The Vampire Chronicles

From 18^th century New Orleans to modern New York, from angels to demons, (with a dash of French nobility) The Vampire Chronicles are a collection of haunting and often beautiful stories from ‘Gothic Romance’ horror writer Anne Rice.

The 12 book series begins with ‘Interview With The Vampire’ in which we are introduced to Anne Rice’s most famous character the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt. Lestat features in most of the novels, and though he isn’t an especially likeable character (he is a vain French aristocrat from the 18^th century, self styled rock god and often referred to as the ‘Brat Prince’) you can’t help but take his side against humanity.

The character development in this series is intense and a great many of the novels are simply the main characters telling their life stories, but these stories overlap and interweave to create an overall effect of one complete story spanning thousands of years. Having said that though they are excellent stand alone novels and its certainly not necessary to read all of them or to read them in sequential order.

I will say don’t think of these books as ‘just another vampire series’, they actually come from a time when vampires didn’t sparkle in the sun – they burned (as it should be, in my opinion). The Vampire Chronicles are at times rather dark but overall quite intelligent, romantic and spiritual.

Emma J. James

Piano Lessons – Anna Goldsworthy

In this memoir, international concert pianist, Anna Goldsworthy, tells the tale of her childhood and all the anxieties, passions and inspirations that led her to become one of the most respected pianists in Australia.  Foremost amongst her inspirations was her Russian piano teacher, Eleanora Sivan and much of the book concentrates on the lessons she learnt, both for the piano and for life, from this great character.

 

‘Piano Lessons’ is available as a Book Club Set.

Read it?  Add your own thoughts and opinions in a comment below.

American Psycho – Bret Easton Ellis

I’ve always prided myself on finishing every book I start to read, no matter how boring or complicated, but half way through American Psycho I very nearly put it down and walked away. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Bret Easton Ellis is a great writer, and the idea behind this novel is a good one.

The story focuses on one Patrick Bateman, a successful, handsome financial broker on Wall Street who at 26 has all the wealth he could possibly ever want. He then tortures and kills his way to his own ‘American Dream’, slipping in and out of reality as easily as he slips in and out of the most exclusive nightclubs and restaurants in New York.

My problem with this book is that it is about 400 pages of disjointed scenes, unnecessary perversion and gore. I actually think the film adaptation, released in 2000 and starring Christian Bale as Bateman, is a better representation of the story mainly because it lacked the horrific torture scenes that filled the novel. And I do mean the most vile and graphic scenes I have ever experienced, in any medium.

Not one for the squeamish or faint-hearted.

Emma J. James