Sob o pseudónimo Anne Rampling, Anne Rice escreveu “Belinda” como sendo uma história erótica de uma rapariga de dezasseis anos que se envolve e apaixona por um artista, pintor e autor de livros infantis com quarenta e quatro anos de idade. Afastando-se dos diferentes universos que criou, como é o caso do mundo dos vampiros de Lestat ou das bruxas, nos anos 80 termina este livro (que mais tem de romântico do que erótico) e consegue mostrar o seu talento para várias temáticas.Esta história foge do normal ou banal em Anne Rice e quando me refiro a este banal faço referência as cenas de violência vampírica escritas para “A Entrevista com o Vampiro” ou para as infinitas páginas da história de anjos caídos, mais recentemente em “O Tempo do Anjo”, “Belinda” conta a história da personagem com o nome do título, fugida e desconhecida para os olhos de Jeremy Walker que acaba por se apaixonar pela figura de Belinda e mais tarde pela sua personalidade. O passado da jovem acaba por vir ao de cima e envolve o artista num grande circo, é esta a palavra mais correcta.No início, o mistério em torno da história de Belinda acaba por envolver e interessar o leitor. O romance impensável entre a jovem o quarentão acaba por fazer com o leitor mergulhe em boas doses de sensações e também em um pouco de erotismo, concedido pela obsessão do pintor e escritor. O único defeito deste livro é quando conhecemos a história (demasiado) longa de Belinda, exposta num antro de escândalos e à volta do mundo do Cinema. Chateia, sinceramente mas acaba por se tornar novamente interessante nos capítulos finais. Recomendo-o a quem gosta de uma história bem formulada com poucas personagens e relacionada com estrelas do mundo do cinema. De resto, acaba por se tornar aborrecido ao fim de algum tempo. Anne Rice estiveste bem melhor em “A Entrevista com o Vampiro”.3/5
I read this years ago and loved it, thought it was daring and naughty and fraught with all of Anne Rice's usual plot twists and great characters. On re-reading it in my 50s I just keep thinking 'Yuck.' I'm going to finish it out of respect for the author who gave me 'Interview' and then donate it to the used book store so its nastiness doesn't rub off on my other books. How did I ever think this crap was titillating?and having finished it for the last time, that's exactly where it's going. i'm embarrassed that i ever liked it, and mad at myself for wasting precious reading time on it now. i don't have enough life left to read the books i want, and i can't get that time back now. paugh. she tries to make the overt pedophilia 'okay' by presenting us with a belinda who is wise, an old soul, who knows what jeremy needs more than he does himself, totally self-sufficient, free of adolescent insecurities, the power behind the throne who is able to help her abuser shuck off his chains and realize his full potential. heck, rice even gives him parental approval.i'm going to have a hard time ever liking 'interview' again after this.
Do You like book Belinda (2001)?
November 16 2009So much to say about this book and so many reasons why I loved it.If you pick up this book keep an open mind. Jeremy is not a perv and this is no regular 16 year old girl. She has lived and lived hard in her short 16 years. I loved them. Great plot, fleshed out Characters. I could actually see the movie in my head as I was reading. Belinda's letter to Jeremy is so great. Alex's friendship with Jeremy was so wonderful and G.G. is so cute! Belinda's relationship with her mother is such a tragedy on so many levels. She is evil yet you feel sorry for her. This is a book that I could read again and probably will. Holy Communion! I loved it. ReRead March 3, 2010I knew this would be a book that I would enjoy over and over again. I did pick up on a few things. I didn't think Jeremy was 5 years older that GG. WOW. For me I still had no problem with the age thing. Read it! Read it! You will be in for a treat!
—Kelly
NOTE: THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, AND CONTAINS A LOLITA-ESQUE TALE. If you prefer a more Real Life angsty story with a fairly nice end over Rice's Over the top supernatural bru-ha-ha, look no further. Unless, of course, you are squicked by a teenage girl sleeping with and being in a romance with a middle aged man. That, perhaps, is the major determent in recommending this book. It's rather frightening to know how good a book is but know that because of the plot, someone will judge you for your enjoyment of it. I remember reading it red faced, not because of the content but rather because I knew that if someone recognized what it was, they would raise their eyebrows. The red face may also have been because I was a 16-year-old girl who frequently lust after men in their thirties and forties, reading a story about a man lusting after and eventually falling in love with someone my age. Nothing like haveing a double guilty conscious, eh?In any case, there is Art, there is a debate over art vs obscenity, there is beautiful description, there is a compelling love story that at the same time makes you want to step back, and a hot topic plot. hmmmm. . . sounds like a good read to me! Perhaps I shall reread it now that I'm several years older and my lust objects are a hell of alot closer to my own age. . .
—Savannah
Belinda has been one of my favorite books since I first read in back in 2001. Re-reading during the years that Anne Rice was writing Jesus books was difficult. This book celebrates unashamed sensuality, totes a kind of openness towards sexual identity, nudity, and the female body and was proof that Rice didn't completely believe in the Catholic morals she was trying to purport through her painfully tedious re-telling of Christ's life. Reading it now, after she's come back to her senses, for lack of a better phrase, was like seeing the book breathe itself back to life. It's a philosophy that came into my life at the most important time, and a philosophy that I still hold try - say yes to what feels good, and be unashamed of your body, your creativity.
—Su Abeille
