vampires

Memnoch is the name given to the Devil by Anne Rice in this refreshingly modern theological story, based loosely off her widely popular Vampire Chronicles. The story is narrated by the Vampire LeStat, whose usual immeasurable fearlessness is shattered when he is stalked by a mysterious, immortal being who identifies himself as Memnoch the Devil.

Perhaps using the novel's plot as a vehicle to convey her own ideas on religion, Anne Rice describes, with delightfully sensuous imagery, Memnoch and LeStat's journey through Heaven, Hell, and time, while telling her Devil's story of creation. Memnoch, cast out of heaven by a God ignorant and uncaring of his Creation, attempts to draw the immortal LeStat to his side in his fight against the arrogant Creator.

While being told the origin of the universe, LeStat is also concerned about the inspiring mortal televangelist, Dora, who he has become fascinated with. LeStat is forced to decide whether to take the side of God or the Devil, and at the same time must protect Dora from the enemies of her criminal father (LeStat's victim) who has left her with a vast inheritance.

In this mesmerizing exploration of modern theology, Anne Rice transcends above the usual clash between atheism and Christianity, creating her own intriguing religious conflict, while keeping the vampiric hero LeStat's adventures exciting.

I wouldn't recommend this book to a conservative, biblical literist. But if you enjoy contemporary, controversial ideas, and enjoyed The Vampire Chronicles, this book is fabulous.

A small note, this book to me, should really be called: The Bible According to Anne Rice....but I'll put that opinion aside for now....

The 1995 book, Memnoch the Devil starts off in New York City where Lestat is stalking a drug dealer named Roger and ends up killing him but starts to become obsessed with Roger's televangelist daughter, Dora after he kills him. Unbeknownst to Lestat a man starts stalking him and turns out to be named Memnoch who claims that he's the Devil or his he? He asks for Lestat to be his right hand man in Hell and tries to persuade him by taking him through a journey through time and between Heaven and Hell so that Lestat can decide which side he would serve.

First off, be warned that you're going to either like or hate this book. This book was unusual in that I kept going back and forth on my position of the book as to whether I liked it or didn't like it and my end verdict is that it depends on what your expectations are.

If you are of the type that likes delving into a different, yet controversial perspective of God, the Creation, and the like you will like this book. There are numerous and thoughtful debates on how much a person must be worthy or sinful to be saved or damned, the validity of the construct of Christianity, and the whole meaning of God's progress and plan for angels and humans.

The subject of not being a valid vampire chronicle aside, you would not like this book if you are deeply offended at an unorthodox view of the Christian religion in general. God sometimes is portrayed in a negative light for some of the book and Memnoch is portrayed in a positive light for some of the book. There are also what some people would think are graphically offensive parts such as Lestat drinking from Christ's blood (LITERALLY) and also some menstural blood from a woman in a nausiating description.

By all means, I would NOT consider this a valid vampire chronicle. At least 95% of this book is not even focused on the theme of vampires. The person that Memnoch selected to come with him didn't have to be a vampire and could've been a regular human. Most characters are neglected and are in a theological tone that no characters except Lestat actually progress in character in the series. Don't read this book expecting an exciting contemporary vampire adventure because some of this story can be a little monotonous. However, I wouldn't skip this book as that Lestat's personality drastically changes in some ways in later books due to this one.

One final note. Remember, the naration of Memnoch and the debates discussed in this book are FICTION. This is not the official view of the Bible so don't let this confuse those of you who are weak minded Christians out there as some of this story can seem creepily real.

This book was absolutely phenomenal! I own the entire Vampire Chronicles and this is Anne Rice at her very best! This is by far my favorite book in the series so far. (I haven't read them all yet). Lestat is being stalked by something he refers to as "The Ordinary Man" who actually turns out to be the devil himself in another form. Lestat is stalking a drug lord and at the same time, the devil is stalking him. the devil introduces himself as Memnoch and takes Lestat on his most extrordinary adventure yet- to Heaven and then to Hell. Lestat is forced to choose who he will serve, the devil or God or neither one. lestat meets the daughter of the drug lord, Roger, whose name is Dora. Dora and Lestat try to help each other and give each other advice. then Lestat seeks out Memnoch and his newest and most daring adventure begins. A great book! I would reccommend this book to any person like myself who is absolutely infatuated with Lestat or Anne rice's novels as she tells her newest installment. I read it in less than a month when I was 16! (I'm a very slow reader by the way) and I absolutely could not put it down! You don't have to read the rest of the chronicles first. They all seem to be written in no particular order anyway. Get this book as soon as you can! It's sensational!