Carmilla

De: Sheridan Le Fanu

Narrado por: Karen Cass

“You will think me cruel, very selfish, but love is always selfish; the more ardent, the more selfish.”

Carmilla is a haunting gothic tale and one of the earliest examples of vampire literature, predating Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) by twenty-five years. The story of a lonely young woman living in a remote location, the tale explores eerie seduction, supernatural mystery, and forbidden desire.

Laura and her father live a quiet life in their secluded castle in the dense Austrian forest, where she has no other companions than her governess and the occasional visitor. Her solitary life is disrupted by the arrival of the enigmatic and alluring Carmilla, and as their bond deepens, Laura begins to suffer from strange dreams—she is both attracted and repulsed by Carmilla, but seems unable to find the energy to resist her.

When a spate of sudden wasting deaths afflict the peasants in the local countryside and Laura herself falls ill, her father decides they must leave the castle. Will they discover the truth about their mysterious house-guest before it’s too late?

Carmilla is celebrated for its atmospheric tension, its bold portrayal of female intimacy and queer subtext, making it a cornerstone of both horror and LGBTQ+ literature.

Joseph Sheridan LeFanu (1814–1873) was an influential Irish author known for his contributions to gothic fiction and supernatural literature. His most notable works include Carmilla, Uncle Silas and The House by the Churchyard, which reflect his interests in the eerie and mysterious aspects of human nature.

LeFanu is celebrated for his use of subtle psychological horror, and his works, which often explore themes of madness and obsession, have earned him a place among the greats of gothic literature.

Public Domain (P)2022 SNR Audio

The first vampire

Loved loved this book. I had heard very little about it before reading and it is so much more interesting than I expected. Would recommend to anyone who loves vampires, fantasy and history

An Interesting Vampire Story

Overall, this story was a very interesting early tale about vampires. The reader was very appealing and did an excellent job. My only complaint about the story is that it got a little disjointed near the end. Carmilla wasn’t referred to as a vampire until this stage and even the idea that vampires existed wasn’t expressed by the author until this point. Also near the end, the narrator, her father and a friend of his travel to a nearby ruined castle to discover the tomb of the vampire. Suddenly Carmilla shows up (it wasn’t clear she even knew where this party was going) and then promptly leaves after confronting the group. Aside from these issues, the story was very enjoyable.

OG toxic yuri

An interesting dive into the often fuzzy line between love and obsession. Also pretty short and superficial.

🩸Carmilla🩸

Carmilla is a mysterious and seductive tale centered around a captivating vampire who preys exclusively on women. The story is rich with romantic and erotic undertones, particularly between Carmilla and Laura, the protagonist. The audiobook performance was outstanding, bringing the story to life in an engaging way. I only wish the original work was longer, as the writing, dialogues, and vivid descriptions drew me in completely. Despite its brevity, it’s an incredibly enjoyable read. If you’re a fan of gothic literature or simply looking for something different and intriguing, Carmilla is a must-read!!!

Well written. An easy listen.

This was fun! Interesting how the description of a vampire differed from Dracula. I enjoyed it!