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A review by cloreadsbooks1364
Carmilla and Laura by S.D. Simper
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This sensual sapphic retelling has actually been on my radar since before I read the classic itself, and I’m pleased to have finally read Carmilla & Laura.
If you haven’t read Carmilla, it is a short novel (80 pages) about a young woman, Laura, who lives with her father and governesses in the Austrian countryside. Another young woman, the alluring Carmilla, comes to stay with them. Throughout the story, Laura weakens as the vampire feeds on her, eventually being discovered and destroyed. For a novel published in 1972, it has some homoromantic moments, Carmilla constantly showing physical affection to Laura and declaring that she will never love another as much. Its clear why Carmilla is heralded as a sapphic classic.
Carmilla & Laura expands on the romantic tension between the titular characters, the women falling deeply in love and exploring intimacies which would have been considered scandalous. While, in the original, Laura is confused between viewing Carmilla as her dear friend and a monstrous vampire, in this novel Laura stands firmly at Carmilla’s side, even after revealing her vampirism.
At 120 pages long, this was an easy novella to read. I consumed it in two sittings, roughly the same amount of time as the original classic. The thing I loved most about this retelling was the sultry, breathtaking atmosphere created during the romantic interactions between the characters.
Carmilla’s flirtatious, confident personality and enchanting beauty carried from the original text, as did the writing style. The ending was altered, and I cant decide whether or not I prefer it.
I highly recommend this gorgeous retelling to fans of sapphic romance, horror, and fantasy.
(In the original I spent all the time they were on page pretending the two governesses were a couple, and having one of them as sapphic here gave me a small sense of triumph.)
If you haven’t read Carmilla, it is a short novel (80 pages) about a young woman, Laura, who lives with her father and governesses in the Austrian countryside. Another young woman, the alluring Carmilla, comes to stay with them. Throughout the story, Laura weakens as the vampire feeds on her, eventually being discovered and destroyed. For a novel published in 1972, it has some homoromantic moments, Carmilla constantly showing physical affection to Laura and declaring that she will never love another as much. Its clear why Carmilla is heralded as a sapphic classic.
Carmilla & Laura expands on the romantic tension between the titular characters, the women falling deeply in love and exploring intimacies which would have been considered scandalous. While, in the original, Laura is confused between viewing Carmilla as her dear friend and a monstrous vampire, in this novel Laura stands firmly at Carmilla’s side, even after revealing her vampirism.
At 120 pages long, this was an easy novella to read. I consumed it in two sittings, roughly the same amount of time as the original classic. The thing I loved most about this retelling was the sultry, breathtaking atmosphere created during the romantic interactions between the characters.
Carmilla’s flirtatious, confident personality and enchanting beauty carried from the original text, as did the writing style. The ending was altered, and I cant decide whether or not I prefer it.
I highly recommend this gorgeous retelling to fans of sapphic romance, horror, and fantasy.
(In the original I spent all the time they were on page pretending the two governesses were a couple, and having one of them as sapphic here gave me a small sense of triumph.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood
Minor: Miscarriage