Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

82 reviews

readsandsuch's review against another edition

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

3.0

Absolutely loved the introduction and the first half of the book. I was unimpressed last third. It was infodumpy without any of Laura’s perspective which is what’s most gripping about the story. I loved reading her interpretations of Carmilla and their interactions. They were far more haunting than what occurred in the latter third. 
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thenerdybookwitch's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

4.0

This pleasantly surprised me! I was expecting it to treat Carmilla and Laura’s relationship negatively but it’s not at all. Their romantic relationship is not judged by anyone. I can see why so many Lesbian bookworms absolutely adore this book. It is a vampire classic that has set a huge standard especially in the Lesbian vampire genre. It is a very good read and I highly recommend it.

Note: This is a book from 1872 so problematic themes are still going to be present. Especially outdated terms that are Ableist today. It also has such a negative view on Suicide at the end. Just keep that in mind when reading.
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sabrinaleaf's review against another edition

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

3.75

This book never explained what happened to Carmilla’s mom and I want to know 😭 
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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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jojo_'s review against another edition

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

2.5

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pineapple_queen's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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lhisalisa21's review against another edition

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dark medium-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

5.0

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solflo's review against another edition

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slow-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

3.0

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celestriakle's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-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? Yes

3.75

Dreamy and extremely gothic. Some of the luster and horror has been lost with modern knowledge and tropes, but fascinatingly compassionate to even its monsters.
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deadlamp's review against another edition

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mysterious relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

Despite the homophobic and sexist intentions of the book, it’s become an iconic lesbian classic, and I hope the author is rolling in his grave. Carmilla bangs, but only if you can look past its original hateful intent
I hated the ending though, the main character didn’t even do anything?? Another character showed up out of nowhere and ended the entire plot. I know he was mentioned in the beginning, but wow that makes for a really bad narrative
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