Memnoch the Devil

Memnoch the Devil
By Anne Rice

After reading many, but unfortunately not all, of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, I came across Memnoch the Devil. I assumed it would be another action packed story of Lestat the vampire. I had no idea it would be as philosophical and intriguingly analytical as it was. Lestat de Lioncourt, a passionate vampire born in the 1700’s, struggles in this novel with his life purpose in a modern world. He is usually the dominant character in the vampire chronicles, although Rice sometimes writes from the point of view of other important characters.
From the beginning of Memnoch the Devil, any well-rounded Lestat fan would be able to tell that this was not an ordinary story of his. Instead of Lestat’s curiosity or pride getting him into trouble as the other novels tend to begin, Lestat found himself haunted by the devil himself. During a long twisting tale of Lestat’s love affair with a mortal, he is aware that he is being haunted. Even he has trouble believing the true vitality of his haunter.
When the climax finally comes, Anne Rice takes you on a journey that is truly amazing. Lestat becomes acquainted with god and the devil, who prefers to be called by his angel name, Memnoch. Rice narrates her geniusly twisted tale of how Memnoch came to be the devil, by taking you and Lestat back to ancient times, and even before creation.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves Anne Rice, loves Lestat, and loves religious controversy!

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