At long last, Anne Rice’s newest installment of The Vampire Chronicles has arrived. Prince Lestat hit stores today. I was at Barnes and Noble at 10am sharp and I had my copy in hand at 10:02.
The last time a book in The Vampire Chronicles was released was back in 2003. I was 23 years old, and my life was very different than it is now.When I consider that I first read Interview with a Vampire when I was 14 (in 1994), it makes me see how much has happened in the past 20 years. I grew up with Anne Rice books, though most of the symbolism came to me years after reading the books. I’m glad to be reading with the perpective of time under my belt.
It’s fitting, then, that we celebrate the release of Prince Lestat.
Reading an Anne Rice book is to take a journey with old friends. I’ve read critiques of her books from new readers who have turned to The Vampire Chronicles as the vampire rage has hit new peaks. Some of these critiques complain about the verbose nature of the books. I told the lady at the bookstore today that reading Anne Rice is like having a thick smoothie when you’re used to drinking water. This is due, in part, to the details that Anne Rice is famous for. They’re never just curtains; they’re velvet curtains. Armand never wears lace; it’s Versailles lace. You have to understand that this is why it’s great literature.
So my plan is to post blog entries about the experience of reading Prince Lestat as I go through it. I will never post spoilers. My full review will follow as soon as I’m done with the book, and you’ll be able to read it here and at http://www.darkmediaonline.com.
Are you about to take this journey into Prince Lestat with me? Please leave your comments below!
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