Reviews with content warning for Body horror - Carmilla

Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

19 reviews

rainbowrocky's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book must've blown minds in 19th century Ireland. I can see why it's a literary classic. I loved it a lot even if the characters are a bit one dimensional. It's more about the atmosphere, the looming threat of death. We know what's happening to Laura, but she hasn't the faintest idea since she's so innocent. Spoilers:

Carmilla's death was a bit of a let down. I thought we were building to something more shocking but her death was over so quickly and unceremoniously.

Content Warnings

pandemonicbaby's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

2.75

I recognize the importance of this book for being one of the first vampire stories to ever be published in the english language (and also, for strengthening the trope of the Lesbian Vampire™), but I do think it was a tiny bit underwhelming. The beginning was solid, and the gothic atmosphere was there, but as it went on, it felt like the author wasn't the best at developing characters or telling stories at all. The climax of the story felt very underwhelming, as if we were just being told a series of facts while reading a wikipedia page instead of living the scenes with the characters.
Also, the mystery aspect was not the best developed? While I know that being able to tell what was going on from a mile away was probably intentional, that wasn't really done in a way that makes it more interesting. I feel like, maybe, if the author gave us more specific scenes with the characters, scenes that had us observe them more closely and notice their intimacy, it would feel all the more vibrant and real, and the mystery aspect would make us feel more. But then again, it is a short story.
I feel like this is the kind of book that you could make a great adaptation out of (book, film, tv show), but as a standalone, it's just kind of okay.
I do really like it that they were lesbians tho. Laura was sooo in denial like Carmilla was like "I'm in love with you" and Laura was like "wow... so she's either a man in desguise and that's why she's in love with me, or she's in love with a guy somewhere and that's why she's acting so lovey-dovey around me. Because she likes someone else." Like GIRL!!!! SHE WANTS TO EAT YOU OUT!!!! DUMMY
Just feel like the lesbianism could've been a little more juicy as well!!!

Regarding this specific edition itself: just felt like they were enchendo linguiça, as we Brazilians like to say. Like, c'mon!!! This is supposed to be Carmilla!! It only says "Carmilla" on the cover!! It's fine that they added another old ass english vampire tale too, but then they started adding a shit ton of stuff that is so unnecessary !!! Like, the editor's letter regarding "Vampyre" is so unnecessarily long and fucking mysogynistic, and I know it at least mentions the context of this story (as to why and when it was written), but I got so fucking angry at that stupid fucking mysogynistic editor I didn't even give a damn. And then, after "Vampyre", they also added a nugu's letter about Lord Byron's vacation house in Greece??? Like, WHY???? HE DIDNT EVEN WRITE THE STORY???
The people who brought this edition together probably just wanted to make it longer to like. justify the price or something idfk

Content Warnings

tessalexandra's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.0

Content Warnings

thebiblioboo's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

those_moody_readers's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

aparker89's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

A classic tale, older than time.

We all know Dracula, his real life niece Bathory ,and their reigns of terror. But what if there was someone else waiting in the dark? Camilla is charming, beautiful and witty but something dark is lingering behind her sparkling eyes. Meet Laura, a lonely young woman who wants nothing more than companionship and follow her tale of terror!

Content Warnings

fernnoweh's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

Ending is kind of abrupt here. Wish that there was more tension and suspense that leads up to it. I can definitely see why this inspired other vampire novels because it does set up some very interesting lore that can be played around with. I can also see why there are many adaptations of it—there’s so much more you can do with the base story.

Also. For a book that is “steeped in sexual tension and gothic romance” there could’ve been a lot more of both. They just held hands and kissed a bit?? Where’s the DRAMA?? (I know this was published in the 1870s but c’mon man!!)

Content Warnings