Book Review: Carmilla

Written by J. Sheridan LeFanu

I found this book while researching the origins of vampire stories. Carmilla is different from other vampire stories for several reasons, the main one being the possible lesbian undertones. I had always thought the homosexual characteristic was a more modern trait.  Whether or not the author intended this, I don’t know, but it’s clear from the prose that this creature of the night was very attracted to her victim.

The story is told in hindsight essay from the main character, Laura,  as she writes down her account of what happened from several years later. When Carmilla’s carriage is involved in an accident outside of their home, Carmilla’s mother is distraught and at the insistence of Laura’s father, the young girl is left behind to get better while her travelling companions continue on, reassuring them that they will be back for her in three months’ time.

Shortly after the young girl arrives, odd things begin to happen. Mostly through Laura’s dreams. Apart from Carmilla’s strange behaviour (here is where the overtones appear), nothing is out of the ordinary. Not even when people begin to die in the local village. It isn’t until a dear friend arrives that they begin to see their house guest for what she truly is.

I found this book to be one of the more easier reads. The link below gives you more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmilla

I think, if you’re going to read vampire books, this is another one that must be in your collection.

 

5 out of 5

An English Baron: A Gothic Story, Clara Reeve

In my quest to read more classic novels, I came across this book on Kobo under their public domain section.

First published in 1778, it is not an original piece, but rather a re-write of another book; The Castle of Otranto which was written twenty years prior. I found this very interesting, as now a days, such an undertaking would be nothing short of plagiarism. Curious, I looked up and downloaded the original book as well.

An English Baron is the tale of a young man, a peasant by birth (or so we are led to believe), friended by the Lord of the land and given opportunities alongside his Master’s children. After spending a night in the ‘haunted’ part of the castle, young Edmund begins a journey to discover who he really is.

It is a story of jealousy and envy, and how keeping your enemies in your heart, despite their transgressions, will make you the better person.

Book Review; Bram Stoker’s Dracula

If you love vampires, you must have this book in your collection.

Written during the last years of the 19^th century, it’s considered by many to be a gothic novel due to the ominous and dark prose.

 

The first thing that caught my eye is that the entire book it told not in one POV, but rather, in several and all through letters, journal entries and business correspondence. Having seen the movie, I can understand why the director would chose to take Mina POV through the movie.

 

Another thing that caught my eye was the prose. It was an awkward read. Flowery prose that often goes into great detail and descriptions. The dialogue left me shaking my head and wondering if Victorian England really spoke that way, and I had to constantly remind myself that this was the way they wrote novels back then. Anyone who has read a Jane Austin novel can understand.

 

Despite the awkwardness, I did enjoy it!