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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
ahhhh i really wanted to like this book 😭😭 there were several factors in my life that possibly contributed to this rating, so it may not be entirely accurate. i plan to reread it again in the future after having done a deeper dive on the story and history of it, so maybe i’ll feel differently then…
but for now, yeah i just couldn’t really get into it lol. maybe it’s cuz it’s so old and the writing style was difficult for me to read? maybe cuz it felt like nothing much happened, and half the book was another character recounting his own story, which was identical to what i had just read? i don’t know… but while i didn’t particularly enjoy it, i do see why it was so influential to the vampire literature sphere, and i appreciate it for what it is.
but for now, yeah i just couldn’t really get into it lol. maybe it’s cuz it’s so old and the writing style was difficult for me to read? maybe cuz it felt like nothing much happened, and half the book was another character recounting his own story, which was identical to what i had just read? i don’t know… but while i didn’t particularly enjoy it, i do see why it was so influential to the vampire literature sphere, and i appreciate it for what it is.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
if carmilla sucks my blood do NOT drive a stake through her heart. she caught ME slipping. that is on ME.
dark
mysterious
fast-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Reading this felt like being at a sleepover all huddled around listening to one person with a torch under their chin tell a ghost story. Magic in a book
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
i love toxic vampire yuri
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I would love to read a version of this that’s written in current English. This being written in old English drags a little bit at times, in a not-satisfyingly-suspenseful way.
Other than that, great! I like the two lead characters. I like the queer undertones. I like the gothic romance. I like the author’s tone. I specifically read the version of this that’s edited by Carmen Maria Machado, so I enjoyed those footnotes as well.
Other than that, great! I like the two lead characters. I like the queer undertones. I like the gothic romance. I like the author’s tone. I specifically read the version of this that’s edited by Carmen Maria Machado, so I enjoyed those footnotes as well.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
I enjoyed this story, but I want to read another version. My rating is for the editing by Carmen Maria Machado, which I am frustrated with as it significantly altered my experience of the novella. :(
It wasn’t until I finished the book and looked into some sources mentioned in the editors note that I discovered the editors note includes intentionally fabricated information. I’ll include details behind spoiler text.
Machado invents a story that Le Fanu based the main characters off of real life historical figures. Machado invents Dr.Leight, a researcher who discovers romantic letters between two women hidden in Le Fanu’s home. None of this is true. I went into this story believing I was reading a part of queer history. Carmilla is undoubtedly queer, but the story Machado framed the story in is entirely false. This is incredibly dissapointing. I expect editors notes to provide factual context to enhance the experience. Many of the footnotes Machado includes throughout the text are entirely from her imagination and not grounded in the text. There are hints of what Machado is doing, but I unfortunately did not pick up on them. I suspect many others did and will not.
There is nothing inherently wrong with an imaginative edition of a classic story, and I like when people do that. But not disclosing that the Editors note includes fabricated information is deceptive. I wish there had been a note disclosing her motivation and actions. I would have chosen to read another edition, as I wanted an accurate introduction to this classic story I’ve heard much about. I won’t get to experience the story for the first time again, my experience is tainted:( I hope this review can help someone avoid the bad experience I had. :(
It wasn’t until I finished the book and looked into some sources mentioned in the editors note that I discovered the editors note includes intentionally fabricated information. I’ll include details behind spoiler text.
There is nothing inherently wrong with an imaginative edition of a classic story, and I like when people do that. But not disclosing that the Editors note includes fabricated information is deceptive. I wish there had been a note disclosing her motivation and actions. I would have chosen to read another edition, as I wanted an accurate introduction to this classic story I’ve heard much about. I won’t get to experience the story for the first time again, my experience is tainted:( I hope this review can help someone avoid the bad experience I had. :(