Letter To Anne Rice

I sent this to Anne Rice, and she responded with a lovely letter, but those are her words. These are mine. Wendy.


Dear Anne Rice,


Since making the decision last year to read all your books, in order, I have lost my job, gone bankrupt, seen my kids taken into protective custody, and my house has been condemned by the public health department.
No, just kidding, actually.


What has happened, however, has been that my personal free time has become a time for spiritual growth, self examination, and some damn good stories and characters. As a busy mother, it is wonderful to look forward to my "Me" time again.I feel that rush of excitement once again as I wonder what new and amazing adventures the now familiar characters will encounter as they continue their eternal struggle between good and evil, darkness and light.


As a Liberal Christian, by birth and now by choice, I can honestly say I always felt that I could still relate to the Vampires situation, as outsiders of society, being on the fringe, and always alone.Hey, after all, I remember High School! I felt sympathy for them as they thought about redemption, forgiveness, salvation. I am human, of course I understood. I found I was badly shocked only once, as I am not so very easily shocked, to be honest.It was during my first read, "Interview", when Louis was describing the scene with Lestat and the two female victims in the Hotel room.I freely admit that I almost packed it in right there, but I am so very glad I didn't .


As I moved through the books, I found each one so very unique, some so Historical, others, such as, "Tale of the Body Thief" were action packed and full of comedy, as Lestat daelt with the trials of being human again. I loved it. I enjoyed "The Mayfair witches" series very much."Violin", and "Memnoch, The Devil" were my all time favorites. There was beauty beyond belief in both these books. I was stunned.The descriptions of Heaven and Hell were amazing. I felt inspired to try to improve my own writing skills, but your work is often so glorious it is challenging.


As I came to the most recent of your work, "Christ, the Lord",I had mixed feelings.I share your love of Jesus, I am saved and thankful. I am also, I fear, all too human.My next statement will serve as my Christian confession to you. As I struggled with the Historical details of the book, the places, the many characters and names, I confess to the wicked thought that it might just be more fun if Lestat were to suddenly just jump in and attack everyone, just to liven things up! I pushed on, however, and was glad I did.I learned a great deal about Jesus, and felt Love for Him.The end of the book was very touching. I look forward to more from you about our King, "Christ the Lord, and many more hours spent learning and enjoying the story.


I can't tell you how much your work has given to my life.So much food for thought. Thoughts of new places, new ideas, experiences from long ago. I feel as if I am reading the words of an old friend when I read your books these days. When I read your new writing, I feel proud of you, I feel closer to Jesus, but above all, Anne, I feel so much Love.

Wendy Atkinson.