Audible Book Review: Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

This is a twisted Vampire short story. I saved this for #Fraterfest too.
Carmilla
By: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Narrated by: Phoebe Fox, Rose Leslie, David Tennant, David Horovitch, James Wilby, Susan Wooldridge, Hannah Genesius

Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-27-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Classic, Gothic, Horror, Vampire
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25 Narration 4.25.
#Fraterfest

About This Audible Original
Their house guest is beautiful and charming, but she carries a dark secret—one that could prove deadly. It’s time for gothic horror fans to sink their teeth into one of the very first vampire thrillers ever written. David Tennant (Doctor Who, Harry Potter), Phoebe Fox (Life in Squares, The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death), and Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Downtown Abbey) breathe new life into J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic horror story, Carmilla.
It all begins when Laura’s widowed father finds Carmilla stranded in the forest after a carriage accident and takes her in. The young women develop a fast friendship which turns into a passionate meeting of souls. A relationship of vampire and prey, the story is told through Laura’s eyes as she is drawn further into Carmilla’s terrifying world of pleasure and pain.
A masterpiece of erotic gothic horror, Carmilla encompasses mystery, suspense, forbidden lust, violence...and blood. This audio adaptation of Carmilla has been dramatized by Robin Brooks, an actor, dramatist, and author who has been working as a playwright for over 25 years. Carmilla was directed by Fiona McAlpine of Allegra Productions for Audible Originals. David Tennant, Phoebe Fox, and Rose Leslie bring their talent and gravitas to this Audie nominated performance (Original Work), making it an exhilarating listening experience.
©2015 Audible Ltd. (P)2015 Audible Ltd.

Review:
Laura is a lovely young woman who is secluded at home with her protective father. When a carriage breaks down not far from their schloss (castle in Austria), Laura’s father is persuaded to take in the woman’s ethereal daughter who appears unwell. Carmilla is near Laura’s age and the two girls grow closer. Laura is intrigued by Carmilla’s advances even as she is slightly uncomfortable with them. No one in the household seems to see the danger in the relationship until Laura begins to grow more and more languid and Carmilla begins to go missing from her room. Even then the danger isn’t clear until a neighbor, who lost his beloved daughter, shares his experience.

This is a twisty vampiric, erotic, gothic novel. Isn’t that a mix? I like the ghostly and vampire quality as well as the dark gothic setting. The full story made me curious about the history and this is what I found:

“Carmilla is an 1872 Gothic novella by Irish author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and one of the early works of vampire fiction, predating Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897) by 26 years.”

Similar to Laura, I found the story engaging and repelling at the same time. I recommend this quick read/listen to serious vintage fans, vampire fans and those who enjoy a touch of horror.

Audio Notes: This is a dramatic presentation that pulled me into the dark atmosphere which is conveyed by all of the narrators. The narration is a bit of a treat itself and made this book an extra special gem in my October horror reading/listening.

Source: 10/23/2019 Audible Original. This qualifies for 2020 TBR, 2020Audiobook and #Fraterfest goals.