Months ago, I started looking for a book featuring a female vampire. Mainly because male vampires are just so overdone, and honestly are kind of creepy. So when I stumbled upon Carmilla in the horror section of my local bookstore, I snatched it up.
This book is a mere 139 pages with gorgeous illustrations throughout.
Carmilla is a young, beautiful girl who needs a place to stay after her carriage crashes outside Laura's home. Laura's father immediately takes in this poor girl without thinking of any of the nefarious things that could happen right under his nose. While the story is told through Laura's perspective, it's implied that the disease spreading all over town is the result of vampirism.....which happens to coincide with Carmilla's arrival.
Laura was desperate for companionship and found Carmilla to be charming, thus starting their mild love affair. When Laura begins showing signs similar to the illness running rampant through the town, her father calls for the doctor to come and check out both girls.
Chaos ensues soon after.
The only thing that I didn't love about this specific edition was the editor's explanations found within the footnotes. Some of the things Carmen Maria Machado interprets differ from my own interpretation. But regardless of what edition it is, the storyline itself is exactly what I was looking for.
What amazes me is that this story was originally published in 1871. It's also believed that Carmilla may have been the inspiration for Dracula.
I've not read this yet, but it is firmly fixed on my "Books I must purchase" list!
ReplyDeleteIt randomly caught my eye! I had never even heard of it before. You should definitely get a copy!!
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