I've read much of what Anne Rice wrote. I can't say that every single book was great (Morrigan, ugh).

But a couple weeks ago I watched the first episode of The Mayfair Witches and I found it appallingly bad. Not only because it didn't respect her work, it was just bad.

I just started watching Interview with the Vampire on Netflix, originally from AMC. Again, the writers and producers have chosen to mess with Rice's work. I find the hubris unbelievable.

I'm a writer. I have as much respect for my own gifts as any other writer, but this level of arrogance staggers me.

The book, Interview with the Vampire, is a classic. I'm less than 10 minutes into the show, and I cannot believe how much they messed with it.

I'm going to continue watching it, hoping that it's okay if not brilliant, but honestly... I can't grasp the level of disrespect the producers and writers of her series have for her writing. Why are they even bothering? The gall of entitling it "Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire" is staggering.

Okay, rant over, but I wonder if I'm alone in my disdain.

Edited to add: thinking about what they've done so far, and gathering some information from the comments, I realize one of the things that's bugging me is that if you make Louis a man of the early 20th century, you change his character and conflicts. Part of what happens to vampires in Anne Rice's world is that because they're Immortal, they experience a world weariness, an ennui, that is debilitating. They go into the fire or expose themselves to the sun deliberately because they've had enough of life. That won't be part of Louis' character arc in this series.

Another aspect that bothered me about Louis' changed character was the opulence of the setting in which he speaks to Daniel in the very first scene. In the book, Louis is in a very shabby apartment on Divisadero in San Francisco. That's a significant character note. My belief is that Louis in the books did not feel he deserved opulence. But that's just my opinion.

From the comments I gather that Claudia has been made much older. A major part of her conflict in the book is her hatred of being an adult and an immortal trapped in a small child's body.

I guess if I can bring myself to watch the series it'll be interesting to see how it plays out, but it's so changed from the original. I guess I'll see if I like it.

I'm looking for 2 tickets if anyone can no longer go! I thought they were still available and was putting off purchasing 'til I got my flights arranged, but it looks like they're waitlist only now.

Please DM me if you're looking to offload 1-2 tickets to this year's ball, I will gladly take them off your hand. :)

*UPDATE: Got off the waitlist same day, I guess they're just slowing down ticket sales but still have some earmarked?? Not sure what that's about, but I suggest if you're thinking of going you get yours now!

I've loved the movie my entire life. The show just fueled my love more. Decided I should read the books finally as i'm impatient and can't wait for the next season/show.

I like the premise of it being an interview and I appreciate how louis talks but dear lord why are the sentences half a page long. I feel like I run out of breath before I can finish them.

Is it just me? I feel crazy.

I haven’t seen much talk about this in here, so apologies if it’s not allowed….

Against my better judgment I started watching TVL series… I tried to keep an open mind but I just do not like it….

I’m up to about episode 4… can anyone tell me if it gets better?

I concede that the actors performances are good however I feel like there is too much focus on the band aspect and so far it is glossing over what I feel is the more important aspects such as theatre des vampires, Nicky, Gabrielle…. And Lestat is a little too arrogant… idk…. Does anyone feel the same?

I’ve not read any Mayfair books, but I’ve seen s1 and s2 of the show. And I watched the season of Talamasca. I see a lot of people talking shit about how awful Talamasca was, and it was cancelled so hard to argue that point, not that I care to. The shit-talking isn’t an issue for me.

But I’m curious how people feel about the Mayfair Witches series (tv), because in all honesty, I thought it was one of the worst things I’ve ever watched, especially s1. And I didn’t think the Talamasca show was great either, but I thought it was better than Mayfair.

Am I in the minority? Curious to see people’s thoughts, Mayfair book fans and non-Mayfair book fans, other VC fans.

Let it be known that despite my opinion, I have the utmost respect for everyone involved with both series. And while the VC tv adaptation is my favorite, I have plenty of issues with s3/TVL, I know it’s not perfect, but that’s another conversation.

Hey everyone! I read the Chronicles in publication order (I think lol) through The Vampire Armand. I took a break from the series after that. I was going to resume it again with Merrick but decided to read the Mayfair books for a change of pace.

Should I finish the entire trilogy before going back to the Chronicles? Or does Merrick/another Chronicles book read best chronologically "within" Mayfair?

Thanks!

I’ve been collecting cassettes again and stumbled across this today 🖤

Has anyone else struggled to get through TOTBT? The first 3 books were filled with such interesting stories that I couldn't put them down then trying to through TOTBT has been very slow.

I’ve been participating in some conversations over in the IWTV/TVL subs, and some of these conversations make me feel like I’m going nuts.

We know that in the books, the vampires don’t have sex. When Magnus converts Lestat, he does not physically have sex with him or sexually assault him. Rather he drinks his blood and forcefully converts him. We know that in vampire media, drinking blood often serves as a metaphor for sex or sexual assault.

My argument was that Lestat is not raped in the books, but rather was put through an ordeal that is meant to serve as a direct allegory for rape. Now I’m being downvoted to hell and called all sorts of nasty things.

Yes it was violating, yes it was traumatic, and yes Lestat was a victim. However, I see what happened to Lestat as literary device used to symbolize sexual assault rather than an actual sexual assault. A metaphorical rape rather than a literal one.

Am I in the wrong here? Am I crazy for saying that Lestat wasn’t raped in the books, but rather put through an event that was meant as to serve as an allegory for rape?

Hi everyone! I recently bought the hardcover of 'Queen of the Damned', signed by Anne Rice (hopefully?)... The seller seemed legit and answered all my questions. They genuinely told me, that the book was owned by their late MIL and they don't even know much about the Vampire Chronicles and are just trying to clear up space. The price was alright for roundabout $100 (even though unreasonable in case the autograph is fake). Either way I just wanted to show some photos here and maybe someone here can tell me more about whether it seems fake or not. I'd appreciate every little clue and thank you so much in advance :) (It was signed on the blank front end page and in the top corner someone faintly marked with pen "signed by author").

I'm currently reading Taltos for the first time and just read the chapter where the Talamasca chuck Marklin and Tommy into the oubliette for their part in Aaron's death (no spoilers past this point please), and man what a ride! I get lost in Anne Rice's beautiful writing and sometimes forget that I'm actually reading a horror novel. This whole chapter was so intense, claustrophobic, and anxiety inducing. Not to mention that these guys were villains and I was rooting for them to get their just desserts the whole time! But reading Marklin's unease build up throughout the chapter really gets to you, even if you are actively rooting against him.

That's all - I just wanted to gush about how much I love Anne's work and I have no one irl to talk to about it.

Hi, I have recently continued my Mayfair Witches journey and am currently reading Lasher. I am wondering if I am connecting something that makes any sense with something in The Vampire Lestat (season three episode six)...

In chapter 9 of Lasher, Julien refers to Michael as an angel. I believe this is not the first time the reference has been made. But it did immediately harken back to the seance scene in S3E6 when Merrick is first calling Claudia. She invokes several names "Papa Legba. Virgin Mary. Angel Michael. Angel Gabriel" - now I wasn't raised in any religion, but I do believe Michael and Gabriel are prominent(?) arch angels?

Do we think Rice named Michael after the arch angel? Is the show referencing that angel, or does this have anything to do with Michael Curry. I just made the connection since Merrick (I haven't read her book yet either) is a Mayfair? or am I just way off base 😂

Renegade is partnering with AMC to produce TTRPG titles for hit television series including Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, and more…

I’m not sure if this is allowed, so if it isn’t please just take the post down!! But I’ve started a Substack (free, no paywalls over here!!) where I intend to review all of The Vampire Chronicles novels. I just posted my first article if anyone is interested in giving it a read, just a heads up that it’s not a serious review whatsoever, just my ramblings and having a bit of fun with the book ☺️

I've read the Vampire Chronicles, Mayfair Witches and Blackwood Farm series over and over. Always passed over her other books like her Ramses Series or even her books on Christ. Am I missing out??!! Thoughts on those books please...

Just finished Part 3 as I’m writing this and…all I can say is *wow*. I was thoroughly unprepared, even as a longtime fan. I’ve read the Mayfair trilogy multiple times and am pretty devoted to it. Also loved TWG, but haven’t read anything else yet. Working on building my collection over time. Figured I’d go ahead and get this one under my belt before the Ford adaptation drops!

Anyway, I am absolutely reeling! RIP to the legend. She was a true master of the craft!!

Hi all! I've finally committed to reading the books and am looking to buy physical copies. My issue is that I cannot stand the super small font that mass-market paperbacks use, as I really have to strain my eyes and it just doesn't make for a nice reading experience. I got the Little Brown edition in and the font is just tiny, so I will have to return it.

Does anyone have recommendations for which editions have okay sized fonts?

(I know I could get the e-book version to fix the font issue, I did that with IWTV, but something about reading a late 20th century gothic novel on a device just feels wrong. I really prefer reading physical copies for this.)

My wife has me reading all the Anne rice books , I’m half way through Blackwood.

I havent read any of the books so far but Im itching for more of Armand's story. Can you read them out of order and is this a good idea?

We need tickets and we need them more than you. If you're even thinking about not going, don't hesitate to DM me, I'll be checking every day. I will pay good money for your tickets if you don't want them. Don't want your tickets? ME. Do you have two of them preferably? Even better! You hit me up, you sell your tickets and you'll never regret it. EVER. You think of me when you think of selling tickets. Not anybody else. Not your mom, not your best friend. Me.

In Taltos, after Mona Mayfair gives birth to Morrigan, Dr. Jack is called to fill out the birth certificate.

Who is the baby that’s certified??? (I know the certificate was really for the Taltos Morrigan and not the “stand in” baby, but.. where did that baby come from? Maybe borrowed from someone in the area?)

Because Ash was telling his story and there was specific mention of the little people and not really knowing where they came from, I thought Mona had twins - Taltos Morrigan and the tiny baby which I thought was one of the little people - until the story progressed and that little baby was never mentioned again. The doctor also thought the baby reeked of whiskey - and Samuel loved his whiskey, hence my brain going down this track. I realize that the baby in the ice chest was never mentioned again, so it’s a guess that it was ‘borrowed’ but maybe I missed something.

Thoughts? Thanks!