Carmilla: A Tragic Love Story By J. Sheridan Le Fanu

by J Sheridan Le Fanu

Overview

Carmilla created the modern vampire. She was the first romantic vampire, and after inspiring Bram Stoker's Dracula she has continued with us, always in the shadow, influencing culture with a subtlety that is as alluring as it is elitist. A multi-layered story of love, loss, and a yearning for both a past and a future unobtainable, and finally of great sacrifice, Carmilla ranks as one of the world's great tragedies. A lonely young girl living in a desolate forest is befriended by a young countess after what seems a chance encounter. Laura's innocence prevents her from seeing the obvious, that her new friend Carmilla is a demon of the highest order, and one who has fallen passionately in love with her. Over time Carmilla's lust for Laura and her soul overpower her caution, and the serenity of a life of seclusion becomes a nightmarish existence for Laura as her world unravels in ways that can never be repaired. This is an archival quality presentation of the original unabridged story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441436313
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	12/31/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	110
Sales rank:	921,020
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

J. Sheridan Le Fanu has been said to be the father of the English ghost story, and is arguably one of the most important writers in modern history. The story contained in this volume was a major source of inspiration for Bram Stoker, who later wrote Dracula. Carmilla (our heroine), was the progenitor of the vampire romance movement. Without Carmilla there would be no sensual or alluring vampires. Legend, and recorded history, had vampires to be foul creatures with horrid smells emanating from them, bloated bodies saturated with blood, and grotesque nails of sometimes extraordinary length. Carmilla changed all of that, and she has the honor of being the earliest example of a vampire story in English literature. J. Sheridan Le Fanu penned more than a dozen novels over his lifetime, including his famous The House by the Churchyard, and Uncle Silas: a Tale of Bartram Haugh, in addition to writing numerous short stories, articles, and other works. But to this day, unknown to most of the public, Carmilla still casts a long shadow, as all modern vampires owe her a great debt of gratitude, one she will extract one day. Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu died in Dublin on the 7th of February 1873. Carmilla lives on, whispering her secrets in the occasional ear. It is from these whisperings that this volume was born.

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