damned' is the best Lestat ever portrayed (see last year's Halloween post). 
Rice has written over 35 books, including erotic novels under pseudonyms, Anne Rampling, and A.N.Roquelaure. I've read most of her books, and devoured the each of the Vampire Series as soon as a new one was released, but truthfully have only read about half of them, the latter books not holding my attention as easily as earlier works. This is pre 'Twilight' movies which admittedly has completely turned me off the genre, I can't explain why.
Her characters in the Mayfair Witch series are so well developed, you're sure they're real and Rice includes the most mundane detail of each setting and transports you to the world of her vivid imagination. Four centuries of family secrets, revelations and intrigue that leave you wanting more. I think I enjoyed this series as much as if not more than The Vampire Chronicles. I've missed those stories and have been thinking of re-reading them. I haven't given up hope there will be more Mayfair books to come. There is some Mayfair/Vampire crossover in three books. I've only read one but plan to tackle the other two very soon,  which I hope to be books 35 and 36 of my 2018 GoodReads book challenge. My goal this year was 30.
Hulu is launching 'The Vampire Series' based on Rice's books and I'm considering finally using the trial subscription offer although I admit there's something in the back of my mind that that fears it'll be more 'Interview with the Vampire' than 'Queen of the Damned'.

Comments

  1. Sabrina B.November 1, 2018 at 7:58 AM

    I agree with them casting Tom Cruise in the 'Interview' movie. Brad Pitt could 'pass', but Tom Cruise must've gotten a serious hook-up for that movie...thumbs-down to him. Bram Stoker's Dracula was too creepy for me. I watched it and it was a good movie, but I probably won't watch it again. I have nightmares. LOL. Blade was rather cheesy. You get caught up watching it with your 'boo' but nothing I'd watch on my own. Underworld is a good movie...a series that should've far exceeded the awful Twilight run. I recently watched Vampire in Brooklyn...for throw-back's sake. I like Queen of the Damned, too. The overall throw-back 'classic' for me is.....The Lost Boys....where my crush first began on the Coreys. LOL

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    Replies
    1. Sabrina B.November 1, 2018 at 7:59 AM

      I meant to say I agree with your thought of the BAD CASTING of Tom Cruise in the 'Interview' movie.

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