Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

14 reviews

rainbowrocky's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book must've blown minds in 19th century Ireland. I can see why it's a literary classic. I loved it a lot even if the characters are a bit one dimensional. It's more about the atmosphere, the looming threat of death. We know what's happening to Laura, but she hasn't the faintest idea since she's so innocent. Spoilers:
Carmilla's death was a bit of a let down. I thought we were building to something more shocking but her death was over so quickly and unceremoniously.
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riverofhorton's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I loved 95% of this book, and will be coming back to it in the future.

One of the things I especially liked was that the lesbian relationship was incredibly obvious, but none of the characters seemed to have much a problem with it, despite the cultural attitudes of the time this book was published.

I only wish it were longer and gave more detail on the time they spent together, though I do understand this is intended to be read as a letter to the reader.

The only bit I don't like is the implications around the "vision" that starts the book.
Laura, the narrator, is 6 at the time this vision happens, which involves the (by that point) 150+ year old Carmilla being very intimate with her. Carmilla does later say that for her side of the vision, she saw Laura as an 18 year old not a 6 year old, but it still weirded me out to think about it.
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maddramaqueen's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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aparker89's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A classic tale, older than time.

We all know Dracula, his real life niece Bathory ,and their reigns of terror. But what if there was someone else waiting in the dark? Camilla is charming, beautiful and witty but something dark is lingering behind her sparkling eyes. Meet Laura, a lonely young woman who wants nothing more than companionship and follow her tale of terror! 
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amelody's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

The language is rich,  and this is for sure about lesbians, but the story itself is underdeveloped.
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judassilver's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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suneaters's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I love this book. The lesbian vampire prototype and it lives up to the hype too. The writing style is sublime. The analysis you can do to even this shorter vampire story shows how masterfully crafted it is. I love it. I love Carmilla and Laura. Their love is text, not subtext. It’s very explicit how they feel romantic feelings for one another. This is a top tier entry in the lesbian literature catalogue, even if a man wrote it. It’s awesome and a must-read. 
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cviii's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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itsheyfay's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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sinaprst's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I went into this with the sole knowledge that this vampire classic apparently heavily inspired Bram Stoker for his Dracula (which I have not read yet btw), but that it is sapphic and immediately I was sold.
When I hear sapphic gothic vampire story, I buy, no questions asked.

And the novella truly delivered on that. The writing was really atmospheric and even though english is not my first language, I had no trouble immersing myself into the story.

Carmilla not only charmed the protagonist Laura (and honestly everyone around her) but also me and even though she did scare me a bit I cannot deny that that I was and still am very much in love with her. 

I also loved to see the relationship between Laura and Carmilla. They're relationship was very intimate and loving and very clearly sapphic, which I really did not expect from a book from the late 1800s.

In conclusion, I am very much gay for Carmilla and this book is now a core part of my personality. I already pity everyone around me, because I will probably not shut up about this for quite a long time.

I'm off searching for a vampire girlfriend now, good bye
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