NPR's Book of the Day

Revisiting Anne Rice’s ‘Interview with the Vampire’

Oct 25, 2025
Barrie Hardymon, a longtime NPR editor, joins the discussion on Anne Rice’s literary legacy with her iconic work, *Interview with the Vampire*. The conversation delves into how Rice redefined the vampire archetype, portraying them as complex, philosophical beings struggling with grief and immortality. They explore the book’s eroticism, its reflection on parental relationships, and its place in contemporary culture. The panel also highlights the ongoing appeal of vampires and recommends other compelling reads in the genre.
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INSIGHT

Vampires Became Sad, Thoughtful Antiheroes

  • Anne Rice transformed vampires from sexy monsters into philosophical, tortured antiheroes.
  • That redefinition shaped modern vampire portrayals as introspective and emotionally conflicted.
ANECDOTE

Discovering Rice On A Parents' Bookshelf

  • Barrie found Anne Rice via a parental copy of Queen of the Damned during middle and high school.
  • He connected Rice's gothic tone to Brontë and du Maurier, describing a 'sad girl in a haunted house' vibe.
INSIGHT

Story Framed As A Confession

  • Interview with the Vampire is framed as a journalist interviewing Louis about becoming a vampire.
  • The core triangle—Louis, Lestat, and Claudia—drives the novel's emotional and moral conflicts.
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