there wasn't any portion of this book that disliked reading, though i have mild hang up about the ending. the pacing of this book is consistent, though depending on the angle you view it from, could be seen as slow, medium, or fast, depending on what you count as plot progression. The language is very accessible considering it's a classic, but not simplistic or dull. i think the dialogue, especially between carmilla and laura, is the standout. 

the plot began to trail off upon the introduction of the general, though the answers to the mysteries throughout the book were fully delivered (a bit too fully, you could say) in a very sussinct manner that, once finished, quickly pushed you towards the climax.

the ending was, in my opinion somewhat anti-climatic, but i understand that was the style of the time. i do think that in making carmilla more of a vague outline of a monster, rather than something present, both added and detracted from the climax, which really need more of her actually in it. 

i really found carmen maria machado's introduction to be informative as well as her footnotes, though they often leaned towards comedy.

she's totally right on one front however. there's no way that wasn't an orgasm.

 

i had a fun time with this book though i think if it were longer, it would've made the book much better. especially the climax.

How come I had never heard of this book before?
I have this book for so long in my shelves and never looked at it twice... how? I know why... is this horrible cover, this cover is ugly. Anyway, I really loved this book. Who would thought that the predecessor of Dracula was a lady vampire...

This is a very short book with a great story in it. Very raw, very cruel, very tough. The way Carmilla manipulates people around her is very creepy and, at the same time, appealing. There is this constant sexual innuendo between the two (aparent) little girls that for todays standarts would be completly canceled. And there's also this thing with Carmilla choosing little girls... Maybe because they are virgins? Probably is from here that the myth around virgins and pure blood emerged... who knows? Maybe was just the author trying (and succeeding) to scandalize society back then.

The point it that this is a awesome book that every horror/vampire lovers should know about. 

A pleasantly enjoyable read, though its short length prevents further development which would give it a higher rating.

 “You are mine, you shall be mine, you and I are one for ever.” 

As a lover of vampires, I loved the premise of this, but after reaching the introduction from Machado that included recently discovered snippets from Veronika's letters, I can't help but feel disappointed by the way that Le Fanu distorted this story and excluded--and dare I say, ruined--so much of Laura and Carmilla's relationship. I will say, I do enjoy that this edition was edited in hopes of shaming Le Fanu (and it worked, considering I have absolutely zero respect for him after reading this lol) and because Machado wished to remain true to his original work out of a pettiness that I appreciate endlessly. I'm in the same realm as her though: I hope that one day, Veronika's uncensored letters to Marcia inspire a work of fiction that doesn't aim to twist them so. 

I gave this particular edition of Carmilla four stars purely because of Carmen Maria Machado's introduction and the way it encouraged me to interact and read this novella. Also, because it felt like the perfect October read and is one of the more engaging and interesting classics that I've read in my life.