Description

Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a classic of gothic horror that laid the groundwork for the modern vampire tale. First published in 1872, the story follows Laura, a lonely young woman living in a remote castle who becomes captivated by a mysterious visitor named Carmilla. As their friendship deepens, strange occurrences and Laura’s declining health raise unsettling questions about Carmilla’s true identity. With its eerie atmosphere, themes of forbidden desire, and creeping dread, Carmilla was a groundbreaking work that predates Bram Stoker’s Dracula by over two decades.

The 2019 paperback edition from Lanternfish Press includes a foreword by award-winning author Carmen Maria Machado, who brings fresh perspective to this influential novella. More than just a vampire story, Carmilla explores the tension between innocence and corruption, intimacy and fear, in a narrative that remains as provocative and haunting today as when it first appeared. This edition is ideal for both longtime lovers of gothic literature and new readers drawn to dark, timeless stories of the supernatural.