There's going to be a lot more praying and a lot less preying in Anne Rice's novels from now on. The famed spinner of vampire yarns is giving up the flesh trade for something a little less evil.
"I promised that from now on I would write only for the Lord," said Rice, who sank her teeth back into the religious life after a health scare. Her new novel, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, reportedly has no vampires at all in it, but I think there might be a re-animated corpse in there somewhere if I'm not mistaken.
Rice's radical decision has left die-hard fans scratching their heads and nervously fingering their prosthetic fangs. Gone is the blood and gore (at least the good kind). Gone are the night stalkers (unless Pharisees count).
Hollywood has also reportedly taken the news like a stake to the heart (metaphorical heart, that is—we all know Hollywood doesn't have a real one), with Tom Cruise allegedly taking it particularly hard (the news, that is). Never again will he get to portray one of Rice's soulless predators—a role he was positively born to play.
Rice isn't too worried about a backlash from her fans however. After all, "Christ is the ultimate supernatural hero....The ultimate immortal of them all." That sound you just heard, in case you're wondering, was thousands of people simultaneously rushing to Blockbuster to stock up on Buffy DVDs.
Originally published as I Vant to Drink the Blood of Christ
Article comments
1 - Helen
I think she will do a fantastic take on her beliefs inter mingled with the Christian beliefs. I am looking forward to her perception of things.
2 - Lisa McKay
Given the way in which the vampire books have gone downhill over the last several years, I'd say she could use some new blood.
3 - Bruce Joyner
I have heard it all before..i have said it after each time i almost died..i probably should repent..but at heart i am still a pagan soul that bends my knee to no one god or goddess ...so i wonder if Anne Rice who strikes me as a strong individual is just going through the same phase ...I certainly hope so..
4 - Jeff
Ever notice how when a public figure's career tanks or they otherwise fade into obscurity they find a built-in audience - er - Jesus Christ - to pander to?
I'm thinking Kirk Cameron, Willie Aames, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jane Fonda, and Stephen Baldwin (who never really had a career outside of straigh-to-video), and our illustrious White House occupant just to name a few.
Pathetic.
5 - BoB
I believe the comments posted by Bruce Joyner and Jeff are in themselves pathetic liberal koolade drinking losers. I am proud of the stand and happy for Anne, her works have always been well presented and read and I am sure that will not change. We get to now read her from a new and refreshing perspective. Can't wait for the new book!!1
6 - alienboy
-BoB - how could "the comments posted by Bruce Joyner and Jeff are in themselves pathetic liberal koolade drinking losers"?
If you must break the BlogCritics official Comments Policy and attack people personally, at least try to be literate.
7 - Corvus
If she's being sincere, then more power to her. I'd wish her well.
If this is just a publicity stunt designed to pander to the perceived resurgence of evangelical christianity, then may it fall flat on its face. I do think its funny that this change comes around after the tremendous success of the "Left Behind" series, and the large amount of media attention that has been granted to evangelical conservatives following Bush's re-election, but there you go.
As for me, I didn't read Rice before, and I'm not about to start now.
8 - Interested
Anne Rice is a wonderful author, and I'm sure she will do this subject justice. The question lies in whether or not she can successfully replicate a period and a man with whom most are at least familiar with. We have stories told from every facet of history, and I'm anxious to open this era of time and mystery in a completely new and interesting way. No matter your faith, there was a man named Jesus who lived and died under these circumstances. Who better than Rice to give us an entertaining and captivating re-telling of the story? I look forward to Rice's adult discovery of the stories of childhood.
9 - text scholar
Robert Graves' novel "King Jesus" was, IMO, a successful attempt to create the atmosphere of first century Palestine, and some of its speech and topics, from what we have learned since the Nag Hammadi and Qumran finds. His bloodline thesis was interesting, as Rice's speculations may be, but the exhibition of this time and social discourse - such as can be known and projected from what is known - was the most fascinating thing. It was a world so alien, with ordinary customs so strange, that our politics would barely compute.
I am approaching Ms. Rice's work in this spirit, without political charge because she is a good writer.
10 - Paula
Just stumbled across your blog...
I have never read Ms. Rice's books, nor do I intend to since the subject matter doesn't appeal to me personally. Having seen an interview or two though with her, she seems a pleasant enough lady.
As for the author's return to Catholicism, certainly one's faith is their own perogative. However, as a Christian I do know that anyone can call themself a Christian-follower of Christ-but that does not make them one. That said, I would never attempt to question the sincerity of someone's heart such as Ms. Rice. Even in the Christian community, people can and do follow down paths that are not in line with biblical teachings.
The final answer of anyone will ultimately be to God. However, we are given a guide to evaluate, and yes, judge, in a discerning fashion what one's faith teaches them. Like many man-made religions inspired by the Bible, some add and/or subtract (and ultimately interpret) what serves the perspective of the seeker.
It is this perspective upon which we determine the validity and authenticity of any faith. If one believes the Bible when it states that, "No one comes to the Father, but by me (Christ rather than Mary or Saints)", and that "all" who believe are Saints (they are not granted such status by men-they become a Saint upon conversion), and one does not "earn" their way into heaven, and so forth (I'll refrain from a massive list) then the Catholic perspective on the life of Christ could be troublesome.
I do wish Ms.Rice a truthful journey as she further explores her faith. Until then, perhaps her book "Christ the Lord" will remain on the bookstore shelf for this reader at this time.
11 - Paula
Postnote: Blog contributors, my intention for my above comments is not to post a sermon, but simply to share one reader's perspective. Cheerio.
12 - Nae
Anne Rice is a brilliant writer. She creates stunning worlds with beautiful words.
If she has "found christ" that is a part of her personal world and has nothing to do with her ability to write. I am waiting with baited breath for her new novel. And I am bound to learn (as you always do when reading Rice) something I didnt know. Whether you are a Christian or not (I am not) the story of Christ is an interesting story!
The animosity shown for her decision on various sites is astounding and saddening.
The only negative thing I can say about her is she has left me with an addiction to Lestat (among others) and is now going to stop feeding me.
13 - V'ienne
I am aware of Ms Rice only by the notoriety of her writing and only just heard of the dramatic changes in her life following what must have been a deep and powerful encounter with the Savior, Jesus Christ. As a result, I happened upon your website as well, reading the varied responses. It has caused me to wonder, how it would feel to be a modern day literary Saul of Tarsus? My instincts tell me that Ms Rice must be greatly persuaded that the redemptive power of salvation and grace are at work in her life. Suspected by Believers, rejected by her fans; there must be faith at work here to live the tension of a life lived in between. I am reminded of the brilliant mathematician and theologian, Blaise Pascal, and his famous philosophical wager. That a man who does not believe in God, but otherwise lives by the precepts and commandments of God, in no way diminishes the quality of his life, but instead achives a higher purpose than one otherwise dictated by mere humanistic endeavors. Having embraced the Christian life at a time when all things relating to Jesus Christ and those who openly profess faith in Him bring open scorn, ridicule, resentment, disrespect, and vile verbal and written assault, Ms Rice would be a fool indeed to declare herself a disciple. And bearing in mind her welcome into the Body could be fraught with suspicion, cynicism, and even outright rejection, I have to ask myself, 'why bother?' I can imagine fans, having idol- worshipped Ms Rice, absorbing her novels as the gospels of their dark and cherished fantasy-religion, must feel varying degrees of abandonement, even grief. I doubt many can accept it. Ms Rice has exchanged the temporal for the eternal. If her readers were willing to lose themselves in a world of darkness and the unredeemable, I am curious as to why they have no interest in light and life?
14 - Pete Blackwell
Oh, yeah, Christians really have a hard go of it here in the U.S. I mean, only like 80% of the population shares their beliefs.