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The Vampire Lestat Review

The Vampire Lestat Review

The Vampire Lestat

Published: 31, October 1985

Author: Anne Rice

The Vampire Chronicles, Book 2

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic, Horror, LGBTQ+, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Saga, Vampire


Check the summary of this book here:

The Vampire Lestat Summary


The Review:

Any Anne Rice fan, or any fan of vampire fiction in general, should own The Vampire Lestat. It's the sequel to Interview With A Vampire. While the Interview With A Vampire was recounted from Louis' perspective, The Vampire Lestat is told from Lestat's perspective. It's essentially an autobiography in which he recounts his life as a human and how he got to be a vampire.

We witness not just his deliciously wicked side, which Louis describes in the previous book, but also his more human side in this book. The Brat Prince isn't as bad as everyone else portrays him to be, but he's certainly not a saint. This book is fantastic and very worth it; I have all four forms of all the books in this series, Audio, Hard Cover, Paperback, and the Kindle version.

Since I was a youngster, I've liked Interview With A Vampire. I chose to start the series and have been fully engrossed from start to finish. I love vampire fiction, and Anne Rice's writing brings the events and people to life, bringing them even closer to being alive and real to us. I was concerned that, having enjoyed the last book/movie (in its own right and equally), I might lose interest in this one. But, no, I believe this book brought him to life, and I couldn't put it down until I completed it.

A one-liner, once again, does not do the novel credit because there is so much more to it than Lestat becoming a rock star! I don't want to give too much away, but the way the storylines intertwine adds to the realism. I liked getting to know Lestat better, and hearing his thoughts on the first book made him feel even more genuine.

I think the hyperawareness of the books being novels (but yet being real) is wonderfully written. Anne Rice's vampires (both vicious and gorgeous) changed the vampire game, and even those that choose to write their vampires in the same gentlemanly vein don't manage to pull it off with the same pulse and vitality as Anne Rice's. Her vampires are the gentleman vampires, to be sure.

I am sure almost everyone has seen the movie Interview With A Vampire and has most likely read the book. However, if you don't read this novel, you'll have a hard time comprehending Lestat. There's a lot more to him than the insane persona we've grown to admire.

I believe that we not only witness Anne Rice tell a fantastic tale during this series, but I am hard-pressed to think of many other authors who perform a greater job of character development. I'm a big lover of scary movies. But I adore good fiction also, and this is just all of what I want.

Here I'm only using a legendary author's name to make a point and I mean no disrespect to him: Tolkien may be a greater writer, but Anne Rice does a far better job of enabling her characters to grow.

In my opinion, Anne Rice is the creator and supreme authority of literary vampire legend. She's done what no other novelist has done: she's made vampires sexy.

Her books explore the inherent conflict that exists between human morality and the drive to murder and eat in order to preserve immortality.

Lestat is a delightful devil. Like no other, he ponders his existence and purpose amid the harshness of his reality. If you've encountered him in another Rice novel (maybe in an Interview With A Vampire), you should read this one since it offers you a better idea of his character.

When Louie relates his narrative, you just get a glimpse of one side of his personality. You will see Lestat in a whole new perspective after reading this book, and you will be able to comprehend some of the decisions he took in the previous book.

This novel, in my opinion, is also necessary for gaining a better understanding of all of Rice's other vampire stories. You shouldn't really need a good review to buy this book. You can't deny yourself this novel if you're as charmed by Anne Rice's prose as I am, any more than Lestat could refuse Akasha's invitation to sip the world's oldest and most potent blood.

The Vampire Lestat is a large book about the life, creation, and afterlife of the mysterious Lestat de Lioncourt, a petty French aristocrat who yearns for more than the pointless existence defined by his place as the younger son of a poor but pompous family. But there's a lot more to this novel than meets the eye.


Final Thoughts:

With a broken and sad heart, I announce that our beloved Anne Rice passed away a few days ago on December 11, 2021. I had planned to begin reviewing all of her books for a long time but hadn't had the opportunity, and from the day she passed away, I was nearing the end of another late great author Patrick O'Brian's series, so I decided to wait until that series was finished before continuing Anne Rice's books again.

This second Chronicle is significantly longer than the first because it includes not only Lestat's 'life' story and personal development but also the histories of two older vampires, the elegant Marius and the lost Armand, as well as legends about the vampire race's origins and the first vampires, Enkil and Akasha.

The Vampire Lestat, like the previous book, continues to examine life and death, good and evil, and where vampires fit into the big scheme of things, but there is also a lot of action and adventure, giving the entire narrative much more bite and improving its pace.

Despite the fact that I preferred this to “Interview With A Vampire” I feel that both novels should be read rather than just one. The events of “Interview With A Vampire” are placed in the context of Lestat's life, and much of what transpired between Lestat, Louis, Claudia, and Armand is explained in 'The Vampire Lestat.' It's almost as though 'Interview With A Vampire' is more of a teaser for 'The Vampire Lestat' than a standalone novel.


Synopsis:

“#1 New York Times Bestselling author - Surrender to fiction's greatest creature of the night - Book II of the Vampire Chronicles

The vampire hero of Anne Rice’s enthralling novel is a creature of the darkest and richest imagination. Once an aristocrat in the heady days of pre-revolutionary France, now a rock star in the demonic, shimmering 1980s, he rushes through the centuries in search of others like him, seeking answers to the mystery of his eternal, terrifying existence. His is a mesmerizing story—passionate, complex, and thrilling.

Praise for The Vampire Lestat

“Frightening, sensual . . . Anne Rice will live on through the ages of literature. . . . To read her is to become giddy as if spinning through the mind of time, to become lightheaded as if our blood is slowly being drained away.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“Fiercely ambitious, nothing less than a complete unnatural history of vampires.”—The Village Voice

“Brilliant . . . its undead characters are utterly alive.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Luxuriantly created and richly told.”—The Cleveland Plain Dealer”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):


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21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey Review

21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey Review

21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey

Published: 2004

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Book 21 of 21: Aubrey/Maturin Novels

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Contemporary, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Science Fiction, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War


Check the summary of this book here:

21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey Summary


The Review:

21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey is the book containing the first three chapters of a work that was cut short by Patrick O'Brian's death in late 2000 makes up this incomplete but quite legible piece of what would have been the 21st Aubrey/Maturin novel. The first chapter wraps up the previous book's events, which aided Chile's effort to gain independence from Spain. With instructions to join a larger force moving to South Africa, Jack Aubrey receives his long-awaited and well-deserved advancement to Admiral.

The introduction, as well as all three chapters, sets the tone for what seems to be a typical Patrick O'Brian read. Family squabbles, a grumpy commanding admiral, a possible future battle of honor, Maturin's musings as he writes to the woman he's pursuing, Killick bemoaning the state of Jack's uniform—if you've gotten it this far, you're familiar with the drill.

The normal and delightful Patrick O'Brian hodgepodge that has made his series so beloved by so many fans is still going strong. It's done, he's gone, and once you've read it for the first time, there's no going back. Fortunately, we have his other twenty works, all of which appear to be timeless. Although the author is no longer living, his work continues to live on, and it is difficult to write this final review of this wonderful series.

This book had me expecting it to disappoint me. When I initially heard about it, I assumed it was a case of commercial exploitation of an incomplete novel. Nonetheless, as a long-time fan of the 20-volume series, I bought it. This part of the novel moved me a lot. It was interesting to observe Mr. Patrick O'Brian's creative process at action in the differences between the facsimile manuscript and the typescript, and it just added to his achievements in bringing this faraway realm to life. Some of the lines and scenes in his work couldn't be enhanced any further.

After two reads, there are still certain sections that make me smile. It's inspirational that Patrick O'Brian could write so brilliantly in the middle of such personal tragedy. Richard Snow's afterword is also worth reading. Snow encapsulates what makes Patrick O'Brian's writing so essential in a lovely and short way, and his final statement will bring tears to the eyes of anybody who has read the book. Surprise in Mourning by Geoff Hunt was also moving, albeit he portrays her somewhat by the head, which is never her optimum trim for sailing on a bowline.

This isn't the end of the journey. And it's not even a novel. This collection gathers Patrick O'Brian's incomplete manuscripts; some handwritten and others typed, and portray them as a work-in-progress, an early form of what may have been. We may assume what modifications have been made as we read through - the language isn't as taut or well-written as his polished, finalized works, which is to be anticipated.

This will only appeal to those of us who have spent our lives with Aubrey and Maturin, and who lament the loss of such a wonderful series of novels that mixed fiction and history. Even then, it may disappoint - don't anticipate anything of the caliber we've seen in the main series. Expect to be disappointed with the main characters' ongoing connection.

I must inform readers that this book is not complete, and those who are just trying to read a random book will think I was writing a fake review or reviewing an entirely different book, because my recommendations and points are based on what I thought of the legend who wrote this book and the series, and for me, this last unfinished book has a value that a non-reader of this series will never understand. You only need to ask the fans of this series how much this book is worth, and you'll receive the same answer, Priceless!


Final Thoughts:

Without a doubt, today is a sad day for me in terms of reading and reviewing. This, the final piece of a fantastic series of books, does not let you down. I had a great time reading the entire collection. I began and have really enjoyed each book twice: once for personal enjoyment and again for review purposes. I can picture a variety of alternative endings for this great friendship between Jack and Stephen with a little imagination. Anyone and everyone should read these novels, and I am hundred percent recommending the series.

There's no use in writing a review because this is a must-have for Patrick O'Brian fans. If you're considering purchasing this item, you already know why you're here, and you should go ahead and do so.

In some ways, it's a perfect conclusion to the series. Perhaps the best way to end this epic voyage is with an unfinished manuscript. The handwritten sections are difficult to read, but this adds to the impression of the book coming to an end. The plot is a little jumbled and appears to be incomplete. You're not purchasing it for the plot, though. You're buying it to finish the set and pay tribute to the author who has brought you so much joy over the past 20 years.


Synopsis:

“Blue at the Mizzen (novel #20) ended with Jack Aubrey getting the news, in Chile, of his elevation to flag rank: Rear Admiral of the Blue Squadron, with orders to sail to the South Africa station. The next novel, unfinished and untitled at the time of the author's death, would have been the chronicle of that mission, and much else besides. The three chapters left on Patrick O'Brian's desk are presented here both in printed version-including his corrections to the typescript-and a facsimile of his manuscript, which goes several pages beyond the end of the typescript to include a duel between Stephen Maturin and an impertinent officer who is courting his fiancée.

Of course, we would rather have had the whole story; instead, we have this proof that Patrick O'Brian's powers of observation, his humor, and his understanding of his characters were undiminished to the end.

Includes a Facsimile of the Manuscript.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 85/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):


Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):


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Blue at the Mizzen Review

Blue at the Mizzen Review

Blue at the Mizzen

Published: 1999

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Book 20 of 21: Aubrey/Maturin Novels

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Contemporary, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Science Fiction, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War


Check the summary of this book here:

Blue at the Mizzen Summary


The Review:

Much of Patrick O'Brian's “Blue at the Mizzen” is written in Maturin's hand via letters to England, which is a break from the manner of many of the earlier Aubrey-Maturin volumes. This works because it adds texture and depth to a character whose rich inner life has been mostly lacking, with his job as an intelligence officer, surgeon, scientist, and former partner and confidant of Aubrey overshadowing his personal tendencies.

The Napoleonic Wars concluded in "The Hundred Days," book nineteen in the Aubrey/Maturin series, and Aubrey, like many Post Captains, confronts the possibility of becoming a "Yellow Admiral" and that means a promotion to flag officer rank without the command of a ship or squadron, thus ending one's naval career. To get away from this, Maturin and Aubrey went to Chile on the "H.M.S. Surprise," to do something that you can read in the book. 

While on the journey, two fresh events entice readers: a new midshipman, Horatio Hanson, a bastard of the Duke of Clarence, Prince William, and a growing relationship between Lady Jenny Morris, who is the widow of Lord Morris, the ambassador to Sierra Leone, and Maturin, who is also a widower. It's disappointing that these story aspects won't be explored further.

The journey south moves quickly, and "H.M.S. Surprise's" narrative is equally brief, with most of the plot centering on Maturin and Hanson. While some readers will be disappointed by this, I found it to be a welcome change from the detailed watch-on-watch description of daily life at sea; it also gives the reader a greater understanding of Maturin as an emotional entity. The sole naval fight in which Aubrey is part is also significant, and I wish more information had been provided.

Fans consider this to be one of Patrick O'Brian's best works. Those who are unfamiliar with his works should consider themselves lucky, for they are about to embark on a twenty book journey of sheer delight for the first time, because once you've finished this series, you'll want to forget about it and reread it as a new reader because it's that good. 

The New York Times called him "the greatest historical storyteller of all time," and after reading the first one or two volumes, you'll agree. However, you'll need to get acclimated to some archaic vocabulary and linguistic style and remember to read in order.

In any event, while this is a good conclusion to the series, readers should not expect a repeat of one of the earlier volumes. The characters and the author have all grown older, their arch-enemy has vanished, and it almost looks as though they have chosen South America because they would be bored if they returned to their old haunts in England and left the sea. Maybe that's how the British became involved in the independence of Spain's New World possessions!

It may appear impossible for Patrick O'Brian to maintain his interest in the routine of naval life for such a long period of time. I was expecting him to give up at some time, but Blue with the Mizzen doesn't let me down. This time, the intricacy of these well-known characters' development has increased even more, which did not surprise me because I know how talented Patrick O'Brian is at his craft. This series, as well as this particular book, comes highly recommended.


Final Thoughts:

Finishing "Blue at the Mizzen" was heartbreaking since it was the final full novel in the series because the twenty-first novel, "The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey," was not completed and Patrick O'Brian died before finishing it, leaving the manuscript incomplete.

There is so much here that the reader will miss out on, such as the relationship between Lady Morris and Maturin, and what will happen to young Hanson will be as disappointing. Every journey, though, must come to an end, with shipmates parting ways and so it is with Aubrey and Maturin.

I strongly suggest the novels, as I've stated in most of my assessments of the series: no one writes naval fiction like Patrick O'Brian, and few writers write any sub-genre of fiction like him. I felt a kinship to the personalities Patrick O'Brian so brilliantly painted, having experienced terrible weather, stood on the quarter-deck and in the gun-room in innumerable fights, and crossed the line multiple times.

It's been a beautiful, thoroughly entertaining experience, and I advise any admirer of fine writing to discover for themselves why these novels have such a fervent and devoted fan base.

Simply purchase and begin reading "Master and Commander," the first book in the series, to see what all of the fuss is about.


Synopsis:

“"The old master has us again in the palm of his hand." —Los Angeles Times

Napoleon has been defeated at Waterloo, and the ensuing peace brings with it both the desertion of nearly half of Captain Aubrey's crew and the sudden dimming of Aubrey's career prospects in a peacetime navy. When the H.M.S. Surprise is nearly sunk on her way to South America—where Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are to help Chile assert her independence from Spain—the delay occasioned by repairs reaps a harvest of strange consequences. The South American expedition is a desperate affair, and in the end, Jack's bold initiative to strike at the vastly superior Spanish fleet precipitates a spectacular naval action that will determine both Chile's fate and his own.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):


Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):


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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.
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