Nothing remained to assure us that the adventure had not been an illusion of a moment but the young lady, who just at that moment opened her eyes.
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Oct 03, 2011
Elizabeth
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It's always fascinating to see what people were obsessed with in earlier times. Like looking at medieval bones of saints or Victorian mourning jewelry made from hair or the early English's value of gold; you kind of get it and kind of don't. It isn't always obvious, or, it is, if you know what you're looking for. The more you read certain types of books or books from certain periods, you begin to see the pattern, and slowly you understand the significance of what you're looking at.
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Feb 02, 2010
Evan
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So, this week I read two intense tales of strange longing and obsession from the 1870s: the S&M classic "Venus in Furs" and this lesbian-flavored vampire tale, which, you can read for free, and quickly as it is short, at Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org). I liked "Venus in Furs" more; for me it had more overall gravitas, but this vampire book is impressive and heartbreaking in its own right.
In terms of conveying the idea of the multi-generational lifespan of the v More...
In terms of conveying the idea of the multi-generational lifespan of the v More...
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(5 people liked it)
Apr 13, 2008
Werner
rated it: 
This book is one of the best treatments of the vampire theme I have read (admittedly, I haven't read very many --even counting the ones I didn't like enough to finish!). While the author's diction is Victorian, the book is a short, quick read (unlike the massive tomes that some 19th-century novels are), so it shouldn't be daunting even for readers who have a problem with old-fashioned prose. Unlike John Polidori's Lord Ruthven and the title character of Varney the Vampire, LeFanu's vampire is
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(9 people liked it)
May 10, 2011
Sonia
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Dimentichiamoci la Meyer, la Rice, Buffy e tutti quelli che in questi anni ci stanno bombardando di vampiri e derivati.
Carmilla è la degna compagna di Dracula, è la vampira originale.
In un racconto di neanche 100 pagine Le Fanu è stato in grado di creare un mito indimenticabile. E se leggendo quelle pagine ora, nel 2009, ci rendiamo conto fin dalla prima pagina di come si svilupperà la storia, di come andrà a finire, ciò non toglie nulla all'essenza di questo "gioiello" della lettera More...
Carmilla è la degna compagna di Dracula, è la vampira originale.
In un racconto di neanche 100 pagine Le Fanu è stato in grado di creare un mito indimenticabile. E se leggendo quelle pagine ora, nel 2009, ci rendiamo conto fin dalla prima pagina di come si svilupperà la storia, di come andrà a finire, ciò non toglie nulla all'essenza di questo "gioiello" della lettera More...
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Nov 17, 2011
Shawn
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This is a small paperback with the shorter "Carmilla" and the longer novella "The Haunted Baronet" (which is similar to an earlier Le Fanu story, "The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardaugh", which was a reworking of an even earlier piece, "Sir Dominick's Bargain"). You have to love old paperbacks from the 70's with cigarette ads inserted at the halfway point.
What could be said about "Carmilla" that hasn't already been said? Not much. It's More...
What could be said about "Carmilla" that hasn't already been said? Not much. It's More...
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Jul 28, 2010
Jessica
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bought this book on a whim, while searching Amazon with "Lesbian Vampires" I ran across this title, and read the wikipedia article, and was intrigued. Apparently this book was on of the ones that inspired Bram Stoker to write his classic Dracula, and so I thought I would like to read Carmilla myself.
Despite my amazon search term, this book is not abounding with scantily clad vampires seducing the fairer sex. At first it was difficult for me to get used to the writing style More...
Despite my amazon search term, this book is not abounding with scantily clad vampires seducing the fairer sex. At first it was difficult for me to get used to the writing style More...
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Nov 22, 2008
Suzie
rated it:
I actually read this on Wikisource, since it has long been in the public domain, but for simplicity's sake I just selected the paperback edition.
From a modern perspective, with centuries of lore and creative endeavors on the subject behind us, the narrator of Carmilla seems a little... slow. But even knowing what to expect, Le Fanu's story manages to stay surprisingly suspenseful. (One always knows, when beginning a vampire story, that someone will die in the ensuing pages. The quest More...
From a modern perspective, with centuries of lore and creative endeavors on the subject behind us, the narrator of Carmilla seems a little... slow. But even knowing what to expect, Le Fanu's story manages to stay surprisingly suspenseful. (One always knows, when beginning a vampire story, that someone will die in the ensuing pages. The quest More...
Jan 29, 2012
Kribu
rated it:
I'm in two minds about this story.
On the one hand, it seems rather obvious that it's one of the massive influences on the whole vampire genre (or at least one of the earliest stories utilising a number of now-familiar elements of the vampire lore). And it's a fairly interesting tale, too; exciting and mysterious and creepy.
On the other hand, there were things about it that annoyed me. The main character's slowness, for example - okay, I get it, she did mention over and over More...
On the one hand, it seems rather obvious that it's one of the massive influences on the whole vampire genre (or at least one of the earliest stories utilising a number of now-familiar elements of the vampire lore). And it's a fairly interesting tale, too; exciting and mysterious and creepy.
On the other hand, there were things about it that annoyed me. The main character's slowness, for example - okay, I get it, she did mention over and over More...
Jan 24, 2012
Lauren
rated it: 
J. Sheridan LeFanu's "Carmilla" stands as one of the richest, most literate and most enduring stories in the history of the vampire sub-genre. Many rate it higher than Bram Stoker's "Dracula," and while that estimation is at least debatable, there is no debate that "Carmilla" has exerted a mighty influence, consciously or not, on most vampire fiction to follow in its wake, "Dracula" not excepted. Indeed, Stoker's original early chapter in his masterpiece,
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Oct 27, 2011
Roberta
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 26, 2011
Tomi
rated it:
This is very subtle and unique horror story and one of the first vampire books. Older than Dracula I might add.
The story follows a young woman Laura who tells a chilling tale of the macabre. As a child she had a nightmare about a girl and one day when she is the most lonely a girl exactly like the one she dreamed about appears. Her name is Carmilla. They become very good friends, maybe even too good.
The story starts slowly and builds tension towards the end. The vampire myt More...
The story follows a young woman Laura who tells a chilling tale of the macabre. As a child she had a nightmare about a girl and one day when she is the most lonely a girl exactly like the one she dreamed about appears. Her name is Carmilla. They become very good friends, maybe even too good.
The story starts slowly and builds tension towards the end. The vampire myt More...
Oct 08, 2011
Lana
rated it:
Carmilla es una historia que todo el mundo debería leer, uno de esos clásicos llenos de magia que cautivan al lector de principio a fin. No todos saben que esta historia sirvió de inspiración a Bram Stoker para escribir Drácula, y para alguien que ha leído ambos libros, las similitudes son bastante obvias, a pesar de que la diferencia entre uno y otro es de casi seiscientas páginas. Yo soy una de esas (pocas) personas que no disfrutó tanto con Drácula como esperaba, pues la lectura se me hizo te
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Nov 27, 2009
Scott
rated it:
When it came to writing Dracula, Bram Stoker had the bones and sinews of the vampire myth handed to him on a platter, with watercress all around. Written 25 years before Stoker published his vampire novel, Le Fanu's Carmilla (1872) is an anorexic version of Dracula, every bit as chilling, but a lot thinner. You can slurp up the whole novella in an evening, easily.
It's all here, remote castles secluded in the great forests of eastern Europe, mysterious visitors, lovely young women wa More...
It's all here, remote castles secluded in the great forests of eastern Europe, mysterious visitors, lovely young women wa More...
Mar 31, 2009
Kate
rated it:
Someone in the Supernatural Fiction Readers Group recommended this as an early vampire novel. It was, in fact, published 25 years before Dracula. I read it through Project Gutenberg but I would estimate it at 80 pages - a short novel. The recommender thought the language might be too archaic and inaccessible for today's reader, but I didn't have too much of an issue with it. Dracula, to me, was much more difficult to read. There are some spoilers below.
I imagine, when this was f More...
I imagine, when this was f More...
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Sep 20, 2011
Marialyce
rated it:
This short little novel, written twenty five years before the famous Bram Stoker novel, is an easy read about a female vampire who attacks young females. Interesting and providing perhaps a stepping stone to Dracula, the novel has overtones certainly of a lesbian nature.
The vampire going under the name of Carmilla is a young, beautiful woman who is brought into relationships by her mother (?). She arrives at the home of the narrator, Laura, and her father and because of an accident is More...
The vampire going under the name of Carmilla is a young, beautiful woman who is brought into relationships by her mother (?). She arrives at the home of the narrator, Laura, and her father and because of an accident is More...
Jun 04, 2011
Michael
rated it:
First published in 1872, Carmilla is a hugely influential vampire story told by a young girl called Laura, starved of the company of children her own age. After a coach crash not far from her castle home in Styria, her family agree to look after another young girl called Carmilla for a period of some months. Laura recognises the girl at once from a disturbing dream from years earlier. And Carmilla admits to having the same dream. In the nearby village the deaths begin.
The enduring literary More...
The enduring literary More...
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Dec 11, 2008
MikeS
rated it:
Published in 1872, eighteen years before the first manuscripts of Stoker’s Dracula, Carmilla is one of the works heavily credited for developing/influencing vampire mythology. The novella is a first-person account of a young lady, Laura, who becomes the object of a mysterious visitor’s intense affection. The young guest, Carmilla, is described as being “so beautiful and so indescribably engaging” and quickly woos Laura with delicate caresses and not-so subtle words. Shortly after Carmilla’s a
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Jan 19, 2012
Nemesis
rated it:
"Mia cara, il tuo piccolo cuore è ferito; non giudicarmi crudele perché obbedisco all’irresistibile legge della mia forza e della mia debolezza. Se il tuo piccolo cuore è ferito, anche il mio sanguina con il tuo. Nell’estasi della mia grande umiliazione, io vivo nella tua calda vita e tu morirai.., morirai dolcemente.., nella mia vita. Non posso farne a meno; come io mi avvicino a te, così tu, a tua volta, ti accosterai ad altri, e capirai l’estasi di questa crudeltà che è sempre amore; cos
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Oct 04, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
A very nice read though it's such a shame that this book was not longer! The tale of Carmilla (and it's various spin offs) has been of interest to me for a long time, and I was delighted to find it for free on Kindle!
However, I found it wanting in respect of it's length as it really is a rather short novel that I polished off in just about a day!
If this book carried a little more embellishment; character development and more detailed description, then this book would likely fall More...
However, I found it wanting in respect of it's length as it really is a rather short novel that I polished off in just about a day!
If this book carried a little more embellishment; character development and more detailed description, then this book would likely fall More...
Sep 09, 2011
Elisandra
rated it:
Why I always feel drawn towards evil? Why Can't I be a good girl that sees the wicked ways and wish for a happy ending where the bad people get what they deserve? Why must I feel for those who hurt and prey on the innocent with no regret what so ever?
I didn't chose to read this book, it chose me and I can't say how or why. Fate brought it in to my way and I fell in its trap like a moth into the flame.
The plot - A girl (Laura) is lonely and longs for a company to talk and be fri More...
I didn't chose to read this book, it chose me and I can't say how or why. Fate brought it in to my way and I fell in its trap like a moth into the flame.
The plot - A girl (Laura) is lonely and longs for a company to talk and be fri More...
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Nov 16, 2010
Tostoini
rated it:
Carmilla è un racconto molto strano.
La figura di Carmilla non mette inquietudine, questa pallida ragazza sempre stanca e dalle strane idee non ispira l'inquietudine che poco dopo sprigionerà dalle righe di Dracula.
Mettono molta più inquietudine le persone che la circondano.
Così vittoriani, beneducati, asessuati. O troppo giovani o troppo vecchi. Un po' stupidi. Anzi parecchio stupidi.
Mette inquietudine la giovane protagonista, che vive la vicenda passivamente, passiva More...
La figura di Carmilla non mette inquietudine, questa pallida ragazza sempre stanca e dalle strane idee non ispira l'inquietudine che poco dopo sprigionerà dalle righe di Dracula.
Mettono molta più inquietudine le persone che la circondano.
Così vittoriani, beneducati, asessuati. O troppo giovani o troppo vecchi. Un po' stupidi. Anzi parecchio stupidi.
Mette inquietudine la giovane protagonista, che vive la vicenda passivamente, passiva More...
Aug 02, 2011
Reetta
rated it:
Etenkin queer-tutkijat ovat kiinnittäneet huomiota viktoriaanisen ajan naisten ystävyyteen niin todellisuudessa kuin kirjallisuudessakin. Feministihorroristit puolestaan muistuttavat goottilaisen roma/anin(nssin) olleen sitkeästi naisten genre. Näissä maisemissa liikkuu Carmilla, lesbovampirismin hillitty esikuva.
"I took her hand as I spoke. I was a little shy, as lonely people are, but the situation made me eloquent, and even bold. She pressed my hand, she laid hers upon it, and her eyes More...
"I took her hand as I spoke. I was a little shy, as lonely people are, but the situation made me eloquent, and even bold. She pressed my hand, she laid hers upon it, and her eyes More...
Nov 03, 2011
Cecilia
rated it:
I'm not the type of person who gets fascinated with vampires. Except for 'Dracula' and perhaps (the movie) based on 'Interview with the Vampire' by Anne Rice, I have never been able to get into series like 'True Blood' and least with the 'Twilight' book serial. Just, no. I like vampires whose stories are set in the XVIII - XIX century, who dress in fine garments and have this highly sexual behaviour, without being grotesque. And, oh, yes, I also like them the more if they are cultured and extrem
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Sep 28, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
I've spent some time now staring at my screen wondering what to rate this book. The four stars I've given it seem excessive for a book this slight, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Does Goodreads require a new system with half-stars or am I getting hopelessly pedantic about something I'm not getting paid to do? (The correct answer is: "yes" to both.)
Star ratings aside, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla is worth reading for anyone with even a passing interest in vampires or Victo More...
Star ratings aside, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla is worth reading for anyone with even a passing interest in vampires or Victo More...
Dec 09, 2011
Milan/zzz
rated it:
I like this novella quite a lot. More than I expected I would, vampires are usually not my mug of tea ;) Since this one was an inspiration to Stoker in writing his famous novel I might give it a chance after all.
What was quite surprise was a few quite erotic passages, quite sensual. Of course whoever is into this genre [vampire] wouldn't be surprised a bit but consider this story has been written in 19th century and I'm talking about lesbian erotic scenes. Don't get me wrong this has prett More...
What was quite surprise was a few quite erotic passages, quite sensual. Of course whoever is into this genre [vampire] wouldn't be surprised a bit but consider this story has been written in 19th century and I'm talking about lesbian erotic scenes. Don't get me wrong this has prett More...
Oct 16, 2011
Nora
rated it:
Annotated Carmilla
by
by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, D. MacDowell Blue, David A. Sutton and Andrew M. Boylan
I usually do not compare any of the books I have reviewed with any other books I have read. I think the book is pure genius and admire everyone who was a part of it. Sometimes words cannot describe nor give credit to the magnificent imagination it takes and took to compose a work like Annotated Carmilla. Nowadays the spotlight is usually put on the male species of the vamp More...
by
by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, D. MacDowell Blue, David A. Sutton and Andrew M. Boylan
I usually do not compare any of the books I have reviewed with any other books I have read. I think the book is pure genius and admire everyone who was a part of it. Sometimes words cannot describe nor give credit to the magnificent imagination it takes and took to compose a work like Annotated Carmilla. Nowadays the spotlight is usually put on the male species of the vamp More...
Nov 29, 2011
Drew
rated it:
Well, this is one of the earliest vampire novels and was one of Stoker's inspirations for the classic Dracula. I have to say, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and gripping read, and the slightly archaic language (this was written in the mid-to-late 1800s) only added to the Gothic horror atmosphere of the story. I won't go into details or provide any spoilers, as it's a short story without a ton of characters, so to do so would give it all away, but there are certainly some twists and surprises, and
More...
Apr 10, 2009
Jesse
rated it:
In many ways the antithesis of Dracula, and if Stoker's novel disappointed me with its clean-cut, heterosexual male-influenced dichotomies, than le Fanu's novella is the flipside of the coin: female-centric, homoerotic, ambiguous and enigmatic (and all in about a quarter of the length!). Here the vampire is not the withered, evil "Other" but the beautiful, sensuous stranger that is readily welcomed into home and heart, becoming the double for the protagonist, leading to a very differe
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Oct 10, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
Carmilla's pretty awesome. In spite of an ending that's a little anticlimactic, it's a great vampire piece and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Though Dracula is clearly the better book, in many ways Carmilla is a much more compelling vampire. Her character is developed more, I think, and it exposes once again this idea that vampires are more about just killing. Carmilla has this obsessive need to be accepted by her victims and she is constantly toying with their emotions and minds. It makes he More...
Though Dracula is clearly the better book, in many ways Carmilla is a much more compelling vampire. Her character is developed more, I think, and it exposes once again this idea that vampires are more about just killing. Carmilla has this obsessive need to be accepted by her victims and she is constantly toying with their emotions and minds. It makes he More...
Mar 01, 2011
Holly
rated it:
I read this short story after seeing a very good adaptation of Carmilla at the DCA theater. The book adds a lot more detail than the stage production allows for and is very good. A classic Gothic vampire tale, which is even more interesting because the female characters are so strong. The main characters are Laura and Carmilla, two apparently young women. When it's revealed that Carmilla is actually a centuries old vampire who has been feasting on the young women in the area, Laura's family
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