Does it matter which order I read the Vampire Chronicles?

Question

I just finished Interview with a Vampire, but the library does not have the Vampire Lestat available right now. Can I skip and come back to it?

Answer 1

The Vampire Lestat introduces story elements and characters which are important for Queen of the Damned. I would suggest finding a copy and reading it next. Look in used book stores, I sure you can get a copy for very cheap.

Edit - Renate makes a good point, the quality of the books falls off significantly after Lestat. Queen is still worth the read, but don't bother beyond that.

Answer 2

Yes, I think it is better to read the Vampire Lestat first because it gives you the history of Lestat. The you can read Interview with a Vampire.

My personal opinion is for you to forget all the rest of the Anne Rice books because the first two Vampire Chronicle books are her best efforts.

Anne Rice has a peculiar penchant for not allowing her novels to be edited. Most author's works really benefit from a good editing, and so, Rice's work suffers greatly from her stubborn refusal to allow someone to align her thoughts and correct her mistakes.

If Thomas Wolfe had not allowed Maxwell Perkins to edit the enormous text for Look Homeward Angel; very few people would have read the book.

Answer 3

The next few books focus on Lestat and Lewis fades into the background

Don't skip it

Answer 4

I love these books and have read them all out of order, It didn't bother me, because some are of different characters and then it was like hearing about old friends when I started one that had people I had already learned about. I started with Merrick. Then I got to go back and learn more about those people with each new book I read!

Answer 5

you will understand and know the new characters better if you wait, so don't skip.

Answer 6

no, don't skip around or you will be lost