*WARNING* Certain details in this review may spoil events and their outcomes from previous books in the series. You’ve been warned!
Who wrote this book and when?
Anne Rice had this published in 1992.
Has there been a film version?
No.
Who are the important characters?
Lestat the Vampire – now nearly indestructible, he mourns his vampiric nature and its destructive tendencies
David Talbot – the head of the Talamasca and one of Lestat’s only friends, he is human
Raglan James – a man with the ability to switch bodies
Gretchen – a relapsed nun
Claudia – the child vampire Lestat made over a hundred years ago who was killed by the vampires of the Theatre de Vampyres in Paris, she now haunts Lestat
Mojo – a large dog who has taken a liking to Lestat
What’s it about?
Lestat has been alone for many years now that the coven of old vampires has broken up. His only friend is David Talbot, a man with extreme psychic abilities who refuses Lestat’s offer of the Dark Gift. Lestat is depressed about his vampiricism, and tries to kill only serial killers and other criminals. When a man called Raglan James tracks him down and offers him a week in a human body, Lestat is intrigued. He longs to recapture his humanity in an attempt at redemption. And despite all of his friends’ warnings, he goes through with the process and switches bodies with James – a kleptomaniac.
Why is this book a classic/bestseller?
It’s part of the Vampire Chronicles.
Do I recommend you read this book?
Eh. It’s by far not the best in this series.
How did this book make my list?
It’s part of the Vampire Chronicles, which I would like to read all of.
Has it won any awards?
No.
Favorite quotes:
“And here in pictures full of rich clothing and expensive possessions, gleamed the undeniable evidence that human beings are wholly unlike any other animal in the cosmos – they are a precious mingling of the flesh and immortal fire.” – p 37
“How deep and dark my river. The air was always cool above it; and in spite of the dismal haze hanging over all, I could still see a wealth of cruel and tiny stars.” – p 115
Anything else?
This book makes me want to go on a cruise.
Personal thoughts:
This is the slowest of any book in this series so far. It was obvious from the beginning that Lestat was going to take the deal with Raglan. So the fifty or so pages of philosophical pondering on the matter seemed a bit redundant. And once he traded, it was fairly obvious what the outcome was going to be – after all, Raglan is a klepto. In fact, with the exception of possibly 100 pages, this whole book seemed to be superfluous and obvious. We knew that Lestat would take the deal, we knew the deal would be dirty, we knew that Lestat would get his body back because otherwise he wouldn’t be Lestat. I think this book has taken the taste for Vampire Chronicles out of my mouth for a while…
Wannabe Inkling 