This is a book that has been sitting on my shelf for approximately forever. I kept meaning to get to it but kept getting distracted by all the other books. I'm glad I finally experienced this vampire classic. I will say that this was a read I enjoyed, but I didn't necessarily love it. It is an objectively good story and quite unique, considering when it was released in 1976. Anne Rice's writing style was rather lyrical in this book. She managed to make Louis's age believable in the way he spoke. He sounded as if he was 200 years old without being told. The story itself is an interesting one. What is the point of existence? What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of human life? Each of these questions is addressed in different t ways throughout the story. I can appreciate what Rice was trying to convey with the character of Claudia, but her relationship with Louis felt way too much like pedophilia. Whenever there was affection between them, the way it was described felt as though there was an underlying lust that just made me cringe. This is the first book by Anne Rice that I have read, and I'm not sure whether it will be my last or not. Overall, I enjoyed myself throughout this read, and I can appreciate what it has contributed to the vampire horror genre. This is a good read for sure. But, is it great? I'm not so sure.