Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Carmilla - Audible Performance by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

69 reviews

dark 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: Complicated

I sometimes put far too much expectations on classic literature. Carmilla is the little story that acted as source and inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Was it amazing? No, not really. Was in interesting? Yes very, but it doesn’t necessarily have that same flare that modern literature have. It’s almost vague in its spookiness and overly naive in its characterization. It just never seemed like enough. I’m glad I read it, but I wouldn’t blame anyone for skipping it. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense fast-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
mysterious relaxing 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: N/A

Beautifully written. Simple story, I'm sure compelling for the time it was written. Quick read, very recommendable as a sapphic classic and, of course, just A Classic. Worth reading, I might even re-read it some day! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional mysterious medium-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense 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: Complicated

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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings