Rating: 
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Hardly the kind of book I expected from Anne Rice but I was fascinated! Go buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Remembering the Gone and Forgotten
Review: Here - coincidently on this night of All Souls - floating through my brain are thoughts on this Anne Rice novel, which indeed is one of her best. Before I mention all that this fine novel is, let me state precisely what it is not: It's not a book to be read quickly - for if you are used to reading through things briskly, with the urgent anticipation of the next read always at hand - then this one is sure to frustrate you; It's not an eventful or an adventurous storyline - though A.R. has written quite a few fast-moving tales, this one is slow and meticulous in both movement and detail; There is no absolute line drawn between the hero and adversary in this plot - every character is given a point of view in order to be understood, and elaborated upon until for certain it is understood. This is a novel unlike most novels. Set in New Orleans before the Civil War, FEAST OF ALL SAINTS is the story of a distinct yet veritably unknown society of people - numbering approximately 18,000 at that time - they were the free people of color. Free people of color were individuals of white and black mixed blood. They were a fragile society made up of those hovering between the established white population and the slaves. The unique and complex city of New Orleans gave this well-educated and interesting group of people a place in which to flourish. In fact, Voodoo queen Marie Laveau was a free person of color. Inarguably, her life has already been explored in works of both fact and fiction. Yet in this well-researched novel, Anne Rice brings to life fictional characters and gives such insight into the lives of these fascinating people as has likely never been seen. The protagonist, Marcel, is an adolescent whose parents are Phillipe, a wealthy & prominent plantation owner with a family outside New Orleans, and Cecil, his mistress, a free person of color. He is blond and blue-eyed, but with distinct African features - "combined in an unusual way that was extremely handsome and clearly undesirable." Marcel's younger sister Marie, however is dark-haired, beautiful, and could pass for a white person. Marcel is growing up assured of the knowledge that his father will send him to Paris to be educated as soon he is of age. Christophe, an author and free person of color who has been educated in France, becomes his mentor when he returns to New Orleans to open up a school. He also has two close friends - Richard, son of a wealthy undertaker, and Anna Bella. With every person in his life, there is a uniquely complex relationship. This, I must say, is very much a coming-of-age story. Yet - it rises above even that as it intertwines like a patient kind of poetry the feelings of isolation wrought from being misunderstood. It gives credence to the certainty that there can actually be drawn from within the soul of a person (and that all people possess certain qualities of the Saints) that which can overcome even the most intense adversity. This was only her second novel - after INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. As in her first book, her characters are insatiable in their quest for meaning to their existence, yet are isolated from society. This novel differs in that Marcel is not left with feelings of desolation as was Louis. Marcel seems in all respects to be much more further evolved - which in so many ways reflects the spirit of this fine author - for this protagonist grows to be able to envision the many possibilities his future holds.
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of time
Review: How anyone could get through this book is beyond me. The descriptions of new orleans during this era are magnificent but there are entirely too many characters to keep up with. I got to page 175 and put the book down. Her Vampire chronicles are really her best work. Don't waste your time with this book. THere are too many other books to read.
Rating: 
Summary: How can anyone read Anne Rice's books!
Review: How can anyone like this author? I am a dedicated reader to every book I read; that is every book I read, no matter how boring the plot I always finish it, with the exception of Anne Rice. I've tried to read sooo many of her novels including THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS and I couldn't get past page 100 on any of them except for THE VAMPIRE LESTAT, which was the only novel of hers I could finish. Her writing is absolutely horrible, because she has to describe every single thing. Sure, that is great explaining everything, but Ms. Rice does it in lengthy paragraphs. When I TRY to read one of her books, I feel like I'm just reading about what the 1700s were like rather than about peoples lives that were affected in that time period. I would probably love her novels if she wouldn't describe so much. Her books could be cut by about 1/5 if she wouldn't do that, and maybe alot of people might could finish them. I have been able to finish plenty of books that are well over 500 pages which is the average length of Ms. Rice's books, but her lack of story telling, and her over usage of description conflicts with me doing so. I don't see how anyone could finish these books, unless you just scan them.
Rating:
Summary: This is one of Anne's best works!
Review: I am a big fan of Anne Rice. I have read every single one of her Vampire Chronicles, and all of her other books as well. This book touched me, though not quite as much as Interview. I loved all the characters, especially Marcel. This book teaches us a little bit of forgotten history and it blends in a remarkable storyline as well. Though the first section of the book is a little bit slow, it picks up pace and you eventually feel the terrible situation that the free people of color faced in those times. A must read!
Rating:
Summary: A book that lingers in your mind
Review: I am in love with The Feast of All Saints. It's one of the best books I've ever read. Rice's words and discriptions are so vivid and she captures your attention. It's amazing. I could almost see myself in the world of the "gens de couleur". I just wish that there was a sequel to it like most of her books.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: I had fallen in love with the Vampire chronicles, so "Feast" was a unexpected, but a very pleasant surprise. J'aime beaucoup! I could not put this book down. Rice is always very educational, but this story made me feel transported back to antebellum New Orleans and the description of the Saint Domingue (Haitian) revolution is fantastic. Rice does a wonderful job of describing these gens de couleur libre (free people of color) who are coince entre deux chaises (caught between two worlds). As a Trinidadian I can identify a lot with this Creole history.
Do read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely worth reading
Review: I have just finished The Feast of All Saints and yes it had a slow beginning but don't stop. This book is fascinating. It depicted a part of history I was not familiar with. Having read it I have now learned more about gens du colour then I ever could have in a history book. Her characters were alive with passion and strengh. Seldom do I miss the characters written about in books but I found myself wishing to follow them further in their journeys. An excellent book!!
Rating:
Summary: stunning, a true glimpse into the lives of the free mullatto
Review: I have loved Ann Rice since my first encounter with her books. I read first Exit to Eden then Belinda, The Vampire Lestat and many more. I have not been touched by a book as I have been with this book. As a well read West Indian woman I was impressed not only with her acurate portrayal of New Orleans, I was blown away by her extensive knowledge and reference to the Haitian revolution the time period and the effects on the Mulatto class in New Orleans. I honestly could not put this book down and devoured it in two days. I tend to read at least 5 books at once but this I had to give exclusivity to. Again Anne Rice has out-done herself, I'm now reading the Pandora series but I know that I will re-read Feast of All Saints over and over. Bravo Anne again you have blown me a way with your talent. RDC
Rating:
Summary: it doesn't get any better than this!
Review: I have read all of Anne Rice's books (except the last few; I have them, just no time yet) and this was the one that stayed with me the longest. It was a beautifully developed historical novel. I love her vampire and witch novels, but I wish she would write another like this.
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