Welcome to Faith 'n' Fiction Saturday! If this is your first here, please read this post to learn everything you need to know!
Today's Discussion
Anne Rice became quite famous for her books about vampires but when she converted back to her Christian faith, she left her vampire stories behind much to the dismay of her fans. She felt there were no redemptive stories to tell about vampires. Meanwhile, Christian fiction has been releasing a few more books about vampires.
So my question for you today is...what do you think about these kinds of stories? Do you enjoy the fictional vampire stories or the fictional stories about angels? Are you more likely to read a story about an angel than a vampire? What do you think is the appeal of these books?
(For further reading see this interview with Tracey Bateman on Christian vampire books and this article where Anne Rice asserts angels are the new vampires)
My Answer:
It may surprise you, but I'm far more comfortable reading a vampire story than a story about an angel. I think the difference is I think vampires are fictional, while I believe angels actually exist. And we have very little knowledge that has been revealed to us about angels. I generally think they are close to God, i.e. they see Him and serve Him directly and don't ever doubt His existence. They aren't humans, though. They are very mysterious! I watch the show Supernatural and I have to say that the portrayal of angels on that show constantly makes me cringe! It is interesting to think about, but I really don't enjoy fictionalized angel stories very much.
However, I am willing to give another angel book a try if you know of a good one that doesn't malign the character of God feel free to leave a comment with your suggestion!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Faith 'n' Fiction Saturday: Are Angels the New Vampires?
Posted by Amy at 9:04 PM
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15 comments:
Have you read the Island of Heavenly Daze series by Angela Hunt and Lori Copeland? I think the angels in there were more down to earth (har har) and the stories were more focsed on teh people.
I find it so funny that you are more comfortable reading vampire stories than angel one! LOL! Are you planning on reading Rice's new angel book?
So, what do you think about the angels in Supernatural?
Amy, I really like your view and stand on the angel books. I feel the same way. They tread in an area that doesn't feel... right.
As an atheist, I would find novels pertaining to angels as fictional as those pertaining to vampires - I don't believe either one exists, so either way, it's escapism...
I never made a connection between Christian faith and supernatural characters in fiction stories. Faith has always been very important to me and an inseparable part of my life. But vampires are as well. I love the books about them especially the evil ones. It's just for me one thing has nothing to do with another.
Have you read David Almond's Skellig? It's lovely and dreamy, and (sort of) features an angel, in a way that I felt pretty comfortable with. I don't think I've read very many other stories about angels though!
I didn't know the story about Anne Rice. That's very interesting. I didn't know that Christian vampire stories even existed! I may have to check a couple out.
Personally, I like to read stories about angels because I think it's fun to speculate since we don't know for sure.
Aha! Very interesting question. I think angels are definitely going to be the trend in 2010. As for whether I prefer angels or vampires, I think vampires, because they're "bad boys." How much trouble is an angel going to get into, unless he/she is a fallen angel? (I do believe angels exist, btw, just not in the way they're fictionalized, so that doesn't bother me.)
One of my favorite books of all time features angels--Archangel by Sharon Shinn. If you haven't read it yet, you definitely should. It's a science fiction novel that takes place on a different planet. Here humans are governed by angels, who can talk directly to God. Although it's not a Christian book per se, it does deal with issues of faith and the existence of God. And there's romance!
I am not sure if this book would offend your angel criteria or not but The Vintner's Luck features a most intriguing angel story and it's historical fiction, too. (by Elizabeth Knox)
I think people are talking up angels because as writers have remade the male vampire hot, they're now making the male angel a sex object (how are they getting around the traditional lack of genetalia, does anyone know?). They're like the next supernatural thing that can be made cool after everyone has burnt out on vampires, without the marketing department having to radically change their strategy (not why authors are writing these kinds of stories, but I bet that's a big reason behind why publishers are now pushing them).
Personally for me angels win over fairies but vamps still beat out angels (vamps are flawed, angels are not, as far as I can see it would be hard to create a good conflict when you're pretty sure the angels have to win and can not die).
I want to read the new Anne Rice book because Kate Saunders from The Times (who has fabulous opinions) thinks it's a great story. I'm also intrigued by that Eternal book (the one with the big wing on the black cover) that joins angels wih vampires...bet some interesting notions about redemption come out there. My personal favourite angels will always be from 'Dogma' and 'Good Omens'.
If you're looking for a great drammatisation about angels try 'Angel's in America' (two part series) which I think may be a novel as well (although I don't know which came first).
hmm not sure if anyone mentioned this yet but wasn't Angel from Buffy a Vampire?????
You could probably try Meridian by Amber Kizer. It's YA and I quite enjoyed it. It doesn't have God in the picture though, it's more focused on the angel part.
I also think angels are the new vampires because seriously, how many more vamp stories can they do? Angles have always been more tangible to me, maybe it's the catholic school upbringing. And yes, they are closer to God. I haven't read any angel stories so I don't know how I feel about them. I'll wait to hear your thoughts on an angel story :)
P.S.
This weekend was crazy, so I apologize for not sending my music story. Hopefully sometime this week, if you don't mind.
I have a second post up, too.
Becky
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