Carmilla

by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

Overview

Carmilla (1872) remains the most famous, and original, lesbian vampire story of them all. Set in the shadowlands of old Styria, J. Sheridan Le Fanu's gothic-horror classic tells of the strange lust and symbiosis between an innocent young girl and Carmilla, the archetypal fatal woman and sexual predator. Carmilla has been the inspiration for numerous vampire films, including Hammer's famous Karnstein Trilogy: The Vampire Lovers, Lust For A Vampire, and Twins Of Evil. This new dedicated edition includes a new and illuminating introduction by editor Candice Black.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781902197210
Publisher:	SCB Distributors
Publication date:	08/24/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	553,617
File size:	530 KB

About the Author

J. Sheridan Le Fanu (1814–1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic tales and mystery novels. He was the leading ghost-story writer of the 19th century and was central to the development of the genre in the Victorian era. Three of his best-known works are Carmilla, The House by the Churchyard, and Uncle Silas.

Editorial Reviews

HGenerally acknowledged as a major influence on Bram Stoker's Dracula, this novel, originally published in 1872, is the very first vampire thriller. Le Fanu, often compared to Poe, was a Victorian writer whose tales of the occult have inspired horror writers for more than a century. Seemingly by happenstance, the mysterious and beautiful Carmilla comes to stay with the young and virtuous Laura. Laura, who has been living a lonely existence with her father in an isolated castle, finds herself enchanted with her exotic visitor. As the two become close friends, however, Laura dreams of nocturnal visitations and begins to lose her physical strength. Through much investigation, the gruesome truth about Carmilla and her family is revealed. Though the basic premise of the story, that of evil targeting pure innocence, is familiar to anyone who is vampire savvy, this haunting tale is surprisingly fresh, avoids clich and builds well to its climax. Particularly interesting are the sexual overtones that develop between the two women. Follows's reading is flawless. In particular, her ability to capture Laura's na vet so convincingly will have listeners feeling almost as shocked as Laura as the unwholesome truth unravels. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly