| �TIME TO DISCUSS YOUR BLOOD TYPE� Upon reading the title, �Interview With The Vampire�, it goes without saying that this novel will be a morbid read. However, if one peels aside author Anne Rice�s gory references, it is possible to view her work as one brimming with worthwhile messages. Soul searching ; the debate regarding immortality and a hopelessness that emerges from poor self-esteem are all key themes to the novel, which although set in the early nineteenth century, are extremely relevant issues in society today. The novel begins at an interview between vampire and reporter, and transforms into effective flashbacks, detailing the life story of a young Creole man Louis Pointe du Lac who unwittingly embraces the �Dark Gift�, but cannot shake his love for humanity. However, it would be unjust to simply classify the book as horrific. The novel focuses an incredible deal on the journey of discovering who one is as a soul lost in the complexities of the planet. Readers are able to decipher Rice�s concern as she writes of the central character Louis as, �never belong[ing] anywhere with anyone at anytime� (p.332) As a newly-made vampire in the first half of the book, it is easy to see that he feels that he no longer knows himself, leaving him more displaced. According to Louis� vampire mentor, Louis is reflecting �the spirit of... [his]... age� (p.332) as �everyone else feels...[as out of touch]...as [he] feels.� (p.332) In this way we can see that Rice is revealing Louis� spirit to be almost identical to all who are journeying through life at any point in history, thus linking the readers to the characters. This connection is needed, not only because it allows Rice to philosophise with her readers, but because it enables her to link this idea to other themes. One such theme is the notion of immortality. It is an interesting concept that one�s intelligence develops, yet the person is trapped in a �hopeless guise... [a] helpless form� (p.288), as seldom authors have explored this idea. Claudia, for example, is made a vampire when she is five years old. Consequently, her mind matures and her voice becomes �rounded with a woman�s seriousness� (p.119) though her body remained that of a child. This inner conflict experienced by Claudia adds truth to the tale which otherwise could have proved difficult to believe. Thus it can be seen that a certain amount of realism within fantasy gives �Interview With The Vampire� a certain legitimacy. A further theme is the idea that taking a submissive stance to wrongdoings is worse than playing the key role. This is demonstrated by Louis� inability to kill for blood, and his final revelation that �passivity in me has been the core of it all, the real evil� (p.332) referring to �lifting not a finger to prevent� (p.332) the deaths of many he could have saved. This is clever on Rice�s behalf. She has allowed her readers to grow with Louis - experience what he experiences - then to be allowed to share the view he has of himself. Once again it is an insight that is rarely expressed in novels of the horror genre, illustrating that �Interview With The Vampire� is indeed, as mentioned before, much more than one dimensional horror. Rice speaks to her readers through a descriptive narrative. By details such as the flocks of people gathering beside gravestones to celebrate the Feast of All Saints, to her elaborate words regarding the ornate Th��tre des Vampires in Paris, Rice allows readers to see historical events from the past. In addition, all of Rice�s characters speak in accordance to their time period - those being nineteenth century New Orleans - �with its... slight sharpness to the consonants� (p.8) - to the drawl of the San Francisco reporter. The actual dialogue itself is solemn, emotional and at times, violent. For example, when Claudia confronts her vampire fathers, she screams with impassioned conviction by shouting �which one of you made me what I am?� (p.120) making the mood somewhat tense. In contrast, Louis speaks stoically to those around him on many occasions. Infact, stoicism and passion are main tones throughout the novel, reflecting the nature of the main characters. This gives the book a despairing mood, but this shows that Rice has succeeded in creating her bleak, fictitious world. This is a novel that will appeal to a broad readership mainly due to it�s human issues, however, it will also lose many potential readers because it is, on the surface, a violent book. However, for those who are not perturbed by the superficial subject matter, �Interview With The Vampire� proves to be a stimulating novel. It does, as Lovecraft said, �excite...in the reader a profound sense of dread� by presenting universal contemporary ideas and intertwining them with ancient practices and supernatural beings. This alone has the power to inculcate uneasiness. Yet it is also a novel of �easy-to-read� narrative and exciting descriptions. Therefore it can be seen that Anne Rice�s novel is a triumph. She has successfully presented readers with a work that is interesting, meaningful and full of imagery. It is a genuinely entertaining piece of fiction. |
 |
|