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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
to the editor of my copy who at one point wrote the footnote "If this isn't an orgasm, nothing is." you are correct and I'm in love with you
"Que vivan las lesbianas, señoreeeeeees" (perdón, tenía que hacerlo)
Es una historia de terror gótico de 1872, corta y aterradora
Es una historia de terror gótico de 1872, corta y aterradora
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The difficulty in reading this book now is that though it sits at the center of what created Vampire mythology, the pacing of this narrative slows towards the last third before giving us a wonderful, but far too short ending. For it's time, I am sure it was curdling, but certainly Le Fanu had a bit more in him. There was too big a pause before the big reveal where time seemed to slow down. And there was a bit too much didacticism in the end for my liking.
Still, this was a wonderful book to read and I am glad I finally finished it after a bit of a pause. The Vampire lore established is sacred and reading this felt affirming, especially as people play with the rules in the modern era to tell stories that are less than while desperately failing to understand the true devastation of devotion.
Still, this was a wonderful book to read and I am glad I finally finished it after a bit of a pause. The Vampire lore established is sacred and reading this felt affirming, especially as people play with the rules in the modern era to tell stories that are less than while desperately failing to understand the true devastation of devotion.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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:
Yes
Considered the origin of vampire lesbian stories, Carmilla is certainly progressive for its time.
There were a few quotes that absolutely delighted me, especially as the editor/writer's commentary that breaks the 4th wall.
It's short, and so much of it is an exposition dump via flashback. If you've read Dracula, this is essentially the pared down version with a bit more even pacing and some hints of sapphic romance.
There were a few quotes that absolutely delighted me, especially as the editor/writer's commentary that breaks the 4th wall.
It's short, and so much of it is an exposition dump via flashback. If you've read Dracula, this is essentially the pared down version with a bit more even pacing and some hints of sapphic romance.
This was completely and utterly thoroughly enjoyable. Having read previously only rather stuffy vampire fiction, this was light and fun in a contrary Gothic way. I have no idea how the author has managed to combine those so well. This was a light, sapphic delight of a vampire novel, and a foundational structure from which you can see stoker having taken inspiration (and at times, direct concepts) from for Dracula.
Overall, fascinating, contradictory and wonderful, with not a single word wasted.
Overall, fascinating, contradictory and wonderful, with not a single word wasted.
mysterious
medium-paced