Oh my God! My eyes! My eyes!!!!!!!!!
Sep. 21st, 2004 01:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
silversolitaireYou guys know Anne Rice, yes? That person who writes books, down there in New Orleans, who's such a horrible bitch that it made me not want to touch her books with a 10 feet pole, never mind how good they possibly might be (even though they've been deteriorating strongly, but that's beside the point).
Sooooooo... it turns out that this certain Anne Rice is trying to sell her book "Blood Canticle" on amazon.com, like so many authors do. Unfortunately, people have written negative reviews about it!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!! People actually had the fucking cheek to NOT LIKE this GEM of literature. Knowing full well that this is way beneath her since she's a published writer and read by "intellectual giants" she still lowered herself to write an ardent response to all these uninspired and misinterpreting reviews of her work.
I'm reproducing it here because Mrs. Rice can't fucking use an ENTER key, so I'm trying to break it up a little to ease reading... But first, this is IT, in its pure unadulterated glory!
Edited version:
Seldom do I really answer those who criticize my work. In fact, the entire development of my career has been fueled by my ability to ignore denigrating and trivializing criticism as I realize my dreams and my goals.
However there is something compelling about Amazon's willingness to publish just about anything, and the sheer outrageous stupidity of many things you've said here that actually touches my proletarian and Democratic soul. Also I use and enjoy Amazon and I do read the reviews of other people's books in many fields. In sum, I believe in what happens here.
And so, I speak.
First off, let me say that this is addressed only to some of you, who have posted outrageously negative comments here, and not to all. You are interrogating this text from the wrong perspective. Indeed, you aren't even reading it. You are projecting your own limitations on it. And you are giving a whole new meaning to the words "wide readership." And you have strained my Dickensean principles to the max. I'm justifiably proud of being read by intellectual giants and waitresses in trailer parks,in fact, I love it, but who in the world are you?
Now to the book. Allow me to point out: nowhere in this text are you told that this is the last of the chronicles, nowhere are you promised curtain calls or a finale, nowhere are you told there will be a wrap-up of all the earlier material. The text tells you exactly what to expect. And it warns you specifically that if you did not enjoy Memnoch the Devil, you may not enjoy this book. This book is by and about a hero whom many of you have already rejected. And he tells you that you are likely to reject him again. And this book is most certainly written -- every word of it -- by me. If and when I can't write a book on my own, you'll know about it.
And no, I have no intention of allowing any editor ever to distort, cut, or otherwise mutilate sentences that I have edited and re-edited, and organized and polished myself. I fought a great battle to achieve a status where I did not have to put up with editors making demands on me, and I will never relinquish that status. For me, novel writing is a virtuoso performance. It is not a collaborative art.
Back to the novel itself: the character who tells the tale is my Lestat. I was with him more closely than I have ever been in this novel; his voice was as powerful for me as I've ever heard it. I experienced break through after break through as I walked with him, moved with him, saw through his eyes. What I ask of Lestat, Lestat unfailingly gives. For me, three hunting scenes, two which take place in hotels -- the lone woman waiting for the hit man, the slaughter at the pimp's party -- and the late night foray into the slums --stand with any similar scenes in all of the chronicles. They can be read aloud without a single hitch. Every word is in perfect place. The short chapter in which Lestat describes his love for Rowan Mayfair was for me a totally realized poem. There are other such scenes in this book.
You don't get all this? Fine. But I experienced an intimacy with the character in those scenes that shattered all prior restraints, and when one is writing one does have to continuously and courageously fight a destructive tendency to inhibition and restraint. Getting really close to the subject matter is the achievement of only great art.
Now, if it doesn't appeal to you, fine. You don't enjoy it? Read somebody else. But your stupid arrogant assumptions about me and what I am doing are slander. And you have used this site as if it were a public urinal to publish falsehood and lies. I'll never challenge your democratic freedom to do so, and yes, I'm answering you, but for what it's worth, be assured of the utter contempt I feel for you, especially those of you who post anonymously (and perhaps repeatedly?) and how glad I am that this book is the last one in a series that has invited your hateful and ugly responses.
Now, to return to the narrative in question: Lestat's wanting to be a saint is a vision larded through and through with his characteristic vanity. It connects perfectly with his earlier ambitions to be an actor in Paris, a rock star in the modern age. If you can't see that, you aren't reading my work. In his conversation with the Pope he makes observations on the times which are in continuity with his observations on the late twentieth century in The Vampire Lestat, and in continuity with Marius' observations in that book and later in Queen of the Damned.
The state of the world has always been an important theme in the chronicles. Lestat's comments matter. Every word he speaks is part of the achievement of this book. That Lestat renounced this saintly ambition within a matter of pages is plain enough for you to see. That he reverts to his old self is obvious, and that he intends to complete the tale of Blackwood Farm is also quite clear.
There are many other themes and patterns in this work that I might mention -- the interplay between St.Juan Diago and Lestat, the invisible creature who doesn't "exist" in the eyes of the world is a case in point. There is also the theme of the snare of Blackwood Farm, the place where a human existence becomes so beguiling that Lestat relinquishes his power as if to a spell. The entire relationship between Lestat and Uncle Julien is carefully worked out. But I leave it to readers to discover how this complex and intricate novel establishes itself within a unique, if not unrivalled series of book.
There are things to be said. And there is pleasure to be had. And readers will say wonderful things about Blood Canticle and they already are. There are readers out there and plenty of them who cherish the individuality of each of the chronicles which you so flippantly condemn. They can and do talk circles around you. And I am warmed by their response. Their letters, the papers they write in school, our face to face exchanges on the road -- these things sustain me when I read the utter trash that you post. But I feel I have said enough. If this reaches one reader who is curious about my work and shocked by the ugly reviews here, I've served my goals.
And Yo, you dude, the slang police! Lestat talks like I do. He always has and he always will. You really wouldn't much like being around either one of us. And you don't have to be. If any of you want to say anything about all this by all means Email me at Anneobrienrice@mac.com. And if you want your money back for the book, send it to 1239 First Street, New Orleans, La, 70130. I'm not a coward about my real name or where I live.
And yes, the Chronicles are no more! Thank God!
The End
*groans* Okay, I don't think there's is too much to be said about this other than... "HELLO? Could your ego possibly be any bigger? How can you breathe under this enormous weight, my God!" So, she's going out of her way to explain to everyone how perfectly ellaborately the novel is created, how brilliantly it all was composed and that true connaisseurs of course understand all this. But the common dumbass that dares to buy and read her books obviously doesn't get it and now she's throwing down her pen with a wail of indignation! AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!!!!!1111111
Never mind the fact that this whole paragraph is peppered with contradictions such as "nowhere in this text are you told that this is the last of the chronicles, nowhere are you promised curtain calls or a finale, nowhere are you told there will be a wrap-up of all the earlier material", closely followed by "And yes, the Chronicles are no more!"... uhm yes. And did I mention that I think it's really pathetic that she can't even use the enter key? This makes me hope sincerely that the editors she does "not have to put up with" at least add a doublespace here or there... -.-
I'm not even going to point out all the bullshit she's spreading about her alledged masterpiece... I've got a headache now. Randomly, it amuses me that she insinuates that the 200+ mostly negative reviews may in fact be produced by one or two spiteful individials... yeah right.
Now remember that this person also DOES NOT ALLOW FANFICTION! EVER! Doesn't that make you really love her...? I really wonder why this person ever chose to seek the public light when she so obviously can't deal with a) criticism, b) dissenting views, c) other interpretations of her characters and d) just fannish usage of her stuff in general! Dude...
Even when she was still okay, such as in The Vampire Lestat, the book was riddled with inconsistencies and technical flaws (off the top of my hat, the fact that she has Lestat say at the beginning that his language is still influenced a lot by his ancient upbringing and he might use a strange word here and there, and yet, all he ever does is use "motor coach" or whatever it was for car and that's IT! It never appears again! WTF?). So she really should be used to negative comments by now... -.-
I think this is the good thing about writing in fandom and one point in your life. It brings you much closer to your readers and humbles you in a way, because you quickly learn that not everyone worships the ground you walk on and there are always people who don't like what you do.
Sooooooo... it turns out that this certain Anne Rice is trying to sell her book "Blood Canticle" on amazon.com, like so many authors do. Unfortunately, people have written negative reviews about it!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!! People actually had the fucking cheek to NOT LIKE this GEM of literature. Knowing full well that this is way beneath her since she's a published writer and read by "intellectual giants" she still lowered herself to write an ardent response to all these uninspired and misinterpreting reviews of her work.
I'm reproducing it here because Mrs. Rice can't fucking use an ENTER key, so I'm trying to break it up a little to ease reading... But first, this is IT, in its pure unadulterated glory!
[source]*rubs eyes* Okay this is fucking annoying, so I'm going to break it up into paragraphs, if you'd prefer that. I'm doing this for my own convenience.
26 of 97 people found the following review helpful: [make that 98, I just voted NO]
***** From the Author to the Some of the Negative Voices Here, September 6, 2004
Reviewer: Anne Obrien Rice (New Orleans, LA United States) - See all my reviews
Seldom do I really answer those who criticize my work. In fact, the entire development of my career has been fueled by my ability to ignore denigrating and trivializing criticism as I realize my dreams and my goals. However there is something compelling about Amazon's willingness to publish just about anything, and the sheer outrageous stupidity of many things you've said here that actually touches my proletarian and Democratic soul. Also I use and enjoy Amazon and I do read the reviews of other people's books in many fields. In sum, I believe in what happens here. And so, I speak. First off, let me say that this is addressed only to some of you, who have posted outrageously negative comments here, and not to all. You are interrogating this text from the wrong perspective. Indeed, you aren't even reading it. You are projecting your own limitations on it. And you are giving a whole new meaning to the words "wide readership." And you have strained my Dickensean principles to the max. I'm justifiably proud of being read by intellectual giants and waitresses in trailer parks,in fact, I love it, but who in the world are you? Now to the book. Allow me to point out: nowhere in this text are you told that this is the last of the chronicles, nowhere are you promised curtain calls or a finale, nowhere are you told there will be a wrap-up of all the earlier material. The text tells you exactly what to expect. And it warns you specifically that if you did not enjoy Memnoch the Devil, you may not enjoy this book. This book is by and about a hero whom many of you have already rejected. And he tells you that you are likely to reject him again. And this book is most certainly written -- every word of it -- by me. If and when I can't write a book on my own, you'll know about it. And no, I have no intention of allowing any editor ever to distort, cut, or otherwise mutilate sentences that I have edited and re-edited, and organized and polished myself. I fought a great battle to achieve a status where I did not have to put up with editors making demands on me, and I will never relinquish that status. For me, novel writing is a virtuoso performance. It is not a collaborative art. Back to the novel itself: the character who tells the tale is my Lestat. I was with him more closely than I have ever been in this novel; his voice was as powerful for me as I've ever heard it. I experienced break through after break through as I walked with him, moved with him, saw through his eyes. What I ask of Lestat, Lestat unfailingly gives. For me, three hunting scenes, two which take place in hotels -- the lone woman waiting for the hit man, the slaughter at the pimp's party -- and the late night foray into the slums --stand with any similar scenes in all of the chronicles. They can be read aloud without a single hitch. Every word is in perfect place. The short chapter in which Lestat describes his love for Rowan Mayfair was for me a totally realized poem. There are other such scenes in this book. You don't get all this? Fine. But I experienced an intimacy with the character in those scenes that shattered all prior restraints, and when one is writing one does have to continuously and courageously fight a destructive tendency to inhibition and restraint. Getting really close to the subject matter is the achievement of only great art. Now, if it doesn't appeal to you, fine. You don't enjoy it? Read somebody else. But your stupid arrogant assumptions about me and what I am doing are slander. And you have used this site as if it were a public urinal to publish falsehood and lies. I'll never challenge your democratic freedom to do so, and yes, I'm answering you, but for what it's worth, be assured of the utter contempt I feel for you, especially those of you who post anonymously (and perhaps repeatedly?) and how glad I am that this book is the last one in a series that has invited your hateful and ugly responses. Now, to return to the narrative in question: Lestat's wanting to be a saint is a vision larded through and through with his characteristic vanity. It connects perfectly with his earlier ambitions to be an actor in Paris, a rock star in the modern age. If you can't see that, you aren't reading my work. In his conversation with the Pope he makes observations on the times which are in continuity with his observations on the late twentieth century in The Vampire Lestat, and in continuity with Marius' observations in that book and later in Queen of the Damned. The state of the world has always been an important theme in the chronicles. Lestat's comments matter. Every word he speaks is part of the achievement of this book. That Lestat renounced this saintly ambition within a matter of pages is plain enough for you to see. That he reverts to his old self is obvious, and that he intends to complete the tale of Blackwood Farm is also quite clear. There are many other themes and patterns in this work that I might mention -- the interplay between St.Juan Diago and Lestat, the invisible creature who doesn't "exist" in the eyes of the world is a case in point. There is also the theme of the snare of Blackwood Farm, the place where a human existence becomes so beguiling that Lestat relinquishes his power as if to a spell. The entire relationship between Lestat and Uncle Julien is carefully worked out. But I leave it to readers to discover how this complex and intricate novel establishes itself within a unique, if not unrivalled series of book. There are things to be said. And there is pleasure to be had. And readers will say wonderful things about Blood Canticle and they already are. There are readers out there and plenty of them who cherish the individuality of each of the chronicles which you so flippantly condemn. They can and do talk circles around you. And I am warmed by their response. Their letters, the papers they write in school, our face to face exchanges on the road -- these things sustain me when I read the utter trash that you post. But I feel I have said enough. If this reaches one reader who is curious about my work and shocked by the ugly reviews here, I've served my goals. And Yo, you dude, the slang police! Lestat talks like I do. He always has and he always will. You really wouldn't much like being around either one of us. And you don't have to be. If any of you want to say anything about all this by all means Email me at Anneobrienrice@mac.com. And if you want your money back for the book, send it to 1239 First Street, New Orleans, La, 70130. I'm not a coward about my real name or where I live. And yes, the Chronicles are no more! Thank God!
Was this review helpful to you?
Edited version:
Seldom do I really answer those who criticize my work. In fact, the entire development of my career has been fueled by my ability to ignore denigrating and trivializing criticism as I realize my dreams and my goals.
However there is something compelling about Amazon's willingness to publish just about anything, and the sheer outrageous stupidity of many things you've said here that actually touches my proletarian and Democratic soul. Also I use and enjoy Amazon and I do read the reviews of other people's books in many fields. In sum, I believe in what happens here.
And so, I speak.
First off, let me say that this is addressed only to some of you, who have posted outrageously negative comments here, and not to all. You are interrogating this text from the wrong perspective. Indeed, you aren't even reading it. You are projecting your own limitations on it. And you are giving a whole new meaning to the words "wide readership." And you have strained my Dickensean principles to the max. I'm justifiably proud of being read by intellectual giants and waitresses in trailer parks,in fact, I love it, but who in the world are you?
Now to the book. Allow me to point out: nowhere in this text are you told that this is the last of the chronicles, nowhere are you promised curtain calls or a finale, nowhere are you told there will be a wrap-up of all the earlier material. The text tells you exactly what to expect. And it warns you specifically that if you did not enjoy Memnoch the Devil, you may not enjoy this book. This book is by and about a hero whom many of you have already rejected. And he tells you that you are likely to reject him again. And this book is most certainly written -- every word of it -- by me. If and when I can't write a book on my own, you'll know about it.
And no, I have no intention of allowing any editor ever to distort, cut, or otherwise mutilate sentences that I have edited and re-edited, and organized and polished myself. I fought a great battle to achieve a status where I did not have to put up with editors making demands on me, and I will never relinquish that status. For me, novel writing is a virtuoso performance. It is not a collaborative art.
Back to the novel itself: the character who tells the tale is my Lestat. I was with him more closely than I have ever been in this novel; his voice was as powerful for me as I've ever heard it. I experienced break through after break through as I walked with him, moved with him, saw through his eyes. What I ask of Lestat, Lestat unfailingly gives. For me, three hunting scenes, two which take place in hotels -- the lone woman waiting for the hit man, the slaughter at the pimp's party -- and the late night foray into the slums --stand with any similar scenes in all of the chronicles. They can be read aloud without a single hitch. Every word is in perfect place. The short chapter in which Lestat describes his love for Rowan Mayfair was for me a totally realized poem. There are other such scenes in this book.
You don't get all this? Fine. But I experienced an intimacy with the character in those scenes that shattered all prior restraints, and when one is writing one does have to continuously and courageously fight a destructive tendency to inhibition and restraint. Getting really close to the subject matter is the achievement of only great art.
Now, if it doesn't appeal to you, fine. You don't enjoy it? Read somebody else. But your stupid arrogant assumptions about me and what I am doing are slander. And you have used this site as if it were a public urinal to publish falsehood and lies. I'll never challenge your democratic freedom to do so, and yes, I'm answering you, but for what it's worth, be assured of the utter contempt I feel for you, especially those of you who post anonymously (and perhaps repeatedly?) and how glad I am that this book is the last one in a series that has invited your hateful and ugly responses.
Now, to return to the narrative in question: Lestat's wanting to be a saint is a vision larded through and through with his characteristic vanity. It connects perfectly with his earlier ambitions to be an actor in Paris, a rock star in the modern age. If you can't see that, you aren't reading my work. In his conversation with the Pope he makes observations on the times which are in continuity with his observations on the late twentieth century in The Vampire Lestat, and in continuity with Marius' observations in that book and later in Queen of the Damned.
The state of the world has always been an important theme in the chronicles. Lestat's comments matter. Every word he speaks is part of the achievement of this book. That Lestat renounced this saintly ambition within a matter of pages is plain enough for you to see. That he reverts to his old self is obvious, and that he intends to complete the tale of Blackwood Farm is also quite clear.
There are many other themes and patterns in this work that I might mention -- the interplay between St.Juan Diago and Lestat, the invisible creature who doesn't "exist" in the eyes of the world is a case in point. There is also the theme of the snare of Blackwood Farm, the place where a human existence becomes so beguiling that Lestat relinquishes his power as if to a spell. The entire relationship between Lestat and Uncle Julien is carefully worked out. But I leave it to readers to discover how this complex and intricate novel establishes itself within a unique, if not unrivalled series of book.
There are things to be said. And there is pleasure to be had. And readers will say wonderful things about Blood Canticle and they already are. There are readers out there and plenty of them who cherish the individuality of each of the chronicles which you so flippantly condemn. They can and do talk circles around you. And I am warmed by their response. Their letters, the papers they write in school, our face to face exchanges on the road -- these things sustain me when I read the utter trash that you post. But I feel I have said enough. If this reaches one reader who is curious about my work and shocked by the ugly reviews here, I've served my goals.
And Yo, you dude, the slang police! Lestat talks like I do. He always has and he always will. You really wouldn't much like being around either one of us. And you don't have to be. If any of you want to say anything about all this by all means Email me at Anneobrienrice@mac.com. And if you want your money back for the book, send it to 1239 First Street, New Orleans, La, 70130. I'm not a coward about my real name or where I live.
And yes, the Chronicles are no more! Thank God!
The End
*groans* Okay, I don't think there's is too much to be said about this other than... "HELLO? Could your ego possibly be any bigger? How can you breathe under this enormous weight, my God!" So, she's going out of her way to explain to everyone how perfectly ellaborately the novel is created, how brilliantly it all was composed and that true connaisseurs of course understand all this. But the common dumbass that dares to buy and read her books obviously doesn't get it and now she's throwing down her pen with a wail of indignation! AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!!!!!1111111
Never mind the fact that this whole paragraph is peppered with contradictions such as "nowhere in this text are you told that this is the last of the chronicles, nowhere are you promised curtain calls or a finale, nowhere are you told there will be a wrap-up of all the earlier material", closely followed by "And yes, the Chronicles are no more!"... uhm yes. And did I mention that I think it's really pathetic that she can't even use the enter key? This makes me hope sincerely that the editors she does "not have to put up with" at least add a doublespace here or there... -.-
I'm not even going to point out all the bullshit she's spreading about her alledged masterpiece... I've got a headache now. Randomly, it amuses me that she insinuates that the 200+ mostly negative reviews may in fact be produced by one or two spiteful individials... yeah right.
Now remember that this person also DOES NOT ALLOW FANFICTION! EVER! Doesn't that make you really love her...? I really wonder why this person ever chose to seek the public light when she so obviously can't deal with a) criticism, b) dissenting views, c) other interpretations of her characters and d) just fannish usage of her stuff in general! Dude...
Even when she was still okay, such as in The Vampire Lestat, the book was riddled with inconsistencies and technical flaws (off the top of my hat, the fact that she has Lestat say at the beginning that his language is still influenced a lot by his ancient upbringing and he might use a strange word here and there, and yet, all he ever does is use "motor coach" or whatever it was for car and that's IT! It never appears again! WTF?). So she really should be used to negative comments by now... -.-
I think this is the good thing about writing in fandom and one point in your life. It brings you much closer to your readers and humbles you in a way, because you quickly learn that not everyone worships the ground you walk on and there are always people who don't like what you do.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Damn, sis
Date: 2004-09-21 05:12 am (UTC)Re: Damn, sis
Date: 2004-09-21 06:46 am (UTC)And yes, how pathetic is that? She's obviously aware her novel sucks and somehow feels the need to yell "OMG not true!!!!!!1111" at everyone and their dog...
Speaking of dog, I think I really started hating her when I saw that she sold bagged hair of her dog on her website some years ago. I'm NOT kidding.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 07:45 am (UTC)>>>You guys know Anne Rice, yes? That person who writes books, down there in New Orleans
that are so long and convoluted that you forget half the characters as you go on, and half the book till you get to the end. the one with the diarrhoea of the pen(*). yep, that's her alright.
>>>who's such a horrible bitch that it made me not want to touch her books with a 10 feet pole
lol! too bad i don't know the background.. :/
>>>Never mind the fact that this whole paragraph is peppered with contradictions such as
oh, so it's not just me it didn't make sense to! lol
"Lestat's comments matter. Every word he speaks is part of the achievement of this book. [...] The entire relationship between Lestat and Uncle Julien is carefully worked out. But I leave it to readers to discover how this complex and intricate novel establishes itself within a unique, if not unrivalled series of book. There are things to be said. And there is pleasure to be had. And readers will say wonderful things about Blood Canticle and they already are."
O_O fucking oh my yeah! O_o
btw, some of the reviews at amazon are priceless!! i can so enjoy them. sometimes i even have to save some, they are so good. like last time someone gave it to Stephen King, but with such witty barb, i was laughing out loud. :))
(*)that's where i learned that expression
no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 08:09 am (UTC)And I know what you mean! I love the amazon reviews! Although, a lot of times people are such complete retards it's no longer funny. I remember this one review of "Braindead"... god, that was scary... LOL.
About the background. I was idly interested in Anne Rice and her work for a while, but then I started looking around and just realized what a horrible person she is. She's just so full of herself and it repulses me to no ends. She once had this ardent speech on her website on how she absolutely DOES NOT allow fanfiction and it scandalizes her and she feels like her characters are being raped by commoners touching them with their grimey hands. I greatly dislike people who are like this. You can't kick your fans into the face like that. And then there's this webshop she at least used to have. Haven't checked it out in years, but last time I did she sold all this crap, like bagged hairs of her dog! I kid you not! She seems to think her dog is actually Lestat's dog, so selling his hair would be a good idea for merchandising. And all this other buttugly stuff... And not to mention the fact that every time she expresses her opinion I want to bash her face in. During the time when the Clinton scandal was on she wrote this flaming article in his defence and even though I too thought the entire thing was blown out of proportions just the way she phrased things made me want to disagree with her and just scream at the top of my lungs...
So yeah, I can't stand her... ^^;
no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 08:29 am (UTC)>>>She seems to think her dog is actually Lestat's dog
"the character who tells the tale is my Lestat. I was with him more closely than I have ever been in this novel; his voice was as powerful for me as I've ever heard it. I experienced break through after break through as I walked with him, moved with him, saw through his eyes. What I ask of Lestat, Lestat unfailingly gives. [...] But I experienced an intimacy with the character in those scenes that shattered all prior restraints"
well, might she be getting a tad psychotic?
"proletarian soul" my ass..
no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 08:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 09:34 am (UTC)Worst Book I've ever read., September 21, 2004
Now, I don't pretend to know about Vampires [...]
He/she will prove this after this first paragraph, by saying:
Vampires were first invented in 1920 [...]
Well, that's a rather amusing fact that I'm sure Bram Stoker would have liked to have known about. Seeing as how he DIED in 1912. But, you know, historical idiocy aside, the retort isn't exactly going to help her public opinion, if it really is her(?) - and honestly, why on earth would she NOT use the Enter key?
I don't know. And I'm too half-assed to read the retort, too, but I'm assuming it says, in a nutshell, "Lestat is perfect and so am I, so NYAH."
Let's just leave it at that ^_~
no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 10:37 am (UTC)I can see why you don't want to suffer through this. Just so much. The gist is basically:
a) I'm read by "intellectual giants" and "waitresses living in trailers" and all of them appreciate me more than you idiots.
b) I write a lot of spoilers to explain that every word I've written is carefully chosen, perfect as a poem and could be read out loud to an awestruck crowd and it'd be like the revelation of God to them.
c) I don't need editors, as a matter of fact I'm too skilled, famous and important to have any editor touch my carefully crafted sentences.
d) Most likely, all of these negative reviews were written by one or two individuals.
e) I never ever said this is the last book that's supposed to tie up everything nicely. If you thought so, you're obviously deluded. Nonetheless, I'm never going to write a Vampire Chronicles book again!!!
Oh and add to that f) Lestat is speaking to me, I channel him, he talks to me and dictates what I shall write, thus it's all 100% in character for him!!! And yo dude, he's talking in slang because I do, yo!
no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 10:43 am (UTC)"i channel him" aaaaaahahahaha!!!
no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 02:41 pm (UTC)Ahahahaha! *points and laughs* She is deluded.
But as for c), I suggest that she get an editor, and fast. The amount of mistakes that I found in Queen of the Damned was ridiculous.
Things that even I would notice in my writing, and my unedited drafts of things are laughable at best.
ya ordered a party pooper?
Date: 2004-09-21 03:07 pm (UTC)I hate to ruin the party, but i think it's too damn easy (and too damn satisfying) to rip successful people to shreds. Mind that i only have your post to go by here.. but it seems as if she was mostly ticked by ppl who made false assumptions about her, and went on to wreck the rest of their complaints. Her books have gotten bad reviews (many) times before, without her going ballistic.
I'm not a Rice fan either btw. I've only read 1 and 1/4 of her books..by all means, more than i could endure. She's too fluffy & not for me. Judging by her post.. yeah she also has a mammoth ego to boot.. but then, most artists do, even the ones who suck it up cuz they try to be agreeable. If Rice manages to escape the soulless creatures that corporate editors are.. more power to her (and more hope for the rest of us scribblers). But if it's as bad as you say, maybe she needs a corrector at least.
And since you brought it up.. FanFiction IS copyright infringement, no matter how anyone tries to coat it. Authors & publishers who allow it, do so to feed their popularity and commercial benefits. I used to share your POV on this issue, so i know where yer frustration comes from. But in the end violation is just that.
Sorry. I promise to play nice with you next time. ~.~
Re: ya ordered a party pooper?
Date: 2004-09-21 05:47 pm (UTC)I totally agree, it's easy to tear up successful people. It's always a pinch of jealousy involved when someone's really successful and you just want to see them fail. But you see, Mrs. Rice just as a way to make even her fans hate her with a passion. This isn't the first time she's done something incredibly dumb in public. Her website is miraculously stripped of a good portion of it, but when I was still into her and checking it out a lot there was a great many a time when she'd publish something that just had to make you go >.<;;;. She's just too high up on her horse and too full of herself about anything she does to make people not care.
I'm a writer myself. I know that there's always criticism and I know that you need to maintain your power against editors. But DUDE. You can do this when your work is impeccable! Then you can say "I dun do beta readers and it was late at night and I wanted to post it so suck it". But her work is riddled with mistakes, so she really shouldn't flaunt the fact that it's her own bloody fault. Ack, I'm ranting again. Fact is, I have full sympathy for the artist as a person and for the sensitive soul that rests inside those people, but she's just URGH.
RE: Copyright infringement, there's always this fair use thing, or whatever, but all of this is beside the point. It's how you treat your fans, period. Most creators will not openly endorse fanfiction nor admit reading it, simply to avoid lawsuits by bogus fans who claim to have had the idea first. But you can always opt to either not address it at all or ignore it. But going around and go "OMGWTF don't write fanfiction because you dumbasses can't write my characters like do!" is just annoying and stupid towards your fans. It's like saying "I want your money, but I don't want you to think about my stuff any further than that because it's ALL MINE!" So, this is my main qualm with her. That she treats the people whose money she wants as morons. I don't like that.
I realize my post is rather opinionated, but hey, it's a rant! That woman simply ticks me off, I don't know why. That doesn't mean I don't understand the feelings of writers / artists / creators and have no sympathy for their dilemma. She's just too good a target to make fun of because she has such a wonderful foot that fits right into her mouth... and I think it's also that fact that she went into her doom with eyes open, assraped her characters, went on a downward spiral for at least five books now, ignored all the warnings, went from pagan queen with fascinating own mythology to "OMG Jesus SAV0RZS!" and now doesn't understand why everyone who loved her work for years now is put off and disappointed and then throws down the pen with a wail to vow never to write again... yeah I think that could be part of it too...
now you'll make me type a lot too :p
Date: 2004-09-22 03:49 pm (UTC)OK You obviously know a good deal about this woman & her work to have a valid opinion. Like i said she isn't my cup of tea, so i haven't folowed her tantrums too closely. If she has bastardised her characters like u said..o/c fans wont take it (hey i remember what happened to the xena creators..) (and i wonder why Rice was so scared of FF if she treated her characters worse).
I've read a good deal of those Amazon replies by now.. and it sounds like the reviewers weren't even THAT nasty with her! She absolutely went overboard. *nods to that*
I won't lie, certain aspects of her ARE irritating. What i dislike the most is how she has developped herself into some mythic character. Can her rage and haughtiness even be genuine then? I'm not sure if she really means what she whines about. Maybe it's just another brick towards self-mythologising. And we're all falling bait into having discussions and strong opinions about her.. Mmmm.
Still, a part of me IS glad she responded. It's not fair how we expect ppl to quietly take criticism, as if their feelings & worth are never at stake.
The FF is a whole dif issue. Hey maybe another rant, another time? ;) It's somewhat complex. I agree 100% though, that regardless of where a creator stands, it's no excuse to treat fans rudely. And come to think of it, Rice could've used her fame to shed POSITIVE light on the FF issue. If only she was more polite about it..
PS. Comments can come off cold on a screen, so i wanna emphasise that i do respect your opinion. In fact i respect strong opinions altogether :D My responses are meant purely as discussion, not to antagonise your POV or your right to rant. Hey rants are LJ's fuel. So keep 'em comin'.^^b
PPS. I know you're a writer! Come on, now. If you weren't, would you even care about this issue so much?
no subject
Date: 2004-09-21 07:09 pm (UTC)Like the whole editor thing? Ok, I don't even think the greatest of the greats are even above editors, let alone Anne Rice.
Though I do understand her bit about being mad with readers misinterpreting her work and being negative just because it wasn't the ending they wanted (or at least that is what it sounds like). To me sometimes the best stories have the endings that aren't quite endings, and whatnot.
I haven't read these books of hers, i've heard such controversial opinions of the vampire series that i wonder if it's even worth it. But i did read (and have) her Witch series (with Lasher and Taltos) and also her book Violin, and she isn't all that awesome of a writer. Some of it is neat and some has some very poetic writing, but it isn't consistent and in the end she tends to drag a lot. Violin, really neat book and storylines and such... but the freaking descriptions of the same thing over and over again for 2 or 3 pages at a time, you just get bored. The Witching Hour was excellent, as was Lasher, but Taltos, i honestly don't think it should have even been written. It was too long, dragged on for over half the book, and honestly half the stuff in it I never even wondered about. I was happy with lasher and such,i wasn't interested in knowing he was actually a taltos and what the beginnings of the taltos were, i liked the mystery that was Lasher better.
Anyways, ok that little semi-rant was longer than I planned it to be. I didn't even finish reading her review post cause it eventually just started to hurt my eyes. Yeah, she needs to learn what the return button is for. But i am really shocked that this one she is doing herself and on amazon and not with some big name publisher. I wonder if this means the end of the era on Gothic horror that is Rice?
though i will say this, she is really funny when she gets into local scraps here in New Orleans. Back when i was in high school she was pissed at Al Copeland building his Strais restaurant on St. Charles becuase he wouldn't conform to the architectural beauty that is preserved there, and they had this all and all out in the Times Picayune. She sent this letter in pretending to be Lestat, thanking Mr. Copeland for awakening him from his slumber with his tacky and loud restaurant and that he would be visiting him personally very soon. Copeland retaliated and for a week decorated the restaurant all gothicy and had coffins and all in the windows... it was absolutely hilarious!!
no subject
Date: 2004-09-22 03:15 am (UTC)But yes, I know what you're trying to say. There's always more to her than just "the writer who can't take criticism". But this is a rant, so I'm not really trying to discuss both sides! *g* I too feel sympathy for her though. Like when I read that her husband died. I didn't know that and I genuinely feel sorry for her, especially now. When things like this come up they're upsetting, to her, too, and then you'd want to share it with a loved one and get the weight of your shoulders a bit. I'm sorry she can't do that. So, my heart goes out to her there. But as a writer she drives me nuts! *g*
I don't really have anything to add to what you've pointed about her writing style. Just what you've said, really.
As for the reason for her fans being upset, I don't think it's because it's not the ending they wanted. Of course this is always going to happen since fans have fantasized about things ending for a long time and then when it actually happens they're bound to be disappointed one way or the other, plus, there's also the sorrow of the thing ending in the first place. But in this case, it wasn't so much that the ending wasn't pleasing, but that it just wasn't an ending! She left storylines dangling without even giving them the time of day to mention them again, went on endlessly on things that nobody cared about, and just generally did a poor job wrapping things up. And THAT will upset everyone. And then she doesn't even say "Hey, this was intentional, I want you to have your own ideas" or "Okay, yeah, I messed up there... sorry..." but instead goes out of her way to defend it and call everyone an idiot. And THIS is what really makes her mockable. Not the fact that she felt obliged to comment on people not liking her book.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-22 04:30 pm (UTC)And yeah, we all think she is a little nuts. Gives new meaning to word 'eccentric.' Though i personally hate that people consider her, as you put it, the Grand Dame of Gothic Literature. ::chuckls:: well she is old enough to be a Grand Dame, but damn the woman's writing isn't THAT great. She has really awesome ideas and her writing is better than many out there, but hell I've read young adult novels with better prose than her stuff.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-22 10:00 am (UTC)my opinion
Date: 2004-10-01 05:56 am (UTC)Blood Canticle was indeed a weird novel, I did not like it at all.. it was different than the previous chronicles, it's voice was shallow, uninspired and lifeless..
But in that year, her husband died.. and I'm confident that was the reason for this bad book.. So that's why i did not think bad about it. It's tragic that the chronicles met such an end...
It's even more tragic to read her letter here....
But, all in all.. The Vampire Chronicles as a whole is still a FABULOUS series...There was just one book written too many. It should've ended with Blackwood Farm.
Re: my opinion
Date: 2004-10-01 03:36 pm (UTC)I think The Vampire Chronicles had a great start, but Anne Rice's problem is that she made a 180° turn on many aspects that people have loved and treasured before. That's never a good idea. Anne Rice is this kind of writer that manages to make people either love or hate her. And with a writer so strong in her opinions about her work it is very hard to distinguish between the writer and the work. I mean, sometimes you have to fear for her mental health when you read all these things she does... o.o