The Tale of the Body Thief [Library Binding]

After reading the first 3 books in Anne Rice's vampire chronicles,I had such a job finding a copy of the Tale of the Body Thief, but it was well worth the wait. I had to read later chronicles to keep me going, as anyone enjoying Anne Rice's vampires will tell you their world becomes addictive, but there was always a missing link.I found that missing link when I read the body thief, alot became so clear. So, as a fan of the vampire chronicles I would urge anyone thinking of reading them to try and read them in order. This an excellent book highly recommended!!

The Tale of the Body Thief is Anne rice's 4th instalment in the stunningly sensual & captivating Vampire Chronicles. This Novel is quite tune down from the huge cast of characters in Queen of the Damned, but it is still as captivating and enthralling as the previous three Novels. Lestat has become quite literally fed up with his immortal existence and he finally comes to the decision to end his immortal life once & for all. Lestat heads off to meet the sun which he plans on flying straight into as it rises over the Gobi desert, talk about if you're going to do something do it right. But that's Lestat he's a man a pure action, but even the powerful rays of the sun are cannot put an end to Lestat's powerful vampiric body & he is left badly burnt by his suicide attempt. In this condition Lestat turns to the charming and graceful David Talbot whom we met in Queen of the Damned. Lestat recuperates in the Talamasca's superior general English countryside home, & after a bit of rest and a good "feed" Lestat is back in action, his normally pure white flesh though has become somewhat tanned from been so badly burnt and Lestat sees this as a bonus as it make him appear more human. The story goes along and soon we're introduced to a magician of sorts by the name of Raglan James, also an ex-member of the Talamaca. Raglan James approaches lestat with quite the offer, he reveals to Lestat that the handsome young body that he "inhabits" is not his, he stole it. For Raglan can do what he claims nobody else can do he can switch bodies. Naturally enough Lestat becomes very intrigued and so do we. Lestat sees this as his chance to become once more a living breathing mortal man, but he needs time to think it over. So Lestat goes to his beloved Louis de Pointe du Lac and tells him about James's offer. Louis warns Lestat to be careful, but when has Lestat ever listened to anybody. Lestat also informs David of Raglan James and his offer, David also warns lestat to be careful and he checks up on Mr James who turns out to be quite the little felon indeed. Lestat armed with all the knowledge and warnings about Raglan James still goes ahead and dose his own thing. Lestat agrees to swap his powerful vampiric body with that of James's very handsome & young one, and so the Novel really picks up then. The switch works and Lestat is left in the handsome human form and Raglan James scarpers off with Lestat with not the slightest intention of bringing it back, hence the name of the Novel. Anne Rice's approach to how Lestat has to learn basic things that we mortals take for granted and do day in day out, is superb. I loved how she dealt with Lestat having to go to the bathroom again after centuries of not having to she does it as if this were to actually happen in reality to a vampire this is how it would be. The Novel also shows a loving & truly caring side of Lestat unlike any other. The way in Rice deals vividly, beautifully an honestly with details is pure literary perfection. As I said before Rice just doesn't make you like her characters, she makes you fall in love with them and no other author has ever made me feel for her creations as I do for Lestat and the other immortals. Needless to say it soon dawns on Lestat that Raglan James has no intention of returning his body back to him, so he turns firstly to Louis for help in getting his body back. Louis who after almost attacking Lestat but realizes in time that it is his creator, sees Lestat predicament as a gift a chance to live a mortal life and find redemption and so he refuses to help him. Devastated and in dire need Lestat turns to the only person he can David Talbot, who agrees to help him. The Novels dramatic and exciting chase for Raglan James is completely thrilling. But just as you think the Novel is over Anne rice creates one of the most excellent twists in the series and readers of the series will know exactly what I mean, but I don't want to give away to many spoilers especially not this one because it will shock you when you read it for the first time, I was left gobsmacked anyway. As I write this review, Tale of the Body Thief is been adapted for the silver screen by Imagine entertainment, I just hope that the people in charge remain completely faithful to Rice's material if they do the movie of tale of the Body Thief will be a box office hit and not the flop that Queen of the Damned was. the only concern I have is how they will deal with so much of a back story from the other previous three novels, but if they listen intently and carefully the advice that Anne rice gives them then it should be fine, and of course the fans of the Chronicles too. I for one am looking forward to seeing the movie and who will portray everyone's favourite Vampire, Lestat. The actor who gets the part will have to have the looks, charm, and tremendous screen presence to play the part of a character that is so totally cemented and defined in a certain way in the reader's minds. But back to the Novel at hand, also I loved the scenes of the appearance of the beautiful vampire child's spirit Claudia whom we all know of from the first and classic first Novel Interview with the Vampire. The scenes when Claudia appears taunting Lestat are truly hauntingly and wonderfully written. In sum The Tale of the Body Thief, has all the elements that make a stunning piece of literature, what Anne Rice creates is so unique and priceless. Rice's talents shine in everything she creates; I fully convinced that she could write the Alphabet and make it a thrilling #1 bestseller. Tale of the Body Thief is once more pure literary perfection.

One for Lestat lovers. Rice toys with your emotions in this one. Oh how you want Lestat to be human! Powerfull imigary as always, paving the way to the next in the series. A clever ending, I was about to turn off the light towards the end of the book but had to read the last two chapters. It was 4am.