Since there are over a thousand reviews posted here, one might ask: why am I writing another one? It is because I feel this beautiful book, so eloquently and accessibly written, has much to offer Roman Catholics as it has to offer non-Catholics, and Rev. Rick Warren continues to be one of the most loving and positive ministers in the public arena. He has managed to write a deeply meaningful book here about how to live as a Christian, without saying anything negative about anybody or anyone else's church. This is no small feat. We Christians are tempted at every turn to criticize one another. Rev. Rick teaches love. Anyone who thinks this is superficial or insipid should, I believe, reconsider. To love one's neighbors and one's enemies is for me the hardest thing about being Christian; it is at the core of the Christian explosion of the First Century, and it remains the core of Christian teaching today. --- Just about every page of this book is inspiring, and Rev. Rick has managed to impart to the reader complex theology in wonderfully simple terms. ---- When theology is too difficult, when it is opague or unreadable, what good does it do for most Christians? Well, this is a book with deep theological roots that is for everyone. Highly recommended. And also an excellent gift. ---- Let me quote Rev. Rick in closing: "Jesus taught that spiritual maturity is never an end in itself. Maturity is for ministry!" (p.231 of the hard cover.)

Who Is Anne Rice?

Biography


One of America's most read and celebrated authors, Anne Rice is known for weaving the visible and supernatural worlds together in epic stories that both entertain and challenge readers. Her books are rich tapestries of history, belief, philosophy, religion, and compelling characters that examine and extend our physical world beyond the limits we perceive.



Anne lives and works in California. Anne's life experiences and intellectual inquisitiveness provide her with constant inspiration for her work.



Anne Rice Fact File:


UPDATED MAY 11, 2008



1. Born Howard Allen O’Brien on October 4, 1941, Anne chose the name “Anne” when she entered the first grade at St. Alphonsus Grammar School. She attended Catholic schools until 1958 when her family moved from New Orleans to Richardson, Texas.



2. After graduating from Richardson High School, in 1959, Anne attended Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas and later North Texas State College.



3. After a year’s stay in San Francisco, during which she worked as an insurance claims examiner, Anne returned to Denton, Texas to marry Stan Rice, her childhood sweetheart.



4. Stan and Anne lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area from 1962 to 1988, experiencing the birth of Hippie Revolution first hand as they lived in the soon to be fabled Haight Ashbury. Both attended and graduated from San Francisco State University.



5. Stan Rice became a professor at San Francisco State shortly after receiving his M.A. there. He published many books of poetry, and later, after the couple’s return to New Orleans in 1989, painted over three hundred paintings in the attic of their Garden District home (see below.)



6. In 1972, Stan and Anne lost their daughter, Michele, to adult leukemia just before her fifth birthday.



7. Christopher Rice, born to them in 1978, seemed a gift from God in that both of his parents stopped their heavy drinking when faced with another chance at parenthood.



8. Anne wrote Interview with the Vampire while the couple still lived in Berkeley, California, just before Christopher’s birth, and has written over 28 novels.



9. Christopher Rice, who attended school in San Francisco, and later in New Orleans, has published four novels, all of which were New York Times bestsellers. Christopher attended Brown University for one year, and also attended New York University, before writing the first of his novels, A Density of Souls, which brought him national recognition. Please see the link to Christopher’s website.



10. In New Orleans in 1989, Stan and Anne bought the Garden District Greek Revival house that would become the setting for five or six of Anne’s novels. This house would also house Stan’s attic painting studio. It was here that Christopher wrote his first novel. This home was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for Anne, who had passed the beautiful house frequently in her early years, going to and from her parish church of St. Alphonsus from her home on St. Charles Avenue. During the 1990’s, Anne owned many buildings in New Orleans, including St. Elizabeth’s Orphanage, her childhood home on St. Charles Avenue, and other restoration projects. The family enjoyed apartments in Florida and New York, and traveled frequently to Europe. Anne and Stan also traveled to Israel. Anne made a second visit in 2005. The 1990’s also saw Anne’s first novel, Interview with the Vampire made into a motion picture, starring Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, and Tom Cruise. Anne’s screenplay was the basis for the adaptation, directed by Neil Jordan. Years later, Anne’s novel, The Feast of All Saints, about the free people of color of Lousiana, would be made into a Showtime mini-series, scripted by John Wilder. Please see the page devoted to the book and the series on this site. A Broadway musical, Lestat, was also developed in 2004 by Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Linda Woolverton and Rob Roth. Though the play closed, there are rumors of a New Orleans revival.



11. Anne returned to the Catholic Church in 1998, and in 2002 consecrated her writing entirely to Christ, vowing to write for Him or about Him. She remains passionately loyal to the readers of her earlier works. Please see the Essay on this site devoted to that subject.



12. Stan Rice died in 2002 within four and a half months of being diagnosed with brain cancer. His many beautiful paintings will soon find a permanent home in a southern museum. Eventually, his collected poems will be published. His extensive diaries are now being edited. They include many observations about his poetry and his painting. Please see the link to the Stan Rice website.



13. In 2005, after completing Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt, Anne left Louisiana and her beloved city of New Orleans to live in California. Within months of her departure, Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.



14. Christ the Lord, the Road to Cana, was published in 2008. A spiritual memoir by Anne entitled Called Out of Darkness will be published in the fall of 2008 as well.



15. Anne now lives and works in the California desert, a few hours drive from her son, Christopher, who lives and works in West Hollywood.