Leigh Bardugo on 50 Years of Interview with the Vampire and the Immortality of Anne Rice’s Lestat

The article begins by questioning the overuse of the term classic, which is often applied loosely in marketing and media to describe books, films, or other works that are widely praised or commercially successful.

The author notes that while many works are labeled as classics, few truly endure over time.

For example, even bestsellers from past eras often fade into obscurity, leaving only a select few—like Dracula or Hamlet—to remain culturally relevant.

The article emphasizes that there is no scientific or formulaic way to predict which works will achieve this kind of immortality.

Instead, it suggests that the process is mysterious and magical, tied to the emotional and cultural resonance a work holds for readers across generations.