First published in 1872, this novella is famous as one of the earliest vampire stories and for portraying a lesbian vampire. I read it when I was studying vampire fiction! It can often be found in classic horror anthologies, as well as Sheridan Le Fanu’s story collection In A Glass Darkly.

The story is presented as part of a casebook and that more details cannot be obtained from the protagonist as she has died. Once we get into the narrative, it is quite obviously a vampire story. However, the word is not used until near the end of the story. The revelation might have been surprising to readers at the time, long before even Dracula was published.

Laura, a teenage girl who lives an isolated existence in an Austrian castle with her father and servants, is delighted when a beautiful young woman stays with them after a carriage accident. Despite the mysterious circumstances of Carmilla’s background and the oddities in her character, Laura is very drawn towards the young woman, who she dreamed of when she was much younger. Carmilla is very passionate towards Laura, who feels both warmth and revulsion. While their friendship is deepening, other young women in the region are suffering from a mysterious illness. Eventually Laura herself becomes ill, drained of energy (and blood, because her best friend is a vampire!)

What I found really interesting about the story is that when it becomes clear to everyone that Carmilla is a vampire and that a gruesome procedure must be followed to stop her, Laura immediately distances herself. The vampire is then described as an ‘it’. Laura is unable to articulate her feelings upon learning the truth about Carmilla, so she copies an account of the vampire’s death from another source. You can tell by the end of the story, however, that she is haunted by what has happened.

If you enjoy vampire stories or are into gothic fiction, this is a must-read.

I read the copy from Project Gutenberg.

Illustration by Michael Fitzgerald for Carmilla in The Dark Blue (January 1872).