Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire and everything associated with vampires undeniably stands closely intertwined. It’s an iconic connection, to say the least.
This classic serves as the benchmark against which the fervor for vampires is gauged. How could one endeavor to pen a vampire narrative without immersing themselves in Rice’s tome? It delves into the intricate interplay of good and evil, guilt, sexuality, psychoanalysis, feminism, bisexuality, and an exhaustive array of vampiric attributes.
Louis de Pointe du Lac is conflicted! OMG! He drips with self-loathing, regret, and guilt, flagellating the reader with his droning on ad infinitum. Weary of the protagonist’s redundant agonizing, I came close early on in my read to abandoning it. Enough already!
The widespread admiration and acclaim for both the book and the movie were the driving forces that kept me committed to the task. I am sincerely grateful that I persevered. However, it’s worth noting that occasional moments of annoyance persisted as the novel delved repeatedly into psychoanalytical pity parties. Nevertheless, I stayed the course.
It’s quite surprising to think of vampires experiencing guilt, sadness, and unrequited love, engaging in torturous introspection. Moments later, they transition to prowling for unsuspecting victims, demanding bared necks to satisfy their bloodlust
Even 42 years following its publication, this 1971 literary gem is so very modern, The themes remain vibrant, relative, and still very much alive. Vampires live complex lives. Evil abounds amid morality, loyalty, and love. And what is the definition of evil? Is evil a choice or an instinct? Some would say both. The primary protagonist is young, beautiful, and tender; a romanticist, Louis de Pointe. It is 1791 and the vampire, Lestat, has fallen deeply in love with the mortal human, Louis.
Louis is impressionable and initially reciprocates Lestat’s feelings. But Louis, now a vampire, a creation of Lestat, cannot cast off his human self.
Claudia is Lestat’s gift to Louis. A child vampire. Louis grows to love her. Lestat grows to hate her. She grows to hate both men but hates Lestat the most. The three are bound together in a 65-year menage a trois.
Claudia thinks she has murdered Lestat. Louis does something he does not understand.
Then there is Armand and the vampire covey he leads in Paris. Ah, Paris! A paradise for vampires. So they believe.
A profound fear of the unknown, the weight of immortality, the dread of being rejected and despised, and the burden of eternal hopelessness and unrequited desires. Amidst a fragile darkness, hope persists, though it is delicate. Uncertainty and loss lurk behind every door, and tenderness, in unexpected forms, is often torn apart and violently discarded.
Ernest Jones’ 1931 Treatise: On The Nightmare illuminates the intricacies and symbolism surrounding vampires. Delving into the complexities of vampires opens the door to a profound exploration of their symbolism.
I found myself surprised and fascinated by vampires and how religion is juxtaposed alongside them. It can be a bit unnerving. Perhaps it is best not to delve too deeply. Hmmm.
Suffice it to say: Interview With the Vampire is a great read. It will engage your noggin and seduce you into your own introspection. Read on brave reader!