Enter into the word of The Vampire Chronicles. Experience life and death through the adventures, trials, tragedies, loves, and losses of Lestat, Louis, Marius, Armand, Jesse, Gabrielle, Maharet, Mekare, David, Daniel, Pandora, Santino, Khayman, Mael, Akasha, & Enkil. I should warn you, these beings can be mesmerizing. They will transport you to far away cities and far off experiences and far flung ideas and far better and far worse circumstances than you can imagine.
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Shall we start with the beginning which, for the purposes of literature, was in 1976 when 'Interview with the Vampire' was published. This is the story of Louis de Pointe du Lac, as told in his own words, to reporter Daniel Malloy. Louis recounts how he became a vampire at the hands of the intoxicating Lestat de Lioncourt and how he and Lestat, and later the child vampire Claudia, existed together as a 'family'. Interview shall take you with this deadly trio through the streets of New Orleans, to the nightlife of Paris, along the back woods woods of Europe, and into the beginnings of the vampire mystique.
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The second child of The Vampire Chronicles is 'The Vampire Lestat', which is in Lestat's own words and tells of his life, both the mortal and immortal. This novel moves effortlessly between modern times and eighteenth century France, the world of Lestat's childhood. We travel with Lestat as he searches for other vampires and as he continues to make new fledglings including his own mortal mother, Gabrielle. Lestat does find vampires and he finds truths to his own existence. But, he also unleashes ancient forces and the wrath of enemies. In the modern sections, Lestat reveals himself to the world as a rock star in the hopes that the world's immortals will rise and join together to solve the mystery of their, and his, existence.
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The ancient forces which Lestat awakens in 'The Vampire Lestat' are the focus in 'Queen of the Damned', the third installment of The Vampire Chronicles and it follows parallel stories. As Lestat begins preparations for his rock concert in San Francisco, the sleep of a group of mortals and immortals is disturbed by a mysterious dream of the red-haired twins who suffer unimaginable tragedy. These dreamers face either death or an uncertain fate as they spiral towards the rock concert. Lestat's journey to a cavern deep beneath a Greek Island on his quest for the origins of the vampires, has awakened Akasha, the Queen of the Damned and mother of all vampires. Akasha plans to save woman kind by elevating herself and Lestat, as her lover, to Gods who destroy all men but those needed for female servitude. As the threads of this most compelling Chronicle wind together, the origins and cultures of the vampires is revealed and these threads are brought together in the twentieth century when the fate of mortals and immortals is rewritten. |
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The fourth Vampire Chronicle has been called the only 'modern' version. It is totally set in contemporary times and it is so completely Lestat. This is my favorite Chronicle and it contains one of my favorite lines, uttered by Lestat: "I have to do things my own way." And in Body Thief Lestat does just that. He is introduced to Raglan James, a conniving thief who offers Lestat the chance of a lifetime: to switch bodies with him � a chance for Lestat to become mortal, again. Against all advice, Lestat does 'the switch' only to discover that not only does he detest being human, but that Raglan James has tricked him. Lestat enlists the aid of a dear, mortal friend to get himself out of this precarious situation and Tale of the Body Thief is an adventure filled telling of these events.
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There are so many to choose from. One is listed in the Tale of the Body Thief synopsis, but, here is one I also like very much. Said by Lestat to Louis on the occasion of Louis's first sleep as a vampire: "Don't worry, soon you will be sleeping as soundly as you have ever slept. When you awake, I'll be waiting for you, and so will all the world." |
The original manuscript for 'Interview with the Vampire' was quite different from the final published version. After the rights had been sold to Knopf, the book was rewritten, adding the entire Theatre des Vampires section and bringing Lestat back, after his supposed death by fire. Good thing!!!
Family Tree In the beginning there was Amel and from his vindictive spirit the entire vampire family was born. The family tree for The Vampire Chronicles is an interesting little excursion and will tie together the branches of the great family. From the roots of ancient Maharet to the contemporary making of David, this link will give you each limb and it's diversions of The Vampire Chronicle family tree.
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Where to Find these Books: Obviously, you can go to your local bookstore to purchase them. But, if you are interested in obtaining signed copies, or simply wish to purchase them from a source close to Anne Rice, call or write: |
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Le Sang Dechine, or Blood Tears, is a board for sharing questions, ideas, and discussion about our favorite vampires with other vampire devotees. This wonderful site contains a chat room as well as links to creative fan fiction sites.
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Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club is the official site of the Lestat Fan Club. This is the wonderful group who hosts the Coven Ball each year in New Orleans and you shall find much information about Anne and the Chronicles here.
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Fang Sisters Sorority is an eclectic group of women who choose to believe in the existence, or, at least, to believe in the possibility of the existence of these vampires. Is that a scary thought or an intriguing thought to you? Your answer shall determine your desire to check out this site. In this site, you shall find a bit of insight into my thoughts and designs on the vampires under my Fang Sister name, Pearl.
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