Carmilla
CarmillaSheridan Le Fanu
Buy on Amazon

Carmilla (1871)

Sheridan Le Fanu

Others: Mixed

First published as a serial in The Dark Blue (1871–72), Carmilla is narrated by a young woman preyed upon by a female vampire named Carmilla, later revealed to be Mircalla, Countess Karnstein (Carmilla is an anagram of Mircalla). The character is a prototypical example of the lesbian vampire, expressing romantic desires toward the protagonist. The novella notably never acknowledges homosexuality as an antagonistic trait, leaving it subtle and morally ambiguous. The story is often anthologised, and has been adapted many times in film and other media.

ISBN:
9780008770501
Length:
86 pages

Genres: fantasy, horror, mystery

Lists: …

Similar books

1 of 6
  • We Have Always Lived in the Castle

    Shirley Jackson

    1962 · 189 pages · 14 reviews

    Others: Overwhelmingly positive

    Shirley Jackson's beloved gothic tale of a peculiar girl named Merricat and her family's dark secret Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate. This edition features a new introduction by Jonathan Lethem. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    On 5+ of the same lists
    49%
    Also horror and mystery
    41%
    A creator reacted alike
    10%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • Interview With the Vampire

    Anne Rice

    1672 · 346 pages · 7 reviews

    Others: Overwhelmingly positive

    This is the story of Louis, as told in his own words, of his journey through mortal and immortal life. Louis recounts how he became a vampire at the hands of the radiant and sinister Lestat and how he became indoctrinated, unwillingly, into the vampire way of life. His story ebbs and flows through the streets of New Orleans, defining crucial moments such as his discovery of the exquisite lost young child Claudia, wanting not to hurt but to comfort her with the last breaths of humanity he has inside. Yet, he makes Claudia a vampire, trapping her womanly passion, will, and intelligence inside the body of a small child. Louis and Claudia form a seemingly unbreakable alliance and even "settle down" for a while in the opulent French Quarter. Louis remembers Claudia's struggle to understand herself and the hatred they both have for Lestat that sends them halfway across the world to seek others of their kind. Louis and Claudia are desperate to find somewhere they belong, to find others who understand, and someone who knows what and why they are. Louis and Claudia travel Europe, eventually coming to Paris and the ragingly successful Theatre des Vampires--a theatre of vampires pretending to be mortals pretending to be vampires. Here they meet the magnetic and ethereal Armand, who brings them into a whole society of vampires. But Louis and Claudia find that finding others like themselves provides no easy answers and in fact presents dangers they scarcely imagined. Originally begun as a short story, the book took off as Anne wrote it, spinning the tragic and triumphant life experiences of a soul. As well as the struggles of its characters, Interview captures the political and social changes of two continents. The novel also introduces Lestat, Anne's most enduring character, a heady mixture of attraction and revulsion. The book, full of lush description, centers on the themes of immortality, change, loss, sexuality, and power.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    On 5+ of the same lists
    65%
    Also horror
    23%
    Outlaw Bookseller loved both
    12%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • The King in Yellow

    Robert W. Chambers

    1895 · 229 pages · 1 review

    Others: Positive

    An important early classic of fantasy/sci-fi. [Main story:] The ill effects of a soul-destroying play, to read which brings doom. A discovery that changes living flesh to stone. The mad adherents of a cult of evil powers from beyond. A lost traveler is suddenly 400 years in the past. Great writing; powerful emotions. Chambers wrote mainly conventional stuff, but not here.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    Also fantasy and horror
    46%
    On 5+ of the same lists
    42%
    Outlaw Bookseller loved both
    12%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • Dracula

    Bram Stoker

    1897 · 374 pages · 11 reviews

    Others: Mostly positive

    Na história, um casal e seus amigos são atormentados por Conde Drácula, uma entidade sobrenatural e hematófoga que, presa em uma maldição contagiosa, pretende se mudar de seu recluso castelo na Transilvânia para a efervescente Londres do século XIX. Com a ajuda do professor Van Helsing, o grupo de amigos pretende enfrentar o morto-vivo, mesmo com todos os perigos que a ofensiva trará.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    On 5+ of the same lists
    68%
    Also fantasy and horror
    20%
    Outlaw Bookseller loved both
    12%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • Gideon the Ninth

    Tamsyn Muir

    2019 · 448 pages · 26 reviews

    Others: Mostly positive

    "The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense. Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy. Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service. Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die. Of course, some things are better left dead."

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    Also fantasy and horror
    54%
    On 5+ of the same lists
    43%
    Similar descriptions
    3%
    Personalize your recommendations
  • The Fisherman

    John Langan

    2016 · 282 pages · 3 reviews

    Others: Overwhelmingly positive

    In upstate New York, in the woods around Woodstock, Dutchman's Creek flows out of the Ashokan Reservoir. Steep-banked, fast-moving, it offers the promise of fine fishing, and of something more, a possibility too fantastic to be true. When Abe and Dan, two widowers who have found solace in each other's company and a shared passion for fishing, hear rumors of the Creek, and what might be found there, the remedy to both their losses, they dismiss it as just another fish story. Soon, though, the men find themselves drawn into a tale as deep and old as the Reservoir. It's a tale of dark pacts, of long-buried secrets, and of a mysterious figure known as Der Fisher: the Fisherman. It will bring Abe and Dan face to face with all that they have lost, and with the price they must pay to regain it.

    Why?

    What made the match, strongest first

    Also fantasy and horror
    55%
    On 5+ of the same lists
    44%
    Similar descriptions
    1%
    Personalize your recommendations

Reviews2

The Book Leo
Not a fan

I also nominated Carmela. Basically, I just think that this book would have been better, more gothic, more lyrical, more vampirically erotic if it was written by Mary Shel.

Review 1 of 2