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Carmilla

1900
8

Synopsis: 

Laura, a young woman who lives in an isolated castle in Styria, with her father and a few servants. Her monotonous existence is turned upside down by the arrival of Carmilla, a fascinating and mysterious girl who, after an accident, is welcomed into their home. An ambiguous relationship develops between the two, characterized by an intense attraction, but also by a disturbing sense of threat. As the story progresses, Laura begins to suffer from an inexplicable malaise, while strange events and ancient legends about the presence of a female vampire in the region become more and more pressing.

Review: 

Published in 1872, Carmilla is a classic gothic tale that laid the foundations for the modern figure of the female vampire. Written by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, the short novel anticipates Bram Stoker's Dracula by more than twenty years and features many of the elements that will become typical of the vampire horror genre.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is its erotic subtext and the ambiguity of the bond between Carmilla and Laura. Le Fanu explores the theme of desire and seduction with great subtlety, using vampirism as a metaphor for forbidden passions and the fear of the unknown. The atmosphere is dense with mystery, with suggestive descriptions and a narrative rhythm that alternates moments of calm with sudden peaks of tension.

From a stylistic point of view, Carmilla stands out for its evocative language and for its ability to build a crescendo of uneasiness. However, the novel suffers at times from a certain predictability, especially for modern readers now accustomed to the conventions of the genre. Furthermore, the final revelation is perhaps too rapid compared to the slow construction of the suspense.

Ultimately, Carmilla is a fundamental work for Gothic literature and for the history of vampire fiction. Despite some naivety, it remains a fascinating and disturbing tale, capable of seducing the reader with its decadent atmosphere and its enigmatic and magnetic central character.

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