The Witching Hour: A Novel (Lives of Mayfair Witches)
“The Witching Hour” is a novel by American author Anne Rice. It was first published in 1990 and is the first book in Rice’s “Lives of the Mayfair Witches” series.
The novel is a work of gothic fiction and supernatural horror, and it follows the lives of the Mayfair family, a powerful and wealthy clan of witches who live in New Orleans.
At the center of the story is Rowan Mayfair, a young neurosurgeon who is unaware of her family’s history and her own powerful connection to the supernatural world.
As she delves deeper into her family’s past and uncovers the secrets of the Mayfair witches, Rowan must confront a range of threats, both from within her own family and from the dark forces that seek to control and exploit their powers.
“The Witching Hour” is a complex and compelling novel that blends elements of horror, romance, and family drama. It explores themes of power, inheritance, and the burden of history, and it features a richly-drawn cast of characters who are both captivating and disturbing.
The novel has been widely praised for its intricate plot, vivid descriptions, and immersive world-building, and it remains one of Anne Rice’s most popular and enduring works.
How Many Books are in The Witching Hour?
“The Witching Hour” is the first book in Anne Rice’s “Lives of the Mayfair Witches” series. The series consists of three books:
- “The Witching Hour” (1990)
- “Lasher” (1993)
- “Taltos” (1994)
Together, these three books tell the epic story of the Mayfair family and their relationship with the supernatural world.
While the books can be read independently, they are best enjoyed as a series, as they build upon one another to create a rich and intricate narrative.
How Many Books are in the Mayfair Witches Series?
The Mayfair Witches series by Anne Rice consists of three books:
- “The Witching Hour” (1990)
- “Lasher” (1993)
- “Taltos” (1994)
These three books are often referred to as the “Lives of the Mayfair Witches” trilogy.
While Anne Rice has written other books featuring supernatural elements, such as her Vampire Chronicles and her Sleeping Beauty series, the Mayfair Witches series is a self-contained trilogy that explores the lives, histories, and magical powers of the Mayfair family.
How Long Does it Take to Read The Witching Hour?
The length of time it takes to read “The Witching Hour” by Anne Rice can vary widely depending on several factors, including reading speed, reading frequency, and other personal factors.
That being said, “The Witching Hour” is a lengthy novel, coming in at over 1,000 pages in most editions. For the average reader who reads at a pace of around 300 words per minute, it could take approximately 12-14 hours of reading time to complete the book.
However, this is just an estimate and the actual time it takes to read the book will vary from person to person. Some readers may take longer to read the book, especially if they prefer to read at a slower pace or take breaks between reading sessions.
What is the Summary of The Witching Hour?
“The Witching Hour” by Anne Rice is a novel about the Mayfair family, a powerful and wealthy clan of witches who live in New Orleans.
At the center of the story is Rowan Mayfair, a young neurosurgeon who is unaware of her family’s history and her own powerful connection to the supernatural world.
As Rowan delves deeper into her family’s past, she discovers the truth about the Mayfair witches, who have been haunted for centuries by a powerful and malevolent entity known as Lasher.
Lasher is a spirit who has the power to possess and control the minds of the Mayfair witches, and who has a long-standing vendetta against the family.
Rowan becomes the focus of Lasher’s attention, and she begins to experience terrifying visions and encounters with the spirit.
She is aided in her quest for answers by Michael Curry, a former lover who also has connections to the Mayfair family, and by Aaron Lightner, a member of an ancient organization dedicated to the destruction of supernatural entities.
As Rowan learns more about her family’s history and her own connection to the Mayfair witches, she must confront a range of threats, both from within her own family and from the dark forces that seek to control and exploit their powers.
“The Witching Hour” is a complex and compelling novel that blends elements of horror, romance, and family drama. It explores themes of power, inheritance, and the burden of history, and it features a richly-drawn cast of characters who are both captivating and disturbing.
Who are the Characters in The Witching Hour Novel?
“The Witching Hour” by Anne Rice features a large cast of characters, some of whom are members of the Mayfair family, and others who play key roles in the story’s supernatural elements. Here are some of the main characters:
- Rowan Mayfair: A young neurosurgeon who is the central protagonist of the story. Rowan is unaware of her family’s history and her own connection to the supernatural world.
- Michael Curry: A former lover of Rowan who also has connections to the Mayfair family. He is a contractor and renovator who becomes involved in the investigation of the Mayfair family’s past.
- Deirdre Mayfair: Rowan’s mother and a powerful witch who has been haunted by the spirit Lasher for many years.
- Aaron Lightner: A member of the Talamasca, an ancient organization dedicated to investigating the supernatural world. He becomes involved in Rowan’s quest for answers about her family’s history.
- Lasher: A powerful and malevolent spirit who has haunted the Mayfair family for centuries. He has the power to possess and control the minds of the Mayfair witches, and he has a long-standing vendetta against the family.
- Julien Mayfair: A powerful and charismatic patriarch of the Mayfair family who is long deceased. He is known for his involvement in the slave trade and his acquisition of the Talamasca’s supernatural knowledge.
- Mona Mayfair: Rowan’s cousin and a powerful witch who has the ability to communicate with spirits.
- Mary Beth McGinnis: A journalist who becomes involved in the investigation of the Mayfair family’s history.
These are just a few of the many characters who play key roles in “The Witching Hour.” Each character has their own unique motivations, relationships, and backstories that contribute to the novel’s complex and compelling narrative.