Interview with the Vampire (required reading)

In Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice uses the vampire character to show how relationships effect people in both positive and negative ways. The most prominent relationship in the novel (at least at the start) is the one between Lestat and Louis, which I think is very accurately portrayed.

Louis is "tied" to Lestat because Lestat changed him into a vampire and being new to the vampiric world, Louis needs someone like Lestat to show him the way to live. This means that even though their relationship can often turn sour, there is still an ultimate bond between them that keeps them together and caring for one another. There are also moments where the more positive aspects of relationship are shown and we see that they share intimate moments together. Louis is new to vampirism and being left on his own would be disastrous. It's Lestat who is able to care for him and make sure that he learns how to become a proper vampire. Even when it seems that Lestat is using Louis for his financial abilities, it is obvious there is more reasoning for keeping him around.

The other prominent relationship in the novel is the one between Claudia and Louis. This, unlike the one between Lestat and Louis, is more similar to a relationship between parent and child. Even though they are not related, Louis looks after Claudia like a child because he loves here and also feels responsible for her existence (as a vampire). Claudia is more unique in that she does not always act like a child and has a lot of responsibility when it comes to taking care of herself. She still cares for Louis but eventually comes to a moment that most offspring do, where they are ready to go off on their own and leave their parent(s) behind. Claudia's feelings towards Louis become more distant because she matures so quickly. She is smart and realizes quickly who is responsible for her turning into a vampire and although she never retaliates, she does allow their relationship to fall apart.

Overall, I loved this book for the characters and character relationships. I think Anne Rice is excellent at giving the reader and view port into the minds of the vampires in this story. We see them experience a wide array of human emotions only it takes place int eh fantastical world of vampires.