The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice (epub)
Before the whole vampire craze – Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, these mysterious creatures were present in the creations of Bram Stoker, George Sylvester Viereck, Stephen King, and many more. However, one writer stands out with a series of novels dedicated to “the creatures of the night” – Anne Rice.
She started her Vampire Chronicles in 1976 with “Interview with a vampire“, later adapted into a motion picture with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas (in my opinion the book was so much better). Louis de Pointe du Lac, a former plantation owner in New Orleans, turned vampire by Lestat de Lioncourt, tells his story to Daniel Molloy, a young reporter. He recounts his creation, their life as vampires in New Orleans, the finding and turning of Claudia, their “daughter” who eventually turns on her creator when she realizes that although she has the mind of a mature woman, her body will never develop beyond the stage of a child. He tells of Armand, the death of Claudia and his isolation.
The second book, “The vampire Lestat” reveals the story of Lestat, a young French aristocrat who becomes a vampire through Magnus. He creates his first fledgling, Gabrielle, who was his dying mother. He meets Marius who shows him Those Who Must Be Kept, Akasha and Enkil, the Mother and Father of all vampires. Playing the violin, Lestat awakens them and feeds from Akasha, bringing upon himself the wrath of the King. Lestat is saved by Marius and sent away.
The third book, “Queen of the Damned” reveals the origin of the vampires. The first part shows different characters who share the same dream about the red haired twins, and vampires are destroyed by a powerful being by burning them. It is revealed to be Akasha, who has been awakened by Lestat‘s music, killed Enkil, and plans to rule the world. During Lestat’s concert, Akasha abducts him, planning to make him her new king. In her home in Sonoma, Maharet tells the story of the red haired twins (being her and her sister, Mekare) and the origins of the vampires. In the final part, Akasha confronts them with her ideology, but loses the battle when Mekare fulfills the ancient prophecy and kills her.
“The Tale of the Body Thief” follows the story of Lestat, who becomes depressed and is haunted by nightmares, so he decides to commit suicide. When it fails, he strikes a deal with Raglan James, to switch bodies, rendering him mortal again. He regains his body after a series of events, and turns David Talbot, a friend of his from the Order of Talamasca into a vampire.
“Memnoch the Devil” describes Lestat‘s encounter with the Devil, who takes him on a journey through Creation, Heaven and Hell, gaining in the end Saint Veronica’s Veil and losing an eye. Seeing the veil, Armand walks into the sun. The journey turns out to be a manipulation, leading to Lestat losing control of himself and becoming catatonic.
“The Vampire Armand” tells the story of Armand. Born in Eastern Europe, he becomes an icon painter in a monastery. He is later sold into slavery, being taken to Constantinopole and Venice. Here he is bought by Marius, who names him Amadeo, providing shelter and education. When Armand is poisoned after a fight, Marius turns him into a vampire. When the villa is destroyed by Santino and his coven, Armand travels to Paris where he creates The Vampire Theatres. After walking into the sun, he miraculously survives and with the help of two children, Sybelle and Benji, recovers.
“Merrick” is a crossing between The Vampire Chronicles and The Mayfair Witches. Louis asks Merrick, a descendant of the Mayfair witches, to help contact the spirit of Claudia. Upon hearing her angry words, Louis decides to stay in the sun to be destroyed. He is discovered by David, Lestat and Merrick, and is restored to health.
“Blood and Gold” is the story of Marius. Born in the Roman Empire, he is abducted by druids and turned into a vampire by their god. Upon escaping them, he finds Those Who Must Be Kept and becomes their guardian. He falls in love with Pandora, whom he met as a mortal, and turns her into his vampire lover. Later on he moves to Venice where he becomes Armand‘s mentor. When Santino destroys his home, he asks for Bianca‘s help. He then tells of his time with Lestat, the awakening of Akasha, the final battle between her and Mekare.
“Blackwood Farm” presents Tarquin Blackwood, who is haunted by a spirit named Goblin. He becomes a vampire through Petronia, and it is revealed that Goblin is in fact the spirit of his twin, who died a couple of days after birth. Goblin is banished with the aid of Merrick.
“Blood Canticle” is the final installment of the Chronicles, and another cross-over with the Mayfair Witches. This time it’s Mona, the love of Tarquin Blackwood, who is dying. Lestat turns her, so she can be with Quinn, and to find out more about the Taltos.
These are The Vampire Chronicles, an entire saga of fascinating creatures, a web where everything and everyone is connected. Anne Rice takes out the classical elements (fear of the crucifix and garlic, death by a wooden stake through their heart, no reflection in the mirror) and turns them into sensual creatures, whose weaknesses include: fashion, humans, their love for one another and of course, the sun.
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