Anne Rice has been interviewed about her new book, “Angel Time” recently and during the interview she spoke about her thoughts on the vampire craze and True Blood in particular. Here’s an excerpt that includes her comments about True Blood:
Dean: What do you think of the current vampire types like those in “Twilight” and “True Blood?”
Rice: It’s fun. I think there’s nothing there to be frightened about or upset about. I’ve seen both the “Twilight” series and I think they were just romances for young teens. I mean, it’s the same formula as “Jane Eyre” basically. The young girl … the other mysterious figure takes an interest in her and is both protective and yet is a threat. And it’s kind of, I think, Stephenie Meyer hit on that formula and it’s a formula that always works. She’s just done it in a new way. I’m amazed that parents are kind of frightened. I think the kids reading the book know that it’s fiction. There were people a hundred years ago frightened when people were reading the book “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë. There’s nothing to be frightened about. It’s just fiction.
And I think “True Blood” is very clever. I really like Bill Compton. I think he’s a nice, really melancholy, tormented vampire. I think Southerners really like “True Blood” because they got the South right. It took a vampire show to get it right. So often they get it totally wrong, but somehow or another, it totally works.
To read the rest of the interview, go here.
well there you have it! Anne Rice (the queen) loves Bill Comptom!!! woohoo…….
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Selle Reply:
December 13th, 2009 at 16:26
Yep. And all the romance and good looks aside, Bill Compton is extremely fascinating. He’s very multi-faceted, he’s fighting inner demons, he has passionate desires, he’s a pioneer of sorts, he’s so many things and the fact that not all of his pieces completely fit together at present means he’ll have room to grow and challenges to surmount.
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lovelylavendar Reply:
December 13th, 2009 at 17:22
I agree….and I prefer my vampires dark, and brooding, and sexy. Bill Comptom embodies all of it. Perfection.
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Indeed the queen has spoken. Imo Bill is the most complex character CH has created. We have only begun to get acquainted with the mysterious Mr. Compton. Sign me up for long term study.
Ms. Rice is correct as a southerner I do appreciate them getting the south right. A rare occurrence in films or tv.
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She has impeccable taste. I find Bill endlessly fascinating … looking forward to finding out even more about this dark, mysterious, sexy and conflicted vampire.
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I like to think of Anne Rice as the “godmother” of vampire fiction. I read all of her stuff back in the day. It’s very cool that she’s a big fan of the show, and of Bill Compton in particular. I kinda like him myself. ;)
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I agree with all your comments above! I love me some Bill Compton and to have “The Queen” endorse him, well, praise indeed!
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I agree that Bill is the most compelling character in True Blood, he’s the reason I read about the show online. I’m grateful that Alan Ball seems to be willing to give him the attention he deserved in the books.
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Yay for Bill Compton love! Thank goodness Alan Ball decided to give the character a lead story line in the show. It was a good decision Alan, a very good decision.;)
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