Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

56 reviews

carly_reads's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad

4.75

 First of all, if you choose to read this (and I think you should), I must insist you read the version edited by Carmen Maria Machado. And don’t skip the introduction! It provides the necessary insight to understand the significance of the text. I found this to be a very accessible classic. It’s eerie, mysterious, and gothic and if you like literary vampires at all, it’s a must read. This story wasn't quite Le Fanu’s own, and In the words of CMM: “Once Veronika’s excised letters are restored to the record, the dimensions of the story become clearer; a young woman’s sexual awakening;

the senseless slaughter of her supposed defiler.

The ecclesiastics and doctors and fathers and uncles and barons and vampire hunters look less like well-intentioned protectors against a supernatural evil; their own accounts become highly suspect.” 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death

crushedvelvet's review against another edition

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

3.5

Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla was made in a lab for me. The intersection of death, mystery, & lesbianism & the push-pull of attraction & abject terror... It's a new favorite for sure. Like any other classic its language is at times verbose & meandering. I also can't say the characters or prose left much impression on me (save for the titular Carmilla). They all moved fixedly in service of the plot. More like marionettes than fully realized people. Regardless, its a worthwhile read for any vampire enthusiasts out there.

Glad they removed the misogynoir from this edition as well!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Blood and Death

takarakei's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

I highly recommend this version of Carmilla edited by Carmen Maria Machado who provides much needed historical context in the introduction and with footnotes throughout. It's also a beautiful edition with a few illustrations.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Racism and Sexual content

f18's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Toxic relationship

Minor: Racism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

probable hypnosis

plume_de_renarde's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Blood

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Suicide and Misogyny

hannahduda's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Racism

oliviapincin's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Death

maddramaqueen's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Child death, Grief, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood

Minor: Ableism, Sexual harassment, Pandemic/Epidemic, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Suicide

cozyscones's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood

jashanac's review against another edition

3.5

That introduction absolutely had me fooled haha! I love it. 

I enjoyed this -- it's a classic, of course, so the writing style is very different from what I typically read because I read very few classics. So nothing about the writing was particularly incredible for me, personally. 

I also thought that the ending was pretty rushed and the lore and plot overall was a bit flimsy. 

However, the vaguely eerie gothic vibes are there, for sure! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Violence