Now completely updated, here is the fascinating biography of the woman behind the most richly conceived "children of the night" in the history of vampire literature. Includes new material on the writing of Lasher and the filming of Interview with the Vampire. 16 pages of photos.
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Given the macabre and often lurid subject matter of Anne Rice's fiction, one would imagine that a good biography of her would uncover some pretty spicy details, and, in fact, Katherine Ramsland's Prism of the Night does a pretty good job of balancing analysis of Rice's work with a probing and revealing investigation of her life. Ramsland, a professor of philosophy at Rutgers University, extensively interviewed Rice for the book, and Stan Rice (Anne's poet-husband) read the manuscript. Throughout, Ramsland fulfills the promise of her introduction: "My approach combines psychological interpretation with philosophical themes. As I read the novels, I looked for qualities that transcended genre, while also developing autobiographical sketches.... This book is the result of an involved and sincere attempt to trace in her writing elements of literary creativity manifested in psychological sources." Often, close readings of the fiction are coupled with commentary about the key events (emotional, personal, literary, etc.) in Rice's life that likely impacted her characters and plots. The section on the death of Rice's daughter as it manifests in Interview with the Vampire is especially wrenching. The book will be appreciated by fans for its extensive direct citation of Rice and her closest friends and relatives, and for its diverse collection of photographs. --Patrick O'Kelley
From Publishers Weekly
The life of novelist Anne Rice ( Interview with the Vampire , etc.) is almost as unusual as her fiction. Her birthname was Howard Allen O'Brien, and she changed her first name to Anne before marrying Stan Rice. Born in 1941, she grew up in a New Orleans full of Southern gothic ambience; her father enjoyed taking her through cemeteries. The death of her alcoholic, highly religious mother, and the later loss of her own daughter to leukemia, plunged her into grief, obsessive-compulsive behavior and nearly fragmented her. Through her supernatural tales and erotica written under a number of pseudonyms, she explored her own masochistic impulses, "sought to unite the male and female within herself" and expressed her desire for humanity's "enlightenment free of religious tyranny," according to Ramsland, who teaches philosophy at Rutgers. In a revelatory, intimate biography that fans will relish, Ramsland interprets Rice's vampires as metaphors of seduction and submission to a higher mystery and power. Photos.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
A common adage for writers is "to write about what you know." Given that, Ramsland doesn't so much as give us a run-down on Anne Rice's life as give us an explanation of how her life has affected her stories. Not only does Rice consciously write about the things she has studied, but she subconsciously tells us about her life.
Ending just after "The Witching Hour" was published, this book is a little outdated. The final words from the author discuss some of the projects that Anne Rice was working on. From what is said here, Rice was not thinking about spending as much time with the vampires as she eventually did. She also was thinking of returning to the mummy; however, I have yet to see this happen.
The text gives an account of Anne Rice's childhood and influences, her relationship and marriage to Stan Rice, her daughter who died of leukemia, and her son. It also discusses some of the work she has done once she began to create a name for herself. As mentioned, this isn't the meat of the text.
The meat of the text is in showing how she is resolving personal and subconscious issues in her writing. She is also sharing her memories of New Orleans and San Francisco. Many of her characters reflect herself and people in her life.
Although this is fascinating, it leads to a "bogging down." To ensure that the readers remember the characters, Ramsland provides long summaries of the key texts from this time, including the Anne Rampling and A.N. Roquelaure novels. This disrupts the narrative and keeps the readers from truly connecting with the flow of Rice's life.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to young writers and fans of Anne Rice.
By A. Wells
Format:Paperback
This book is a wonderful examination of Anne Rice's life and works. I only wish this book were updated to her more recent books. Every Anne Rice fan should read this book.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is a very good. IF you are a Rice fan and you dont have this, you will be sorry. The author writes with the cooperation with the family and Anne Rice. A very in-depth look at Rice's life and major events. A very in-depth look at the motivations of Rice what devices she uses for her books. A MUST FOR RICE FANS
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