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dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Carmilla (1872) is a novella by Irish author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. It is one of the earliest and most influential vampire books, written twenty-five years before Dracula. The book recounts Laura the protagonist's complex and dangerous relationship with the titular Carmilla.
For any fan of gothic horror or vampire lore, this book is a must read. The prose is Victorian but feels more modern than many of its contemporaries. Although the narrative suffers from uneven pacing, it's a fast read. Le Fanu manages to cram a lot of emotion into a tight word count, crafting an atmospheric novel that will stick with you long after the last page.
The true value in this book is its interpetability and subtext, where Le Fanu critiques Victorian society. A critical reading of the book holds up to 21st century values and worldview. Just beneath the surface, the novella is about lesbian romance between Laura and Carmilla. A level deeper, we see that Le Fanu had a sharper message. Although Carmilla (as a vampire) is the literal monster of the story, the true monster is our society.
Minor spoilers. Laura's connection to Carmilla is tender and emotionally tangible. The male characters in the book (many of which were soldiers) see Carmilla as predatory and unnatural. They rationally understand the implausibility that she's supernatural, but their fear of her wins out. In the end, they draw from extremely sketchy sources to construct a narrative where they are the heroesfor murdering her . We are left wondering whether the events at the end of the book are true or whether Laura (perhaps an unreliable narrator), despondent and unfulfilled, has no choice but to accept society's expectations.
Carmilla is a fun book that holds up. I'd recommend it to any fan of gothic horror, and I'll probably read it again someday.
For any fan of gothic horror or vampire lore, this book is a must read. The prose is Victorian but feels more modern than many of its contemporaries. Although the narrative suffers from uneven pacing, it's a fast read. Le Fanu manages to cram a lot of emotion into a tight word count, crafting an atmospheric novel that will stick with you long after the last page.
The true value in this book is its interpetability and subtext, where Le Fanu critiques Victorian society. A critical reading of the book holds up to 21st century values and worldview. Just beneath the surface, the novella is about lesbian romance between Laura and Carmilla. A level deeper, we see that Le Fanu had a sharper message. Although Carmilla (as a vampire) is the literal monster of the story, the true monster is our society.
Minor spoilers. Laura's connection to Carmilla is tender and emotionally tangible. The male characters in the book (many of which were soldiers) see Carmilla as predatory and unnatural. They rationally understand the implausibility that she's supernatural, but their fear of her wins out. In the end, they draw from extremely sketchy sources to construct a narrative where they are the heroes
Carmilla is a fun book that holds up. I'd recommend it to any fan of gothic horror, and I'll probably read it again someday.