Called Out of Darkness

A Spiritual Confession

By: Anne Rice

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

In 2005, Anne Rice startled her readers with her novel Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, and by revealing that, after years as an atheist, she had returned to her Catholic faith.

And now, in her powerful memoir, Rice tells the story of the spiritual transformation that produced a complete change in her literary goals. She begins with her girlhood in New Orleans as the devout child in a deeply religious family. She writes about her years in Berkeley, where her career as a novelist began with the publication of Interview with the Vampire. She writes about loss and tragedy (her mother’s drinking; the death of her daughter and, later, her beloved husband); about new joys; about the birth of her son. She tells how after an adult lifetime of questioning, she experienced the intense conversion and consecration to Christ that lie behind her most recent novels.©2008 Anne Rice; (P)2008 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] very affecting story of a well-known prodigal’s return. . . . Called Out of Darkness is the vivid, engaging tale of the journey of a soul into light.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“Rice couples her writing talents with the zeal of a recent convert.” —Christianity Today

“Rice could rival C.S. Lewis as a popular apologist for the faith.” —Time

“Rice’s memoir shows what true belief really involves. It exacts a price. James Agee had a lovely term for this. He called it ‘cruel radiance.’” —Los Angeles Times

“Anne Rice is not a convert but a revert. . . . A loving reconstruction of the pre–Vatican II Church of the 1940s and 1950s. . . . [After] twenty-five years and twenty-one books . . . Rice entrusts both herself and the people she loves to God.” —First Things

“Called Out of Darkness is rich in both poetic simplicity and liberating confessionals. This memoir is not to be missed.” —East Bay Literary Examiner

“I am not a Christian and I normally don’t read what I would call Christian books. They don’t appeal to me, they don’t interest me and I normally pass them by in the bookstore. . . . [But] I picked up [Called Out of Darkness] up this afternoon and it’s beyond wonderful.” —Jamieson Wolf

“As a long-time reader of Anne Rice’s, the impetus she presents here makes me want to re-read many of her prior works. I highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks the inspiration and motivation behind the bestselling novels they’ve read.”—BookReporter.com

“Nothing short of magnificent. . . . What a real blessing, what a vulnerable sharing.” —Flos Carmeli

“A lovely, intelligent book.” —PopMatters

“Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a religious person—even if you are not a Christian—read this book. Anyone can appreciate the message contained in Called Out of Darkness. . . . It is a thinking person’s approach to faith.” —Edge (Provincetown, MA)

His Relentless Pursuit

Oh, so good. I am always thrilled to hear of God’s graceful gift of faith to believe Him… how He pursues us. When the object of His affection has a reputation of active unbelief, His mercy of new birth is even more thrilling. I am not Catholic, but a believer, and appreciate this author’s articulate testimony. I did not read the Vampire Chronicles… fantasy never appealed to me. I am intrigued, however, by what the very real Jesus would have experienced as a child and before His public ministry, so I’m excited to read how Anne Rice tells those Jesus stories.

Lovely story

As a huge fan of the vampire chronicles I was fascinated to hear the origin of these stories and the struggles if Anne. So happy to hear she made it full circle. Haven’t read the new material yet but I am excited to do so.

Completely Unexpected

I must admit, I am probably the last person to think that Anne Rice would become Catholic. I have never heard of someone raised Catholic who returned to the church after leaving it. Her journey back was long and full of beauty that only an artist can understand. It makes sense that it is the beauty of it that brings her back when you think about it. The most surprising thing for me is to learn of her difficulties reading. It actually gives me hope since I too have a great deal of difficulty reading and like her would like to one day become an author. I guess that's why I listen to audio books. Well I can't wait to hear her Christ the Lord books. I expect great things from them.

Another Anne Rice hit

I truly enjoyed this book and feel that I have a better sense of the person she is and a greater appreciation for her work.

Excellent story of losing faith and finding it aga

I can't recommend this enough! Anne's story is compelling and authentic. If you're not Catholic, don't let that aspect of her faith journey turn you away. This is a Christ centered story of conversion and faith!