This is an excellent book for introducing kids as young as 3 to the concept of germs and the use of sanitary precautions. It's a wonderful pre-school teachers aid to bathroom ettiquete and a good tool for parents. The illustrations are wacky and colorful but the message is clear & direct. It's a must for all early ed teachers and a great gift to your local preschool ! Enjoy!

Unbroken Homes provides a 'story quilt' of personal narratives constructed from case study interviews of five single-parent mothers, detailing their challenges and experiences as mothers and daughters. From gender conflicts and identification issues to sexuality and relationships, this is an important gathering of experiences.

What a shame this book is out of print. As its cover proclaims, this cookbook contains over 100 authentic dishes from around the world - some of which are difficult to find elsewhere. What the cover doesn't tell you is that the recipes are interesting, delicious and, for the most part, easy to prepare. Nutritional information and information about the origin of the dishes are also included. Most ingredients can be found at larger grocery stores with specialty foods depts. My only regret is that there are not more recipes included.

You are, of course, familiar with vampires. You've heard the stories, seen a few movies, and been glared at by plastic masks on halloween. If I asked, you would tell me all about coffins, crosses and stakes, garlic, blood and bats.

But have you ever seen the world through a vampires eyes?

Anne Rice has written a series of books that lets you do just that. This boxed set contains the first four books of the Vampire Cronicles, a different style of vampire fiction. In the first book "Interview with the Vampire", the reluctant killer Louis tells us in rich narrative all about what being a vampire is. He tells how the common myth is sometimes ridiculous, but at other times painfully acurate. His voice is unique, and the brooding darkness of this vampire-tale is truly haunting.

Louis is full of guilt and remorse over the lives he has to take, and all the pain and suffering he brings about. He believes himself to be damned, a creature of the devil, with no right to even exist. He tells how the fascinating Lestat made him a vampire, of their clashes and uneasy coexistance. Lestat is unpredictable, sometimes unbelievably cruel, while Louis is so human it hurts. And when the child Vampire Claudia enters, things become darker and more dramatic than ever before.

The rich descriptions of colonial New Orleans, of Paris and the eternal night are a true delight to read, and well worth the time.

The next books in the series belong not to Louis but to Lestat himself, out to defend his name and tell his side of the story. From now on Lestat is the star of the show, and he would not have it any other way. Lestat is character who demand attention, sometimes even speaking directly to his audience. He is completely different from Louis, and so the books are different. But always there is the darkness, and the eternal night.

If you have ever wondered what it is like to be a vampire, than these are the books for you.

I bought the set along with the two books following in 1999. My husband borrowed the set before I had a chance to read it and my sister grabbed the two books...so I didnt get a chance to read them until later on...I have read "Interview with the Vampire" before I bought the set and I liked it very much...but it was the second book (The Vampire Lestat)which got my attention! I myself can relate to his character and I couldnt put the book down..I gave birth to my daughter and was reading the Vampire books during my stay in the hospital.. I am now on book 4... These books are really interesting and certainly a must read! I will continue to get more of Anne Rice's books... :0)

Anne Rice is one of the most sensuous writers I've ever read in my life. I began reading her work because my best friend introduced me to it. She identifies herself with Louis but I identify myself with Lestat. He has such a lust and passion for life, live with his resident evil and feeds on the lives of others. His lust for life and passion for people and creativity is infectous. I've read some of Mrs. Rices' interpretations of her own work and she has admitted that Lestat is her alter ego of sorts. He is charming, sauve, poetic, mysterious and passionate. She sets up these beautiful tales with Louis' opinions of Lestat then he feels the need to defend himself. His ego takes over and he feels compelled to continue with his magnificent tales that sometimes haunt all of our deep psyches. If you have read these chronicles I suggest you continue with "Memnoch the Devil" again written by Lestat and then "The Vampire Armand" written with the help of David Talbot (a character you meet in "Queen of the Damned"). Amazing works of fiction rarely come around this often, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in Lestat's dark world.

Previously, all Anne Rice books were tedious and extremely difficult to read. Yet, suddenly, I discover a copy of this book and read the back cover--lo and behold, here's the perfect novel for me!! As an ancient Egyptian history buff, I could appreciate the way Rice writes in characters like Rameses the Second and Cleopatra herself, and as a romance/Stephen King fan I could appreciate the twisted love story of Julie and Rameses--and the rebirth of the remains of Cleopatra. I have read this book about 20 times, and the story NEVER gets old to me--the characters are perfectly developed, and all of the events are well plotted and thought out by the author. It is a rare case indeed when one person can find their favorite book of all time and posess it--and I must admit that The Mummy has fully fulfilled my wishes when it comes to the perfect book. Anne Rice--you deserve a big shout out and an adamant THANK YOU!! PS--Why doesn't Ms. Rice write more novels like this??? Books like Pandora and Servant of the Bones bore me to tears, but this jewel of a book is absolutely spellbinding!!!

Which might clue you in that this is not Anne Rice's normal fare. If you're into that, you might find 'The Mummy' a bit too typical-romancey, too lovey dovey and happy-endingish. Those wanting a bit more adoring love in their dark afterlife will like this tale.

This is the story of Ramses the Great, who has drank the elixir of life and is now doomed to live forever without the woman he loved, Cleopatra. For those of you historically inclined out there, don't fret over the timeline. I assure you it's all made quite correct in the story, and you won't mind Ramses meeting Cleopatra meeting the modern heroine Julie. It's sort of a mix of time travel, supernatural, and just plain old romance as well as horror. I didn't think it was possible to mix the four of those together and come up with a book that would please all genres, but here it is.

I was completely surprised by this book (bought it on a whim) and I hope you will be too. I'm not normally a follower of Rice's writings, but this turned me around. It's a bit more romancey and fictionesque than her other books, but don't let that stop you. I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and it actually made me go out and buy several of her other books!

First, let me say that I absolutely love the Vampire Chronicles, although Interview with a Vampire is still my favorite. I didn't like the Mayfair witches that much, but I never read Taltos and am curious about Merrick. That said, I was leary of a non-vampire Anne Rice novel. Despite my doubts, I loved this book. I have always found Egyptian history fascinating and enjoyed having this book with me on a long plane trip. The only bad side is that when I reached the end of the book, I wanted more. Hopefully, Anne Rice will someday write a sequel to this book so that we can find out more about what happens with Ramses, Cleopatra, Julie Stratford, etc.

"Cry To Heaven" is one of the most dynamic books I have read! Vivid in description, enigmatic and magical, reading it is like watching some dream play out before you! This book is totally brilliant! In "Cry To Heaven," Anne Rice captures that very same lush quality that makes "Interview With The Vampire" a masterpiece. And yet, this book is unlike anything else she has ever done... it is truly unique and thoroughly recommended! If only all books could be this good... I devoured it, and after 500 pages I was not disappointed by its conclusion - aaaahhh, such sweet satisfaction! If you are an Anne Rice fan but have yet to stray, like me, from her Vampires and Ghosts and Taltoses, take the plunge and pick up "Cry To Heaven!" You won't regret it.

"And Guido perceived that when the woman is taken out of an entire realm of life that must need to imitate the world itself, then some substitute for that woman is inevitable. Something must rise to take the place of what is feminine. Something must rise to be feminine. And the castrati were not mere singers, players, anomalies; they had become woman herself." -Anne Rice

Set in Venice, Naples, Rome, and Florence during the time of Vivaldi, this exquisitely written work is the story of Marc Antonio Treschi, a castrato. A Venetian nobleman, Tonio was blessed with many things -- a beautiful mother, a fine family, a gentlemanly upbringing, and not least of all, a beautiful singing voice. Tonio led a very sheltered early life, and as he begins the journey to manhood, he starts to discover some dark secrets of the House of Treschi. A word to the wise: This author does not shy away from taboo subjects.

Music was the passion and preoccupation of many people in Europe during this time. In the name of producing great music, mutilations were routinely done during these times to little boys from poor families -- boys with voices which showed promise. How Tonio came to his experience with the knife will best be discovered by reading this wonderful book, and spoiling the experience by detailing the plot is something which will not be done in this review.

This book is a compelling adventure, and it is written by a masterful writer. Anne Rice excels in transporting her reader to magical times & places, and introducing them to interesting people, who then spring to life. She takes her readers on a mystical journey, always choosing the perfect word. Simply, magically, elegantly, she weaves a tapestry of wonder, and through it all, holds one spellbound. She can describe a walk through a grand old square in Italy, and everything she has outlined can be envisioned, right down to the smells and sounds. Rice's characters are larger than life, they are compelling, and they are detailed down to their fingernails and the texture of their hair. Their thoughts are perfectly articulated, and they are set forth in extremely beautiful prose.

If one contemplates a "Cry to Heaven," one could think of many things that could conjure up such a cry: Religion, Remorse, Regret, Angst, Guilt, Pain, Sorrow, Love, Rapture, Longing, Esctacy, and of course, Great Music! All of these are found in this work. Highly, Highly Recommended!!!

I have just finished reading Cry To Heaven and I love it! This is my favorite book! As soon as I read the first page I was immediately enthralled and couldn't put it down. The research that was done for this was absolutely amazing. Anne Rice was so detailed and descriptive I truly felt as if I was really there. I felt such a connection with the main character, I felt all the emotions he felt while reading the book. There were parts in the book that made me weep uncontrolably, and other times I was so tense with anticipation it felt as if I had stuck my finger in an electirc socket. I cannot even begin to describe the beauty of this book. I read this book as if in a trance and could not think of anything else. Even now as I write this I sigh and smile with fondness. There are images that have been imprinted in my mind that will last me a lifetime. I encourage anyone who wants to feel any sense of passion from a story, to get this book and treasure it always as I certainly will.

The follow up to Interview With The Vampire is an excellent piece of work told with Ms. Rice's signature writing style, which is sometimes too pansexual and extravagant to allow a reader to take any of her work as serious pieces of literature art. Sorry, Anne, but you've got a problem there . . . Tone it down!

The Vampire Lestat answers some of the questions the first novel posed. I think the underlying theme of the vampire series (which Ms. Rice unfortunately ruins after the third book) is the burning question we all ponder: How did we get here? These vampires question their lineage, and this book brings to light Lestat's knowledge.

I especially enjoyed the part of the novel where Lestat makes his mother a vampire. The characters, in general, are much more interesting in this novel than the first, especially Lestat's mother. The first novel, while interesting, is low brow in comparison to this dynamic follow up. Not to take anything away from Interview but this novel is hands down the best in the series. Apparently, Anne Rice must have enjoyed writing the novel as well, since Lestat, not Louis, became her primary vampire creature.

I was faithful to the Vampire Chronicles until they became ridiculous. Lestat didn't need to descend into Hell. Lestat didn't need to become human again. What's that got to do with the vampires' heritage? In my opinion, Anne Rice should have stopped the series with three novels. And, of those three, The Vampire Lestat is the one I most recommend!

I have some mixed feelings about Anne Rice's "The Vampire Lestat", but all things considered, I truly believe it is a worthwhile read. In this follow-up to "Interview with the Vampire", we are told the life story of Lestat de Lioncourt, and I was bothered by the inconsistencies between the two books. Lestat tells us that Louis has lied about all kinds of things, and the cruel and cold-hearted villain we came to know and love in "Interview with the Vampire" becomes a moral, soft-hearted, and tortured soul, always trying to do the right thing and find the answers to life's mysteries. Hmmm. I think if I had not read "Interview with the Vampire", I would have found "The Vampire Lestat" far more enjoyable, because then I would have been blissfully unaware of the transformation of Lestat's character. With that said though, "The Vampire Lestat" is a compelling, if lengthy and somewhat verbose, tale, and in the end I was glad I read it, because it has many redeeming qualities.

The book purports to be Lestat's autobiography, and we are taken on a lush and erotic journey through Lestat's long and eventful life. From his youth as the son of a marquis in pre-Revolutionary France when Lestat befriends a troubled violinist named Nicolas, to the crowded streets of Paris where his life is changed forever by a solitary vampire named Magnus, who gives Lestat the dark gift before deserting him forever. Shocked and amazed by what has befallen him, Lestat, begins to learn what it is to be a vampire. Questions about the why and how of what he has become torment Lestat, but there is nobody for him to turn to. Lestat's story has many twists and turns; as he saves his mother from her deathbed with his immortal kiss, meets a hostile coven of Satan-worshipping vampires living under a cemetery, and ultimately goes off on a quest for a legendary ancient vampire named Marius in hopes of finding some answers to the questions that haunt him. And through it all we are treated to Rice's memorable and moving prose. However, the author's tendency to become overly descriptive is in evidence here, and there were some portions of the book that were a bit hard to get through.

As I've already stated, my feelings about "The Vampire Lestat" are a bit ambiguous. But despite my criticisms of this book, I actually did like it a lot. Lestat's story is affecting, intriguing, and entertaining, and in the end I could honestly say that I enjoyed it. Many people adore this book, and it's easy to see why, and on the other hand quite a few people hate it, and I can understand their point of view too. I can't guarantee anything to anyone picking up this book, because Anne Rice's writing is hypnotic and beautiful to some, and deadly boring to others. Personally, I would have been sorry if I'd missed "The Vampire Lestat", since I really did become quite engrossed in Lestat's tale. So give this book a try and see what you think, you may just be pleasantly surprised!

One night, in 1996, I was looking through a carton of used books that my Grandmother sent me. She didn't want them any more, so whichever ones I wanted, I would keep and I would trade the rest for new books. Well, sandwiched between a cheesy romance novel and a book about detective cats, a very worn gold book caught my attention. It was an original copy if Interview with the Vampire. After devouring it in 2 nights I immediatly went out and bought The Vampire Lestat. I read that one even quicker. After having read all of Anne Rice's books, I have concluded that Lestat is the best one. I was completely transported into his world. When he was in the old castle in France, watching his creator destroying himself, I could feel the smoke from the fire burning my eyes. When he describes his thirst, my throat aches for relief. This book takes you away to another realm where Lestat is king and Gabrielle is his Queen, and Anne Rice is God.

I'm surprised that Anne Rice fans like this book at all; about all it has in common with her other books is New Orleans & purple prose. Which is precisely why I like it!

"The Feast of All Saints" was Rice's first published novel. The setting & theme set it smack dab in the historicals market, altho the lack of graphic sex & bodice ripping probably disappointed those early readers. It wasn't until Rice hit the jackpot with her Vampire Chronicles that "Feast..." was reprinted & became a steady seller. It still ranks (along with "Cry to Heaven") as a curiousity to those fans.

However, this is a review of this book. How does "Feast of All Saints" stand up as a story? Pretty well. The first half of the book is slooowww, mainly alot of introspection, descriptions & general atmosphere. The plot itself (what there is of one) doesn't really get going until page 300 or so. Even then the reader spends more time inside the heads of the characters rather than observing events. What sets this book apart is the depiction of New Orleans in the antebellum period, & Rice's ability to recreate the life of the quadroons, octoroons & others who were considered "colored" even tho they may only have been 1/16th African! It is almost impossible to imagine what these "gens de colour" felt as they were discriminated against by their own relations while still owning slaves themselves & continuing the racial divide that created them. Rice does a marvelous job of bringing their day to day life to a modern world.

This has to be the most beautifully written book I have ever read. Anne Rice vibrantly brings to life the community and lives of the Gens de Couleurs in New Orleans, a part of American history I have never heard of prior to reading the novel. All characters are well portrayed; you really get to know them, their passions, their dreams, their flaws, their opinions, their personalities.. all main characters are given a voice and a window through which the reader can look into their soul. The descriptions of New Orleans and its culture throughout the novel are breathtaking and mesmerising as if the reader has been transported there physically. This book will make you laugh, cry, become angry, excited, nervous, and extremely happy as it takes you through the journey of the story. The Feast of All Saints has become my favourite book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a deep, moving story with plenty of substance. If you are expecting the supernatural just like in Anne Rice's other novels - forget it. This story is human to the core.

I have loved Ann Rice since my first encounter with her books. I read first Exit to Eden then Belinda, The Vampire Lestat and many more. I have not been touched by a book as I have been with this book. As a well read West Indian woman I was impressed not only with her acurate portrayal of New Orleans, I was blown away by her extensive knowledge and reference to the Haitian revolution the time period and the effects on the Mulatto class in New Orleans. I honestly could not put this book down and devoured it in two days. I tend to read at least 5 books at once but this I had to give exclusivity to.

Again Anne Rice has out-done herself, I'm now reading the Pandora series but I know that I will re-read Feast of All Saints over and over. Bravo Anne again you have blown me a way with your talent. RDC

"The Queen of the Damned" is one of Rice's most intricate, involving and altogether fascinating novels. It takes the reader 6000 years back in time, across continents, and through multiple points of view. It is a true epic. It is also a thoughtful meditation on evil. Real evil.

It continues the story started in "The Vampire Lestat" (rather awkwardly, but more skillfully as the novel gains momentum.)

Dozens of stories are interwoven, characters from previous novels are players as well as some new characters. At the heart of the novel is the rising of two ancient female vampires Akasha, the Queen, and Maharet one of a set of twin vampires opposed to the Queen and her plan for humanity.

Okay, it sounds pretty silly but Rice uses what is basically a comic book plot and makes a fascinating story out of it. Another writer would shy away from the possibly "camp" elements of the story but Rice writes it with great fidelity to her characters and basically writes a great story that is not afraid of going over-the-top. She writes with a great fearlessness and almost an abandon. She's absolutely set on writing whatever the hell she wants.

Here she muses on the nature of evil. She is not just writing about some kind of abstract comicbooks evil but she targets a very real and immediate kind of evil that is all about us. The evil of ideas out of control. The evil of disregard of human life. Anne Rice is definitely our greatest Romantic Writer, but here she reveals her gifts as one of our strongest humanistic voices. This from a "comic booky" set up. This is a surprisingly potent novel.

'You are no healer. You cannot give life or save it, nor can you prevent death and disease, my queen. And those people will expect such miracles.
All you can do is kill.' -Marius

In this book: The Vampire Queen, Akasha, has awakened after 6,000 years of being locked deep in her own mind. And now the world is in danger of being taken over by this Dark Queen and her beloved prince: the rock-star vampire, Lestat.
Akasha now seeks to utterly destroy 90% of the male population (only leaving one male per 100 females), believing it would end all war, rape, and violence.

Anne Rice, the beloved author of Queen of the Damned (and many other books in this series), brings this wonderful book to life as if it were straight from history itself. She starts out with a bang and elevates the action until you feel like you're living in the story moment by moment. You honestly can't ask for a better type of author!

If you saw the movie, you haven't even seen half the story. The book is so much better! The book gives you the history of how all the vampires in Rice's world came into being, and a fictional history of Egypt that swallows you, bringing you deeper and deeper into the lifestyles of the vampires. And the story of the Twins is magnificent all its own-a beautiful twist! 'Behold, the new Queen of the Damned.'

When I first started reading this book, it was a little confusing because it jumps from the point of view of one vampire (or person) to another. But in the later of the book, it only jumps from Lestat's journey with Akasha to the meeting of the other seven vampires-all of which are connected to each other and Lestat, which makes the book even more wonderful. But does Lestat change his childish and immature ways? My advice is read the book and find out.

This novel is exhilirating. The complex narrative and histories detailed in it is a work of genius; the way the characters are all so inextricably intertwined is wonderful. The story behind Daniel, the interviewer in "Interview With the Vampire", and the allusions to ancient Egypt brought to this novel a mixture of gothic wonder and compex storytelling that Anne Rice excels in. As a closing point, can I also stipulate that I can't believe that some people have problems with the sexual content in the book-- I mean, come on! After 200 years and three novels, Louis and Lestat finally...kiss! Oh, the horror! That's one of the best parts in the book-- it sees a reconciliation of two of the most enduring characters in modern fiction. I strongly urge you to read this, what I feel to be the last of the truly great books in the Vampire Chronicles. Its surpassed only by 'Interview With the Vampire' and 'The Vampire Lestat'. It's all downhill from here, folks. But what a ride it was to start with!

Ok for starters I didn't expect to enjoy this book, and also I did what many very bad people do and I watched the film before I read the book. I thought the film was great until I read the book and then I realised that the raw sexuality of the text could ony come through in novel form. I adore the way Anne Rice decribes the taking of blood she does it without shame in the way that every other... book I've ever read describes a passionate... encounter. Claudia made me cry, she was so mixed up, without the experience of being treated as an adult, she had to stay a precosious child with a wise old woman's mind and somehow a woman's sex drive, her lust poured through the pages in the same way as Lestats like a thumping pulse. Louis, sweet innocent Louis who should never have been a vampire appreciated evey emotion he felt much ,more deeply than the other characters in the book, and analysed every thing said to him, I fell in love with him. If I met him I'd without hesitation agree to be his eternal partner. Never have I fallen in love with a book so deeply since Flowers in the attic. Pease read this book!

Hey. This is my second review for Amazon, and I've decided to review this book. Like many people, I first read this, and the other novels that make up The Vampire Chronicles, back when the movie came out. And like many movies made from books, the book is the superior of the two. Who among us, reading this book, has not thought about what it would be like to become a vampire, living forever and stalking the night? This book does a great job of balancing the power of the vampire with the inate sadness of being cursed never to see the light of day. But you don't need me to tell you this. If you're at all like me, you browse this site to read what other people thought about books, music, or movies that you love. If, however, you're reading these reviews trying to decide what to buy, I hope you'll take my advice. This is a great novel, and you won't be disappointed if you get it. And if you enjoy this one, look for the rest of the series, as they fill in some of the questions you might have after reading this. Later.

I first encounterd this book when I was 12 and in the library looking for something good to read. The title caught my eye and I checked it out and I'm glad I did! The story, as told from the point of view of the vampire Louis tells of the love/hate "family" relationship between Louis, his maker Lestat and their child Claudia. Louis is having a hard time dealing with the fact that he must kill in order to exsist (some call it whining, but I call it endearing). I read this book for the first time in a couple of days (it's that good) My favorite character in the entire vampire series is Louis. I know most people think that Lestat is the hero of this novel, but Interview is Louis' tale and I understand his point of view completely. He doesn't whine, Louis just wants a better understanding of what he is and how he should feel about that. I wish Ms. Rice would write novels featuring more of him because his character is so human and so beautifully written that I look for him FIRST in each new novel by her. Some have called it too homoerotic, but I happen to like this type of romance. It is obvious that Louis and Lestat both love and hate one another and it is this relationship that is the basis of the novel. If you have never read a book by Ms. Rice, let Interview With the Vampire be your first. But be warned, you'll get hooked!