Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
Book Rating 3 / 5 - A good brief read.
This is probably the shortest book I’ve read in years, at only 156 pages. This novel, first published in 1871, predates the most famous of the vampire stories, Dracula, by twenty-six years. I have to say, for a short read, I really did enjoy this novel. The story centers on a nineteen-year-old girl who lives in Styria, an old country where she and her father live in their schloss (estate) far out in the woods. Until then, Laura lives isolated with her father and staff. Until Carmilla, a beautiful young woman, arrives and is left with Laura and her father by Carmilla’s mother. Who immedietely takes off via carriage. Carmilla and Laura bond immediately. With each one doting on the other, walking with their arms wrapped around each other, and kissing each other’s faces. That is where the “sapphic romance” is pointed out within the story. And seemingly, it seems that Carmilla in many ways truly does desire Laura as some sort of companion. However, I would not go as far as to say that it is directly meant to be sapphic in the way that we modern audiences understand. I believe that the portrayal of this strange closeness from Carmilla is more meant to be a kind of territorialism of Laura. As we learn that Carmilla begins feeding off Laura in the night. Something that is not a first for the vampire Carmilla, who just recently killed another young woman in the same circumstances she finds herself in with Laura. It is her way of dining on blood yet remaining a young, beautiful noblewoman. I do really enjoy the elements of subtle horror we are given throughout the story. Mangled beastly creatures crawling on all fours in the night (Carmilla), Carmilla making chilling and odd comments to Laura about how they’ll be tied together forever, which Laura is made uncomfortable by, and even how the result of feeding affects Laura is all such a twitchy, eerie story. I could see this being turned into a film by directors such as Emerald Fennel, or even Robert Eggers. With its dark colors, moments of silent horror, and the gothic feel that this story easily creates. Overall, I give this novel a 3 out of 5. Simply because of the briefness of the story's details due to its length. However, it still is a wonderful story, and a great short read for a plane ride, an afternoon on the beach, a quiet weekend at home, or even on your lunch break. If you enjoy vampire stories, gothic themes, and quick reads, I highly recommend this story.
