'Interview with the Vampire' author Anne Rice takes NPR on a tour of her haunted home
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, author Anne Rice takes us inside her historic 1856 Greek revival mansion in New Orleans' Garden District. The tour reveals a home filled with antiques, religious sculptures, and local ghost stories, while Rice discusses her connection to the house and her late husband Stan, whose paintings still adorn the walls. She shares her experience consulting a psychic after Stan's death and her ongoing struggle with questions about the afterlife.
The conversation explores Rice's return to Catholicism in 1998 and how her spiritual journey influenced her writing, particularly the Vampire Chronicles series. Rice explains how the characters of Lestat and Louis reflect different aspects of her and Stan's perspectives on faith and existence, with Lestat embodying Stan's atheistic worldview and Louis representing her own spiritual conflicts.
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Anne Rice's Haunted Home and Its History
Anne Rice's Greek revival mansion, built in 1856 in New Orleans' Garden District, is as captivating as her novels. The historic home features antiques, religious sculptures, and an Otis elevator installed by a previous owner. According to local legend, the mansion is haunted by multiple spirits, including Pamela Starr Clapp and a man who reportedly took his life on the property. While Rice herself hasn't encountered any ghosts, she describes the house as "beautiful and challenging" and expresses a desire to share its rich history through tours.
Anne Rice's Personal Life and Husband Stan
Less than a year before this interview, Rice lost her husband Stan, a poet and painter whose presence continues to resonate throughout their shared home through his artwork. Despite their independent relationship, Rice feels deeply connected to Stan through his paintings. After his passing, Rice consulted psychic John Edward, who provided details that she believed could only have come from Stan. However, Rice admits to struggling with doubts about the afterlife, comparing her skepticism to the apostles' disbelief in miracles.
Anne Rice's Beliefs and Their Influence
Rice's return to Catholicism in 1998 marked a significant spiritual milestone, leading her to receive communion and remarry Stan in the church. Despite her renewed faith, Rice continued to grapple with fears about life's meaninglessness, a perspective shared by her late husband Stan, who maintained his atheistic views until his death.
Vampire Chronicles: Lestat
Rice gained literary fame through her supernatural tales, particularly the Vampire Chronicles series, which began with "Interview with the Vampire" in 1976. The character of Lestat, known as the "Brat Prince," was inspired by Stan Rice, sharing his atheistic and rational worldview. Rice identifies more closely with the spiritually conflicted character of Louis, while Lestat embodies Stan's "we are what we are, we do what we do" philosophy. Through these characters, Rice explores her own spiritual journey and questions about faith and existence.
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Actionables
- Explore your local history by visiting a historic site in your area to connect with the past and its stories, much like Anne Rice's mansion embodies a rich history. You can take a guided tour, read any available plaques or information, and then write a short reflection on how the site's history resonates with your own life experiences or the community's collective memory.
- Create a personal tribute space in your home dedicated to a loved one who has passed away, using art or items that remind you of them, similar to how Stan Rice's artwork is present in Anne Rice's home. This could be a small corner with a favorite book, a painting, or a photograph that serves as a comforting reminder of their influence and presence in your life.
- Reflect on your own beliefs and life philosophy by journaling your thoughts, as Anne Rice explores her spiritual journey through her characters. Start by writing down your current beliefs, doubts, and the values that guide your decisions. Periodically review and update your journal to track how your views evolve over time, providing a personal narrative of your spiritual or philosophical growth.
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Anne Rice's Haunted Home and Its History
Anne Rice, known for her gothic literature, makes her home in a Greek revival mansion that's as storied and atmospheric as her novels.
Greek Revival Mansion in New Orleans Garden District, Anne Rice's Home, Filled With History and Supernatural Legends
The house that Anne Rice occupies is a testament to the history and supernatural folklore of New Orleans. Built in 1856, this stately Greek revival mansion sits in the lush Garden District, enclosed by a black wrought-iron fence. This historic residence is not only Rice’s home and workspace but also features a vibrant garden, ornate antiques, religious sculptures, and an Otis elevator—a luxury installed by a previous owner.
House Haunted by Ghosts, Including Pamela Starr Clapp and a Suicide Victim
The mansion comes with its share of legends and apparitions. One notable ghost is that of Pamela Starr Clapp, a young woman who received mirrors as a wedding present in the 1860s and later installed the Otis elevator. Her spirit has been reported to linger within the walls by those who claim to have seen her. Additionally, the house is reputedly haunted by a man who built the mansion but tragically took his own life at the foot of the steps due to impending financial ruin.
Rice Finds the House Beautiful and Challenging, Wishing to Give Tours to Share It
Despite its haunted reputation, Anne Rice regards her abode with affection, describing it as "beautiful and challenging." She recounts falling in love with the mansion, embracing its intricacies and the responsibility that comes with its upkeep.
House With Mirrors, Aubusson Carpets, and Detailed Furnishings by Anne
Th ...
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Anne Rice's Haunted Home and Its History
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore local history by visiting historic homes in your area to get a sense of the architecture and design from different eras. Many cities have historic districts with homes that can be toured, which can give you a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and style of the past, similar to the Greek revival mansion mentioned.
- Create a themed garden space in your own backyard or balcony that reflects a historical period or personal interest. For example, if you're intrigued by the idea of a garden with religious sculptures, you might choose statues or elements that resonate with your beliefs or aesthetic preferences, creating a tranquil space for reflection.
- Engage with local ghost tours or paranormal investigation gr ...
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Anne Rice's Personal Life and Husband Stan
Anne Rice, faced with the loss of her husband Stan Rice less than a year before this interview, shares insights into her deep connection with him and her struggles with the concept of the afterlife.
Anne Rice's Husband, Poet and Painter Stan Rice, Passed Away Less Than A Year Before This Interview. His Presence Is Still Felt In the House
In the home they once shared, Anne Rice finds herself surrounded by the paintings of her late husband, each a silent testament to his enduring presence in her life. Rice candidly discusses the nature of their relationship, acknowledging their independence, while also feeling an overwhelming connection to him through his art. Although his paintings, such as the one featuring a diverse group and a child enjoying ice cream, remain open to interpretation without his guidance, they continue to forge a bond between Anne and her beloved Stan.
Stan Rice's Paintings Hang In the Home, and Anne Feels Connected To Him Through Them Despite Their Sometimes Independent Relationship
Despite the independence that characterized their marriage, Anne Rice feels an abiding connection to her late husband, Stan Rice, through his paintings that hang in their shared home. The artworks serve as a conduit for her connection to Stan, yet Rice senses that the house itself overshadows her, potentially diminishing the spirit of her husband.
House Overwhelms Anne, Diminishing Stan's Spirit
Anne's experience with the psychic John Edward shortly after Stan's passing adds another layer to her reflection on his continued presence in her life. Edward's phone reading conveyed intimate details suggestive of Stan's spirit, including the sentiment that he never found his place in the world created by Anne. This revelation deeply resonated with her, reinforcing her sense of Stan's influence reaching beyond the physical plane.
Anne's Reading With ...
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Anne Rice's Personal Life and Husband Stan
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Create a personal memory corner in your home using items that remind you of loved ones. Choose a small, dedicated space and fill it with photographs, keepsakes, or artwork that evoke memories of those you've lost. This can serve as a tangible connection to them and a place for reflection.
- Write a letter to a lost loved one as a therapeutic exercise. Express your feelings, share updates about your life, and articulate any questions you might have for them. This can help you process your emotions and feel a sense of ongoing communication.
- Ex ...
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Anne Rice's Beliefs and Their Influence
Anne Rice’s return to Catholicism and her personal spiritual journey profoundly influenced her writing, particularly in her iconic Vampire Chronicles.
Anne Rice Returned To the Catholic Church In 1998 For Communion and Marriage
Anne Rice’s return to the Catholic Church in 1998 was a deeply emotional experience after years away from the faith. Her decision to re-embrace Catholicism allowed her to return to communion and experience what she considered a miracle during the Eucharist. During this period of renewed faith, Rice also remarried her husband Stan in the church. Despite her renewed commitment to religious practice, Rice continued to grapple with a fear of life’s meaninglessness, reflecting her late husband’s belief that life lacked inherent purpose, which he maintained until he passed away.
Anne's Spiritual Journey Influenced Her Writing, Especially Lestat in the Vampire Chronicles
Rice’s internal struggle with faith and her perspectives on God and the afterlife are intricately woven into her Vampire Chronicles novels. The character o ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Anne Rice's Beliefs and Their Influence
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your spiritual or philosophical beliefs through creative writing by crafting characters that embody different aspects of your own thoughts and questions. Just as Anne Rice used Lestat and Louis to navigate her spiritual journey, you can create characters in short stories or personal journal entries that represent various viewpoints you're curious about or grappling with. This can be a reflective practice to understand your beliefs better and see how they might play out in different scenarios.
- Revisit and potentially renew personal commitments in light of your evolving beliefs, much like Anne Rice remarried her husband in the church after returning to her faith. You might not be renewing wedding vows, but consider reaffirming other commitments or setting new intentions that align with your current values and beliefs. This could be as simple as writing a letter of commitment to yourself or holding a small ceremony with close friends or family to mark your dedication to a cause or principle that's important to you.
- Engage in conversations with people who hold different beliefs about l ...
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Vampire Chronicles: Lestat
Anne Rice is known for weaving enchanting supernatural tales, and her beloved "Brat Prince," Lestat, is one of her most unique creations.
Anne Rice Gained Fame For Supernatural Tales of Vampires, Witches, and Ghosts
Over the past quarter-century, Anne Rice has become an acclaimed name in literature due to her immersive supernatural tales of vampires, witches, and ghosts, often taking place in the mysterious ambiance of New Orleans. Rice found her fame with the release of "Interview with the Vampire" in 1976, which introduced readers to the enticing world of the Vampire Chronicles.
Lestat, the "Brat Prince," Is one of Anne's Iconic Characters, and She Often Reads From These Novels When Promoting Her Work
Within Rice’s gothic universe, the character of Lestat stands out: a Louisiana aristocrat turned vampire whose adventures and inner turmoil captivate readers. In her promotions, Rice often reads from her novels, including passages from "Blood Canticle," to bring the voice of Lestat alive for her audience. This character has become iconic, beloved by fans for his complexity and charm.
Lestat Was Inspired by Anne's Husband Stan, Sharing Many Traits
Anne Rice's life experience and close relations profoundly shaped the essence of her characters, including Lestat.
Anne Identified With the Conflicted Louis in Interview With the Vampire, While Lestat Embodies the Atheistic, Rational Perspective ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Vampire Chronicles: Lestat
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your city's history through its supernatural folklore by creating a personalized walking tour. Research local legends and haunted locations, then map out a route to visit them. This can deepen your connection to the setting of supernatural tales, much like New Orleans is integral to Anne Rice's stories.
- Develop characters based on people you know by observing their traits and imagining how these could translate into a fictional persona. Write short stories or character sketches using these observations as a foundation, similar to how Anne Rice's Lestat was inspired by her husband's characteristics.
- Host a themed book club focusing on supernatural and gothic ...
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