Carmilla, Deluxe Edition: The cult classic that inspired Dracula (Hardcover)
Staff Reviews
Oh look! Jenna is recommending another vampire book! You’re welcome for the good time! If you want to read classic horror and gothic thrillers, Carmilla is a perfect choice. This bloody little tale predates Dracula by a good 25 years, and is just as delightfully unsettling and, dare I say, far easier to read. Carmilla is the titular character, who inserts herself into the lives of Laura’s tranquil country family. But something sinister is afoot, and people from the village have been falling victim to a mysterious malady. As Laura finds herself irresistablly drawn to her beautiful houseguest in ever tightening circles, the cracks in Carmilla’s lovely facade begin to show, all drawing toward a horrible and bloody climax. I’m beggin you to read it. If you know it already, you’ll know what a good choice it is, and if you’re unfamiliar, you’ll thank me for the introduction.
-Jenna
— From Neat November Staff PicksDescription
A stunning edition of the original vampire story that inspired Dracula — now with a haunting art deco design, vibrant red foil, and thoughtful layout for a seductive reading experience
Sapphic longing meets gothic horror in this cult classic whose “exploration of obsessive first love [as] both exciting and monstrous” makes it “perfect for YA readers” and adult fans of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles (Kiersten White, author of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein)
Steeped in the sexual tension between two young women, this is a beautiful, brand-new edition of the original cult classic which influenced Dracula and all the vampire stories that followed, including Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.
In an isolated castle deep in the Austrian forest, teenaged Laura leads a solitary life with only her father, attendant and tutor for company. Until one moonlit night, a horse-drawn carriage crashes into view, carrying an unexpected guest — the beautiful Carmilla.
So begins a feverish friendship between Laura and her entrancing new companion, one defined by mysterious happenings and infused with an implicit but undeniable eroticism. As Carmilla becomes increasingly strange and volatile, prone to eerie nocturnal wanderings, Laura finds herself tormented by nightmares and growing weaker by the day...
About the Author
Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873) was an Irish writer of gothic tales, mystery novels and ghost stories, most famous for his novel Uncle Silas. Carmilla was first published in 1872 and has served as an inspiration countless books, from Bram Stoker's Dracula and Henry James' The Turn of the Screw to Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, and a slew of films such as Hammer Horror's Karnstein Trilogy.
Praise For…
"Succeeds in inspiring a mysterious terror better than any other writer" --M.R. James
