#29: Interview with a Vampire, Anne Rice

When I was a little, little girl I often watched vampire shows and movies on television with my mom.  This was, of course, in addition to our ghost and alien favorites.   I was a sci-fi nerd in training, if you will.  We watched many episodes of Dark Shadows and you could definitely find us on the couch on weeknights watching Mulder and Scully crush some alien bad guys on the X-Files.   We were quite excited, then, when the movie Interview with a Vampire came out in 1994.  I was about 10, mind you, and I could not tell you to this day if I ever saw more than a moment or two - blood, gore, and sex are often associated with vampires and this movie did not lack those.  Toss in a little 90s hunkage (Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise anyone?) and 10 year-old Robyn was probably in a bit over her head.

Logistically, I felt the "interview" part of this novel was a waste.  Louis's story was interesting and Rice told the story from his point of view.  When reading the sections where Louis spends time with the student interviewing him, I found myself wishing to skip up to the next section.  It was unnecessary.

Needless to say, as an adult reading Anne Rice's novel I was mature enough to understand the confusion Louis felt in a very different way than I did if I did happen to see the movie as a lass - Did he love humans?  Did he want to destroy them?  Why was he always questioning who he was?  What was the deal with Claudia?  She was a child but he loved her... or did he?  I felt drawn to his confusion, his ordeal.  Anyone of us, even those of us who are not vampires, can find ourselves lost in situations we never imagined ourselves in.  How did I get here... ? we might think... Do I deserve such pain, such suffering?  Louis was a character I will not soon forget - like an old friend who stops calling me for coffee dates because he is in a great deal of pain.

While lost in the Shire, I found Westeros. (#5: A Song of Ice & Fire, George R.R. Martin)

A friend and I went out for sushi on Cinco de Mayo.  While wandering around Beverly after a glass of Saki, we discussed "The Fellowship of the Ring," as she, too, was reading the Lord of the Rings series.  I let her know I was lost in the Shire.   I can not venture past the realm of Tom Bombadil in the Old Forest.  For those of you who are not familiar, I am on page 182/1348... in the first book of a three book series.   I would love to say it is because he and his beautiful lady friend, Goldberry, entice me and I dread leaving their company.  Alas, this is not the case.  Each time I pick up my Nook and attempt a page or two, I find myself day dreaming about another fantasy world I have spent much time in as of late:  Westeros.

I have two friends at my office who are as nerdy (maybe more so...) as I am.  They both recommended the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin.   Although at least one of these four novels is over 900 pages,  I have caught up in just about two months.  I am about to start the forth, and the fifth is due out on July 12.

George R.R. Martin, where have you been all my life?  For the sake of not spoiling the new HBO series for those of you who are not readers, I will refrain from sharing details.  I will, though, mention that the poetic prose of this novel is incredible. The imagery, the details, the love I feel for many of the characters - and hatred for others - are so intense.

When I began this escapade through the top 100 fantasy books ever written, this is what I expected.   Wolves that might be men, children that might have green tongues because they might eat frogs, boys that might be crows, families full of deceit, kings who can't rule, knights who are not knightly, battles that may or may not have been won by 'the good guy'.

I promise that one day I will find my way back to the Shire and follow Frodo on his journey, but until then, I'll be in Westeros.  Come find me if you can.