Le Fanu created this vampiric antagonist in 1872, predating the vastly known Count Dracula, in this sapphic depiction of lust, desire, and obsession. Through the eyes of Laura, a young girl in rural Austria, the corruption of her soul is depicted slowly as you explore the pages. Her corrupter, Carmilla, emerges into Laura and her fathers lives in the most convenient possible moment, and from then on Carmilla does everything to merge the two girls into one. Reading this novel as a Gothic fan has been delicious, and a must read for anyone interested in the vampiric world of the Gothic. Despite it being a great addition to my bookshelf, however, there were definitely aspects that I did not favour, which I will discuss later as a counterpart to the praise that this book shall receive from me.
by Maena Paillet
In terms of literary production, this book was written with a flow that I personally favour in a novel. The descriptions of surroundings, emotions, and moments of action are long and felt-out, but overall the book is not that long (only 156 pages long). Unlike Dracula by Bram Stoker, the moments are not dragged out to the point of disinterest, but rather you want to read the whole book in one to find out what happens to our main protagonist. Each chapter shapes its own world, yet continues to grab the main motif of duality between adoration and repulsion. The ending, however, was anticlimactic in my honest opinion, but that is the same way I felt about Dracula, so maybe I'm the problem.
The sapphic love explored between Carmilla and Laura, (or rather lust as Le Fanu depicts it) reminded me of a university paper I wrote about infection in Victorian literature. The immigrant in the nineteenth century was often depicted as infectious, like in Bram Stoker's novel, and I do believe that if you are looking for a pro-queer novel, this might not be the best pick. However, the grasping notes of cannibalistic desire, exploration of sexuality, and Vampiric attachment are definitely entrancing, it was such a skillfully written book and I understand how it shaped the future of Vampiric depictions.
This novel is the perfect addition to your bookshelf if you are a fan of the Gothic (which I'm sure if you’re reading this you are). It’s an easy read, with exactly the right amount of side tracks and random descriptions, and it's fun to know what is happening while the characters have NO idea. Would I read this over Dracula? Some classic lovers might hate me for this, but I must say, my answer is yes. It is the perfect length for the story arc, more intimate, and a lot more Gothic for my liking. But I also love the Twilight movies so can you really trust me?
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
