Fantasy/SF Book Reviews
Page Two of TwoThe Vampire Armand by Anne Rice
Knopf, 1998.Hardcover, 388 pages.
ISBN: 0679454470.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
For years readers have been wanting to know the
story of the beautiful young vampire, Armand,
who first appeared in Interview With a Vampire,
and was played by Antonio Banderas in the film version of
the book. What lies behind the Botticelli angel-like
face of the vampire who seems almost sociopathic
at times? (Remember what he did to Claudia in
Interview). His story makes sense of the contradictions
that the character displays in the other books.
The tale begins in the 15th century, when Armand was
16 years old, in Kiev Rus, a ruined city under Mongol
rule. Working in a monastery, Armand develops a
strong faith in God, which is to comfort and torment
him throughout his life. Armand is kidnapped and
eventually sold to the wealthy Venetian vampire
Marius, who masquerades as a human by taking on the
identity of a
reclusive painter. The story follows Armand's transformation
into a vampire, his relationship with Marius, his
leader of an evil coven in Europe, his time with the
Théâtre des Vampires through the present day, and
his experiences detailed in Memnoch the Devil.
The Vampire Armand is a lengthy, complex, rich tapestry of a tortured and exotic life. As usual, Rice's historical descriptions are beyond reproach; her depiction of Venice during the Renaissance is incredibly rich and detailed. Armand enjoyed all the sensual pleasures that Venice had to offer: fabulous clothing, wine, gourmet food (until he became a vampire) and several steamy heterosexual and homosexual liaisons. But he could never escape the feeling that something was missing in his life: an all-too-human theme. An engrossing tale which Rice fans will relish.
Storm of the Century by Stephen King
Pocket Books, Feb., 1999.Trade Paperback, 376 pages.
ISBN: 067103264X.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
In Little Tall Island,
a small Island town
off the state of Maine,
the townspeople are
preparing for what is being
billed as the Storm of the
Century with snow accumulation
that could exceed five feet
and furious hurricane force
winds. With preparations for
the upcoming storm running
down to the wire, Sheriff
Mike Anderson already
has enough on his hands when
a new problem arises.
An elderly local, Martha
Clarendon is violently
beaten to death with a cane
by a stranger who has arrived
in town. When Davey, a young
boy discovers the body and
Linoge, the murderer,
still in the house he runs for help.
Robbie Beals, an unpleasant
real estate agent, goes to investigate.
Linoge surprises him by knowing
his name and his darkest
secret -- that he was with a prostitute
on the night his mother died.
Robbie flees in terror and calls for the
Sheriff. When Sheriff Mike Anderson
and Officer Alton Hatcher arrive on the
scene Linoge is quiet and subdued,
and allows Anderson to handcuff him
and take him in.
However, there is something
abnormal about Linoge (other
than the fact that he is a crazy
murderer) and his arrival seems
much more frightening then the
approaching ferocious storm.
This is the original screenplay of Storm of the Century which was written for television and shown on ABC. However, after a few pages of reading the screenplay it begins to read like a novel. The screenplay contains all the elements of King's best work: small town, Maine, shocking horror elements, great characters and an exciting storyline. These elements combined with the monster storm add up to another excellent Stephen King tale. Budding screenwriters shouldn't miss this chance to read a King original.
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