georgiaappleyard's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
veelaughtland's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really great novella, an early depiction of vampirism that as far as I know predates the famous Dracula by Bram Stoker.
Le Fanu experiments with elements of lesbianism, horror, and gothic in this carefully crafted novella that is related from the point of view of Laura, a woman who as a young girl encountered an attractive and bewitching girl named Carmilla... although she is not all she seems.
If you like vampire fiction then I'd highly recommend this - it's a quick and captivating read. I read this on my friend's Kindle, as you can download it free from Project Gutenberg, which I highly recommend you do as it will be worth your while!
Le Fanu experiments with elements of lesbianism, horror, and gothic in this carefully crafted novella that is related from the point of view of Laura, a woman who as a young girl encountered an attractive and bewitching girl named Carmilla... although she is not all she seems.
If you like vampire fiction then I'd highly recommend this - it's a quick and captivating read. I read this on my friend's Kindle, as you can download it free from Project Gutenberg, which I highly recommend you do as it will be worth your while!
bogwitchreads's review against another edition
5.0
What a difference an introduction and some footnotes can make! I have read Carmilla several times before, but Carmen Maria Machado casts it in the light I have always made an effort to see the story in, as a lesbian who loves gothic lit. Without changing a line of the original, she manages to turn this into a real love story, a sexual awakening for Laura, rather than the predatory one Le Fanu meant it to be. She gives Laura a voice and a life outside of this part of it, and I loved to see it. I definitely recommend that anyone who wants to read Carmilla, whether it is a first read or a fifteenth, read Carmen Maria Machado's edition.
acoldwintersread's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting, but ultimately random and, at times, confusing. 2.5 ⭐️
a_barratt's review against another edition
4.0
Carmilla has been on my list for a while and given the page count I thought that I would be able to breeze through it in an afternoon but it actually took a few days. Given that it was written in 1872, the writing style, tone and vocab are very different to what I'm used to and it was a struggle on my brain. Add to that the fact that the book is somewhat an interview, having been recounted by Laura to a doctor, and the material becomes harder to grasp.
I enjoyed the premise of Carmilla and it's funny how far back our collective obsession of beautiful if melodramatic vampires goes. I also enjoyed the Sapphic additions to the story. Though it is significantly subtler than we expect today, it's undeniable that Laura finds Carmilla to be beautiful and alluring and that in return Carmilla adores her. I can imagine that this book made quite a stir for a number of reasons.
My only complaint with Carmilla is that the end feels rushed and there are a few lingering questions. Firstly, the questions - why did Carmilla appear to Laura as a child? Why was the painting of her there? Who was the woman in the coach?
Secondly, I wish that it had taken a little longer to wrap up. I think Laura ought to have had more to say on the subject. I would have enjoyed a little more trial and error, some struggle, rather than the cleaner ending.
I enjoyed the premise of Carmilla and it's funny how far back our collective obsession of beautiful if melodramatic vampires goes. I also enjoyed the Sapphic additions to the story. Though it is significantly subtler than we expect today, it's undeniable that Laura finds Carmilla to be beautiful and alluring and that in return Carmilla adores her. I can imagine that this book made quite a stir for a number of reasons.
My only complaint with Carmilla is that the end feels rushed and there are a few lingering questions. Firstly, the questions - why did Carmilla appear to Laura as a child? Why was the painting of her there? Who was the woman in the coach?
Secondly, I wish that it had taken a little longer to wrap up. I think Laura ought to have had more to say on the subject. I would have enjoyed a little more trial and error, some struggle, rather than the cleaner ending.
elrincondelaslectoras's review against another edition
3.0
Lo mejor de esta obra han sido para mí la prosa delicada con la que está escrita y la ambientación. La ambientación tenebrosa, lúgubre e inquietante te lleva a entrar de lleno en la historia, y te atrapa. Poco a poco la historia va creciendo en intensidad, pero llega un punto en el que esa intensidad desciende, desinflándose hasta terminar en un final que llega demasiado rápido, comparado con el ritmo inicial de la narración.
Toca temas interesantes como el retrato que hace de la soledad, el papel del vampiro, normalmente reservado a los hombres y en este caso representado por una mujer o la atracción entre dos mujeres, temas que imagino controvertidos en la fecha de publicación del libro.
Recomendable para amantes del género y para conocer una de las obras, que dicen, inspiraron Drácula de Bram Stoker.
Me juzgarás cruel, muy egoísta, pero el amor es siempre egoísta; cuanto más ardiente más egoísta. No puedes saber lo celosa que soy. Habrás de venir conmigo, y amarme hasta la muerte; o bien odiarme y aun así venir conmigo, y odiarme en la muerte y después. A pesar de mi apática naturaleza la palabra indiferencia no existe para mí.
Querida mía, tu corazoncito está herido; no pienses que soy cruel porque obedezca a la ley irresistible de mi fuerza y mi debilidad; si tu querido corazón está herido, mi corazón desbocado sangra junto al tuyo. En el éxtasis de mi enorme humillación, vivo tu cálida vida, y tú morirás… morirás, morirás dulcemente… en mi vida.
Toca temas interesantes como el retrato que hace de la soledad, el papel del vampiro, normalmente reservado a los hombres y en este caso representado por una mujer o la atracción entre dos mujeres, temas que imagino controvertidos en la fecha de publicación del libro.
Recomendable para amantes del género y para conocer una de las obras, que dicen, inspiraron Drácula de Bram Stoker.
Me juzgarás cruel, muy egoísta, pero el amor es siempre egoísta; cuanto más ardiente más egoísta. No puedes saber lo celosa que soy. Habrás de venir conmigo, y amarme hasta la muerte; o bien odiarme y aun así venir conmigo, y odiarme en la muerte y después. A pesar de mi apática naturaleza la palabra indiferencia no existe para mí.
Querida mía, tu corazoncito está herido; no pienses que soy cruel porque obedezca a la ley irresistible de mi fuerza y mi debilidad; si tu querido corazón está herido, mi corazón desbocado sangra junto al tuyo. En el éxtasis de mi enorme humillación, vivo tu cálida vida, y tú morirás… morirás, morirás dulcemente… en mi vida.
ragubo's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 3.5
Carmilla is a strange, short tale. It evokes a similar feeling as when reading Frankenstein, The Time Machine, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: a supernatural-y, mildly spooky, Gothic horror (excepting the Time Machine).
Admittedly, this is one of my first forays into stories concerning vampires that aren't of the Goosebumps series or Twilight. Subsequently, I enjoyed the atmosphere the novella conveys, especially the ruins of the House of Karnstein, as well as that "something is not quite right" sensation.
Carmilla is a strange, short tale. It evokes a similar feeling as when reading Frankenstein, The Time Machine, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: a supernatural-y, mildly spooky, Gothic horror (excepting the Time Machine).
Admittedly, this is one of my first forays into stories concerning vampires that aren't of the Goosebumps series or Twilight. Subsequently, I enjoyed the atmosphere the novella conveys, especially the ruins of the House of Karnstein, as well as that "something is not quite right" sensation.
bgg616's review against another edition
5.0
It is October, and so I turn to reading horror. Halloween is my second favorite holiday (after Christmas). I attribute it partly to my Irish blood and my fascination with the thin boundary between our physical world and the spirit world. This novella was written by the Irish writer, Dublin-born Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu in 1871. It is a tale of a vampire. I am not a fan of contemporary vampire stories - films, novels, tv shows etc. But I love the original vampire stories of the 19th century. Le Faun's story predates the most famous vampire tale [b:Dracula|17245|Dracula|Bram Stoker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387151694l/17245._SY75_.jpg|3165724] by Bram Stoker. Le Faun became a colleague and friend of the younger Stoker, when Stoker wrote theater reviews for the Dublin Evening Mail, co-owned by Le Fanu.
In this story, a young woman, Laura, lives with her widowed father in a "schloss" (castle). Her father brings a young woman into their home after a carriage accident. The young woman will stay for several months until her mother returns to get her. Laura's father does this because his daughter is lonely in their isolated residence. From the very beginning, readers realize that all is not right with this visitor, Carmilla. Young women start becoming ill and dying in the area, and no one has any idea of what the cause could be.
The most surprising element of this 19th century work is the sensuality of this story. Carmilla seduces her female victims with declarations of love, and close physical contact. Modern vampire tales are blatantly sexual, but the low-burning sensuality of Le Fanu's tale adds to the horror. Young women of the 19th century were sheltered making them susceptible to Carmilla's seduction.
This is a reworking of the original by Le Fanu and written as a play. I should read the original to see how faithful this version is to Le Fanu's.
This Audible Original is deftfully narrated by a cast of actors including David Tennant. It is divided into three chapters. Carmilla was originally published as a serial so I assume the chapters align with the original serial. A truly creepy work that is free this October 2019 to Audible members.
In this story, a young woman, Laura, lives with her widowed father in a "schloss" (castle). Her father brings a young woman into their home after a carriage accident. The young woman will stay for several months until her mother returns to get her. Laura's father does this because his daughter is lonely in their isolated residence. From the very beginning, readers realize that all is not right with this visitor, Carmilla. Young women start becoming ill and dying in the area, and no one has any idea of what the cause could be.
The most surprising element of this 19th century work is the sensuality of this story. Carmilla seduces her female victims with declarations of love, and close physical contact. Modern vampire tales are blatantly sexual, but the low-burning sensuality of Le Fanu's tale adds to the horror. Young women of the 19th century were sheltered making them susceptible to Carmilla's seduction.
This is a reworking of the original by Le Fanu and written as a play. I should read the original to see how faithful this version is to Le Fanu's.
This Audible Original is deftfully narrated by a cast of actors including David Tennant. It is divided into three chapters. Carmilla was originally published as a serial so I assume the chapters align with the original serial. A truly creepy work that is free this October 2019 to Audible members.