Melissa B. (Phantene) reviewed Called Out of Darkness : A Spiritual Confession on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
An incredible disappointment, I found this book self-indulgent and very poorly written. I expected so much more from Anne Rice.
Ruth C. (peanutplays) reviewed Called Out of Darkness : A Spiritual Confession on + 87 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book is Anne Rice's journey back to the Catholic Faith. The first few chapters focus on her childhood experiences in faith and she is a very vivid writer. I enjoyed reading her story back to faith and also about her life growing up and as a young adult. Basically she went from being a moderate liberal atheist (although her story suggests she still believed in God somewhere deep down inside herself) to a conservative Christian and all the trials and tribulations that brought her back. She no longer writes about vampires but now she writes about Jesus Christ the son of God.
Christine (luvmygem) -
Helpful Score: 2
This was interesting, but I would have liked more complete autobiography on this author. Instead, she really sticks to her relationship with the Catholic Church over the years, while only briefly touching upon other events in her life. This book has a few too many "but I'm not going to get into that right now" comments, and parts of it I really just skimmed through, trying to get to something more interesting.
Paul C. (Paul-RLT) reviewed Called Out of Darkness : A Spiritual Confession on + 176 more book reviews
Overall this is a detailed but rambling memoir of her religious life. The early chapters describe her joyful, sheltered and traditional Catholic upbringing. Then, the inevitable confrontation with the "real world" occurs, and she gradually abandons all religion. In the decades that follow, she becomes a successful author of many classic vampire novels (only mentioned as asides in this book). The final chapters deal with her return to Roman Catholicism - despite her reservations re: the treatment of women and gays. The book is unabashedly Christian and spiritual throughout. It is likely to be most meaningful to those who share her Catholic heritage.
NOTE: Since writing this book in 2008, there has been a major change in her religious thinking...
NOTE: Since writing this book in 2008, there has been a major change in her religious thinking...
Bobbi D. (gramabobbi) reviewed Called Out of Darkness : A Spiritual Confession on + 2 more book reviews
This was a candid account of the author's experience with Christianity. She describes her upbringing into Catholicism, her departure, and return with poignant fervor. It is a courageous story of her struggle in finding meaning and richness in her faith amidst an increasingly secular culture, and amidst a religion that is struggling to find its way out of its own darkness.
