- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Talk Miramax Books (Aug 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0786866462
- ISBN-13: 978-0786866465
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.7 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,052,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
One might expect A Density of Souls to plough new furrows in vampire territory, given its author is the son of famed horror writer Anne Rice. But Christopher Rice's bold and startling debut is as far removed from his mother's supernatural fiction as could be. That's not to say there aren't similarities in this coming of age novel set in New Orleans and focusing on four friends, weighed down by the baggage of their parents and the aspirations and expectations of the city's affluent society.
At the forefront is Stephen, a young gay man who even now is haunted by the death of his father years before. Stephen is just beginning to realise who he is, his place in both his own world and that of his friends, when childhood allegiances are shattered and old painful memories come bubbling to the surface with shocking and violent repercussions.
Rice's debut is a dark, gloomy and, for the most part, humourless story, but one layered with so much truth and feeling that its hard not to care as the four friends are plunged into a world that forces them to grow up quickly. Stephen's sexuality is the driving force of the novel but he grows stronger as the novel progresses, much more able to accept and deal with it than his childhood companions. The sex scenes are sparse and stark but very rarely graphic. Rice has plenty to say on homophobia in both American high schools and the wider world, but it is about more than that. It's a fable on the power of lies, the corrupting power of secrets and inevitable yet painfully seductive hold that the people, places and events of our childhood have over the rest of our lives. The denouement twists and turns and culminates is an apocalyptic climax but it is a nerve shredding ending to a powerful, brutal, dark and seriously sexy thriller. --Jonathan Weir --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Review
Once inseparable, four friends enter high school to learn that their friendship cannot withstand the envy and rage of adolescence. Their struggles are fuelled by generations of family feuds and furtive passions hoarded within their opulent New Orleans homes and two violent deaths disrupt this closeted society. Five years latter the former friends are drawn back together as what was once held to be a tragic accident is revealed to be murder.A compelling, haunting debut by Anne Rice's son with a plot full of shocking twists that leaves the reader reeling.
--This text refers to the
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First Sentence
Cannon School occupied an entire block of New Orleans, its sprawl of manicured lawns and neocolonial brick buildings dividing the neighborhood in half. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Cannon School occupied an entire block of New Orleans, its sprawl of manicured lawns and neocolonial brick buildings dividing the neighborhood in half. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hailing from a respected literary background, Christopher Rice has a promising career ahead of him. His debut novel has been criticised and acclaimed.
We've seen this teen angst, coming of age storyline before, but congratulations to Christopher for handling it in the unique way he has. I thought it was very well laid out; who cares about the syntax or grammar, as I'm sure he will be more careful in future when writing or editing. I enjoyed the book very much, and look forward to reading 'The Snow Garden' which I have already bought.
For a first novel, I say 'Well done'. To those who have criticised it I say get over it, and enjoy the book for what it is. I view it as a way to help young people see what effects xenophobia and bullying, fear and friendship, secrets and lies can have on people. It may even convince the bullies of their stupidity. And, due to the sexuality of the central character, whether you believe him to develop or not, his story will ring true with many young gays and lesbians around the world.
Obviously, embellishments are needed to make it worth the read:-
So why complain about the religious fundamentalism?! It is a fact, and is predominantly true to any coming of age story with regards to gay teenagers.
So what about the so called 'biblical' weather?! It is New Orleans, Florida, Caribbean - it's the weather, it happens, it is a fact, and it helped set the storyline so the main characters could settle the scores of their childhoods in the place where it all started, their hometown.
I think Christopher's young fresh mind is much needed in literary fiction, and it brings gay fiction to the fore, whether intended or not, without the need for gratuitously graphic sex scenes fit for a topshelf mag, or graphic details of violence and murder normally associated with established horror writers.
Final thought: well done Christopher, I only wish I could contact you personally to tell you that.
Cheers Liam
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Wow, seems like Mr Rice has split opinions amongst reviewers on Amazon!
I confess that I found this a compelling story, and disagree that the characterisation was poor. It demands a committment of the imagination in the way that much modern gay story telling doesn't. And for a first novel the breadth of the vision and story telling is wonderful.
If you prefer a 100 page schlock from an author with barely disguised autobiographical sections and 'my-best-friend-as-a-fictional-character', well there's plenty of predictable zeitgeist rubbish to read.
I'd rather be taken on a journey than merely root around with the mundane.
Lets hope later works will pick up the excitement of his first.
I confess that I found this a compelling story, and disagree that the characterisation was poor. It demands a committment of the imagination in the way that much modern gay story telling doesn't. And for a first novel the breadth of the vision and story telling is wonderful.
If you prefer a 100 page schlock from an author with barely disguised autobiographical sections and 'my-best-friend-as-a-fictional-character', well there's plenty of predictable zeitgeist rubbish to read.
I'd rather be taken on a journey than merely root around with the mundane.
Lets hope later works will pick up the excitement of his first.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book because I loved the first book I read by CR, The Snow Garden. I found this book to be a total flight of fantasy, but maybe that's what makes it so compelling; I have read it 3 times since I bought it in September last year.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Over the top but totally addictive.
I read this after thoroughly enjoying The Snow Garden, the story is over the top and too much happens to make it a great book as it stretches believablity. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2007 by Philip Thompson
A Density of Souls
I don't really know what made me buy this book, because it is not the usual type of book I go for, I was spellbound from the first page and really took to Stephen's character,... Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2003
Much better then the critics think...
While there have been some negative reviews for this novel, it is only fair to state that this is only Christopher's first novel, and he has produced a thrilling read which betters... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2003 by "jjkkay"
One BIG disappointment
This book appeared to be just what I was looking for..set in New Orleans, all about teenage angst, promises of dark twists in the plot. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2002
A paucity of talent
Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History' was as pretentious as it was compelling. Christopher Rice's debut is a page-turner too but is flawed in ways never before seen in print. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2002 by Mr Jonathan D Peake
Too Convoluted!
In many ways this is a book that needs to be read twice, because in the first run through it is easy to mistake this for a great book. The convoluted prose has much to hide. Read more
Published on 2 July 2002
A bit of a storm in a teacup...
I have never read any Anne Rice, so had no pre-conceptions. I chose to read this book because the synopsis sounding intriguing. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2002
Keeping it in the family
I suppose the pretentious title should have put me off, but I find it hard to resist any book that mentions Donna Tartt on the cover. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2002 by Mark Edwards
Fantastic Reading
I got this book last summer when I was on holidays in America and since then I have already read it twice. What a read! Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2002
Excellent - puts his mother's recent work to shame
I thought this was outstanding. Christopher Rice invokes the atmosphere and taste of New Orleans every bit as much as his mother Anne Rice. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2002
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