Meaning: Anne Rice, a renowned novelist, encapsulates the essence of her vocation in the quote, "Re-telling the Christian story is the essence of my vocation. That has been going on since the Evangelists in one form or another." This quote reflects Rice's deep commitment to storytelling and her exploration of religious themes in her work.

Rice is best known for her supernatural fiction, particularly for her series of novels centered around vampires, witches, and other supernatural beings. However, she is also recognized for her exploration of religious themes and her unique reimagining of Christian narratives. Born and raised in a Catholic family, Rice's religious background has significantly influenced her writing, leading her to tackle complex and thought-provoking themes related to Christianity.

In her quote, Rice acknowledges the long tradition of re-telling the Christian story, a tradition that dates back to the Evangelists, the authors of the four Gospels in the New Testament. The act of reinterpreting and reimagining religious narratives has been a constant feature of literary and artistic expression throughout history. Rice's work can be seen as a continuation of this tradition, as she brings her own unique perspective and storytelling prowess to bear on the Christian story.

Rice's novels often delve into the moral and existential dilemmas faced by her characters, and she frequently incorporates Christian symbolism and themes into her narratives. Her re-telling of the Christian story serves as a means of exploring timeless questions about faith, redemption, and the human condition. Through her writing, Rice engages with the rich tapestry of Christian mythology and tradition, offering readers a fresh and sometimes subversive perspective on familiar religious themes.

One of Rice's most notable works in this regard is "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt," a historical novel that reimagines the life of Jesus Christ as a young boy. In this book, Rice delves into the cultural and religious landscape of ancient Judea, offering a fictionalized account of Jesus' upbringing and the events that shaped his early life. By placing herself in the shoes of her protagonist, Rice provides a deeply personal and imaginative portrayal of the Christian story, inviting readers to reconsider familiar religious narratives through a new lens.

Furthermore, Rice's exploration of the Christian story extends beyond traditional historical fiction. In her "Vampire Chronicles" series, she interweaves themes of immortality, morality, and the search for meaning with Christian allegory and symbolism. Through her vampire characters, Rice explores the nature of sin, redemption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil, drawing parallels to Christian teachings and mythology.

Rice's quote also speaks to the enduring power of storytelling as a means of transmitting and interpreting religious narratives. Throughout history, storytellers, artists, and theologians have reinterpreted the Christian story in various forms, from epic poetry to visual art to literature. Each retelling offers a fresh perspective and provides an opportunity for audiences to engage with the underlying themes and messages of the Christian tradition.

In conclusion, Anne Rice's quote encapsulates her lifelong dedication to re-telling the Christian story through her novels. Her work reflects a deep engagement with religious themes and a commitment to exploring the complexities of faith and spirituality. By reimagining the Christian narrative in her own distinctive voice, Rice continues a tradition of storytelling that has persisted since the time of the Evangelists, inviting readers to consider timeless questions about the nature of belief, the human experience, and the enduring power of myth and legend.