Conversations with Anne Rice: An Intimate, Enlightening Portrait of Her Life and Work

by Michael Riley

In the novel that introduced Anne Rice to the world, Interview with the Vampire, a reporter seeks out the facts behind an extraordinary life. In the years since, Anne Rice has created a remarkable and acclaimed body of work--encompassing her celebrated Vampire Chronicles, The Lives of the Mayfair Witches novels, two haunting historical epics, and her controversial, equally sought-after excursions into erotica. One of the world's best known and biggest bestselling authors of contemporary fiction, Rice has herself been the subject of countless interviews, profiles, and a full-length biography. Yet, who Anne Rice is, and the beliefs, fascinations, desires, fears, and passions that inspire her work, remain endlessly fascinating topics. In this first-of-its-kind book-length interview with Anne Rice, film scholar and author Michael Riley seeks out--and finds--the truth behind the extraordinary life and work of a unique, tantalizing writer.
In Conversations with Anne Rice, the creator of Lestat, Louis, and Lasher talks in depth--and in her own words--about from her early struggles toward publication to the tremendous literary reputation she has achieved. From the success and adulation of the vampire novels to the lesser-known books that are her personal favorites. From the influence of classical and popular literature to that of Catholicism and eroticism. From the role of movies in her literary vision to her definitive critique of the film version of Interview with the Vampire, and far beyond.
Here, then, is Anne Rice--her heart, her psyche, her soul--in candid and captivating dialogue with her audience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Vampires, Literature, Biography Memoir

316 pages, Paperback

First published April 16, 1996

Reviews

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conversations with Anne Rice: An Intimate, Enlightening Portrait of Her Life and Work by Michael Riley (Ballantine Books 1996) (Biography). Sometime prior to 1996, Anne Rice sat for a few hours and answered standard interview questions from Michael Riley. The conversations/interviews were typed up and sent to the printer, and Presto!! this book appeared! Reading this book from a remove of twenty years (in 2016), it does not seem possible that this book could be published today. The "conversations" are not in depth nor do they add anything to the existing literature on the author (for a much more detailed biography on Anne Rice see Katherine Ramsland's Prism of the Night: A Biography of Anne Rice which was originally published in 1991). Further, a series of conversations/interviews of this ilk would, in 2016, likely be posted straight to the internet rather than packaged in book form. Though the conversation flowed easily between the interviewer and his subject, I suggest a different book choice for the discerning reader - whether or not she is already an Anne Rice fan. My rating: 5/10, finished 5/3/2016.

[Renee E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing more about the writer, their thoughts and emotional impetus, isn't always desirable to me, but these interviews with Rice reveal a real woman who is a wonder-full paradox of convolutions and openness, Gordian complexities . . . and then she takes hold of a thread in a question and the knot unwinds.

The intelligent and often ingenuous conversations of the interviews compiled here add even more depth to her writings.

Oh, and if you write, or want to write, I definitely recommend this, along with Amy Tan's "The Opposite of Fate."

[Aria · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at p. 132. It was just boring. Partly it may be too out of date, & perhaps part of it is the dull format. Also, I liked her a little less, which was both surprising & unpleasant. Still a great author, of course. I think later conversations would have more to offer, but those don't exist as a collection. Am told the biography is better, so if I come across that I'll give it a try.

[A. E. S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative of her works up to 1996. I believe there should be a follow-up to this, seeing as it was nearly 20 years ago, and her publishing and movie dreams and hopes have all gone in different directions since this was written.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been obsessed with The Vampire Chronicles during my teenage years I have since felt a soft spot for all things Anne Rice. This book allows such fans to hear Rice’s direct thoughts on many of the aspects of all of her book published by 1996. She also speaks about her experience with publishing, reviewers, the readings that informed her writing and even Hollywood adaptations. This all culminated in a work that gives her fans even more reasons to appreciate her writing and go back and find the many overlooked points she mentions.

[Jennifer]

I know this will be a book I am going to be re-reading. It was the best interview book I have ever read. Honestly, I was reading it and hearing Anne's voice, her laughter and passion. Chocked full of wonderful insights, tips and personal insights from my very favorite author.

I know I am going to be reading it again soon digging in for a very deep reading.

[Nikki]

Some interesting insights into Anne Rice’s work and characters. There was a lot about the publishing industry and the movie adaptation, topics which don’t interest me as much. Also, the interviews date from the time of Memnoch, so a lot is still missing.

[Jessica]

DNF-ing at 80 pages. Being a fan of her books is hard enough as it is, lol.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the novel that introduced Anne Rice to the world, Interview with the Vampire, a reporter seeks out the facts behind an extraordinary life. In the years since, Anne Rice has created a remarkable and acclaimed body of work--encompassing her celebrated Vampire Chronicles, The Lives of the Mayfair Witches novels, two haunting historical epics, and her controversial, equally sought-after excursions into erotica. One of the world's best known and biggest bestselling authors of contemporary fiction, Rice has herself been the subject of countless interviews, profiles, and a full-length biography. Yet, who Anne Rice is, and the beliefs, fascinations, desires, fears, and passions that inspire her work, remain endlessly fascinating topics. In this first-of-its-kind book-length interview with Anne Rice, film scholar and author Michael Riley seeks out--and finds--the truth behind the extraordinary life and work of a unique, tantalizing writer.
In Conversations with Anne Rice, the creator of Lestat, Louis, and Lasher talks in depth--and in her own words--about from her early struggles toward publication to the tremendous literary reputation she has achieved. From the success and adulation of the vampire novels to the lesser-known books that are her personal favorites. From the influence of classical and popular literature to that of Catholicism and eroticism. From the role of movies in her literary vision to her definitive critique of the film version of Interview with the Vampire, and far beyond.
Here, then, is Anne Rice--her heart, her psyche, her soul--in candid and captivating dialogue with her audience.

[Shelly]

lets you know about the author i love. i love this book

[Bebe Burnside · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Anne Rice and why she writes what she does.