Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles #1)
Author: Anne Rice
Published: 1976
On Goodreads
My Rating: 
Rated B for a bloody and broody forever no vampire asked for.
“Don’t be afraid. Just start the tape.”
In a small room, a young writer interviews a vampire. Face to face, the writer can hardly believe his eyes let alone what he’s hearing. This is the interview of Louis de Pointe du Lac and his unlife. This was a life he’d never dreamt of nor asked for, but it became his and he has a long, tragic, and hypnotic tale to tell.
Such a classic that’s left its bite marks in Pop Culture, IWTV, as I know it, is a mere introduction to The Vampire Chronicles. Louis is finally ready to give his autobiography on being a vampire. Many myths and truths were confirmed and a tale of love and tragedy unfolded.
This was such a unique perspective to give. It seems almost ludicrous that a vampire would sit down and have a humane conversation—an indulging exchange that almost seems friendly— about his long life with what’s considered his mind source of food. But alas, here, the door opened with the possibility that vampires were not merely monsters, but creatures that bore au unbearable torture of broody eternity. Rice gave way to the erotic fantasy of falling for such creatures rather than running for our lives, and I strongly appreciate that.
That being said, this book wasn’t my favorite read. Her books have always been tricky. The writing is stellar and driven giving such a rich depth to an enchanting dark tale. Unlike in the movie or show, most of this book does take place in a small interview room. The rest is just flashback from Louis. And, that’s fine and all. I love how it was framed. From every touch to thought to every drop of blood and its impact. Yet, I found myself dragging as I read. Depth is fantastic, but there was a lacking balance of action. It just wasn’t enough for me.
Claudia stole the show. She really did. A child-vampire. With her, Rice crossed those human boundaries once more. The ones that keep humans from seeming evil and monstrous. She was such a lively character that expressed how much harder it is to be an immortal child than not.
Louis’s relationship with Claudia has been one of the most influential with the way it fluctuated between familial and romantic. Still, aside from Lestat having a toxic narcissistic relationship with himself, this vampiric Lolita was one of the most propelling throughout the book. Controversial and yet compelling.
Throughout this entire novel was a strong yearning for a forever and for a not forever. It was the ultimate torture. This was a vampire that never asked to live forever and shared how it was dreadful even though there were moments of bliss and delight. While Twilight sure gave a dramatic and whiny rendition of vampirism, which is entertaining as hell, I tip whatever hat I’m wearing off to Rice for her creating a painfully timeless one. Truly. Love wasn’t a sole purpose or arc, learning to live with eternity and trying to find meaning in it was.
Overall
This has been on my must-read list for a very long while. I’m glad I got to read it and I do look forward to continuing the series even though it’s my typical style. There’s this thin line of curiosity I followed as I read and I hope to continue following it in the next book.
Quotables:
“People who cease to believe in God or goodness altogether still believe in the devil. I don’t know why. No, I do indeed know why. Evil is always possible.” (Louis, p. 13)
“How pathetic it is to describe these things which can’t truly be described.” (Louis, p. 20)
“The great adventure of our lives. What does it mean to die when you can live until the end of the world? And what is ‘the end of the world’ except a phrase, because know even what is the world itself?” (Louis, p. 141)
“You are the night and the night alone understands you and enfolds you in its arms” (p. 267)
More to come soon…
-K.
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The Scarlet Reader 
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