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Interview with the Vampire
By: Anne Rice
My Rating: Three out of five Stars
Best for: 18 and up

Interview with the Vampire: A Look Back at Anne Rice’s Classic

Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire is nearly 50 year’s old! It’s become a genre-defining work of gothic horror. First published in 1976, it has spawned a series of novels, several movies, and even television series. How does it hold up? I wanted to find out. Plus I felt like it was a big miss on my literary report card, so I dove in.

Here’s what I found.

The story is told in the form of an interview between a vampire, Louis de Pointe du Lac, and a young reporter. Louis tells the story of his long life, beginning with his transformation into a vampire in 18th century New Orleans where he was a plantation owner. He describes his maker, Lestat de Lioncourt, as a cruel and emotionally unpredictable vampire who delights in killing humans. Louis, on the other hand, struggles with his conscience and his thirst for human blood.

One of the most endearing aspects of the novel is the relationship between Louis and Lestat. They are both vampires, but they have very different views on life and death. Louis is tormented by his guilt and his longing for human connection, while Lestat embraces his predatory nature. Their conflict is at the heart of the novel, and it drives much of the plot.

Another key character is Claudia, a child who is turned into a vampire by Lestat. Claudia becomes the third member of this trio of blood suckers, and her journey is the most tragic. After many lifetimes, she remains trapped in the body of a child, but she has the mind and the desires of an adult. She is a complex figure, and her story is one of the most compelling in the novel.

Rice’s writing is dreamy and atmospheric. She creates a world that is both beautiful and terrifying, and she explores the dark side of human nature in a way that is both disturbing and thought-provoking. Interview with the Vampire is a classic of vampire fiction, and it is still as relevant today as it was when it was first published.

Sensitive Content

As this is a vampire novel, there are depictions of violence and blood. Some of the deaths are described in graphic detail. There is A LOT of blood and drinking blood. There are also some sexual situations, including an implied rape, and some uncomfortable situations involving Claudia. Sensitive readers, beware. This dad says its appropriate for readers 18 and up.

Should you read it?

If you’re a fan of vampire fiction, then you should definitely read Interview with the Vampire. It’s a classic for a reason, and it’s still a great read today. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action-packed vampire story, then this might not be the book for you–that’s not what it is. If you enjoy dark and philosophical, character-driven stories you’re going to enjoy Interview with the Vampire.

Happy Reading!