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Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts

Danse Macabre Review

Stephen King, Essays, History, Movie History, Media Tie-In, Performing Arts, Popular Culture, Social Sciences

Danse Macabre

Published: 20, April 1981
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Essays, History, Movie History, Media Tie-In, Performing Arts, Popular Culture, Social Sciences

Check the summary of this book here:
Danse Macabre Summary


The Review

Stephen King's nonfiction book, Danse Macabre, is about horror fiction in print, TV, radio, cinema, and comics, as well as the impact of modern social fears and anxieties on the genre. On February 23, 2010, it was reissued, along with a new essay titled "What's Scary." A sprint across the horror genre and a cultural snapshot that will appeal to horror lovers as well as those who want to start reading and watching but are unsure where to begin.

In 1980, Stephen King was thirty-three years old when he penned 'Danse Macabre.' At the time, he had only released five significant novels: Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand, and The Dead Zone. 

While these were the novels that established his early reputation, many of his most well-known works would follow Firestarter, Cujo, The Running Man, The Gunslinger (the first book in the long-running Dark Tower series,) Christine, Pet Sematary, It, Misery, The Tommyknockers, The Dark Half, and so on into the 1990s and beyond. 

So, when King mentioned his own novels to explain themes in Danse Macabre, he could only draw on the first five. We can undoubtedly find many more—and often far better—examples from his later work. 

For example, when King discusses The Bad Place in horror literature and movies, you and I, blessed with over forty years of perspective from reading his works, could immediately think of the Native-American burial site in 'Pet Sematary' or the infernal sewer in 'It.'

Danse Macabre is a product of its period, but that doesn't mean it isn't still educational and entertaining to read. 

King's ideas about what makes horror "succeed" are still eye-opening today, and his evaluation of some of the great horror novels and stories is often spot-on, as are the personal opinions he reveals along the way, such as in Chapter 4 when he recounts his colorful down east individual of an uncle trying to hose down a new well with an apple wood bough.

Danse Macabre was composed at a period when King was still extensively into alcohol—at one point, he nonchalantly mentions downing fourteen beers in a single night, noting that he'd taken it "quite easy" that night; elsewhere, he makes repeated matter-of-fact comments to "becoming delightfully loaded..." Whether it's due to the alcohol or not, he periodically goes off on wide, meandering tangents that, although amusing, appear to veer away from points that might have been conveyed considerably more swiftly and with much better accuracy.

There are a lot of great facts and wonderful storytelling along the way, but I think some of his comments should be taken with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to "vintage" horror movies. 

For example, while 'Dementia 13' is okay for a low-budget B movie from the early 1960s, I don't think it's anywhere near as excellent as King seems to remember—perhaps it's his own young nostalgia at work? 

He complains at length about the production values in the original 1942 version of Val Lewton's 'Cat People,' not to be confused with the forgettable, exploitative re-make from 1982, but most people watching this classic B movie for the first time are unlikely to notice the things that King finds so irritating. 

The original 'Cat People' was created during WWII, and shooting a night sequence on location in a blacked-out New York City would have been unfeasible. 

Also, in 1980, King had a low opinion of Wes Craven's films, which included Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes, and The People Under the Stairs. 

However, in his forewords to later editions of Danse Macabre, King, while still mostly dismissive of Nightmare on Elm Street and, especially, the rather dull series it became, does offer some grudging admiration for Craven's 'Scream' movies, and he basically shouts about Dennis Illiadis' 2009 re-make of Last House on the Left.

Danse Macabre investigates the different influences on King's own work as well as key genre writings from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. 

Danse Macabre delves into the genre's history as far back as the Victorian era, although it predominantly concentrates on the 1950s through the 1970s, which approximately corresponds to King's own life at the time of publishing. 

King sprinkles his work with casual academic acumen, exploring archetypes, major authors, common storytelling methods, the psychology of dread, and his central notion of Dionysian horror.

"Horror Fiction in Cinema, TV, and Books: 1950 - 1979" should have been the subtitle so that Stephen King's fiction readers wouldn't pick it up and start reading it. They can be quite dissatisfied.

Given his literary output, it's possible that the author has a few red-eyed and capering buddies and readers. As he describes his own horror fiction: "I consider dread to be the most powerful feeling, thus I will attempt to scare the reader. But if I can't frighten, I'll try to horrify, and if that fails, I'll go for the gross-out."

While reading "Danse Macabre," I felt compelled to sever a few capers. King was able to get me into sometimes heated debates about his theory and choices for great terror. 

It was like sitting at a bar, sipping beer and debating with a sometimes obnoxious buddy. Unfortunately, like that slightly inebriated friend, this author tends to ramble tediously off-topic: the Vietnam War, Patty Hearst, the fate of MGM, many not-so-hilarious anecdotes about Harlan Ellison and, no, Mr. King, you haven't written the longest footnote in history—see Hans Zinsser's "Rats, Lice, and History"; dismissive critiques of certain pulp authors. 

Well, I guess that's what I'm doing now, but who's going to read this?; a tirade about grammar; and an entire chapter labeled "An Annoying Autobiographical Pause."

Actually, some of the side writings are small treasures if you're in the mood for them, but they do help to round out King's discussion on terror.


Final Thoughts

Danse Macabre is both purposely and unwittingly hilarious (see the movie review of "Robot Monster".) 

If you're someone who's watched at least some of the 'B' movies and TV series Stephen King has seen or has read a few of the horror books he assesses, this is a funny, thought-provoking book—a 421 page inside joke.

If you're not the correct age, Danse Macabre will undoubtedly bore you with its rants about defunct TV series, deteriorating celluloid films, and out-of-print horror stories. 

In his two forewords, King cautions us that he will be focusing on horror films made between the late 1950s and the early 1980s. 

If you couldn't read, watch TV, or go to the movies when you were younger, this book might not be for you.

All of this is to suggest that if you can stick with it; Danse Macabre is a worthwhile book, educational and frequently humorous. 

And it was definitely worth the effort. In the rear, Stephen King adds two appendices that list 100 horror novels as well as all of the movies mentioned in the book. 

Enough to keep any healthily interested fan occupied for quite some time. I recommend it to true fans because, as already said, It is not for everyone, and if you want to read it, don't think of it as a story.


Synopsis

“From the author of dozens of #1 New York Times bestsellers and the creator of many unforgettable movies comes a vivid, intelligent, and nostalgic journey through three decades of horror as experienced through the eyes of the most popular writer in the genre. In 1981, years before he sat down to tackle On Writing, Stephen King decided to address the topic of what makes horror horrifying and what makes terror terrifying. Here, in ten brilliantly written chapters, King delivers one colorful observation after another about the great stories, books, and films that comprise the horror genre—from Frankenstein and Dracula to The Exorcist, The Twilight Zone, and Earth vs. The Flying Saucers.

With the insight and good humor his fans appreciated in on his writing, Danse Macabre is an enjoyably entertaining tour through Stephen King’s beloved world of horror.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Books And Movies, Harlan Ellison, Highly Recommended, Horror Genre, Jekyll And Hyde, Movies And Books, Night Shift, Peter Straub, Richard Matheson


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Taltos Review

Taltos Review

Taltos

Published: 19, September 1994

Author: Anne Rice

Book 3 of 3: Lives of Mayfair Witches

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic, History, Horror, LGBTQ+, Literary, Literature, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Saga, Science Fiction


Check the summary of this book here:

Taltos Summary


The Review:

Taltos is the third novel in Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches series; however several of the characters appear in her Vampire Chronicles series as well. The trilogy comes to a close with this fantastic novel. It's a well-written novel, and I was dragged into the plot as usual. Anne Rice has a knack for capturing and holding the reader's interest from beginning to conclusion. I'm planning on re-reading all of Anne Rice's works in the near future. Despite the fact that I've read every single one of her books. I was always excited when she released a new book, but sadly, she is no longer with us, and I now have a significant gap in my reading because few authors can match her ability to create literal magic.

A fantastic novel! It did leave a few strands hanging, but this was done on purpose since the loose ends were finished in future Anne Rice books such as Blackwood Farm and Blood Canticle, and it was a fantastic way of expanding and connecting the universes of her novels.

Rowan keeps her chilly, arrogant demeanor, but I can't help but sympathize with Lasher after reading this book. For me, Yuri was a terrific character. He's adorable and devastating at the same time. And, as expected, Ashlar is really appealing. I feel that adding him to the tale gave readers a better understanding of Lasher and his actions. Much of what had been confusing about Lasher becomes evident when Ashlar tells his narrative.

In my opinion, the way she ended the story was eerily wonderful. Some people believe that this book series has run out of energy or is simply not as excellent as the others. It may look that way if you skimmed it, but I feel that if you invest time with this book and really understand what Anne Rice is trying to impart to you, you will find it just as captivating as virtually all of her previous novels.

I was fortunate in that after reading the first book, The Witching Hour, I was able to read the Lasher and then Taltos, the third book in Anne Rice's excellent trilogy, back to back because all three of these books were already accessible at the time. I was not disappointed once more!

Anne Rice makes it easy to believe that such a family of witches exists, with an equally long history of incest, killing, fortune, and authority, similar to the Mayfair family, residing in New Orleans' gorgeous, yet rather an eerie Garden District.

Anne Rice is a brilliant storyteller, and the final book in the Mayfair Witches trilogy was as fantastic as any other of her books. I feel compelled to reiterate myself in defense of this excellent author. I read and appreciated all three books in order, and the ending of this one was particularly satisfying.

Some readers were dissatisfied with these novels, and in some cases, her whole body of work. However, it's conceivable that these people feel that writing a book is as straightforward as reading one. At some point, they should give it a go. It's not easy at all. On the other side, Anne Rice makes it look easy. So, if big books and sagas aren't your things, simply read or move on.

Many writers irritate me when they force me to read extended paragraphs, and in some cases pages upon pages, describing how the room or garden looked and smelt, but with Anne Rice, it makes sense, and I don't mind since not all tales and locations require this, but Anne Rice's books do.

In some instances, her carefully selected sentences seem like poetry, which draws the reader into the remainder of her stories. I enjoy reading long novels, which is why I enjoyed them so much. To mention a few places, I was brought to New Orleans, Scotland, and New York. What may possibly be the issue? I enjoyed reading these books and was immediately hooked into the plot from the first page of the first installment.

Ash was one of my favorites! I wanted to meet him since his persona was so kind and otherworldly! That's incredible! I'd like to meet a character from a book! I appreciate how she brings the characters to life on the pages and then keeps them alive at the same time throughout all of her work.

The novels were excellent, and I would suggest all three to anybody who appreciates strong writing. Anne Rice never refrains from unpleasant subjects like rape, abortions, and incest. Her writing style is right on, and the characters she creates are real people. They have distinct personalities, which everyone who reads her books will notice.


Final Thoughts:

When Anne Rice explores the Taltos' history, she rediscovers her greatness once more. This is a genuinely magnificent, spellbinding, and all-encompassing book. For me, this is certainly top-tier popular fiction writing. I was really impacted by Ash's story, and I'm sure the finale will be equally as affecting for many others. Overall, I'm pleased with how the trilogy concludes.

Almost all of the loose ends are pulled together with brilliance and highly imaginative literary prose. Overall, I preferred the first three Vampire Chronicle volumes, but Anne Rice has genuinely crafted top-notch books with a plot that is both incredibly original and just a moving, interesting, and captivating read with the Mayfair witches trilogy.

I definitely recommend reading all three of these novels in the sequence in which they were written and intended to be read, if you dare and aren't easily scared, however they are all fantastic enough to read on their own, without the other two! But, as always, I strongly advise against it.


Synopsis:

““NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Taltos is the third book in a series known as the lives of the Mayfair witches ... Their haunted heritage has brought the family great wealth, which is exercised from a New Orleans manse with Southern gentility; but of course, such power cannot escape notice ... or challenge ... [Taltos] is a curious amalgam of gothic, glamour fiction, alternate history, and high soap opera.”—The Washington Post Book World

Taltos continues the epic occult saga that began with The Witching Hour and Lasher. Taltos takes readers back through the centuries to a civilization part human and part of wholly mysterious origins, at odds with mortality and immortality, justice and guilt.””


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Aaliyah, Akasha And Enkil, Akasha, Alain Delon, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Anne Rice, Antonio Banderas, Armand, Aunt Queen, Blackwood Farm, Blood And Gold, Blood Canticle, Blood Communion, Blood Drinkers, Body Thief, Brad Pitt, Brat Prince, Bruce Spence, Cher, Christian Manon, Christian Slater, Claudia Black, Claudia, Closer To The Truth, Daniel Molloy, Dark Gift, Darren Wilson, David Talbot, Destrehan Plantation, Dollmaker, Domiziana Giordano, Drama, Estelle, French Quarter, Garden District, George Kelly, God and the Devil, Heaven And Hell, Highly Recommend, Hollywood's Homophobia, Hugo Race, Indra Ové, The Interview with the Vampire, Jerk, Jesse, Johnathan Devoy, Jonathan Davis, Julian Sands, Khayman, Kirsten Dunst, Lasher And Taltos, Laure Marsac, Lawrence Stratford, Lena Olin, Lestat De Lioncourt, Long Time, Looking Forward, London, Lorimar Productions, Louis De Pointe Du Lac, Louis, Lovers Forever, Love Story, Madeleine Marcel Iureş, Mael, Maharet And Mekare, Maharet, Marguerite Moreau, Marius, Mary Jane, Matthew Lassall, Matthew Newton, Mayfair, Mayfair Family, Mayfair Witches, Memnoch The Devil, Merrick, Michael Curry, Michael Rymer, Mrs Rice, Mississippi River, Mona Mayfair, Mother Gabrielle, Mummy Or Ramses, Must Be Kept, Must Read, Neil Jordan, New Characters, New Orleans Whore, New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation, Old Friends, Pandora, Paris Vampire, Paris, Paul Mcgann, Pia Miranda, Point Of View,  Previous Books, Prince Lestat, Quinn Blackwood, Queen Of The Damned, Rachael Tanner, Raglan James, Ramses The Damned, Read Interview, Realms of Atlantis, Robin Casinader, Rowan Mayfair, Rowland S. Howard, San Francisco, Santiago, Sara Stockbridge, Serena Altschul, Stephen Rea, Story Of Marius, Stuart Townsend, Sybelle And Benji, Thandie Newton, Tale of the Body, Thandiwe Newton, The Vampire Lestat, Thought Provoking, Tom Cruise, Vacherie, Vampire Armand, Vampire Chronicles, Vampire Lestat, Vincent Perez, Warner Bros, Witching hour, Years Ago, Young Jesse, Yvette


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


Mayfair Witches Series Set


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R)


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R)


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Lasher Review

Lasher

Published: 12, September 1993

Author: Anne Rice

Book 2 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:

Lasher Summary


The Review:

The Mayfair Witches trilogy continues with Lasher, the second volume by author Anne Rice. To put it frankly, The Witching Hour was unusual; Lasher is bizarre to the point of insanity. In this novel, we follow the lives of the main cast, the family, and the familiars. Birth, bondage, death, sex, and history collide in a horrific collage of seemingly lucky interactions. Is it fate that these big events take place? Is there a chance the Witches may choose a different fate? Should they come up with their own? Did I say anything about Christian blasphemy? So it's up to you to make a decision. This enjoyment is a self-destructive emotional and cognitive practice. Kudos to the author, as usual. A fantastic performance!

After finishing The Witching Hour, I felt like the ending was off, and that there must be more books. I had no idea it was a trilogy at the time. I was busy at the time and couldn't read properly, but the plot gripped me, and I devoured the volumes like they were candy. It's a unique blend of science and fantasy, and the main characters were engrossing, albeit not always easy to relate to because of the weirdness.

Before I continue, I need to clarify something. This is not the series' first book. Before returning to this book, please read the first one The Witching Hour. You won't understand or enjoy it if you don't. And keep in mind that the first book in the series needs to explain a lot of stuff so that you can continue reading the next book (Lasher)and so on (Taltos) with a full understanding of what is what, how is how, and who is who. It means that the book is large and may seem tedious to some readers who are unfamiliar with Anne Rice's writing style, but trust me when I say that she is amazing once you get used to it.

If you enjoyed the first book The Witching Hour, you will want to continue reading the Lives of Mayfair Witches series. This book is much more unconventional than the first. Is it entertaining? - Yes, however, it may be a bit lengthy for some readers. I've read a lot of books, and these are an excellent sample of what you may pick up after finishing a few really fantastic novels/classics. They're just easy to read and, to some extent, interesting. The excessive amount of sexual content may turn off some readers, and obviously, it is not suitable for anyone under the age of eighteen.

This novel expands on the family tree, both in terms of present family members and the depth and history of prior generations of the Mayfair Witches. I was disappointed by the lack of chemistry between Michael and Rowan, which didn't appear until towards the conclusion and appeared scant.

I understand that author Anne Rice needs to create the setting for the trilogy's last novel, Taltos, and the passages do mention Michael and Rowan, but I'm missing them.

Without giving anything away about the plot, the chapters on Julien's life were some of the most enjoyable.

Excellent continuation of the first book, fleshing out the characters and providing backstory for Lasher. Anne Rice's ability to generate a feeling of atmosphere, as usual, sets the tone, and her descriptions of New Orleans capture every facet of that metropolis.

There is no repetition in this sequel, which some readers found tedious in the first novel. However, you will need to read the first book in order to comprehend this one, but it is well worth it! Lasher and Taltos are gems, and you won't be able to put the books down once you've picked these up. Just start reading the series. You won't believe what awaits you!

Warning: Spoilers ahead... Lasher has a lot to offer. The sequel to "The Witching Hour" picks up just where the first novel left off, with a cliffhanger finish. Lasher is alive and well, and he is about as terrible and horrifying a creature as there has ever been, yet he retains a terrifying innocence and sincerity.

He's just as cunning and vicious as he was as a spirit, and it turns out he's a distinct species from humans who wants to repopulate the planet with his own race.

We discover some fascinating facts regarding the Mayfair witches' and Michael's bloodlines. We meet Rowan, who is still torn between her feelings for Michael and her fascination with Lasher and what he is.

A prophecy is given, as well as a lengthy flashback from Julien's spirit, so you know where the tale is going. Lasher also has a major flashback scene in which we learn his whole past. There's a lot of excellent old-fashioned gothic horror, as only Anne Rice can describe it.


Final Thoughts:

The narrative of Lasher continues in book two of the Mayfair Witches Series, and the plot only gets better. It's full of intriguing characters, plot twists, witches, demons, and history, as are all of Anne Rice's stories. A well-written novel with a fantastic location in New Orleans. This is the second book in the series that I strongly recommend.

In this collection, Anne Rice hits close to home for me. It's enticing and unsettling, and it's a selection that will stick with you. Michael, like Aaron Lightner, has rapidly become one of my favorite characters. This is a must-read. This is not for the faint of heart. Definitely not for teenagers!!


Synopsis:

“At the center of Anne Rice's brilliant novel, the beautiful Rowan Mayfair, queen of the coven, must flee from the darkly brutal, yet irresistible demon known as Lasher. With a dreamlike power, this wickedly seductive entity draws us through twilight paths, telling a chillingly hypnotic story of spiritual aspirations and passion. 'Behind all the velvet drapes and gossamer winding sheets, this is an old-fashioned family saga - Anne Rice's descriptive writing is so opulent it almost begs to be read by candlelight' - "The Washington Post Book World".”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Aaliyah, Akasha And Enkil, Akasha, Alain Delon, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Anne Rice, Antonio Banderas, Armand, Aunt Queen, Blackwood Farm, Blood And Gold, Blood Canticle, Blood Communion, Blood Drinkers, Body Thief, Brad Pitt, Brat Prince, Bruce Spence, Cher, Christian Manon, Christian Slater, Claudia Black, Claudia, Closer To The Truth, Daniel Molloy, Dark Gift, Darren Wilson, David Talbot, Destrehan Plantation, Dollmaker, Domiziana Giordano, Drama, Estelle, French Quarter, Garden District, George Kelly, God and the Devil, Heaven And Hell, Highly Recommend, Hollywood's Homophobia, Hugo Race, Indra Ové, The Interview with the Vampire, Jerk, Jesse, Johnathan Devoy, Jonathan Davis, Julian Sands, Khayman, Kirsten Dunst, Lasher And Taltos, Laure Marsac, Lawrence Stratford, Lena Olin, Lestat De Lioncourt, Long Time, Looking Forward, London, Lorimar Productions, Louis De Pointe Du Lac, Louis, Lovers Forever, Love Story, Madeleine Marcel Iureş, Mael, Maharet And Mekare, Maharet, Marguerite Moreau, Marius, Matthew Lassall, Matthew Newton, Mayfair, Mayfair Family, Mayfair Witches, Memnoch The Devil, Merrick, Michael Curry, Michael Rymer, Mrs Rice, Mississippi River, Mona Mayfair, Mother Gabrielle, Mummy Or Ramses, Must Be Kept, Must Read, Neil Jordan, New Characters, New Orleans Whore, New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation, Old Friends, Pandora, Paris Vampire, Paris, Paul Mcgann, Pia Miranda, Point Of View,  Previous Books, Prince Lestat, Quinn Blackwood, Queen Of The Damned, Rachael Tanner, Raglan James, Ramses The Damned, Read Interview, Realms of Atlantis, Robin Casinader, Rowan Mayfair, Rowland S. Howard, San Francisco, Santiago, Sara Stockbridge, Serena Altschul, Stephen Rea, Story Of Marius, Stuart Townsend, Sybelle And Benji, Thandie Newton, Tale of the Body, Thandiwe Newton, The Vampire Lestat, Thought Provoking, Tom Cruise, Vacherie, Vampire Armand, Vampire Chronicles, Vampire Lestat, Vincent Perez, Warner Bros, Witching hour, Years Ago, Young Jesse, Yvette


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here


Free With Free Audible Trial


Mayfair Witches Series Set


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R)


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R)


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The Witching Hour Review

The Witching Hour Review

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.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Aaliyah, Akasha And Enkil, Akasha, Alain Delon, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Anne Rice, Antonio Banderas, Armand, Aunt Queen, Blackwood Farm, Blood And Gold, Blood Canticle, Blood Communion, Blood Drinkers, Body Thief, Brad Pitt, Brat Prince, Bruce Spence, Cher, Christian Manon, Christian Slater, Claudia Black, Claudia, Closer To The Truth, Daniel Molloy, Dark Gift, Darren Wilson, David Talbot, Destrehan Plantation, Dollmaker, Domiziana Giordano, Drama, Estelle, French Quarter, Garden District, George Kelly, God and the Devil, Heaven And Hell, Highly Recommend, Hollywood's Homophobia, Hugo Race, Indra Ové, The Interview with the Vampire, Jerk, Jesse, Johnathan Devoy, Jonathan Davis, Julian Sands, Khayman, Kirsten Dunst, Lasher And Taltos, Laure Marsac, Lawrence Stratford, Lena Olin, Lestat De Lioncourt, Long Time, Looking Forward, London, Lorimar Productions, Louis De Pointe Du Lac, Louis, Lovers Forever, Love Story, Madeleine Marcel Iureş, Mael, Maharet And Mekare, Maharet, Marguerite Moreau, Marius, Matthew Lassall, Matthew Newton, Mayfair, Mayfair Family, Mayfair Witches, Memnoch The Devil, Merrick, Michael Curry, Michael Rymer, Mrs Rice, Mississippi River, Mona Mayfair, Mother Gabrielle, Mummy Or Ramses, Must Be Kept, Must Read, Neil Jordan, New Characters, New Orleans Whore, New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation, Old Friends, Pandora, Paris Vampire, Paris, Paul Mcgann, Pia Miranda, Point Of View,  Previous Books, Prince Lestat, Quinn Blackwood, Queen Of The Damned, Rachael Tanner, Raglan James, Ramses The Damned, Read Interview, Realms of Atlantis, Robin Casinader, Rowan Mayfair, Rowland S. Howard, San Francisco, Santiago, Sara Stockbridge, Serena Altschul, Stephen Rea, Story Of Marius, Stuart Townsend, Sybelle And Benji, Thandie Newton, Tale of the Body, Thandiwe Newton, The Vampire Lestat, Thought Provoking, Tom Cruise, Vacherie, Vampire Armand, Vampire Chronicles, Vampire Lestat, Vincent Perez, Warner Bros, Witching hour, Years Ago, Young Jesse, Yvette


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


Mayfair Witches Series Set:


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):


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The Mummy or Ramses the Damned Review

The Mummy or Ramses the Damned Review

The Mummy or Ramses the Damned

Published: 6, May 1989

Author: Anne Rice

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 Mummy or Ramses the Damned Summary


The Review:

The Mummy or Ramses the Damned by Anne Rice is about Ramses. In many respects, Ramses is unlike any of Anne Rice's other male characters. He's not as cunning and destructive as Lasher, as moody as Louis, or as high-maintenance as Lestat. Of course, the fact that he may have a couple of thousand years on them may be a factor. He is also a solar creature, unlike his ghosts and vampiric brethren. Ramses is a thoughtful, intellectual man with a strong sense of fairness.

He is overwhelmed by the future when he awakens from a self-imposed slumber that takes him back to Cleopatra's time. He wakes up to automobiles, trains, newspapers, scientific discoveries, telephones, moving images, and aircraft, to name a few. Is he stressed out? Rebuking? Frightened? No. He's awestruck, enthralled, and, above all, ecstatic. He wants to see and do everything instantly!

I know I appreciated every aspect of this book. It was amazing to read. Anne Rice's writing is filled with emotion and passion, and her descriptions transport the reader to the places she portrays, immersing you in her story and enticing you into a world you'll never want to leave.

Her works entice the reader to want to be a part of them. Julie's demeanor makes you feel the world is a great place, and Ramses is a character you fall in love with straight away. This book has the ability to make a reader's heart sing as well as hurt, and it instills in them a desire for justice in the world.

Like a Tanith Lee novel, this book is written in a nearly poetic tone. The characters, as archetypes of wickedness, lethargy, attractiveness, and so on, have a fairy tale aspect to them. While this may easily go awry, she manages to make it work and do so nicely.

I know that this narrative is not for everyone, yet she always asks well-informed questions about life and its significance. It is nevertheless a wonderful novel, despite the fact that it might be predictable at times.

This is without a doubt one of my favorite Anne Rice books. It's refreshingly distinct and adds a new spin to the traditional mummy tale. The wonderful atmosphere Anne Rice creates in Edwardian London and Egypt is maybe my favorite aspect of the story. The characters are well-developed and believable, and the reader is immediately drawn in. The variation on the traditional mummy story offers a new kind of terror than the standard waddling monster of Hollywood's golden era.

Anyone who has seen the movie version of The Mummy (1932) with Boris Karloff will be familiar with the plot of this novel. It takes place in the early 1900s when the British had a greater effect on Egypt than they do now, and massive excavations were taking place, with the discovery of several tombs and antiquities.

We have an older guy and his aide on-site, and they are opening a tomb with scant care for the curses etched on the door. Inside, they discover a spotless tomb complete with manuscripts, jars, and the obligatory sarcophagus.

The story involves his daughter Julia and some more people related to him and what happens to all of these characters once the story actually moves forward.

In simple words, some of it is similar, but the primary distinction is that this mummy is not malicious and does not wish to murder everyone it encounters. One more primary difference is that it is not a mummy, but rather an indestructible man.

Anne Rice was really creative in allowing him to absorb the culture and technology of the period, and in picking the beginning of the twentieth century when technology was still in its infancy and still explainable to the curious mind.

The characters were all well-written, which was to be expected given that this was an Anne Rice novel. Then there's the family's clever but unhappy acquaintance, a lonely but married gay who is getting on in years and knows Ramses' secrets.

The story is set in Egypt and England in the 1920s. Anne Rice's writing is descriptive, and it made me feel as if I had been transported to another century. I can still picture the English drawing room with its thick carpets and gorgeous curtains if I close my eyes. I can sense the sweltering desert breezes and an ancient Cairo populated by British officials wearing white clothes and gowns.

Of course, the success or failure of the work hinges on the reality of its key character, Ramses. Anne Rice once again exceeds all expectations as she portrays the eternal man's life, loves, successes, and failures. Ramses is a guy we can comprehend, unlike her vampire characters, who are creatures with reasons that are distant from the reader's perspective.

He is a full-fledged human being. We are hungry, but he is always hungry. We are in love, but he has been in love for ages. He bounds while we walk. We can get to know him, despite the fact that he is enormous in every sense.

Anne Rice is the queen of immortality. She's allowed us to view the lengthy, harsh, sad, beautiful, and dirty history of humanity through the eyes of a variety of unkillable entities over the years. She is most known for introducing the vampires into the twentieth century, but she has also written about werewolves, angels, demons, spirits, aliens, and even a genie. The fact that she also did her own rendition of a mummy narrative gets lost in the swirl in this eternal collection.

Which is a great shame, since The Mummy is a fantastic novel. Anne Rice doesn't quite reinvent the stereotype as she did with vampires and werewolves, but she does exactly what she does best: she takes the theme of an immortal creature and turns it around to create a deep thinking, feeling being, giving us history, romance, and excitement in the process — and in the process, she manages to inject vitality and sexuality into a dried withered hollow shell of a decomposing body.


Final Thoughts:

I've always regarded Anne Rice's books to be fascinating and enjoyable. She is a master at suspense and dragging you into a tale to make you forget about reality for a brief period of time. She had a way of making you feel linked to all of the book's characters, not just the main ones.

This book is ideal for anybody who likes all things, Mummy, from the Boris Karloff classic through contemporary films. Ramses the Damned is both immortal and human at the same time.

No one compares to Anne Rice when it comes to capturing the atmosphere; anywhere and everywhere she takes you, you'll be able to smell the flowers and feel the breeze as she portrays it.


Synopsis:

“NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Ramses the Great returns in this “darkly magical” (USA Today) novel from bestselling author Anne Rice

“The reader is held captive and, ultimately, seduced.”—San Francisco Chronicle

Ramses the Great lives!

But having drunk the Elixer of life, he is now Ramses the Damned, doomed forever to wander the earth, desperate to quell hunger that can never be satisfied—for food, for wine, for women.

Reawakened in opulent Edwardian London, he becomes Dr. Ramsey, an expert in Egyptology. He also becomes the close companion of voluptuous, adventurous Julie Stratford, heiress to a vast shipping fortune and the center of a group of jaded aristocrats with appetites of their own to appease.

But the pleasures Ramses enjoys with Julie cannot soothe him. Searing memories of his last reawakening, at the behest of Cleopatra, his beloved Queen of Egypt, burn-in his immortal soul. And though he is immortal, he is still all too human. His intense longings for his great love, undiminished over the centuries, will force him to commit an act that will place everyone around him in the gravest danger. . . .”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Aaliyah, Akasha And Enkil, Akasha, Alain Delon, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Anne Rice, Antonio Banderas, Armand, Aunt Queen, Blackwood Farm, Blood And Gold, Blood Canticle, Blood Communion, Blood Drinkers, Body Thief, Brad Pitt, Brat Prince, Bruce Spence, Cher, Christian Manon, Christian Slater, Claudia Black, Claudia, Closer To The Truth, Daniel Molloy, Dark Gift, Darren Wilson, David Talbot, Destrehan Plantation, Dollmaker, Domiziana Giordano, Drama, Estelle, French Quarter, George Kelly, God and the Devil, Heaven And Hell, Highly Recommend, Hollywood's Homophobia, Hugo Race, Indra Ové, The Interview with the Vampire, Jerk, Jesse, Johnathan Devoy, Jonathan Davis, Julian Sands, Khayman, Kirsten Dunst, Laure Marsac, Lawrence Stratford, Lena Olin, Lestat De Lioncourt, Long Time, Looking Forward, London, Lorimar Productions, Louis De Pointe Du Lac, Louis, Lovers Forever, Love Story, Madeleine Marcel Iureş, Mael, Maharet And Mekare, Maharet, Marguerite Moreau, Marius, Matthew Lassall, Matthew Newton, Mayfair, Mayfair Witches, Memnoch The Devil, Merrick, Michael Rymer, Mrs Rice, Mississippi River, Mona Mayfair, Mother Gabrielle, Mummy Or Ramses, Must Be Kept, Must Read, Neil Jordan, New Characters, New Orleans Whore, New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation, Old Friends, Pandora, Paris Vampire, Paris, Paul Mcgann, Pia Miranda, Point Of View,  Previous Books, Prince Lestat, Quinn Blackwood, Queen Of The Damned, Rachael Tanner, Raglan James, Ramses The Damned, Read Interview, Realms of Atlantis, Robin Casinader, Rowan Mayfair, Rowland S. Howard, San Francisco, Santiago, Sara Stockbridge, Serena Altschul, Stephen Rea, Story Of Marius, Stuart Townsend, Sybelle And Benji, Thandie Newton, Tale of the Body, Thandiwe Newton, The Vampire Lestat, Thought Provoking, Tom Cruise, Vacherie, Vampire Armand, Vampire Chronicles, Vampire Lestat, Vincent Perez, Warner Bros, Witching hour, Years Ago, Young Jesse, Yvette


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):


Compare Kindle E-readers on one page:


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Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
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