Reviews with content warning for Stalking - Carmilla

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Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

16 reviews

mmoonlight's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I wanted to read this one for a while now, and because I recently received a copy, I finally could.

While I did not particularly like any of the characters, I did enjoy the development of Laura and Carmilla's dynamic, the prose, the descriptions, and the feeling of suspense. Now I understand why Carmilla is such a groundbreaking work.

The only real complaint I have is that I expected something more complex when it comes to wrapping up the story. For example, more about Baron Vordenburg, whose appearance was really underwhelming, or for the final clash with Carmilla to be something bigger, something more striking and intense.

However, those aspects did not make me enjoy the novella any less. It was predictable and formulaic, as a lot of Gothic tales are, but I still found it entertaining.

Also, I have to say, I love the cover of the edition I was gifted, as well as the chosen fonts. Very pretty.

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eva_vva's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition

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dark reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

An odd novella, to be sure, and yet one that has earned its place among my favorite classics. An interesting take on sapphic desire, love, and identity accompanied by very intriguing, lore-heavy vampirism.

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_n_m_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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bearystarry's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Loved this. Even though I'd heard people talk about this book before, I was not expecting it to be this overtly romantic? Loved the specific vampire lore here as well. I think this will be something I want to reread pretty often.

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dellydoos's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Predating the infamous Dracula and his tale, Carmilla may not be widely recognized, yet its value and significance still should demand your attention. This was a great little novel. Lesbian vampires, set in a historical Germanic/French setting, hello? What a slay.

The atmospheric narrative, narrated in the first person, drew me into the world of Laura and Carmilla, establishing a captivating dynamic. This book was the embodiment of the old gothic horror, black forests, abandoned churches, remote mansions, it was all so perfectly eerie.
The unfolding tale masterfully explored the complexities of desire and danger, woven into the fabric of a bygone era. The historical backdrop added an extra layer of intrigue, giving life to the haunting setting.

However, the brevity of the novella, clocking in at a swift 100 pages, did pose some challenges. The plot unfolded rapidly, occasionally leaving me grappling to fully comprehend the swift and mysterious events. While the sparse yet atmospheric descriptions contributed to the novel's charm, I found myself yearning for more detail to enrich the storytelling. The use of old-timey language, though generally fitting for the setting, at times created a barrier, making it challenging to fully grasp the implied meanings conveyed by the characters.

The setup and interplay between Laura and Carmilla stood out as highlights, but the lack of character development or arcs was noticeable. The narrative remained primarily plot-driven, with the characters serving as instruments to propel the story forward. In the end, Carmilla provided an engaging yet somewhat elusive reading experience, earning it a solid 3/5 stars.

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