Called Out of Darkness Review

Called Out of Darkness

Published: 2008

Author: Anne Rice

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Catholicism, Christianity, Fiction, Inspirational, Metaphysical, Personal Growth, Religious, Self Help, Visionary, Women’s

Check the summary of this book here:

Called Out of Darkness Summary

The Review:

In Called Out of Darkness, Anne Rice walks us through her life, from her childhood in an intellectual New Orleans family where she developed a deep love of her beautiful Catholic Church, to moving to Texas and California, where she and her new poet husband rejected all religion and lived on the outskirts of the San Francisco hippy movement, to her surprisingly hugely successful career writing books about witches and vampires (I read all of these, she sold 100 million of them). Finally, she brilliantly portrays her sorrowful return to the Jesus she still loved but couldn't believe in, as well as to the Church of her upbringing.

"Honesty" is the term that comes to me when I think of the book. Her concluding articulation of what it means to fully follow Jesus and how tough it is to just love rather than obey man-made laws moved me deeply. I enjoy reading biographies and would give this one a thousand points if I could.

I'm at a loss for words to explain how much I like and respect the transparency and honesty shown here. I know a lot of individuals who are becoming more informed and open-minded about Church politics and just loving Christ who have had some of the same experiences here.

In the middle of all this turmoil, they walk out of the Church doors, and in doing so, they walk out on Christ. In a gloomy and seemingly hopeless catacomb, Anne Rice is a bright lamp.

She expresses her pain as well as her blessings, and most importantly, she teaches the Love of Christ, emphasizing the need of loving, forgiving, and not judging people, including our family, friends, neighbors, and even adversaries.

She demonstrates how to be guided out of the shadows. I am eternally grateful to Anne Rice for her beautiful stories, and I must thank her once more for this wonderful work.

This is the book for anybody who has ever wondered what happened to Anne Rice and why she quit writing vampire novels around the time this book was published. It's not a tough book to read, yet it's quite intimate.

This novel reads quite amateurishly. However, it is simply the author's thoughts flowing directly into the pages, which gives it a stronger feeling of its own unique personality.

You have the impression that a friend has just informed you that she has regained her religion. It's not flowery or overly ornamented, and it's quite down to earth. I also appreciate seeing individuals tie their faith to their daily life, so I found that to be interesting to read.

Even if you've never read Anne Rice's works, you can tell she was a superb writer based on the popularity and reviews of her books. Because of the darkness and vampire subject matter, I read any and all of her work because I enjoy reading these kinds of books when they are written well and by an author like her.

I came upon her more recent works about the life of Christ and warily read her article at the conclusion of Christ the Lord out of Egypt about how she studies for her books.

I felt good reading what she had to say about Christ's life since it was so eloquently written. As soon as I finished the first book, I went on to read the sequel Christ the Lord the Road to Cana, and then I came upon her Called Out of Darkness A Spiritual Confession.

Incredible! A truly remarkable account of a remarkable spiritual journey, and as a non-Catholic, it answered many of my questions about the Catholic Church simply because I want to learn more about all of the major religions because I believe they are all essentially one religion with many branches or versions of the same story.

Each of these three books has had a spiritual impact on me, and I frequently suggest them. Anne Rice is one of my top ten authors, and she may be the finest. Her writing is engrossing, enthralling, graphic, thought-provoking, and not at all monotonous!

Careful readers, it appears to me, strive to comprehend the metaphors at work in her novels and delve deeper into the volume's content. There's no need to hunt for metaphors in this totally unusual reading experience since she talks so honestly and invitingly.

It's practically irrelevant if one can relate with her individual experience or revelation about God within the context of the Catholic experience. In these days of high tension, numerous wars, political correctness, random killings, broken marriages, and so on, it is both invigorating and challenging to read about another's search for the deepest meanings in a happy existence.

It all starts with her background in New Orleans, where she grew up in a neighborhood where everyone she knew or encountered was a devout Catholic.

Author was so committed to religion that she determined as a child that she wanted to be a Catholic priest. She went to Catholic schools, went to church several times a week, and was so eager to devote her life to the Church that she would not even consider becoming a nun and was shocked to learn that becoming a Catholic priest would be impossible.

Called Out of Darkness is a remarkable memoir in which the author shares intimate details about her upbringing, including the tragedy of her alcoholic mother, her enormous difficulties in learning to read effectively, her marriage, the deaths of her young daughter and husband, and her deep love for the city of New Orleans and its architecture.

Anne Rice has had a fascinating existence, one that most of her long-time followers have only had a passing knowledge of.

This biography shows how she went from writing novels about vampires and witches to creating fiction committed to portraying the story of Christianity, a change that surprised her readers (Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana and Angel Time: The Song of the Seraphim, Book 1).

Fans of Anne Rice's novels will like her memoir, but her narrative is so unique that even those who haven't read her books will be intrigued by what she has to say.

Final Thoughts:

This is a fantastic book about a fantastic author who shocked the world when she returned to her Christian faith, then shocked the world again in July 2010 when she said she couldn't stay in a group of people who were disputatious, homophobic, and believed they were the only ones going to heaven while secretly relishing the thought that everyone else was going to hell. Although she still believes in Jesus, she refuses to call herself a "Christian!"

I'm always happy to state that I've read all of Anne Rice's books. This is just because she's so incredibly talented, and I'm drawn to the realm of myth and vampires.

I chose to read this because I wanted to read a book by someone who has gone through multiple pathways of religion, someone who has wandered but not lost, and most importantly she is Anne Rice, who writes amazing books.

This was a fantastic book to read. I would suggest it to everyone, whether they are a protestant, a Catholic, an agnostic, or an atheist.

Synopsis:

“Anne Rice’s first work of nonfiction—a powerful and haunting memoir that explores her continuing spiritual transformation

Anne Rice was raised in New Orleans as the devout child in a deeply religious Irish Catholic family. Here, she describes how, as she grew up, she lost her belief in God, but not her desire for a meaningful life. She used her novels—beginning with Interview with a Vampire—to wrestle with otherworldly themes while in her own life, she experienced both loss (the death of her daughter and, later, her beloved husband, Stan Rice) and joys (the birth of her son, Christopher). And she writes about how, finally, after years of questioning, she experienced the intense conversion and re-embracing of her faith that lie behind her most recent novels about the life of Christ.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Anne Rice, Called Out Of Darkness, Catholic Church, Christ The Lord, Christopher Rice, Cry To Heaven, Damned The Passion, Feast Of All Saints, Interview With The Vampire, Looking Forward, Mummy Or Ramses, New Characters, New Orleans, Passion Of Cleopatra, Ramses The Damned, Read The Mummy, Road to Cana, Son Christopher, Spiritual Confession, Spiritual Journey, Vampires and Witches, Vampire Lestat, Witching Hour, Worth The Wait, Years Ago

Rating: 85/100

Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

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Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra Review

Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra

Published: 21, November 2017

Author: Anne Rice, Christopher Rice

Genres: American, British & Irish, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Occult, Paranormal, Romance

Check the summary of this book here:

Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra Summary

The Review:

The Passion of Cleopatra is the second novel based on The Mummy or Ramses the Damned, the story of Immortals who have lived on this planet for millennia, developed in collaboration with Anne Rice and her son Christopher Rice. We meet the healer who developed the immortality elixir, and we learn that Ramses drank the potion cup meant for a priestess who had set it on an altar in worship. When he was awoken after his tomb was opened, he had the exact recipe for making more, which he shared with two others (Julia and Elliot). Unfortunately, he also revived Cleopatra's body, whose spirit has moved on to Sibyl Parker, author of books set in ancient Egypt that she witnessed in dreams.

When Cleopatra was revived, the two women were inextricably linked, as if they were equal portions of the very same individual. This novel places this connection on a path to healing for both, leaving open for a future continuation of the Immortals' journey, especially now that they have discovered their Queen, who created the pure elixir.

I have to be really honest and offer my primary opinions about this book. I never intended to read this book because I was offended that Anne Rice's name was used to introduce her son, but it's good that I changed my mind and read it, just as I did many of Christopher Rice's books.

I was simply not interested in reading any book with his name because I assumed he was simply using his famous mother's name and that she was the one who wrote all of these books, and in the end, this belief led me to read all of Christopher Rice's books so that I could enjoy Anne Rice's books that she wrote as her son.

But, in the end, I realized it was him all along, and he had earned my respect by not using his renowned mother's name.

This was an excellent read for me. It has some of the best female characters ever created. It features a fantastic underlying narrative and universe, which is the same universe of Lestat and the gang.

Anne Rice has a knack for creating amazing worlds full of history and imagination. And Christopher Rice has mastered the art of forming intense bonds. It's just a deep and important narrative with a well-developed cast of people. All of this is in a lighthearted and exciting plot.

I liked how the tale moved along without becoming mired down in clichéd plot tropes. The characters are smart, and they figure things out quickly, which keeps the story moving.

The wording is fluid, and the plot is gripping and engaging. Cleopatra and Ramses are two figures that have captivated readers throughout history and in this book. The attractiveness is boosted by the presence of interesting secondary characters. The conversation is dead on, and the reader is never left guessing who is speaking.

As a tactic to develop tension, an author will sometimes spend all this time convincing readers that their characters are cool and clever, only for them to overlook apparent things right in front of their faces. It's inconvenient, and they don't do it here.

These two clearly know what they're doing. I'm looking forward to the next episode of this series, and I'll be waiting for whatever they come up with next.

This book is a fantastic piece of literature with thoughts that are original and engaging. As the novel progresses, the characteristics deepen, and there's a twist that sets this book unique from Anne Rice's earlier works. Her partnership with her son is flawless. For those who enjoy classic literature, this is a must-read.

The novel did not disappoint, since it was full of unexpected turns. It was all of these things and more: a romantic affair, an adventure, a mystery, and a supernatural account.

If you haven't yet read The Mummy or Ramses the Damned, you should do it now and make sure you read it before moving on to this book.

I'm not going to go into too much detail about the plot because the Synopsis already has done that; instead, I'd want to discuss the entire tale, which is recounted in two books and took many years to write.

This combined tale is a masterwork; there was nothing to search for, for the fear of missing something, the characters were captivating, and the numerous stories colliding were masterful and amazing.

Both works had a similar various storyline type that merged and culminated in a specific event, which I adored and which most authors could not have accomplished.

I am a huge Anne Rice fan, and these two books, as well as her masterwork Interview with the Vampire from The Vampire Chronicles, are just three of many of her works that I would recommend to anybody. I would advise anybody to spend their money on it because these three are really worth it.

Final Thoughts:

The novel continued where The Mummy or Ramses the Damned left off. I was looking forward to seeing how Julie and Ramses' love affair would go. The mystery that began in an ancient tomb among the magnificence and beauty of Egypt's pyramids is unexpectedly thrust forward to Edwardian England.

Anne Rice's writing is so vivid that you feel as if you're right there with the characters, experiencing the sights and sounds of the narrative. She has written yet another fantastic novel, this time in cooperation with her son.

Both authors help persuade readers with realities camouflaged as fiction. Many individuals, I'm sure, are aware of resurrection, psychics, and translocation. Physical manifestation, immortality, sentient avatars, retribution, paranormal supernatural and diabolical energies inside ourselves and others, lost and found empires, Anna Breidbart's animal connection, and the underlying power of healing in the realm of oneness are all discussed.

Anne Rice is enthralling at all times!! The win is much sweeter now that she has her magnificent son! I always get the sensation that I can see the settings, feel the emotions of the characters, and fall in love!!!

Thank you, Anne Rice, for the magnificent gift of your writing that you have given to us all! And Christopher Rice, you're just like your mother in terms of skill! Excellent!

Synopsis:

“A mesmerizing, glamorous tale of ancient feuds and modern passions—from the iconic, bestselling author of The Vampire Chronicles

Ramses the Great, former pharaoh of Egypt, is reawakened by the elixir of life in Edwardian England. Now immortal with his bride-to-be, he is swept up in a fierce and deadly battle of wills and psyches against the once-great Queen Cleopatra.

Ramses has reawakened Cleopatra with the same perilous elixir whose unworldly force brings the dead back to life. But as these ancient rulers defy one another in their quest to understand the powers of the strange elixir, they are haunted by a mysterious presence even older and more powerful than they, a figure drawn forth from the mists of history who possesses spectacular magical potions and tonics eight millennia old. This is a figure who ruled over an ancient kingdom stretching from the once-fertile earth of the Sahara to the far corners of the world, a queen with a supreme knowledge of the deepest origins of the elixir of life.

She may be the only one who can make known to Ramses and Cleopatra the key to their immortality—and the secrets of the miraculous, unknowable, endless expanse of the universe.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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The Master of Rampling Gate Review

The Master of Rampling Gate

Published: February 1984

Author: Anne Rice

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Literature

Check the summary of this book here:

The Master of Rampling Gate Summary

The Review:

The Master of Rampling Gate by Anne Rice is a masterpiece. Predictable and far too short, but entertaining for those of us who eagerly anticipated and devoured each new episode of the Lestat series. I like Anne Rice's return to the paranormal and the absence of the ponderous theological philosophy that has pervaded several of her post-Lestat writings.

The Master of Rampling Gate is reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe's suspense short tales. Yes, it's a bleak story. However, the details are vivid. While reading it, you nearly feel as if you are inside the mansion.

Exceptionally well-written and eloquent. It's almost plausible. I nearly forgot this was a work of fiction. This is another fast-paced read. I liked it but was disappointed because it was such a brief narrative, which I already knew.

I strongly advise everyone who likes short tales to read it. You will not be disappointed, even if you may have a want for more.

Despite its briefness, I found the narrative to be entertaining. The Master of Rampling Gate was a short and delightful read that left me wanting more. It was written with Anne Rice's lush, descriptive style that I've come to anticipate.

The ancient home reminded me of the house in The Wolf Gift, and the little background in this short narrative reminded me of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

I recently read The Master of Rampling Gate in The Vampire Archives: The Most Complete Volume of Vampire Tales Ever Published (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard), an anthology of vampire mythology.

I bought this anthology because of the authors participating, which included Anne Rice, Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker, Ray Bradbury, and others. I'd say it's a greater value than any one tale, but don't worry, this book is free for Kindle at the time of writing this review.

Do you recall Anne Rice's vampire stories? She did, after all, wrote twelve books about fey, gorgeous, angsty immortals with gothic tastes.

However, in the time between her first two vampire novels, she wrote a short story called "The Master of Rampling Gate" about a "fey, beautiful, angsty immortal." It's written in glossy writing, and the conversation is as you'd expect from the author; but, the characters are flawed, and the relationship lacks the emotional depth like Twilight.

This is due to the story's short length. Remember, this is a short novella, and you can't expect a thousand pages of content in a few pages, even if the author is Anne Rice.

This novel appealed to me because of its atmosphere, inventive elements, drama, and, of course, the Anne Rice characteristics we all enjoy. Julie, the protagonist, is endearing and attractive, and when she and her brother Richard visit their inherited house, Rampling Gate, outside of London, they uncover more than a peaceful retreat.

There is an enigmatic invader. "No ghost would ever dare to harm Rampling Gate," the blind housekeeper says emphatically. Ha! What about an "indescribable threat"? This is a fantastic short story written by a master of the genre. It's just a smidgeon of "silent terror," but it'll whet your appetite.

Julie and Richard inherit the ancestral castle of Rampling Gate after their father passes away. Richard's father made him swear to demolish it before he died, and it appears to be linked to a handsome young man Julie saw years ago.

When he emerges, he and Julie fall madly in love, and he explains why he doesn't want Rampling Gate demolished.

Anne Rice's short story "The Master of Rampling Gate" exemplifies why she should avoid writing short stories. This narrative may have been a highly interesting gothic romance if it had been stretched to a full-length novel, especially since Anne Rice was nearing the pinnacle of her abilities.

Instead, it feels like an adolescent girl's fanfiction written in her voice, simply because it makes you want more and feels so short when you realize the tale is over and no new episodes have been released.

The main flaw in this narrative, as I've stated several times in this review, is that it is far too short. With each turn of the page, you become more intimately interested in the captivating characters as they come to life in the appropriate atmosphere.

Anne Rice does conjure up a sensation of haunting, history-soaked atmosphere, and there are a lot of very wonderful descriptions in this novel. Her old-timey prose, on the other hand, is fantastic as always, adding to the sense of the era and the ambiance, and leaving you wanting to learn more about it.

To rub salt in the wound, the love affair is odd. Julie is attracted to the vampire because he is attractive, and he is attracted to her because her intelligence appears to be exceptional.

They fell in love at first sight, without uttering a single word, and resolve to remain together for the rest of their lives. A relationship like that would make Stephenie Meyer proud.

The Master of Rampling Gate is an excruciatingly short piece that would have worked better as a full-length novel.

Despite the fact that the love story and characters are as thin as paper due to the limited space available, the reader is left wanting more and eager to learn more about Julie and the vampire.

Like no other writer in her genre, she creates a detailed web of terror and beauty in her novels. This narrative served as a great teaser for anyone who is unclear what to anticipate from any one of her Vampire Chronicles books; when you're ready for the main meal, your mysterious date Lestat will be there.

Final Thoughts:

Let me start by underlining that this is a Short Story originally published in Redbook Magazine in 1984. As a result, readers anticipating a novel will certainly be disappointed, as The Master of Rampling Gate is just fifteen pages long in the anthology cited.

In conclusion, I recommend getting a vampire anthology as the best way to experience The Master of Rampling Gate.

The only flaw I discovered was that it is only a short narrative, but it isn't advertised as a novel, so you should know that before you buy it.

Synopsis:

“I should have done it Richard, but I was born in that house, as my father was, and his father before him. You must do it now, Richard. It has no claim on you. Tear it down."

Anne Rice lures us once again into the seductive world of vampires with her short story, The Master of Rampling Gate. Set in 1888, Richard and Julie are the sole heirs to Rampling Gate, the beautiful but foreboding 400-year-old family mansion. Despite the dying wish of their father to destroy the property, the siblings visit the ancient home and are immediately enchanted by it. What was the "unspeakable horror" their father saw in the luxurious home they are so drawn to? Slowly memories return to Julie of a handsome, pale-faced stranger, glimpsed only briefly when she was young. The memories soon become a reality when Julie discovers the mystery behind the house and learns who the master of Rampling Gate truly is.

The Master of Rampling Gate was originally published in Redbook magazine in 1984.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Anne Rice, Cry To Heaven, Feast of All Saints, Interview with the Vampire, Vampire Lestat, Witching Hour

Rating: 75/100

Recommended: 50/100 Yes.

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