Carmilla & Green Tea

By: Joseph Sheridan LeFanu

Narrated by: Walter Zimmerman, Linda Vars

Joseph Sheridan LeFanu was one of the major figures of 19th centrury supernaturalism. He helped move supernaturalist fiction away from the Gothic's emphasis on external sources of terror and toward a focus on the effects of terror, thus helping to create the psychological basis for supernaturalist and horror lit that continues today.

"Carmilla" is LeFanu's famous vampire story. It is, according to E. F. Bleiler, "probably the best vampire story of all." (Guide to Supernatural Fiction).

"Green Tea" is another chilling example of a classic horror story. Dickens himself was fascinated by the work of Le Fanu and printed Le Fanu's "Green Tea" in his periodical, All the Year Round (1869).

©1982 Jimcin Recordings (P)1982 Jimcin Recordings

Critic reviews

"Bram Stoker wrote a masterpiece; it is called Dracula. It is imaginative and a great proof of high art; however it is not the original work it is widely thought to be. Stoker owes much to Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and his brilliant story 'Carmilla'. The similarities in setting, character development, and plot declares, as if by proclamation, the paternity of Dracula." (Webspawner.com)

Review of Carmilla & Green Tea

The text of this gothic vampire saga is both engaging and simultaneously convoluted. The unexpected yet appropriate modesty of sentiment tricks the brain momentarily. I found myself translating (and appreciating)the intrinsic definitions we often overlook. That being said, the narrator had their challenge no doubt. I was disappointed by the outcome. The flow of the narration was somewhat stilted, reminescent of early acting efforts to vitalize a role. Subtle changes in volume, tone and tempo were used to differentiate characters. Unfortunately it was difficult to differentiate a slow Southern drawl from the narrator's effort to capture the essence of langor.
The story was predictable, the characters lacked depth and substance and the narration was amateurish. I rated this audibook two stars.

Ok

This wasn't really want I thought it was going to be. The second story "Green Tea" actually wasn't worth it. The first Story Carmilla is ok for the period and setting it was written in. However unless you really like vampire stories I wouldn't not recommend it.

Bram Stoker he's not

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

For those who are deeply interested in the development of the vampire stories, this might prove enjoyable.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The narrator of the Carmilla story was weak and the voice she uses for the Carmilla character seems misguided. The narrator of the Green Tea story was fun to listen to.

Any additional comments?

Overall, as someone who is not a fan of the vampire genre and does not really understand it's appeal, I found this a dull "read". (Green Tea is not a vampire story.)