Interview with the Vampire

by Anne Rice

Hardcover, 340 pages

English language

Published Oct. 14, 1994 by Alfred A. Knopf.

ISBN:: 978-0-394-49821-8
OCLC Number:: 1037427410

(129 reviews)

This is the story of Louis, as told in his own words, of his journey through mortal and immortal life. Louis recounts how he became a vampire at the hands of the radiant and sinister Lestat and how he became indoctrinated, unwillingly, into the vampire way of life. His story ebbs and flows through the streets of New Orleans, defining crucial moments such as his discovery of the exquisite lost young child Claudia, wanting not to hurt but to comfort her with the last breaths of humanity he has inside. Yet, he makes Claudia a vampire, trapping her womanly passion, will, and intelligence inside the body of a small child. Louis and Claudia form a seemingly unbreakable alliance and even "settle down" for a while in the opulent French Quarter. Louis remembers Claudia's struggle to understand herself and the hatred they both have for Lestat that sends them halfway across …

Louis and Claudia travel Europe, eventually coming to Paris and the ragingly successful Theatre des Vampires--a theatre of vampires pretending to be mortals pretending to be vampires. Here they meet the magnetic and ethereal Armand, who brings them into a whole society of vampires. But Louis and Claudia find that finding others like themselves provides no easy answers and in fact presents dangers they scarcely imagined.

Originally begun as a short story, the book took off as Anne wrote it, spinning the tragic and triumphant life experiences of a soul. As well as the struggles of its characters, Interview captures the political and social changes of two continents. The novel also introduces Lestat, Anne's most enduring character, a heady mixture of attraction and revulsion. The book, full of lush description, centers on the themes of immortality, change, loss, sexuality, and power. ([source][1])

[1]: annerice.com/Bookshelf-Interview.html

36 editions

LemmiSchmoeker reviewed Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)

Very different from "The Vampire Lestat"

4 stars

This is very different from The Vampire Lestat: beautifully, hauntingly written, with tight characterisations, and to the point. The “interview” gimmick does distract a little, though. Every so often, the quote marks remind the reader that this is supposed to be direct speech; and it is simply too well-structured to convince as something that is being spoken right now.

It also would have helped if some sections had been shortened. Especially the long journey between the first and second part is exhausting, at the very least, and the random incidents that are never fully explained don't contribute to the story.

All in all, however, it is a moving tale about a never-ending desperation that affects the reader on a deep level. Its greatest fault is perhaps that Rice seems to be very much in love with her own prose, to the point that she is at times unable to …

Darri's Grove reviewed Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)

Review of 'Interview With the Vampire' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Despite Anne Rice’s wonderful way of story telling, how she practically can fluidly place you in the interview room and then take you straight into the history that Louis lived, I found that there was so much downright pedo moment towards the end of Part 1 that I decided I wasn’t going to finish the book. I read through part one just to satisfy my needs to at least TRY to finish a book.

Now, I’ve come across some people mentioning that Louis and Claudia’s relationship was passing, that it was “allowed” because Claudia is a vampire now. I get that, but Claudia was a CHILD when she was first turned. He had a lust for her blood before the relationship grew over the years, which in turn became romantic. Some of the ways Louis described how much he loved Claudia made me very uncomfortable. Had that been the only issues I had, I’m sure I could have finished the book.

That was until Lestat outright molested a young boy, a child, while drinking his blood. This was the scene as Lestat was being poisoned. Rice wrote that Lestat rubbed the boys nipple. My face when I read those pages was enough for my mom to ask how things were going. She’d apparently read this book in high school and she’d forgotten what happens in the book. I’m sure that was for good reason. I would not want to be reminded of that scene.

I should have put the book down right then and there, but I wanted to push through. Not much else happens after Lestat dies but what could you make of that? At least Claudia and Louis didn’t have anymore romantic talk because I would have just thrown the book away.

I’ve heard of what happens throughout The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty. I should’ve have taken that as a massive red flag and avoided her works entirely.

Don’t read this book if you’re sensitive to pedophilic matters.

Jack 💜 reviewed Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)

Review of 'Interview With the Vampire' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

It’s like, yknow, it’s fine. The philosophical and theological banters were interesting, albeit a little overwrought at times. Good homoeroticism, but the way the narration treats Claudia really puts me off for how creepy it got at times.

DavidB_Tn@books.mxhdr.net reviewed Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)

Review of 'Interview With the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I'd read this gem when it came out in paperback, and I was 12 years old. I loved it so much, I did an except of the interview as a skit in camp that summer.

Pamalama22 reviewed Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)

Review of 'Interview With the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

this was my first vampire book I ever read. OH what a book. Loved it. one of my favorites :)

patchworkbunny reviewed Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Review of 'Interview with the Vampire' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Claudia is just a child when the vampire Lestat turns her, condemning her to an eternity trapped in a child’s body. As her love for Louis strengthens, so does her hatred of Lestat. This is her story.

Interview with the Vampire: Claudia’s Story is a graphic novel adapted from Anne Rice’s novel by Ashley Marie Witter. I would imagine that the target audience for this book are going to be existing fans so I won’t go into the story too much. Claudia’s very nature is contradictory; her childhood is stolen from her yet she will never grow into a woman. Inside she is a predator, but the world still treats her as a child. It really is a heartbreaking tale.

The beautiful sepia artwork has a sketchy feeling but Ashley captures expressions perfectly. The splashes of blood red are vivid and really do make the pages look bloody. I absolutely love this use of colour, it’s so effective. One thing that is a little weak is her representation of hands. Sometimes they look like deformed claws and whilst not the focus of the images, once I noticed them my eyes kept going there.

If you were inclined to pick up this book with no knowledge of Interview with the Vampire, you might find Louis a bit of a wishy washy character. I imprinted what I already knew onto him as I read but I don’t think he is developed at all except for Claudia’s feelings. The emotion in the drawings of Lestat convey a lot more; enough to fill in the gaps.

Tom Goetz reviewed Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)

Review of 'Interview With the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles)' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I originally rated this 4 stars based on my memories of reading it years ago, but rereading it now, I can only it three stars. Louis is too much of a winer and spends too much time moaning about his feelings.