Whether it’s the terrifying Count Orlok from Nosferatu, the sparkly creatures of Twilight, or the classic Count Dracula, everyone knows about vampires. They’ve become a staple of pop culture, and the fictional creature’s popularity has recently skyrocketed after the release of 2024’s Nosferatu. 

Many believe Bram Stoker’s Dracula to be the first vampire. In reality, there is a vampire story that predates Dracula by 25 years. Enter Carmilla. 

Written by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and published in 1871, Carmilla is a terrifying tale in which the protagonist, Laura, suddenly finds herself in the company of a strange young woman, Carmilla, who was injured in a nearby carriage accident.

The two become fast friends and spend weeks together in Laura’s isolated European castle. Meanwhile, strange deaths and paranormal events are occurring in town and around the estate. Laura’s health is declining, for reasons unbeknownst to her, and Carmilla is acting unpredictable. One moment, she’s caring, warm, and she adores Laura. The next moment, Carmilla is cold, angry, and wants to be left alone. Why has everything been thrust into chaos, and what does Carmilla’s sudden arrival have to do with it? 

For starters, Carmilla hits all the right notes of a horror novel. The story takes place at Laura’s estate, which is vast, regal yet decrepit, and most importantly, it is miles from the nearest village. The setting almost echoes Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, another classic gothic story. 

Since it was the blueprint for later stories, Carmilla also has all the elements of a classic vampire tale. Wooden stakes, coffins, castles, pseudonyms, and questionable relationships are all present throughout the book. Seasoned vampire fans will even find that parts of Carmilla are very similar to Nosferatu (2024). 

Unlike most books from its time, Carmilla avoids unnecessary filler. The story doesn’t drag on, or fracture into unnecessary plot points. In just under 150 pages, an intriguing mystery is introduced and solved. 

However, the short, straightforward approach also hurts the story. Every character, besides Carmilla, is simply boring. Even Laura doesn’t have much of a personality. This makes it difficult for readers to care about the characters. 

So, final thoughts? Le Fanu’s Carmilla is an entertaining book that can be finished in just a couple sittings. The gothic, macabre content is perfect for both casual readers and die-hard horror fans. However, the characters, and a few parts of the story, might be boring for some readers.  Nevertheless, Anyone with even the slightest interest in vampires should definitely pick up a copy.