The Witching Hour
Published: 19, October 1990
Author: Anne Rice
Book 1 of 3: Lives of Mayfair Witches
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, History, Horror, Literary, Literature, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Romance, Saga, Suspense, Thrillers, Urban, Vampire
Check the summary of this book here:
The Witching Hour Summary
The Review:
Anne Rice's novel The Witching Hour tells the story of a witch family in New Orleans. It's a slow read since it's more like a history than a book, as it takes the reader back to early Scotland and then into the 1970s. It was a bit monotonous at points, but don't assume it's simply dull because if you appreciate Anne Rice's books, you're already familiar with her writing style and how she begins a saga, and this is a tale with a lot going on.
It took me a long time to finish this book, not because it was difficult or uninteresting to read, but because I was immersed in other books at the same time, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to recall who was who owing to the length of these books and the number of characters involved. I'm so relieved I persevered! The finale, on the other hand, did not appeal to me at first. But then I realized that this is the first of a series, but I don't believe Anne Rice intended for it to be when she began writing this novel.
However, it retained my attention; regrettably, the history of Mayfair tends to drag on. But, as I discovered later, the background and history are crucial to comprehend the work. This would be my recommendation if you're searching for a book to keep you entertained for a while. If you're looking for a short read, avoid this one and return when you're ready to engage in a tale (series).
Anne Rice's future writings will be infused with the Mayfair ancestry that is linked to this spiritual aspect. Blackwood Farm is my second favorite novel, and I adore how the Mayfair ladies are always linked with the vampire ancestry. It's a sophisticated web that's incredibly alive, fluid, coordinated, and never-ending. I adore her writing style, and I believe this book is the finest representation of Anne Rice's best work.
You might like this novel as much as I do if you enjoy history, romance, mystery, suspense, and some genuinely creepy happenings.
It's a fantastic novel. If you liked the Vampire Chronicles, you'll love the Mayfair Family and their tumultuous past. I was completely intrigued with the family's origins, which began in Scotland and culminated on First Street in New Orleans. This is a narrative about powerful women, matriarchy, magic, and sex, among other things.
It was well-written and intriguing, and it gave me just the right amount of shivers. I like the author's depictions of New Orleans, Mayfair's vast past, and the enigmatic Talamasca. Anne Rice, for the most part, does an excellent job of fleshing out her characters. I admit to becoming increasingly perplexed by the ever-expanding family tree, and I ultimately stopped remembering all of the Mayfair predecessors because I was reading so many other novels at the same time, but it's not a simple chore even if you're only reading this one.
I can honestly say that I have read and enjoyed every book Anne Rice has ever written, but this one had such a strong hold on me that I never let go.
In this book, there are a lot of different tales going on. Witch burnings, the Renaissance, emigrating to the New World, and the Jazz Age are all examples of historical events. After all, this is a saga that spans over 300 years.
There's the youngster, who was literally kidnapped from birth. The spirit that bestows prosperity and power while plotting its own destiny. Women who have been used and rejected. A lady who is so wrapped up in her own righteousness that she feels her actions are not only acceptable but essential. And a witch dead set on breaking the curse that had been placed on the family.
Then there's New Orleans, and then there's the House. In its own special way, this city is unlike any other in the world. Even now, streets, buildings, graves, people, churches, and, it seemed, even the air, are all different. A location from the Old World that has been transplanted to the New.
Yes, this is a huge book, but it is utterly engrossing, a story that you can easily lose yourself in. It's difficult to say how many storylines are going on here, but they all revolve around Rowan Mayfair, the last of a long line of powerful witches. Rowan is a brilliant neurosurgeon who was adopted. She lives in San Francisco and is clueless about her biological mother.
Other accounts include that of Michael Curry, a guy who nearly drowned but now possesses unusual psychic abilities. And, The Talamasca, a paranormal research organization committed to the never-ending history of the Mayfair family, which stretches back 400 years.
One of Anne Rice's best qualities is that she painstakingly analyzes her history and can write excellent historical fiction that takes the reader to that period. Scotland and Holland in the 1600s, the Caribbean Islands in the 1700s, and New Orleans in the 1800s and beyond are the settings in this case. Rich and beautiful detail, fleshed-out characters, and vital sub-plots abound. It's all completely enthralling!
This is not a book for children or teens under eighteen year old, since it contains strong sexual themes. It becomes pretty sci-fi towards the end. Also, don't anticipate a neat, tidy, and predictable conclusion because it is just the start of a series and not an actual ending to a book.
Final Thoughts:
In almost anybody else's hands, all of the threads of this narrative would be a knot so twisted that it would take a knife to untangle. A really large knife. I am amazed at how she does it so flawlessly.
It has a historical tone to it as well as elements of horror and science fiction. From the time I started reading the rich descriptions of the Garden District homes' design, I was hooked. And the ladies of each age are all remarkable in their own way.
This was a fantastic book with complex plots and well-developed characters. It held my attention throughout the story and left me eagerly anticipating the next installment, "Lasher." In my spare time, I like to read or simply spend the time. I read to travel to other planets, kingdoms, and places. A strong character (or characters) enhances the "journey." The imaginative world-building and attention to detail combine to immerse you in the world of the characters. This book accomplishes all of these goals. This is a novel that I would suggest to any genre reader. Witches, indeed!
Synopsis:
“"[A] huge and sprawling tale of horror." —The New York Times Book Review
Demonstrating once again her gift for spellbinding storytelling, Anne Rice makes real for us a great dynasty of four centuries of witches—a family given to poetry and incest, murder and philosophy, a family that over the ages is itself haunted by a powerful, dangerous, and seductive being called Lasher who haunts the Mayfair women.
Moving in time from today's New Orleans and San Francisco to long-ago Amsterdam and the France of Louis XIV, from the coffee plantations of Port-au-Prince to Civil War New Orleans and back to today, Anne Rice has spun a mesmerizing tale that challenges everything we believe in.”
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Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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Mayfair Witches Series Set:
Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):
Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):
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