Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Alfred A. Knopf (1990), Edition: 1st, 976 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. HTML:"[A] huge and sprawling tale of horror." �The New York Times Book Review Demonstrating once again her gift for spellbinding storytelling, Anne Rice makes real for us a great dynasty of four centuries of witches�a family given to poetry and incest, murder and philosophy, a family that over the ages is itself haunted by a powerful, dangerous, and seductive being called Lasher who haunts the Mayfair women. Moving in time from today's New Orleans and San Francisco to long-ago Amsterdam and the France of Louis XIV, from the coffee plantations of Port-au-Prince to Civil War New Orleans and back to today, Anne Rice has spun a mesmerizing tale that challenges everything we believe in.
Media reviews
Novela escrita por Anne Rice, y primer libro de la trilogía de "Las Brujas de Mayfair", en el que se explica el origen, tanto de la familia de brujas más antigua, (sobre la que se tenga conocimiento en el universo creado por Anne Rice), como el de las criaturas llamadas Taltos, las cuales son
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tratadas con mayor profundidad en el tercer libro de la saga. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member ct.bergeron
The first in the Mayfair Witches series, The Witching Hour introduces the fictional Mayfair family of New Orleans, generations of male and female witches. This tight-knit and deeply connected family, where a death of one strengthens the others with his/her knowledge. One Mayfair witch per
Deirdre's daughter, Rowan, has been spirited away from this "evil" and has happily become a neurosurgeon and has an uncanny gift to see the intent behind the facade. Rowan also has a gift few doctors possess--she can heal cells. Yet, though she uses it to save lives, she also fears that she hs caused several deaths. She rescues Michael from drowning. Michael then develops some extraordinary powers that compel him to seek New Orleans and to seek Rowan. He finds both, and pulls the tale closer together by meeting people connected to the Mayfair family who now fear Rowan because she is the first Mayfair who can kill without Lasher's help.
Michael dives into learning the history of the Mayfair witches: Deborah, Charlotte, Mary Beth, Stella, Antha, and many others across hundreds of years and three continents. When Michael looks up from his reading, he learns that Rowan has come to New Orleans to attend her mother's funeral. Rowan learns of her family history, her ancestral home in shambles, and Lasher waiting for the next one. Rowan dedicates herself to stopping Lasher's reign. Michael too has his own mission, but it is foggy and unclear to him. But Lasher is seductively powerful and Rowan's gifts offer him the opportunity to achieve his ultimate goal.
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generation is also designated to receive the powers of "the man," known as Lasher. Lasher gives the witches gifts, excites them, and protects them. Unsure as to exactly what this spirit is, the Mayfair clan knows him variously as a protector, a god-like figure, a sexual being, and the image of death. Lasher's current witch is Deirdre, who lies catatonic from psycological shock treatments.Deirdre's daughter, Rowan, has been spirited away from this "evil" and has happily become a neurosurgeon and has an uncanny gift to see the intent behind the facade. Rowan also has a gift few doctors possess--she can heal cells. Yet, though she uses it to save lives, she also fears that she hs caused several deaths. She rescues Michael from drowning. Michael then develops some extraordinary powers that compel him to seek New Orleans and to seek Rowan. He finds both, and pulls the tale closer together by meeting people connected to the Mayfair family who now fear Rowan because she is the first Mayfair who can kill without Lasher's help.
Michael dives into learning the history of the Mayfair witches: Deborah, Charlotte, Mary Beth, Stella, Antha, and many others across hundreds of years and three continents. When Michael looks up from his reading, he learns that Rowan has come to New Orleans to attend her mother's funeral. Rowan learns of her family history, her ancestral home in shambles, and Lasher waiting for the next one. Rowan dedicates herself to stopping Lasher's reign. Michael too has his own mission, but it is foggy and unclear to him. But Lasher is seductively powerful and Rowan's gifts offer him the opportunity to achieve his ultimate goal.
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LibraryThing member Celici
Three and a half stars, really. When I began reading this book, I was in the mood for just such a story that can only be woven with the intricate and delicate details that Anne Rice commands, that make the story live and breathe. However, once I was lured in, not even halfway through, I suddenly
So as not to "spoil" the story for anyone who hasn't read it, I'll use another book for an analogy: Harry Potter. Imagine reading the first book of the Harry Potter series, and you're learning as Harry's learning that he is a wizard and is going to Hogwarts, and when he gets there, you're excited and curious to find out what his experiences are going to be like there, what magic he will learn, etc., but suddenly the book heads into "A Hogwarts History" rather than continuing on with Harry's journey. Not to downplay the importance and interesting history of the Mayfair witches, because some of the stories were fascinating, it just felt like that could have been a separate book. I literally felt as though I had put down one book and picked up another that I wasn't ready for yet, because I wanted to know how the story proceeded that was first laid out.
Also, as much as the lead character was built up to being the strongest of her line, she was hard to sympathize with toward the end. Perhaps my expectations for her were too idealized.
All in all, it is worth the read for those who enjoy the supernatural, and Anne Rice never disappoints when it comes to pulling you into the story through elaborate description. The faint scent of those New Orleans flowers in the heat still seems to be lingering...
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felt like a junkie who had his stash taken away from him only to be replaced by a weaker, less satisfying drug.So as not to "spoil" the story for anyone who hasn't read it, I'll use another book for an analogy: Harry Potter. Imagine reading the first book of the Harry Potter series, and you're learning as Harry's learning that he is a wizard and is going to Hogwarts, and when he gets there, you're excited and curious to find out what his experiences are going to be like there, what magic he will learn, etc., but suddenly the book heads into "A Hogwarts History" rather than continuing on with Harry's journey. Not to downplay the importance and interesting history of the Mayfair witches, because some of the stories were fascinating, it just felt like that could have been a separate book. I literally felt as though I had put down one book and picked up another that I wasn't ready for yet, because I wanted to know how the story proceeded that was first laid out.
Also, as much as the lead character was built up to being the strongest of her line, she was hard to sympathize with toward the end. Perhaps my expectations for her were too idealized.
All in all, it is worth the read for those who enjoy the supernatural, and Anne Rice never disappoints when it comes to pulling you into the story through elaborate description. The faint scent of those New Orleans flowers in the heat still seems to be lingering...
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LibraryThing member ohdani
This book is an incredible read. It's pretty long, over a thousand pages, but the story itself is addictive. The way that Rice sets this book up makes you feel almost privileged to be reading what you are, an gets very, very detailed. I do admit that although I still sometimes lose track of who is
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who's mom or dad, what so-and-so looked like, and all the other intricate details provided, I could re read this book a hundred times and still feel mesmerized. Show Less
LibraryThing member EmScape
“The Witching Hour” is the story of the Mayfair Witches, beginning in the present, then shifting to the past through the unique device of a historical record gathered and maintained by the mysterious Talamasca. The Talamasca is an organization who studies the supernatural and has since before
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the time of the Templars. The Mayfairs are powerful witches, attended by a spirit by the name of Lasher who both controls and is controlled by the witches. The narrative finally finds its way back to the present for the final confrontation with Lasher, which doesn’t actually go the way the reader would expect. There is plenty of story left for several sequels, which are already in print. Though it takes some amount of pages for one to become really engaged in this story, once it happens, one is loathe to quit reading. I quite look forward to the continuing tale of this enthralling family. Show Less
LibraryThing member vampyredhead
The 1st book in the lives of the Mayfair witches. This book is so scary. I couldn't read it at night. It drags in spots, but don't skip over anything it all has meaning. In the end it is so worth forcing yourself through it. This is classic Anne Rice. It is sensual, exciting, and oh so scary. It
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has a cliff hanger ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member johnmischief
Epic tale spanning four centuries of the large and largely incestious Mayfair family.
Very indepth character study with a lot of book space given over to the highly descriptive backstory.
I personally loved it, but can understand that some readers may be turned of by the lanquid pace.
The ending is
My favourite Rice so far (alongside Memnoch the Devil).
Very indepth character study with a lot of book space given over to the highly descriptive backstory.
I personally loved it, but can understand that some readers may be turned of by the lanquid pace.
The ending is
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shocking and brilliant and sets itself up perfectly for the next book in the series.My favourite Rice so far (alongside Memnoch the Devil).
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LibraryThing member lrothmier
Loved this book! I loved how Rice made the setting so real - I feel like I could go to New Orleans and know my way around from her descriptions. The Mayfair dynasty of witches were interesting and Rowan and Michael were characters that I really grew to care about.
LibraryThing member nEtVolution
The series weaves a great tale of a humble protaganist thrown into an old family with a very strange past that leads him on a path of incredible discovery.
LibraryThing member susanbevans
The first in an engrosing series about a family of witches : The Mayfair Witches. The history was so fascinating and well written that I had a hard time putting this one down. The story is intriguing and the characters are amazing. Really a great book!
LibraryThing member lmteske
Over the last couple of years I have read only two Anne Rice novels: Blackwood Farm and now the Witching Hour. I enjoyed Blackwood Farm and the mystery it contained. However, as it concluded I felt as though I had read a really sticky supernatural soap opera. And that is pretty much how I felt at
The bulk of the 1,050+ page novel was scary and built up a tremendous amount of suspense for me. At work, I wished I could slip away from my desk and dive back in to the story. Would Rowan and Michael defeat Lasher? Would Lasher win? What was Lasher, anyway? And the house – the lush and lavish description of the Garden District house and its New Orleans environs was so immersing. It reminded me of the hotel in the Shining. But as the denouement approached, I could tell where the story was going, what would happen to these characters, and I was disappointed.
When the ending really went off the rails for me was when the main protagonists went into lengthy debates about the nature of free will and destiny. All suspense and spookiness melted away. All that was left was gruesomeness and a sticky supernatural soap opera, with a cliffhanger ending. After I finished the book, I looked at the plot descriptions on Wikipedia of the next two in the series. It was easy for me to conclude that I will not be reading any more of the Lives of the Mayfair Witches series.
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the end of the Witching Hour. Only more so.The bulk of the 1,050+ page novel was scary and built up a tremendous amount of suspense for me. At work, I wished I could slip away from my desk and dive back in to the story. Would Rowan and Michael defeat Lasher? Would Lasher win? What was Lasher, anyway? And the house – the lush and lavish description of the Garden District house and its New Orleans environs was so immersing. It reminded me of the hotel in the Shining. But as the denouement approached, I could tell where the story was going, what would happen to these characters, and I was disappointed.
When the ending really went off the rails for me was when the main protagonists went into lengthy debates about the nature of free will and destiny. All suspense and spookiness melted away. All that was left was gruesomeness and a sticky supernatural soap opera, with a cliffhanger ending. After I finished the book, I looked at the plot descriptions on Wikipedia of the next two in the series. It was easy for me to conclude that I will not be reading any more of the Lives of the Mayfair Witches series.
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LibraryThing member mlgonzales
Movies and books prior to this publication has portrayed vampires as not human and gourry. This 1000+ page book of present day fantasy by Anne Rice's terrific imagination draws the reader completely into a different vision of vampires. Rice gives the women of Mayfair the 'woman nextdoor'
From the beginning of this book, I found myself immersed with every opportunity that I had to read it. It was soo hard for me to put it down. Chapter after chapter the suspense added and added. The findings of new revelations about the characters moved me to continue this love affair with the Mayfair witches. I have since then read the 2 follow books and continue to read and re-read these books in my leisure time. " . . . give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a dangerous enemy indeed." My favorite quote from the book.
As an extension idea within the classroom, I would have students compare and contrast not necessarily this book, but 2 similar in style dealing with present day vampires, for example vampires like Dracula from the 1970's and Blade. Then have they present their findings. Also maybe have the children see how the evolution of everyday gruesome creatures from the early 1900's to now.
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characteristics. The lifespan of this tale engulfs all the Mayfair women for generations, locations and up to the present day, especially those who do not even recognize the fate of this curse in their blood. With characters as different, yet vividly defined like Julia, Rowan, Carlotta, Diedre and Lasher, the reader is left savoring every suspenceful word that Anne Rice delivers. You feel the power that Lasher, the darkest entity of this curse, has over these women and yet understand the constant need to protect their legacy. Free will vs. destiny. The end...I will let you decide. From the beginning of this book, I found myself immersed with every opportunity that I had to read it. It was soo hard for me to put it down. Chapter after chapter the suspense added and added. The findings of new revelations about the characters moved me to continue this love affair with the Mayfair witches. I have since then read the 2 follow books and continue to read and re-read these books in my leisure time. " . . . give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a dangerous enemy indeed." My favorite quote from the book.
As an extension idea within the classroom, I would have students compare and contrast not necessarily this book, but 2 similar in style dealing with present day vampires, for example vampires like Dracula from the 1970's and Blade. Then have they present their findings. Also maybe have the children see how the evolution of everyday gruesome creatures from the early 1900's to now.
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LibraryThing member BritZombie
Anne Rice sounds her talent in The Witching Hour. This massive book looks intimidating but is addictive. I fell in love within the first twenty pages and devoured this book. The novel follows the story of the family Mayfair, through thirteen generations- each more interesting than the last.
LibraryThing member wb4ever1
After years of steering clear of her work, I recently decided to get back into reading Anne Rice, having been a fan of her books years ago. Having dispensed with three of her vampire novels, I waded into THE WITCHING HOUR, a novel which has been on my shelf for quite some time. Like THE VAMPIRE
THE WITCHING HOUR can loosely be broken down into thirds, with the first section basically setting the table, as we learn about the large and very wealthy Mayfair family of New Orleans through a collection of secondary characters, including a priest and the wife of a mortician. Through their interactions with the Mayfairs, we learn of the many tragedies that have befallen members of the family, the most recent of them being the heir, Deidre, who has been catatonic for decades, ever since newborn daughter was taken from her days after her birth. In this section we also meet Rowan Mayfair, a neurosurgeon in San Francisco, who is gifted with a form of telekinesis, and Michael Curry, a successful businessman, who after a near drowning and rescue by Rowan, has developed extra sensory powers, triggered by touch, powers which torment him so severely that he must constantly wear gloves. Both of the these characters have a powerful attraction to one another, and it gives away nothing to reveal that Rowan is Deidre’s daughter, and that Michael has deep roots in New Orleans as well. A series of events compel both of them to return to The Big Easy, and along the way, they meet Aaron Lightner, an investigator for The Talamasca, a mysterious group that documents the supernatural, an organization familiar to anyone who has read any of Rice’s vampire novels. It seems to be Lightner’s job to fill in the narrative holes in the story, and give the main characters needed information at just the right moment.
The middle of the book is one long piece of back story, as we get learn everything the Talamasca has documented on the Mayfairs down through the years. We learn that an entity has attached itself to the family, specifically to a female with apparent supernatural powers born to each generation. This entity, named Lasher, first appears to be a ghost, but he is much more than that, and though he professes love to each of his “chosen ones,” it is clear that Lasher has a goal in mind, and he is playing a very long game. We meet a lot of Mayfairs along the way: Deborah, Suzanne, Julian, Stella, Anther, Cortland, and Carlotta, all brought to life with Rice’s vivid talent for characterization. The final section of the book centers on Rowan and Michael, now back in New Orleans, and firmly ensconced in the now restored Mayfair mansion in the Garden district, preparing for a showdown with Lasher that has been centuries in coming.
I get the feeling that Rice had a lot of pent up energy after writing all those vampire books, and when she finally sat down to write something different, she really cut loose, as this book has detail and description stacked upon detail and description, from the weather to the clothes any particular character is wearing in any particular scene. Rice is known for this, and at this point in her career (the book came out in 1990), she was successful enough that editors clearly let her have her way – they did the same thing with Stephen King, but while some readers may love too much of a good writer, others just get weary under the weight of all that prose. And it is not always an easy read, though I never found it dull, there were times, especially in the middle, where it felt as if it was taking an eternity to get to the bottom of the page. From a narrative point of view, Rice does shift gears more than once, something which might seem jarring, as characters that are center stage in the first section, fade to the sidelines in the last. And while Rice does have a great knack for making the most bizarre and supernatural of creatures come to life on her pages, she never seems to get comfortable with her main character, Rowan. This is especially true with the ending of THE WITHCHING HOUR, where the story takes some real turns, and Rowan’s character makes choices that appear totally contradictory to the person we have followed for over 900 pages. The ending is a problem of another kind, as it sets things up for a sequel – this book is the first in a trilogy – and I think readers expect resolution after making their way through a book of this length, not “To be continued.” George RR Martin writes incredibly long books in his GAME OF THRONES series, but all of them manage to finish off at least a couple of pertinent plot threads at the end of each volume.
Still, I understand that there is much for many readers, and die hard Anne Rice. fans to love in THE WITHCHING HOUR. Many people are quite drawn to her lengthy descriptions, her florid detail, and her bizarre characters. Though there is nary a vampire in sight, and her main protagonist is a woman, it is obvious Rice still loves her dark and mysterious men; Lasher may be an entity, but he is nothing short of seductive in all of his appearances. Then there is Michael Curry, clearly Anne Rice’s dream hunk, who is described as “walking porn.” The author calls on all her talent for writing erotica when she lovingly describes Rowan and Michael’s love making, as this is undoubtedly one reason for the book’s popularity. I give Rice points for creating her own original mythology, not relying on the usual tropes of witchcraft fiction, and giving us something other than the voodoo priestess clichés one would expect from a novel set in New Orleans; AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN this is not.
So, to answer my own question from the opening paragraph, no, THE WITCHING HOUR did not draw me in the way one of her Lestat books did, but I will say this, both other books in the Mayfair witches trilogy, LASHER and TALTOS, are also on my book shelf, and I will read them. At least they aren’t a thousand pages.
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CHRONICLES, the saga of the Mayfair Witches was her other great series and I was interested in seeing if she could draw me in the way her adventures of Lestat and his blood drinking companions had. I noticed one big difference right off the bat: at over a thousand pages, this book was way longer than any of her vampire epics. THE WITCHING HOUR is not for the casual reader, as it requires more than the usual patience and attention, as a lot of back story and detail, and description is covered in a multi-generational story stretching from 16th Century Scotland to late 20th Century America, with stops in pre-revolutionary France, colonial Haiti, and Civil War era Louisiana along the way. THE WITCHING HOUR can loosely be broken down into thirds, with the first section basically setting the table, as we learn about the large and very wealthy Mayfair family of New Orleans through a collection of secondary characters, including a priest and the wife of a mortician. Through their interactions with the Mayfairs, we learn of the many tragedies that have befallen members of the family, the most recent of them being the heir, Deidre, who has been catatonic for decades, ever since newborn daughter was taken from her days after her birth. In this section we also meet Rowan Mayfair, a neurosurgeon in San Francisco, who is gifted with a form of telekinesis, and Michael Curry, a successful businessman, who after a near drowning and rescue by Rowan, has developed extra sensory powers, triggered by touch, powers which torment him so severely that he must constantly wear gloves. Both of the these characters have a powerful attraction to one another, and it gives away nothing to reveal that Rowan is Deidre’s daughter, and that Michael has deep roots in New Orleans as well. A series of events compel both of them to return to The Big Easy, and along the way, they meet Aaron Lightner, an investigator for The Talamasca, a mysterious group that documents the supernatural, an organization familiar to anyone who has read any of Rice’s vampire novels. It seems to be Lightner’s job to fill in the narrative holes in the story, and give the main characters needed information at just the right moment.
The middle of the book is one long piece of back story, as we get learn everything the Talamasca has documented on the Mayfairs down through the years. We learn that an entity has attached itself to the family, specifically to a female with apparent supernatural powers born to each generation. This entity, named Lasher, first appears to be a ghost, but he is much more than that, and though he professes love to each of his “chosen ones,” it is clear that Lasher has a goal in mind, and he is playing a very long game. We meet a lot of Mayfairs along the way: Deborah, Suzanne, Julian, Stella, Anther, Cortland, and Carlotta, all brought to life with Rice’s vivid talent for characterization. The final section of the book centers on Rowan and Michael, now back in New Orleans, and firmly ensconced in the now restored Mayfair mansion in the Garden district, preparing for a showdown with Lasher that has been centuries in coming.
I get the feeling that Rice had a lot of pent up energy after writing all those vampire books, and when she finally sat down to write something different, she really cut loose, as this book has detail and description stacked upon detail and description, from the weather to the clothes any particular character is wearing in any particular scene. Rice is known for this, and at this point in her career (the book came out in 1990), she was successful enough that editors clearly let her have her way – they did the same thing with Stephen King, but while some readers may love too much of a good writer, others just get weary under the weight of all that prose. And it is not always an easy read, though I never found it dull, there were times, especially in the middle, where it felt as if it was taking an eternity to get to the bottom of the page. From a narrative point of view, Rice does shift gears more than once, something which might seem jarring, as characters that are center stage in the first section, fade to the sidelines in the last. And while Rice does have a great knack for making the most bizarre and supernatural of creatures come to life on her pages, she never seems to get comfortable with her main character, Rowan. This is especially true with the ending of THE WITHCHING HOUR, where the story takes some real turns, and Rowan’s character makes choices that appear totally contradictory to the person we have followed for over 900 pages. The ending is a problem of another kind, as it sets things up for a sequel – this book is the first in a trilogy – and I think readers expect resolution after making their way through a book of this length, not “To be continued.” George RR Martin writes incredibly long books in his GAME OF THRONES series, but all of them manage to finish off at least a couple of pertinent plot threads at the end of each volume.
Still, I understand that there is much for many readers, and die hard Anne Rice. fans to love in THE WITHCHING HOUR. Many people are quite drawn to her lengthy descriptions, her florid detail, and her bizarre characters. Though there is nary a vampire in sight, and her main protagonist is a woman, it is obvious Rice still loves her dark and mysterious men; Lasher may be an entity, but he is nothing short of seductive in all of his appearances. Then there is Michael Curry, clearly Anne Rice’s dream hunk, who is described as “walking porn.” The author calls on all her talent for writing erotica when she lovingly describes Rowan and Michael’s love making, as this is undoubtedly one reason for the book’s popularity. I give Rice points for creating her own original mythology, not relying on the usual tropes of witchcraft fiction, and giving us something other than the voodoo priestess clichés one would expect from a novel set in New Orleans; AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN this is not.
So, to answer my own question from the opening paragraph, no, THE WITCHING HOUR did not draw me in the way one of her Lestat books did, but I will say this, both other books in the Mayfair witches trilogy, LASHER and TALTOS, are also on my book shelf, and I will read them. At least they aren’t a thousand pages.
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LibraryThing member TexasTam
Anne Rice has such of a way of creating a setting that you feel as though you are in the French Quarter in New Orleans. This book was a little hard to follow with who was related to who, but I loved it just the same.
LibraryThing member jshillingford
Wonderful epic story about a family of witches that spans centuries. Rowan is the latest witch, and a spectral being that has been with the family since th beginning needs her - to evolve.
LibraryThing member raggedtig
By far, the best Rice book ever! This was the first book I ever read by her and was so impressed that I moved over to the Vampire Chronicals. This book has tons and tons of vivid description and lays out the whole history behind the Mayfairs and the Talamasca and the ending is so suprising. I have
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read several Rice books since this book and I think only two other books have impressed me to this level...one being Violin and the other being Blackwood Farm. Show Less
LibraryThing member noonwitch
This novel is like they say the first high from crack or heroin is to me. Every new book I read, I'm looking for the same experience, but none is ever quite as good as this one. Even with the weak ending and the lame sequels, the rest of this novel is such a page turner. I could not put this book
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down when I was reading it. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and read, I'd take it to work and sneak reading it at my desk, I'd read it early in the morning before work, until I had finished it. Show Less
LibraryThing member lewispike
I have no intention of re-reading this. It takes hundreds of pages to introduce both the protagonists mentioned in the blurb on the back, but winds up within a dozen pages - talk about anti-climactic.
LibraryThing member enyo
This long, intense novel follows a family back to their roots in the burning times of Europe. I absolutely love the story progression and writing style. Well, styles, really, as Rice writes part of this book in first person. This is my favorite fiction book; I typically re-read it at least once a
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year. Show Less
LibraryThing member Amatorlibrorum
This was gripping. Although it's 1200 pages long, I spent at least twelve hours almost consecutively reading it.
LibraryThing member leodione
It was a think read. Took me a while, but not as sluggish as it could have been.
LibraryThing member corgidog2
A sweeping four century history of one New Orleans witch family, the Mayfairs. Gothic, long, but an interesting, subdued horrific read.
LibraryThing member jedisluzer
One of my favorites that I read over and over! Unlike most people, I love the historical files the best, and tend to gloss over the contemporary bits. Disturbingly creepy and yet also a wonderful historical novel. Forget the vampires. This is her best book. It sprawls and sensuously describes and
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truly evokes the city of New Orleans. Show Less
LibraryThing member workgman
i loved all the historical build-up in this book. after all the vampire sequels, i was glad to have a change.
LibraryThing member droupou
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice is a compelling history of the Mayfair Witch clan. It is an intriguing look at how the Mayfair's made their fortune, and where their powers originate.
Having read a number of Mrs. Rice's other books, Taltos, The Vampire Chronicles, etc, I found this book to be far less
Overall I found this book to be very good and would recommend it!
Having read a number of Mrs. Rice's other books, Taltos, The Vampire Chronicles, etc, I found this book to be far less
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materialistic than some of her other books. She spends less time dealing with the description of aesthetics than in any of the stories of Lestat.Overall I found this book to be very good and would recommend it!
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Awards
Locus Award (Finalist — 1991)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1990-10-08
Physical description
976 p.; 6.44 inches
ISBN
0394587863 / 9780394587868