Auburn Reverie

''If I am an angel, paint me with black wings." - Armand

[auburnreverie]

Hello Everyone!

I am a person who’s obsessed with the book version of Armand from The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice. You may call me Reverie or Auburn, whichever is easiest!

I’ve always wanted to start a tumblr blog for everything vampire chronicles but mainly focusing on Armand but I’ve been too scared to. I want this to be a peaceful and nice place where we can all show love for Armand. I want to be clear that so far I've just reached Blood and Gold and am a huge gothic fiction fan. You can spoil parts of the books for me I do not mind at all. In fact, spoilers make me all the more interested in reading!

I really only am interested in the book version of Armand as the show version never truly touched me and I think that’s okay. I want to be clear that I have no interest at all in the AMC shows and am not very enthusiastic about discussions on them. If you like show version of Armand there’s no hate towards you at all. It’s simply my preference that I speak of here which is why all the content I post here will focus on the book version.

On this blog I want to share my own opinions and hear those of others about the characters in the series and such. I'm hoping to post character analysis, my favourite quotes from the books and questions for you guys as well. I am mainly looking at comments and responding whenever I can. This blog won't be constantly active however because I am a graduate student but I will try my very best.

I ask that everyone remains respectful and kind. No harassment, character bashing, fights over adaptation, or attacking people over their preferences or opinions. As per gothic fiction and the nature of Anne Rice's books, this blog may contain sensitive topics for people and they're advised to scroll away if uncomfortable. I’ll also try to tag spoilers and sensitive topics whenever I can and if I miss anything I would appreciate any reminders!

Anyway, welcome to everyone who decides to interact!

[seasirpent]

me: *takes a deep breath*

me: i lov-

anyone who has ever talked to me ever: yes, you love Armand. we know. you love Armand so much; he's the light of your life, you love him so much. you just love Armand. we KNOW. you love ARMAND. you fucking love Armand, okay. we know, we get it. ARMAND. WE GET IT

[auburnreverie]

Wow. This is really how it be. I just love him so much…

[auburnreverie]

It is now, on nights when I can’t go stargazing with my telescope without someone with me, that I understand why Merrick wanted to be a vampire. I understand her choice. She wanted to feel power, the confidence to go out in the night without fear that she be overpowered. The freedom to do as she pleases. As a woman myself, I understand you Merrick.

[auburnreverie]

I don't know how to express the intense feelings I get when I read The Vampire Armand. I'm immediately struck with tears. Oh, it hurts my soul in the very best way to read these words he spoke. Never has a character touched my heart so profoundly. I struggle to describe the very intensity of this feeling. I reread and reread and it just gets better and better. Armand fascinates me because I see myself in him in certain parts of his personality. Armand to me also represents a juxtaposition, a beautiful boyish figure, so tender and loving and submissive at times, yet he's dark, and can be ruthless, and manipulative. He looks so young, yet he's so very old. It's just as David points out when he says:

"You're a bit mean, Armand. You look like an angel, and talk like a common thug." - David Talbot, Anne Rice.

I think that is part of what fascinates me so much. I find I'm often fascinated by the nature of a juxtaposition. The idea of opposite things or unlike things, being present in the same place, same person, etc. Armand is a phenomenal and rich character. There is so much more to say but I haven't articulated it in my mind just yet.

I needed to say these things and let them out. As usual, I'm always happy to hear what everyone else thinks.

[auburnreverie]

Does anyone else really want Marius to paint them? I fail to find words for how such an experience would feel. I've always wanted to be painted.

[auburnreverie]

What do you guys think Armand would think about the intensity with which I’ve read his book? There’s written annotations inside too.

I feel like he would want to flip through it and see what was written and what all the tabs mean and maybe wonder why someone would do this and what each annotation meant. But that’s my interpretation.

Let me know what you all think!

[auburnreverie]

I’m reading Blood and Gold and I’m baffled by how entitled Marius acts sometimes. I just got to the part where he drinks from Akasha for the second time and like I can understand why she was so upset with him when she woke during Queen of the Damned. I can also understand why he acted that way around her. From the isolation to the time period it makes sense. I think maybe he felt he had an entitlement to it because he was their caretaker? I’m not sure.

Also, I loved that he realized how important Pandora was and how awful he treated her. That was a good moment.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

[auburnreverie]

A while ago I listened to Blood in the Wine by Aurora and I really think it represents a lot of things about Armand. My associations with music and characters tend to be very literal sometimes but I loved her use of “lover” and the imagery of flesh, fruit, blood, and wine. Also, theres a part where she says “I was given a name before I was given blood” which is literally when Marius gave Armand the name Amadeo and then after gave him the Dark Blood. What do you guys think? Have you heard of the song? Do you guys have other songs you associate with book Armand?