Laura lives an isolated life with her father, alone in a castle in the Austrian wilderness. When the mysterious Carmilla, a strange and beautiful lady, arrives in the night, no one suspects the supernatural occurrences that follow. But still more unsuspected is the tempestuous romance that blooms between the two young women, and Carmillaâs nightmarish secret.
Written 26 years before Stokerâs âDraculaâ, âCarmillaâ is the original vampire novel. Sheridan Le Fanu combines a chilling Gothic atmosphere with horrifying episodes, boldly exploring the sexual desires of his heroines, and establishing the image of the female vampire. âCarmillaâ is an essential read for all fans of gothic novels and vampires, from Anne Riceâs âInterview with the Vampireâ to Netflixâs âThe Vampire Diariesâ. Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873) was an Irish Gothic writer of short stories and novels. One of the central names amidst the ghost-story writers of the 19th century, Le Fanuâs influence cannot be underestimated. Inspiring the likes of Bram Stoker, Le Fanu laid the basis for the Victorian Horror genre by combining realism with deeper psychological elements. His most important works include âUncle Silasâ, âCarmillaâ, âThe House by the Churchyardâ, and his short story collection âIn a Glass Darklyâ.