Carmilla

Written by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Narrated by Tony Walker

Carmilla published in 1872 was one of the first vampire novels and is certainly among the most sensuous with its strong lesbian overtones. It is a classic Gothic novella set deep in the enchanted forests of Styria; a land still haunted by superstition and of course vampires. Carmilla predates fellow Irishman Bram Stoker's Dracula by twenty-five years, and reading both, you will see the influence of Carmilla on Dracula. This edition has notes and an introduction by Tony Walker, who narrates the audiobook version and who is the producer of the Classic Ghost Stories Podcast.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author's Republic
• Release date: Dec 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781982795511

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic horror. Born in Dublin, Le Fanu was raised in a literary family. His mother, a biographer, and his father, a clergyman, encouraged his intellectual development from a young age. He began writing poetry at fifteen and went on to excel at Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied law and served as Auditor of the College Historical Society. In 1838, shortly before he was called to the bar, he began contributing ghost stories to Dublin University Magazine, of which he later became editor and proprietor. He embarked on a career as a writer and journalist, using his role at the magazine as a means of publishing his own fictional work. Le Fanu made a name for himself as a pioneer of mystery and Gothic horror with such novels as The House by the Churchyard (1863) and Uncle Silas (1864). Carmilla (1872), a novella, is considered an early work of vampire fiction and an important influence for Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897).

Reviews for Carmilla

[Leighla Foster · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well I have to say, this was much more interesting and easy to follow than Dracula. Very beautiful, very ethereal, very gay. I was unsurprised but amused in my research of the screen adaptations that many of them tried to obliterate the very clear romantic elements of their relationship - or even *shudders* tried to make Carmilla straight! Even though much of the book would be considered cliche today, knowing the historical context I was easily drawn in and got chills many times.

[susan rodd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Nicely narrated a blockbuster listen! If you want the source of Dracula you’ve come to the right place.

[Lynn Anne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Carmilla follows a 19th century sapphic vampire by the same name, who while traveling with her mother ends up boarding with a secluded family; Laura and her father and their household. Carmilla acts a little strange often displaying fevered and passionate proclamations towards Laura. Her visit leads to discoveries no one was ready for.
Seeing as this story predates the world renown 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker by 25 years, most people argue that Carmilla is the actual blueprint for the modern vampire. I agree with them.

Some of my favorite lines in the book include;
* “I have been in love with no one, and never shall," she whispered, "unless it should be with you."
*"Darling, darling," she murmured, "I live in you; and you would die for me, I love you so."
*“If your dear heart is wounded, my wild heart bleeds with yours.”
*“You are mine, you shall be mine, you and I are one for ever.”

Carmilla is a very intense character and I really enjoyed reading this.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a reread for me & I fell in love with it this time. I changed my rating from 3 to 5 stars.

[Glydel Fornan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book is as captivating — even more so — as Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

[Camille Tobias · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just really like this story, well written and I love this narrator’s voice.

[Georgiana Trutescu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narration is great and I loved the vampire story/book!

[Andreea Gaur · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful and charming as all vampires should be, I found myself falling in love with her although my senses told me to stay away. There is something calling us all to Carmilla.