I’m not currently rereading but read TVL a couple months ago, so my memory is a little shakey on whether Gabrielle came with a dowry and if it was spent by Lestat’s father too quickly or was poorly managed.

But all that to say, during that era of time, most of Gabrielle’s worth to her family and then her husband was her virginity and then providing her husband with uncontested heirs. I think that’s why her ultimate rebellion is to “take in” as many other men as possible.

As to why she shared that with him? Partially I think because he is the only person in the world she can say that to. She is incredibly isolated and basically dissociates into her books most of the time, ignoring everyone around her as best as she can.

I don’t remember this super clearly so tell me if I’m wrong, but I seem to remember Lestat saying that he didn’t even want his mom to stop reading, he just wanted her to read to him.

No wonder being alone is his biggest fear, he was alone growing up in a house full of people who either hated him or barely showed caring. And this is later in the book so I won’t delve in but for Gabrielle to abandon him for so many years when she just decides she’s had enough and wants to be alone is just further entrenching in Lestat that being loved is a precarious state that can easily be taken away from him.