Memnoch the Devil

By: Anne Rice

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this terrifying novel from the phenomenally successful Anne Rice, the illustrious vampire Lestat makes a Faustian pact with devil.

Satan has come to New Orleans with an enticing proposition. Under the name Memnoch, this lord of darkness takes Lestat on a tour through the boundaries of space and time, offering an alternative and personalised account of the Bible, exploring the events which shaped our world.

Their journey comes to an apocalyptic conclusion in hell, from which Lestat returns frail and broken. The experience has shattered his perceptions of the known universe, but can you ever trust the devil?

©2016 Anne Rice (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks

Memnoch the Bore

Do you want to feel as though you are back at school, being forced to read the dullest book in the world when there are 1,001 other things you'd rather be doing, including scrubbing the grout in a stranger's bathroom? Seek no further. I've just woken up with a stiff shoulder having fallen asleep (more like passed out) at my desk listening to this - and that's the third time this has happened with this dreadful book. The almost unremitting boredom and leaden pomposity of this dull tale is occasionally punctuated by hilariously bad descriptions of sexual encounters. Hearing such experiences read aloud by the master, Simon Vance, reminded me of listening to that Youtube video, "Morgan Freeman reads Fifty Shades of Grey". But at least that's supposed to be funny.
Do you enjoy reading endless Wikipedia pages about angels, archangels, choirs, denominations, pixies, nixies and widdle fwuffy faiwies? This book is for you. Do you like dressing up as characters from LOTR and gamboling through the woods with like minded companions, all over the age of 40, in capes, cardboard swords and elven hats you bought off Amazon? Ditto. Do you enjoy explaining the evolution of souls, god, the devil, demons, ghosts, hell, and Count Dracula to four year olds in such a way that even THEY won't believe you? Then Memnoch is your book.
I stuck with the book because I enjoyed the other Lestat novels I've read so far. It will be a looooooooong time before I can face another.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Is this the bible?

I love the Vampire Chronicles books. Looked forward to this book as I really enjoyed Tale of the body thief. It started well something tracking the brat prince, a new love. Then. It turned it a telling of creation, i thought this was meant to be a vampire chronicles book not a religious fiction.

I think after this book it’s the end of my road with Anne Rice books. Knowing the next one is about Armand and merrick who i have no interest in.

Don’t bother with this book unless you like a telling of Christian belief

Audible customer

Probably the best novel I’ve read in a while. Wonderful, thought provoking storyline which was so much more than I had anticipated given the themes of the vampire chronicles previous instalments. The narration was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Loved this book

As with all the books so far in this series I have loved listening to Simon Vance bring Anne Rice's words to life

Mixed Bag

I really loved the Vampire Chronicles as a teenager and early adult. They always managed to absorb me fully, and I was in love with the way Rice wrote. But then I got to this book, and I ended up stopping little more than 4 chapters in, and never returning to the series.

This audiobook was my second attempt, then, because I want to read the others in the series eventually. And you know what, it wasn't as bad as I remembered. Yes, Rice at this point is very in love with her main character, and Lestat is quite Mary Sue-ish in his abilities. But I really enjoyed the concept, the twist, and the supporting cast of characters, at least.

It took me a little while to get used to Vance's narration, particularly the accent, but once I had, it was excellent and enjoyable.

I'm glad I've read this book, and can move onto the next. But I don't think I'll be rereading it anytime in the near future.

Just okay.. if that.

I love the characters. I love the vampire chronicles. Didn’t love this book. I read this years ago and remember struggling with it so thought I’d give the audiobook a go. I can probably only recall 3 events. The rest was needlessly detailed descriptions of angels etc. It probably didn’t need to be as long as it was!

Simon Vance did a fabulous job trying to bring it to life but I feel like you could miss this one out and still enjoy the chronicles.

Not the best in the series

It's a little self indulgent and doesn't really fit in the chronicles. It's a personal exploration of religion using Lestat as a tool. This book almost put me off Lestat, I'd give this volume a miss honestly. The voice acting is good as ever.