Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu is an Irish Gothic vampire novella that predates even Bram Stoker’s iconic Dracula. Set in nineteenth-century Austria, it’s a timeless classic that explores the paradox between the goodness of love and the dangers of lust.

I first learned about this novella in college while studying Irish literature and decided to revisit it today for a short read that parallels an entirely different kind of vampire fiction I wrote about earlier this week: the far more juvenile Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan.

The isolated setting and secluded lifestyle Laura shares with her father in their schloss (castle) contribute to the atmosphere of curiosity and loneliness she experiences until Carmilla comes along. This isolation plays an important role in the story, particularly when considering Laura’s vulnerability to the mysterious stranger who enters her life.

Carmilla herself is a genuinely creepy character, one I could easily imagine inducing nightmares if someone were to read this story at too young an age. Her approach to Laura is twisted and possessive, and Laura seems to become increasingly lost in the toxicity of their relationship. There’s something undeniably predatory about Carmilla’s affection, especially considering just how lonely Laura’s life in the schloss has been. Laura herself is naive and overly trusting, making her particularly vulnerable to Carmilla’s advances. What initially appears to be an answer to Laura’s loneliness gradually reveals itself to be something far more sinister.

The nineteenth-century prose is beautifully Gothic and surprisingly easy to understand for a college-level reader. Despite its age, the novella remains accessible without sacrificing the atmospheric qualities that make classic Gothic literature so compelling.

Le Fanu also helped fill in some of the gaps surrounding vampire mythology at a time when the conventions we associate with literary vampires today hadn’t been so clearly established. Drawing upon existing folklore, he shaped and developed many of the characteristics that would become staples of vampire fiction, influencing how these creatures have been portrayed in literature ever since.

I’d recommend Carmilla to anyone who loves Gothic horror (like my friend Nolan, who immediately came to mind while I was reading. I know he would love this one.). There’s something about this novella that feels ancient yet accessible, and it’s particularly fascinating when considered in the context of early vampire literature and the influence it had on the genre.