I am very excited about this book. I’m a huge fan of Anne Rice, and not just for the Vampire books. Actually, I think the first book of hers I read was The Mummy. I also enjoyed The Mayfair Witches and The Feast of All Saints..

Not too long after I became a Christian I started reading Memnoch the Devil but didn’t finish it because at the time I didn’t think that it was good for me. (You know, the whole believing in/contemplating being a vampire versus being a new Christian. Doesn’t go together too well. Plus, in Memnoch, she writes a very interesting alternate story about God. I didn’t feel strong enough in my faith at the time to start questioning it again. I’d spent 25 years doing that.)

Update: I’ve been thinking about what I wrote here. I think I question Christianity now more than ever. In the past I was just voicing the canned defenses against actually believing in Christ. Now I’m constantly wrestling with trying to make sense of it all. Whatever. It’s late and I’m tired.

I love Anne Rice’s voice. The way she tells her stories is intoxicating. Once I was handed Interview with the Vampire I read through those first four Vampire Chronicles in immediate succession. Her writing is so powerful to me that I can still recall many images from the stories even though it’s been over ten years since I read them.

From PublishersWeekly.com – From Vampires to the boy Jesus we get this quote:

“…is an autobiography of Jesus at age 7. Rice told BookLine the subject turnabout is no stretch for her fans–her books about vampires and witches have always explored good and evil. For research, she sank her teeth into extensive biblical scholarship. “If I can make vampires so real that people would call me up at home and ask about them, can I make them feel the presence of Jesus Christ?” she asked.
[...]
WaterBrook will encourage key bookstores to host the author, sending them a letter to readers written by Rice. In the letter, the author, who has returned to the Catholic faith in which she was raised, explains her hope to make Jesus come alive through her story.

I will try my best to not have any preconceived notions about this book. Anne Rice is a great writer and I’m sure the it will be a good book. I am curious as to how she will portray Jesus. For me, the title says quite a bit.

Pat over at Deep POV: Confessions of a Christian Writer: Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt (Where I learned of the new book) has this great quote:

I’m willing to withhold judgment and read her book, but I wonder how many Christians feel that way?

I am reminded of what the senior pastor at my old church liked to say: “If God used a donkey to deliver His message, He can use me.” Or Anne Rice? She just might surprise some people!

I think some people will disregard the book simply because Anne Rice wrote it, even if distribution is Christian bookstores is secured. If Anne has returned to the Catholic faith as the letter states, then I think this book has many possibilities. Barnabas was broad-minded enough to accept Paul and vouch for him when the Apostles were wary of him. I think that’s a good example for us.