The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

I've noticed a great many people here love the book Interview with the Vampire. Now don't get me wrong, The Vampire Chronicles are probably my 2nd favourite series of books after Anita Blake, but I simply can't stand Interview. I think it's long-winded, dull, boring, far fetched and Louis makes me want to smack my head against a wall.

Recently I was discussing it with a friend who thought that this might be the case because I read The Vampire Lestat first and it is my favourite.

What does everyone else think? Is my opinion of IwtV clouded because Lestat is so much more appealing as a character to me than Louis?

Perhaps its that Lestat takes what he wants, creating a fast-paced urgency to his story, whereas Louis deliberates and agonises?

Maybe also, Rice may have felt that The Vampire Lestat was lacking in an examination of emotions and morality, so she sought to make up for it in the Interview.

God, it's been such a long time since Ive read ANY of them.

I had, at one point, the entire collection in hard back... but a roomie ran off with them (over $550 in book that to ME were priceless!!).
A completely painful though.
MOVING ON.

Neither Lestat OR Louis were my favorite characters.

Now I know my handle here is Khayman, but no, he's not my favorite EITHER.

My favorite character is a dead (no pun intended) even tie between Marius and Armand.

:: sighs ::

God I miss that collection.

Well, 'Interview' was written first and was all about how being a vampire sucks. Then she switched it right around with 'Lestat' and told us Louis was a whining pansy, Lestat was the epitome of awesome, and being a vampire was the coolest thing anyone could ever do. Clearly 'Lestat' was a more fun and upbeat book, so people are going to like it more, but reading 'Interview' first allows you more of a perspective on the realities that Lestat ignores. Reading 'Lestat first' would definitely make Interview seem like more of a wet blanket.

I actually found Lestat to be the most 2 dimensional of the characters in Anne Rices work. Ego driven and spiteful to the end. Interview was a great introduction to the character of Louis and while many can make the accusation that he should have shat or got off the pot, he did what I think anyone (not a killer) would have done when faced with the idea of killing for life. He whined, he rebelled, he tortured himself and he tried to find a way to redeem himself.

I agree that "The Vampire Lestat" is by far more interesting than "Interview With a Vampire." Lestat is the persona I believe a lot of us would like to "Be", as it may. He follows no rules of the Elders, or anyone, for that mater. He is a man child, wild and free! Who wouldn't admire Lestat?

i really thought the movie was good and so was the book, i think many people like it is cause lestat is kinda ruthless and does and takes what he wants and louis is a big wuss, what happened to what i just posted

its defentaly the order you read them. i read the vampire armond. first. than the rest of the series. and i didnt like it. so i had to re read all of them, in order. and now there some of my favorite books.

I tried to read the books,but only to read about what lestat is up to in the stories.
Then I got bored of them..So I serched for another book about vamps..and found that Christene Feehan makes wonderfull novels about vampiers..and carpathians.

If you remember Louis was quite distraught when he met Lestat (Death of wife) and I think the ambiguity just followed him in to his immortal life. Compared to the strength of Lestat this can be preceived as quite annoying.

In 'Interview' Louis isn't really a wuss at all. He agonizes, but for good reason. But Ann Rice has a habit where, in every new book in a series, she completely denies something that a previous book had as a fact. As a fact, Louis was hardcore. He was (for lack of a better word) human. Then 'Lestat' comes out and turns him into a jealous, lying, emo. And of course everyone likes Lestat. He's the quarterback, prom queen, valedictorian, and class president all rolled into one sexy little package. Who wouldn't want to be that? He's the coolest kid in school, you either hate him, want him, or want to be him.

I would say your preference came from the order you read the books in Louis dose seam such a whiner compared with Lestat.

LizSara, I will have to agree with you about the Interview being a long winded book. I found it to be too detail oriented. It became a tedious read and I even stopped a bit after midpoint.

Thanks guys, I don't feel like i'm the only one now at least. :)

I do have to point out that I have read all 11/12/13 books (I forget offhand how many there are) several times in order and it hasn't changed my opinion. I guess it's the first reading that gives you the best impression of the characters.

I also read Lestat first and Interview second. I find Louis to be irritating, whiny and weak.

There are often opposing characters in fiction, and a good writer will give them an appropriate writing style. I don't think this "clouds" your opinions, but simply gives the piece the comples highs and lows that one desires from fiction.

I think I would be inlined to agree with you. Interview can be overly long winded, but in such a visual culture, our attention spans are falling. I think to get the most out of fiction you should concentrate on what positive attributes it brings to you.

well, I have no idea myself. I pretty much cant get into Anne Rice's books at all when shes writing the Chronicles. I think the only books of hers that i was able to get into were her bdsm books about Beauty. The Vampire Chronicles all struck me as long winded and overly descriptive, tending to put me to sleep. The movies were the only way I could get interested at all, and trust me ...hardly ANYONE sees me without some kind of book in hand at all times. I read at least 4 or more books a week. I think I wound up laying IWTV Queen Memnoch and the rest of them down within the first 6 chapters, and trust me I have all of her vampire books, my aunt sent them to me after she was done reading them all. They are now collecting dust in the top of my closet because I cant seem to get into them.

Well i know that VR has a lot of Anne Rice lovers.

Personally i am not a huge fan of hers. I find all of her work kinda long winded and boring.

I know i am going to be lynched for saying that. But when it comes to books Anne Rice just doesn't do it for me. I have to force myself to read the whole book.

We all have our favorites. As with anything, opinions differ. Armand is awesome to me. Because of the movies, Lestat, in Queen of the Damned, is very good looking so that does it for most. As for it being a slow read, whenever you read a series, begin at the beginning. Check the copyright

Those who read "Interview..." first tend to prefer it, and those who read "...Lestat" first tend to prefer it. It's a trend I can't really explain, as I am biased, having first read "Interview..."

I think it does depend on which character you like better. I agree that IwtV is very long winded and Louis is dull, but I think that it is still a good book. I would re-read it because I like the scenes that are pictured and described

I agree with you LizSara Louis is just to prissy and whiney for my tastes Lestat should be the center of the book and the movie, not some Im gonna cry about everything vampire.

I don't knwo what to say about Louis really. I didn't really like the book that much. I found it very boring. It was nothing like the movie. I have not read any of the other books in the series, because I couldn't get past the first book. Maybe if I hadn't seen the movie before I started reading the books it would have been different. But I think Louis was a whiner.

Don't shoot me... but I haven't read the books. I've been a huge fan of the movie IwtV since it came out when I was probably about... 8 or 9. In that movie, I absolutely despise Lestat. Hate him to no end. He is one the most hateful, controlling, manipulative beings I have come across thus far (not to mention I always wanted to marry Louis). I prefer Louis by far because of his compassion, no matter how whiney he is I'll always adore him because of his human nature and tendencies.

The, QotD came out (on video, again) and I saw Lestat's human nature, but still hate him to no end. After seeing both movies, I somewhat understand why Lestat is such a jerk, but he is most definitely not getting any pity from me for his actions.

Now i also thought the movie of QotD was one of the worst pieces of cinema in existence, and i have always thought that was because i'd read the book first and it was so much better!

No QotD was a piece of cinematic crap because it was filmed in the style of an afterschool special. Everything from the uber-crisp super VHS, to the lack of any cinematic camera angles, to the acting that was on par with most soap operas or maybe ALIAS at best. It was a made for TV movie that someone put on the big screen.

Interview (by contrast) was fairly epic in it's style. Bold angles and movement, great color filters that gave it an 'old' appearance, even a couple of scenes that make you jump if your not ready. The acting was also much much better regardless of whether you like the idea of Tom Cruise as Lestat or not. They just did a better job. QotD just doesn't hold a candle to that.

Interview with the Vampire is an enchanting movie specifically because of Louis. He gives hope to the quinisential idea of vampires being evil and demonic by wrestling with the concept of having to kill in order to live. He's need for affection as he is the father figure for the lil girl creates an even deeper human side of the vampire...

While the lure of the enigmatic vampires is inticing, there is more to the story than death, decay, and lust.

I think the reasoning for a lot of people not liking interview with the vampire is it was made so long ago.....1970 actually when Anne Rice was in College. I think some of her best work is made way after the vampire chronicles, where it branches off into each vampires lives.

Ya know I like interview as well as all the other books. Aw Louie, a lass the poor tormented soul. I liked him, it gave a whole other view of what a vampire might feel. The down side as well as the perks. To me it made the character more realistic.

Oh, this is about the book. I never read it but the movie is cool. I think i like it because of the love between Louis and Claudia.

I don't have much to say here as I agree fully with what LizSara has said here and our oppinions are one in the same on this topic.

I think it really does depend on the order that you read the books. Interview introduces us to Louis as a vampire who has retained his "humanness" as it were. He struggles daily with his need to kill in order to feed and the morality of it all.

Let's not forget that Lestat is eventually nicknamed "the brat prince". He goes against every rule and lives his life the way he sees fit. Anne Rice intended for us to despise Lestat in the first book, but brought us around to see him for all he was in the second book. He is still a brat, a despicable person, but who cares...he's immortal.

You've missed nothing. We all have our favorite characters and yes if you read The Vampire Lestat first then Interview, you will find that Louis sounds like a whining tit. But if you look at what his character becomes further along in the series, you will see a very strong person, who helps to keep Lestat somewhat in check.

I must say though, my all time favorite character from the chronicles has to Marius, what a beautiful being...

Lestat is/was realistic about who he was, right, wrong or indifferent as Lestat was he survived a long time w/o the knowledge of his sire. Louis was just a coward and afraid to live and or die.
I liked the character Lestat much better than Louis in the movie or the books. But don't get me started on Lestat in Queen of the Damned. Because that was all wrong.

there is a point about those two books tht was not brought up that may have been part of the reason.. her writeing style had changed a great deal in the time between books. If I remember right there was about 10 or more years between them. So that may have had to do with it as well. I love Louis.. and could not handle Lestat in the first book. But will adimt in the second and third I grew to like him. Lost intrest in them after that. And altho I have seen the flicks.. shrugs not really worth it to me. But i am really picky about the flicks I like

as Lestats woman, I think I'm qualified to answer this (just joking, don't want any rabid Lestat fans to get me:)
I feel that you are probably correct in that you read the second novel before the first and that's why you felt that way. I don't have an exact quote but Anne Rice herself has indicated even that at first she thought of Louis as her hero, but after writing more of the books,s he began to view Lestat as the hero.
I myself like them both. But I tend to like both types in real non fiction life. I like people who are take charge, and don't just stand by and let things happen, I also enjoy people who are sensitive as Lestat is.
As far as IWTV being boring to you, that could be your age. No offense, I found it boring as well in comparison to some other things. When it first came out (I believe in the seventies) there was really no comparison, but we now as a culture have a lot more vampire media, and I think we now compare the book to the media we have now.

I've read the books in order. But remember Interview was Louis version. where as Lestat is his version. This is where there are two sides to every story comes in. You just have your own intake on the novel .

I don't think you are necessarily missing anything- it's just a matter of opinion.

I thought Louis' character was awesome, as he taps far more into the feelings of lost humanity- and shows us how much life is worth living. And Lestat (to me) was a pompous ass in the movie.

Different characters appeal to different people. It's the beauty of a story ;)

Lastat was the best.. Therfore the other book bored you..

i think both of them were really good books, but you aren't really missing anything. reading habits are all about personal enjoyment and everyone has specific things that get the job done for them.

like meeper said....it is a matter of personal opinion....

they were both good books....just lestat was a stronger character...where louis is a weaker character...

lol, no, your not missing a thing, you just prefer lestat and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm sure there are many others that feel the same way. Iwtv was just the first book of the series as in any series there has to be a beginning. There's nothing wrong with not liking it or heck not reading it at all, it's just a state of opinion and preferity.

As others have stated, your view on Interview is most likely based on the fact that you read Lestat first. I am and always will be a fan of Louis. He attempts to retain a bit of his humanity, allowing for the emotions and range that, in my opinion, Lestat never could possess. Arrogance and recklessness can only appeal for so long before it grows utterly tired and worn. And Lestat pushed it far beyond that point, which is why I could never really appreciate him as a character.

Anyway, as stated, you're not missing a thing in the story. Simply reading it out of order made you, like most, turn towards the more exciting character, Lestat. But, to each their own, as they say.

I agree with you, and also have the same situation. I read The Vampire Lestat first, and when I went to read IwtV, I couldn't get past the first chapter. lol

i'm gonna have to go with lestat as my favorite of her woeful characters as well. again, i have a LOW opinion of these books. but lestat acts like i imagine most imortals eventualy would once they got over morality. that being "i want, i take".

want to know why i hate them? all you need to do is send a message to Tinius here on VR and say the following:

"Tiny,

Incarnadine said i should look to you for the reason as to why he doesnt like anne rice. he said you would understand."