Real Women of Gaming

Vampires have been around, in one form or another, for centuries. In fact almost every group of people have a story that falls under the category of a vampiric creature. Almost everyone having a version of a creature that feeds off of the lifeforce of the living is incredibly interesting to me. They may be slightly different from the creature that most of us think of as a “vampire” now but all of this lore has built up through the years to give humans stories about what goes bump in the night. Yes, also the sun. 

Most of us will probably think of that one story that started vampires as we know them today. However it is important to acknowledge the older stories. We would never have the vampires we know and love now without the older ones. One such older story actually features two female characters which has always been exciting to me. This story has had a few retellings through the years. It also has been the foundation by which other vampire stories have been laid. 

Carmilla was published in 1872. The writer is Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. Fanu was no stranger to chilling tales. He wrote many ghost stories as well, but it is his work on a vampire novel that I know him for though. I do see a lot of his work in the basics of most vampire stories now, so I suppose he is someone we should all thank for weaving the lore together. 

In the book, Laura lives a mostly solitary life with her ailing father. She has been sheltered from many experiences but doesn’t seem to mind, perhaps because she doesn’t know anything else. One night her whole world is changed. A carriage accident leaves Laura with a new guest named Carmilla. Beautiful and worldly Carmilla seems to take an instant shine to Laura and the two of them grow very, and I mean very, close. Carmilla is prone to dark moods and nocturnal wanderings but Laura doesn’t mind. What she does mind are the nightmares and this new illness that is leaving her weaker and weaker. 

What could be causing a perfectly healthy young woman to suddenly be so ill?  After her father seeks help a theory is formed. All of this happens behind closed doors without Laura’s knowledge till she is thrown into a wild adventure for her own life, and possibly her own soul. 

My favorite retelling of the story of Carmilla is actually nine years old now. I was obsessed with this series on Youtube. The series shares the same name as the novel but gives it a modern twist. Set in a college full of strange goings on that are, mostly, normal for the student body. Slightly sheltered but determined Laura is on the case to find out what happened to her roommate who has disappeared. Suddenly she has a new roommate named Carmilla who seems to be hell bent on being the most annoying distraction ever. 

Carmilla is a great novel to see how lore can be collected into a cohesive story. It is also a story with many tropes used in gothic or horror themed literature. I wasn’t as impressed by Laura the first time I read it. Perhaps it is because in the Youtube version that I love that she is so dynamic. The Laura of the novel read a little flat to me. She also has been traumatized so that is something to consider in regards to her as a narrator. I am going to give it a reread this October and maybe will enjoy it more this time around. 

I would recommend it to any horror fan. I would tell all vampire fans to give it a shot. As a shorter novel it is a fairly fast read. Maybe give it a try this spooky season. Who can resist a beautiful vampire who maybe watching you sleep anyway?

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!