Week 2: Interview with a Vampire


I enjoyed reading Interview with a Vampire. It seems to have all the elements of what we consider a modern vampire story, with humanized and expressive vampires, but it was told in a much more serious and dramatic manner than the average vampire tale. Just like in Frankenstein, we’re given a “found footage” sort of format with the audio interview. It also seems to share a lot of the gothic language; the vampires go around being very dramatic and emotional. However, any elements of romance are overshadowed by the supernatural and the horrific elements of their lives. Louis seems to be unable to truly find a vampire to connect with, and all the humans he meets ultimately become food for vampires or otherwise suffer and die. Because of this, between every moment of Louis’s story, we’re on the edge of our seat imagining what might transpire between the boy and Louis in contemporary time. The whole thing is left on two sort of cliffhangers – the end of Louis’s story, and the boy’s departure afterwards with the intent of finding Lestat. I’m assuming the sequel might have some more information on Lestat’s encounter with this boy, but I’m curious to know exactly how Louis is affected by giving the interview as well, and what his goal by giving it was. Despite how this information was left out, I’m alright with the way the novel ends. It gives strength to the message on how not even everlasting life is better than simple human connection.

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