The Tale of the Body Thief, March 19, 2006
Reviewer: Anna M. Ligtenberg
Never having read any of Rice's Vampire Chronicles, I was happy to find that this book does stand alone - no previous knowledge required.
Lestat, almost a drama queen in his moments of self-loathing, is approached by a man named Raglan James, who proposes a trade. He will let Lestat be human again, something Lestat believes he wants, by swapping bodies. It is to be a short-term swap, and Lestat overlooks every sign that this could be a bad idea. His friends, human and vampire, warn him against it; James admits to being a liar and a thief... and Lestat takes the risk anyway. How horribly wrong it goes and how it is righted is an interesting story you'll just have to read to discover.
There are a few wonderfully well written parts - most happening while Lestat is human. For hilarity, there's Lestat in his borrowed human body dealing with the things he'd forgotten, especially the "potty" issues. His repulsion is immeasurable and funny as heck. His short love story with Gretchen, a nun who nurses him back to health, is unexpectedly poignant and touching and their eventual reunion is heartbreaking. Finally, the way Lestat repays David Talbot for his help in reclaiming his own body is nearly perfect, ruined only by David's forgiveness. That, the very end, is the only part of the book I genuinely disliked - if Lestat's big lesson is to be that he loves being the devil that he is, I would have preferred a less happy ending. Still, read it - and when Lestat suggests that you quit reading, perhaps you should.
Reviewer: Anna M. Ligtenberg
Never having read any of Rice's Vampire Chronicles, I was happy to find that this book does stand alone - no previous knowledge required.
Lestat, almost a drama queen in his moments of self-loathing, is approached by a man named Raglan James, who proposes a trade. He will let Lestat be human again, something Lestat believes he wants, by swapping bodies. It is to be a short-term swap, and Lestat overlooks every sign that this could be a bad idea. His friends, human and vampire, warn him against it; James admits to being a liar and a thief... and Lestat takes the risk anyway. How horribly wrong it goes and how it is righted is an interesting story you'll just have to read to discover.
There are a few wonderfully well written parts - most happening while Lestat is human. For hilarity, there's Lestat in his borrowed human body dealing with the things he'd forgotten, especially the "potty" issues. His repulsion is immeasurable and funny as heck. His short love story with Gretchen, a nun who nurses him back to health, is unexpectedly poignant and touching and their eventual reunion is heartbreaking. Finally, the way Lestat repays David Talbot for his help in reclaiming his own body is nearly perfect, ruined only by David's forgiveness. That, the very end, is the only part of the book I genuinely disliked - if Lestat's big lesson is to be that he loves being the devil that he is, I would have preferred a less happy ending. Still, read it - and when Lestat suggests that you quit reading, perhaps you should.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
