Well, here’s an oddity if ever there was one!
I’ve just begun the first volume of Anne Rice’s (expected) three-volume fictionalized biography of Jesus Christ. A former atheist, Goth goddess and all-round queen of the occult, Rice has returned to the Catholicism of her childhood. She has announced her intention to focus all her future efforts on the exploration of her renewed Christian faith, washing her hands of the vampires and demons that put her on the bestseller lists.
Predictably, she’s being raked over the coals by former fans (many of them fiercely anti-Christian) who say that she has “sold out” to revive a flagging career. Next will come attacks from ultra-conservative Christians who will condemn her for her audacity in writing such books at all, especially without their cooperation and approval. She’s going to find herself between the proverbial rock and hard place. More power to her: I have to admire any artist with the guts to upset, in a single stroke, both her usual enemies and her loyal fanbase.
Out of Egypt is written in the first person, and you can imagine the creative challenges this approach will present in future volumes: Rice must actually look into the mind of God Himself (Jesus’ divinity is made clear, from page one) without appearing vulgar, presumptuous or just plain crazy. The first book begins with Jesus at the age of seven, and because we know almost nothing of his life at this time it is almost pure invention. The second book will supposedly cover more familiar ground as Christ begins his ministry. The final book will necessarily take us through the crucifixion, defeat of Satan and ascension to Heaven. How she intends to pull off a feat like that (in the first person, remember!) I cannot imagine.
I’ve only read a little so far: when I am really interested in a book, I force myself to read it as slowly as possible, lingering over every word. The voice of a child is very evident in the first volume, which anybody reading otherwise could consume in a couple of sittings: sentences are short, descriptions are few, and words are as basic as possible. Presumably the adult Jesus will speak in a more adult voice.
Anyway, I’m finding the book quite charming and fascinating so far.
Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt
Shades of Salmon Rushdie!
without appearing vulgar, presumptuous or just plain crazy.
This is especially difficult to pull off if you really are crazy!
What's your take on Ann Rice, Whistler? Do you think she is genuine about this effort, or is it a publicity stunt ... like Britany Spears joining a convent?
Just btw, I believe it would be much easier for a devout Catholic to write convincingly about vampires than for a genuine Goth to write convincingly about the life of Jesus. There is an asymmetry in the required knowledge, if you get my drift. If Ann Rice is now writing well from the Catholic perspective, my suspicion would be that she never really left.
Jn
without appearing vulgar, presumptuous or just plain crazy.
This is especially difficult to pull off if you really are crazy!
What's your take on Ann Rice, Whistler? Do you think she is genuine about this effort, or is it a publicity stunt ... like Britany Spears joining a convent?
Just btw, I believe it would be much easier for a devout Catholic to write convincingly about vampires than for a genuine Goth to write convincingly about the life of Jesus. There is an asymmetry in the required knowledge, if you get my drift. If Ann Rice is now writing well from the Catholic perspective, my suspicion would be that she never really left.
Jn
A fool's paradise is a wise man's hell.
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truehobbit
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I read about this recently, and from the description of the story, and probably also from the experience of her normal writing, couldn't imagine it would not be vulgar, presumptious or plain crazy.
I posted my take on Anne Rice in general in a thread in Tol Eressëa recently, so maybe I should not repeat it (based on having read "Cry to Heaven", "Interview with the Vampire" and "The Vampire Lestat").
I also have trouble respecting authors who write pulp fiction under different names.
I'll be curious to hear how you like the book in the end!
(Edited to correct spelling error!)
I posted my take on Anne Rice in general in a thread in Tol Eressëa recently, so maybe I should not repeat it (based on having read "Cry to Heaven", "Interview with the Vampire" and "The Vampire Lestat").
I also have trouble respecting authors who write pulp fiction under different names.
I'll be curious to hear how you like the book in the end!
(Edited to correct spelling error!)
Last edited by truehobbit on Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Voronwë the Faithful
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I am very interested to hear this.
I should add that I am very big fan of Anne Rice's, and this neither bothers nor surprises me. In fact, if I had thought about it, I probably could have predicted that she would do something like this, and I am quite sure that it is genuine. I will definitely be reading these with interest.
I should add that I am very big fan of Anne Rice's, and this neither bothers nor surprises me. In fact, if I had thought about it, I probably could have predicted that she would do something like this, and I am quite sure that it is genuine. I will definitely be reading these with interest.
"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
Jn:
Funny you should mention Salman Rushdie! I still have my copy of the Satanic Verses, which I bought purely for the purpose of annoying the ayatollah. I read it, too! Couldn’t make heads or tails of it, but I read it.
My feeling from Rice is that she is quite genuine, and I’m sensing that from the book. And yes, I’m guessing that she never abandoned the faith as much as she herself imagined. She was married to one of those atheists for whom atheism is indeed a religion, and I think he influenced her greatly. He’s dead now, and perhaps his death has cleared the way for her to be a bit more true to her real feelings. Certainly her tone is much different now than in her vampire novels, set in a post-Christian world in which vampires have no fear of crosses.
In the book’s afterward, she explains that for every book she has written she has done extensive research. When she decided to write about Jesus, she did the same research as always and came to the conclusion (no surprise to me!) that most modern New Testament scholars are actually hostile toward Jesus and are interested, more than anything else, in finding something about him that they can “disprove.” Hence we have a Jesus who is gay, a revolutionary, an anti-religionist, an invention of power-seeking evangelists, you name it. One of the ads, appearing randomly at the bottom of this thread, links to a film on the latest “revisionist” Jesus. These days, such stuff is cranked out like hamburgers.
Rice finally decided, she writes, that the traditional view of Jesus is really the only one that makes sense intellectually or spiritually. This conclusion was an element in her re-discovery of her traditional Christian roots.
Anyway, I think you might like the book. It’s obviously well researched, and there is much in it that a Jew would find rewarding from a standpoint of history and tradition.
Hobby:
I actually agree with your remarks! But I like it so far, and that’s all I can say from a literary standpoint.
As a Christian, there is simply no way (unless I am given abundant reason) that I will not support the effort of a former atheist to honor God with her talents. If she turns out to be something other than she claims to be, it will be God’s business, and not mine, to deal with her.
Voronwë:
Rice says that she has realized, at long last, that her preoccupation with vampires was in fact a preoccupation with the concept of immortality. So she says it is natural that she should finally turn her attention to the only “true immortal.”
Funny you should mention Salman Rushdie! I still have my copy of the Satanic Verses, which I bought purely for the purpose of annoying the ayatollah. I read it, too! Couldn’t make heads or tails of it, but I read it.
My feeling from Rice is that she is quite genuine, and I’m sensing that from the book. And yes, I’m guessing that she never abandoned the faith as much as she herself imagined. She was married to one of those atheists for whom atheism is indeed a religion, and I think he influenced her greatly. He’s dead now, and perhaps his death has cleared the way for her to be a bit more true to her real feelings. Certainly her tone is much different now than in her vampire novels, set in a post-Christian world in which vampires have no fear of crosses.
In the book’s afterward, she explains that for every book she has written she has done extensive research. When she decided to write about Jesus, she did the same research as always and came to the conclusion (no surprise to me!) that most modern New Testament scholars are actually hostile toward Jesus and are interested, more than anything else, in finding something about him that they can “disprove.” Hence we have a Jesus who is gay, a revolutionary, an anti-religionist, an invention of power-seeking evangelists, you name it. One of the ads, appearing randomly at the bottom of this thread, links to a film on the latest “revisionist” Jesus. These days, such stuff is cranked out like hamburgers.
Rice finally decided, she writes, that the traditional view of Jesus is really the only one that makes sense intellectually or spiritually. This conclusion was an element in her re-discovery of her traditional Christian roots.
Anyway, I think you might like the book. It’s obviously well researched, and there is much in it that a Jew would find rewarding from a standpoint of history and tradition.
Hobby:
I actually agree with your remarks! But I like it so far, and that’s all I can say from a literary standpoint.
As a Christian, there is simply no way (unless I am given abundant reason) that I will not support the effort of a former atheist to honor God with her talents. If she turns out to be something other than she claims to be, it will be God’s business, and not mine, to deal with her.
Voronwë:
Rice says that she has realized, at long last, that her preoccupation with vampires was in fact a preoccupation with the concept of immortality. So she says it is natural that she should finally turn her attention to the only “true immortal.”
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Voronwë the Faithful
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Yes, that makes sense to me.Rice says that she has realized, at long last, that her preoccupation with vampires was in fact a preoccupation with the concept of immortality. So she says it is natural that she should finally turn her attention to the only “true immortal.”
"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
Whistler: I still have my copy of the Satanic Verses, which I bought purely for the purpose of annoying the ayatollah. I read it, too! Couldn’t make heads or tails of it, but I read it.
That book may be Rushdie's worst work ever, from an otherwise extraordinary writer. If the Ayatollah had been smart he would have ignored it. It is doubtful anyone in the Moslem world (possibly the whole word) would have gotten past the first ten pages. Magic Realism is an idea that Rushdie picked up from Marquez but it really does not translate outside Latin culture, imo.
Voronwë: I am amazed that you are a Rice fan. There's no reason why that should amaze me but it does.
I'm afraid I am not a fan of any kind of vampire or monster story, with the singular exception of Frankenstein. You guys will have to tell me how Ann's newest venture goes.
Jn
That book may be Rushdie's worst work ever, from an otherwise extraordinary writer. If the Ayatollah had been smart he would have ignored it. It is doubtful anyone in the Moslem world (possibly the whole word) would have gotten past the first ten pages. Magic Realism is an idea that Rushdie picked up from Marquez but it really does not translate outside Latin culture, imo.
Voronwë: I am amazed that you are a Rice fan. There's no reason why that should amaze me but it does.
I'm afraid I am not a fan of any kind of vampire or monster story, with the singular exception of Frankenstein. You guys will have to tell me how Ann's newest venture goes.
Jn
A fool's paradise is a wise man's hell.
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Voronwë the Faithful
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Jn, it amazes me as well. I thought she wrote about Vampires and such, but what she really wrote about was human sensuality and spirituality. Unlike some, I think her very capable of provoking deep thoughts.
Last edited by Voronwë the Faithful on Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
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truehobbit
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Jny, "Cry to Heaven" is not about vampires, but about castrates!
In the 90s, there was a big re-discovery of the whole world of art that involved castrate singers.
I enjoyed the vampire stories, mainly because I also dislike monster-stories, and (from having seen the movie) I was interested in a more human tale of vampires.
But what annoyed me in the long run was that all I'd read, the vampire books as much as the historic novel, appeared to me to be basically a homo-erotic indulgence with some childish jabs at Christianity.
(Edited for more spelling errors! And to add some qualifiers.)
In the 90s, there was a big re-discovery of the whole world of art that involved castrate singers.
I enjoyed the vampire stories, mainly because I also dislike monster-stories, and (from having seen the movie) I was interested in a more human tale of vampires.
But what annoyed me in the long run was that all I'd read, the vampire books as much as the historic novel, appeared to me to be basically a homo-erotic indulgence with some childish jabs at Christianity.
(Edited for more spelling errors! And to add some qualifiers.
)
Last edited by truehobbit on Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hmm, maybe I should give her a try. I opened one of the vampire books at random at the library, found it unreadable and left it on the shelf. And I like vamppire books. * shrug *
If there was anything that depressed him more than his own cynicism, it was that quite often it still wasn't as cynical as real life.
Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!
Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!
I'm no expert, Frelga, but from what I've heard the readability of her books varies tremendously.
I don't think anyone would find Out of Egypt unreadable, whatever their ultimate verdict. So far it's just a very simple and human story, eloquently but plainly told.
Jn, please! The Frankenstein story, taken as a myth of our culture, may indeed be great. But the book itself reads like something written by a teenager, which (of course) it is!
I don't think anyone would find Out of Egypt unreadable, whatever their ultimate verdict. So far it's just a very simple and human story, eloquently but plainly told.
Jn, please! The Frankenstein story, taken as a myth of our culture, may indeed be great. But the book itself reads like something written by a teenager, which (of course) it is!
Hobby: In the 90s, there was a big re-discovery of the whole world of art that involved castrate singers.
And a whole bunch of novels written about them as well. And 'art' movies made about them.
I admire a writer who can grind out 1000 pages before an issue grows cold!
But I've never even tried to read Ann Rice so I can't comment on her writing skill. The 'fad' of her was enough to dissuade me.
There was actually a Canadian TV serial about vampires in the 1990s that I took to be inspired by Rice's popularity. It was quite well done, I thought. The lead vampire was trying to become human again, and realizes at the end of the series that the only way he can truly regain his humanity is to experience death. So he impales himself on a wooden cross. It was quite ... different. I wish I could remember the name of it.
Jn
And a whole bunch of novels written about them as well. And 'art' movies made about them.
I admire a writer who can grind out 1000 pages before an issue grows cold!
But I've never even tried to read Ann Rice so I can't comment on her writing skill. The 'fad' of her was enough to dissuade me.
There was actually a Canadian TV serial about vampires in the 1990s that I took to be inspired by Rice's popularity. It was quite well done, I thought. The lead vampire was trying to become human again, and realizes at the end of the series that the only way he can truly regain his humanity is to experience death. So he impales himself on a wooden cross. It was quite ... different. I wish I could remember the name of it.
Jn
A fool's paradise is a wise man's hell.
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Sassafras
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Sass, it amazes me as well.
I don't think I've ever been confused with Jn. before!
However:
I've read Rice in all (I think) of her personas and even own a few of her books. Although I haven't opened them for years and stopped reading the endless sequels after the first two Mayfair Witches and the first three or four Vampire Chronicles. In fact, I couldn't even finish the last book of hers I picked up; 'The Vampire Armand' bored me to tears with its endless recycling of the same old tired mantra.
but what she really wrote about was human sensuality and spirituality.
I agree with this. I also agree that she can be thought provoking -- to an extent. My problem with her is that she frequently starts out quite brilliantly and then invariably fizzles at the end. She runs out of steam and has an appalling tendancy to overwrite ...
I'm not in the least suprised that she has returned to her faith ... as Whistler says, she never really left it. Her witches and vampires were always searching for truth and meaning ... and never finding it.
I have no immediate desire to read this last work but I await Whistler's critique with anticipation. If it meets with his approval, I may borrow it from the library.
Ever mindful of the maxim that brevity is the soul of wit, axordil sums up the Sil:
"Too many Fingolfins, not enough Sams."
Yes.
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Voronwë the Faithful
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truehobbit
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). 
I once tried to read an Anne Rice novel and was unable to finish it. I have never succumbed to the appeal of her books, finding the one I tried to be cliche-ridden and very badly written. I think it was "Interview with the Vampire". She writes sado-masochistic erotica/porn, I am told. I'm not surprised.
Like many who write best-sellers, she probably has some talent as a writer. It would be impossible, otherwise, for anyone to churn out book after book. Even Danielle Steele, I am told, has some skill with words.
I've read about this Jesus project with a sinking heart. I suspect her motives, to be honest. Yet, like Whistler, I think she never really strayed from her Catholic roots: you cannot write convincingly about Sin without believing in Sin, and it was entirely the Sinful aspect of the Vampire world that made it so attractive to her and her readers. The forbidden has a great power of attraction. Mind you, since I've never read an entire Anne Rice book, my opinion is based only on reviews and the comments of those who do read her.
I'm no prude, and have no Christian sensibilities to be offended. But the projected series about the life of Jesus nevertheless offends me. Now I have to figure out why.
I think that TV series was called "Dark Shadows". I thought it predated Anne Rice, actually. But then, I'm very likely wrong.
Like many who write best-sellers, she probably has some talent as a writer. It would be impossible, otherwise, for anyone to churn out book after book. Even Danielle Steele, I am told, has some skill with words.
I've read about this Jesus project with a sinking heart. I suspect her motives, to be honest. Yet, like Whistler, I think she never really strayed from her Catholic roots: you cannot write convincingly about Sin without believing in Sin, and it was entirely the Sinful aspect of the Vampire world that made it so attractive to her and her readers. The forbidden has a great power of attraction. Mind you, since I've never read an entire Anne Rice book, my opinion is based only on reviews and the comments of those who do read her.
I'm no prude, and have no Christian sensibilities to be offended. But the projected series about the life of Jesus nevertheless offends me. Now I have to figure out why.
I think that TV series was called "Dark Shadows". I thought it predated Anne Rice, actually. But then, I'm very likely wrong.
Dig deeper.
Interesting remarks, Vision. I think skepticism is warranted in this case, both from artistic and religious perspectives. Offense is another matter, and I would like to understand your reasons for that. Tell me if you figure them out.
As for me, I will approach the book with no preconceptions and give her any credit she may earn. But I won't let her pull any fast ones, if that's what she's up to!
As for me, I will approach the book with no preconceptions and give her any credit she may earn. But I won't let her pull any fast ones, if that's what she's up to!
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JewelSong
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You were misinformed.vison wrote:Even Danielle Steele, I am told, has some skill with words.
I think that TV series was called "Dark Shadows". I thought it predated Anne Rice, actually. But then, I'm very likely wrong.
"Dark Shadows" was a soap opera with a vampire theme, popular in the 1960s. It had sort of a cult following. I don't know what ever happened to it!
http://soaps.about.com/library/weekly/aa111398.htm
"Live! Live! Live! Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" - Auntie Mame
Right. Dark Shadows was a U.S. daytime series. Came on just about the time school let out and a lot of my friends were hooked on it. Not me.
This other show was much more recent .... I'm trying to remember what house I lived in while it was on because then I could date it.
Seems to me it must have been the mid 1990s. Took place in Montreal. All the actors had French Canadian accents. I can't remember the name of the hero but I think the bad vampire was called LeStat, which is what made me think it was based on Ann Rice.
I can remember what the hero and his love interest looked like ... and the fact that he kept bottled blood in his fridge ... and worked with the police force somehow (details escape me) ... and how the series ended but nothing else. Maybe I can find it on imdb.
Jn
FOUND IT!
"Forever Knight" - 1992
A drama about an 800 year old, angst ridden vampire who lives in present day Toronto as a homicide detective in an attempt to repay for his sins and regain his mortality, with the aid of Natalie Lambert, a mortal coroner, while trying to keep his secret from his partner. His quests are hindered by his tormented past and his seductive 2000 year old master, Lucien Lacroix.
Toronto/Montreal, Lacroix/Lestat, tomayto/tomahto
He accidentally kills the love of his life at the very end, and that is what prompts him to seek salvation through death.
I don't know why this series sticks in my mind except that the guy who played the lead was really good looking and the ending was really unexpected.
This other show was much more recent .... I'm trying to remember what house I lived in while it was on because then I could date it.
Seems to me it must have been the mid 1990s. Took place in Montreal. All the actors had French Canadian accents. I can't remember the name of the hero but I think the bad vampire was called LeStat, which is what made me think it was based on Ann Rice. I can remember what the hero and his love interest looked like ... and the fact that he kept bottled blood in his fridge ... and worked with the police force somehow (details escape me) ... and how the series ended but nothing else. Maybe I can find it on imdb.
Jn
FOUND IT!
"Forever Knight" - 1992
A drama about an 800 year old, angst ridden vampire who lives in present day Toronto as a homicide detective in an attempt to repay for his sins and regain his mortality, with the aid of Natalie Lambert, a mortal coroner, while trying to keep his secret from his partner. His quests are hindered by his tormented past and his seductive 2000 year old master, Lucien Lacroix.
Toronto/Montreal, Lacroix/Lestat, tomayto/tomahto
He accidentally kills the love of his life at the very end, and that is what prompts him to seek salvation through death.
I don't know why this series sticks in my mind except that the guy who played the lead was really good looking and the ending was really unexpected.
Last edited by Jnyusa on Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
A fool's paradise is a wise man's hell.