Errors in Merrick, and New Orleans Questions

Hi folks, new here...
Just sat back and read along for a bit, but now I'm getting to a point
where I want to talk with people who actually read Rice's work too. I've
"done" the vampires and the first three Mayfair books, as well as a few
pseudonym novels, and before I get into Blackwood Farm I thought I'd re-read
Merrick. Before it didn't make much sense to me since I hadn't gone through
the Mayfair family history yet and now it's.... A lot more interesting.
BUT... In my copy Merrick's stepfather (strangely called Cold Sandra's
boyfriend here and there, and stepfather as well, even though there seems to
be no mention of a marriage), is sometimes referred to as Michael -assuming
she had Rowan's hubby in mind- instead of Matthew. Did that mistake sneak
into other editions besides the Chatto & Windus Random House version? I
know, a mere tiny little thing, just surprised it'd go past an editor and
straight into a book. I write myself and I'd hope my editor'd have his eyes
open for mistakes like that. So I wondered if it happened in other editions
as well.
As for New Orleans... I'm planning a trip somewhere in the next two or
three years over there, think I'll stay for about a week. Will be staying
with a friend, but he hasn't a clue about the Rice books and naturally
there's a few places I'd like to visit. (Already have First Street pegged as
well as the Pontchartrain), but between Rice and Poppy Z. Brite there is SO
much... I thought maybe some people here might've done their own little
"pilgrimage" and come up with a few ideas. I'd love to get myself an
absinthe spoon (Not for use, just decorative), as well as a few
daguerrotypes. Wouldn't know where to go for that stuff though, so any
advice on particular antiquedealer-filled streets would be appreciated.
Besides that I have more than a passing interest in the paranormal, so
anything "out there" 'd be of interest too. And I'm not talking the usual
ghost-tour.
Anyway, this was Jo from Holland, the journalism student, on her first
day of communication to the group.

Thanks:)
Jo

On Sun, 7 Sep 2003 16:15:57 +0200, "JoSilvermist"
<ikbenhetmaarjose RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:

 >BUT... In my copy Merrick's stepfather (strangely called Cold Sandra's
 >boyfriend here and there, and stepfather as well, even though there seems to
 >be no mention of a marriage), is sometimes referred to as Michael -assuming
 >she had Rowan's hubby in mind- instead of Matthew. Did that mistake sneak
 >into other editions besides the Chatto & Windus Random House version?

Yes, there is a error in the book that wasn't caught.

I>know, a mere tiny little thing, just surprised it'd go past an
editor and
 >straight into a book. I write myself and I'd hope my editor'd have his eyes
 >open for mistakes like that. So I wondered if it happened in other editions
 >as well.

Rice doesn't use editors. No editor ever looks over her books before
they are published, which is probably why the whole Matthew/Michael
thing wasn't caught.

 > As for New Orleans... I'm planning a trip somewhere in the next two or
 >three years over there, think I'll stay for about a week. Will be staying
 >with a friend, but he hasn't a clue about the Rice books and naturally
 >there's a few places I'd like to visit. (Already have First Street pegged as
 >well as the Pontchartrain), but between Rice and Poppy Z. Brite there is SO
 >much... I thought maybe some people here might've done their own little
 >"pilgrimage" and come up with a few ideas. I'd love to get myself an
 >absinthe spoon (Not for use, just decorative), as well as a few
 >daguerrotypes.

I've been there on two occasions. The first one wasn't good, and the
second one was a business trip, but I was able to do a few things on
my off hours. For one, you can drink Absinthe at the Pirate's Alley
Bar, which is alley to the left of St. Louis Cathedral if you are
looking at the front of the Cathedral. It is very interesting to
watch them make the drink and they do use the Absinthe spoon. I think
there is a liquor store in the Quarter that sells them, but I'm not
certain about that. If you ask the bartender, he or she will probably
be able to tell you.
Definitely visit the Cathedral. It is open during the day and as long
as no Mass is being said you are welcomed to take pictures of the
inside, which is absolutely beautiful. All of Jackson Square is very
interesting and while in the area you can stop at the Cafe du Monde
and have a beignet. The Cafe du Monde is not very far from the banks
of the Mississippi so you can have a look at the river.
I also highly recommend the Gallier House tour. It's only $6.00 and
about an hour long. The Gallier House is located at 1132 Rue Royal and
served as the model for Louis and Lestat's townhouse; however, I was
told by the tour guide that in the book it is located at the other end
of the Rue Royal. You'll learn about the Gallier family, but more
interesting you learn what New Orleans was like in the 19th century
and what unique challenges people faced living there. Personally, I
wouldn't have wanted to live there in that time period. It was lethal
to you health in more ways than one.
As far as the paranormal, did you know that the Ponchartrain is said
to be haunted. I would venture to say that the entire French Quarter
is haunted. There are probably more dead people living in the Quarter
than there are living people. One of my colleagues took the Haunted
History Ghost Tour and said it was good and fun. The tour takes you to
the more famous haunted landmarks like the LaLaurie House, which is
two doors down from the Gallier House. There is also a Vampire Tour,
which includes sites found in the Vampire Chroncles, as well as, sites
where Interview with the Vampire was filmed. Something I didn't have
time to do, but wanted to. You can also see the Voodoo Museum. I
believe there are two locations in the Quarter. Something else I
didn't have time to see.
Also, there is a place on the Rue Dumaine called Erzulie's, they have
the most wonderful scented oils, soaps, etc. They are kind of
expensive, but worth it. I bought some soap and am impressed with how
long it has lasted. Everything in the little store is all-natural and
handmade, hence, the prices.
If you do go to Erzulie's, look across the street for a four story,
plain, brick building. I think it has a date of 1865 up near the
center of the roof line. This is the building that served as the site
for Lestat's penthouse in Tale of the Body Thief. I wish I had known
that before the trip so I could have taken a picture of it.
If you are going to see Rice's house, take the St. Charles Trolley to
Napoleon Avenue and go see St. Elizabeth's. Since Rice is trying to
sell it, it is no longer open to the public but you can walk around
the outside. On my first trip to NO, we were able to see Rice's house
and St. Elizabeths and they are both beautiful.
Antiques dealers...the French Quarter is loaded with them. Just ask
for what you are looking for and some dealer will be able to tell you
where to find it if they don't have it. Also, don't overlook the
food...Coop's is a great place to eat and not too expensive. As you
plan for your trip, plan on spending ALOT of money on food. Depending
on where you eat you will be, realistically, spending anywhere from
$40.00 a day and up on food per person.
One word of advice, if you want to see the cemetaries take the tour.
DO NOT go into them alone even during the day. They really do look
like small cities and there are many places for people, that mean you
harm, to hide and ambush you.
A second word of advice, don't rent a car. It only costs $14.00 each
way for a shuttle from the airport to the French Quarter. The French
Quarter is only a square mile so you can walk to most places much
faster than you could drive. Driving in the Quarter is a nightmare
because the streets are so narrow and there are no stoplights only
stop signs. The public transportation system seems to be good with
reasonable fares. The St. Charles Trolley can take you from the
Quarter to the Garden District and is a nice little ride.
It is also very, very expensive to park in the Quarter, even the
hotels charge you to park your car with rates running anywhere from
$15.00 to $25.00 PER DAY. This doesn't include the parking you are
going to have to pay for when you take your car out and have to
park... if you can find a parking place that isn't quite a distance
away from where you want to be.
I hope you have an enjoyable trip to NO, when you are able to take it.
Take care,
Ashe



Wouldn't know where to go for that stuff though, so any
 >advice on particular antiquedealer-filled streets would be appreciated.
 >Besides that I have more than a passing interest in the paranormal, so
 >anything "out there" 'd be of interest too. And I'm not talking the usual
 >ghost-tour.
 > Anyway, this was Jo from Holland, the journalism student, on her first
 >day of communication to the group.
 >
 >Thanks:)
 >Jo
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