Sheridan Le Fanu

HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics. ‘I was conscious of a love growing into adoration, and also of abhorrence.’ When lonely nineteen-year-old Laura welcomes an enigmatic stranger into her home in the heart of the Stryian forest, she has no idea that the beautiful Carmilla is not what she seems. Laura’s childhood nightmares have resurfaced, and a mysterious illness is beginning to take hold as the intimacy between the two women evolves into something more sinister. First published in 1872, twenty-six years before Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Le Fanu introduced Carmilla, the original female vampire with a taste for innocent young women. Having influenced countless horror stories for over 150 years, this Gothic tale of dark obsession, ancient legend and wayward daughters is a classic of the genre.

Atmospheric, sensual and utterly riveting, Carmilla is the novel that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. A true gothic masterpiece, this titillating tale is a key text in the history of vampire literature. A haunting presence lurks among the secluded castles and rolling mountains of Styria, home to a lonely young woman called Laura. Upon the arrival of the mysterious Carmilla, Laura is instantly intoxicated. Upending the solitude Laura knows so well, the two young women form an intense connection that transforms her world. But a terrible truth begins to dawn on Laura and her father as they grapple with inexplicable events they only witness in the presence of Carmilla, who grows stranger and leaves more questions unanswered with the passing of each fitful day. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, a series of stunning pocket-sized classics. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is introduced by Irish writer and academic Jarlath Killeen.

Young and lonely, Laura lives with her widowed father in a castle in Austria. When a carriage breaks down on their estate the mysterious Carmilla is brought into Laura's life. The girls quickly grow close, though Laura is troubled by Carmilla's uncanny habits: her aversion to discussing her past, her long hours of sleep, her nocturnal wanderings, and the unsettling dreams of a great beast slipping silently into Laura s room. Carmilla stands as a pioneering work of vampire fiction, predating even Bram Stoker's Dracula and influencing generations of Gothic literature. Le Fanu's narrative, with its haunting beauty and sensuous dread, explores themes of love, identity, and the supernatural, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of horror fiction. Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu [1814–1873] was an Irish writer of mystery and supernatural fiction, renowned for his mastery of atmosphere and psychological nuance. A central figure in the development of the Victorian ghost story, he exerted a lasting influence on later writers. His best-known works include the vampire novella Carmilla [1872] and the novel Uncle Silas [1864].

The first vampire short story and novella, which came before Dracula, together in one Penguin Classics hardcover, a Penguin Speculative Fiction Special, with a foreword by #1 New York Times-bestselling author V. E. Schwab A Penguin Classic Hardcover The first vampire short story in English, The Vampyre by John Polidori, and the first vampire novella, Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, are published together in one volume. The Vampyre, first published in 1819, features Lord Ruthven, a deathly pale yet fatally charismatic nobleman who preys on women of high society and is generally considered as the first fully developed vampire narrative in English literature. It is here accompanied by Alaric Watts's introduction, with which it was published throughout the nineteenth century, and which contains important supplementary material on vampire beliefs. Carmilla (1871-2) by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a nineteenth-century Gothic novella featuring a protagonist who typifies the long line of female and lesbian vampires in literature, movies, television series, and artwork. In a castle deep in the Austrian forest, Laura, a young woman, leads an isolated life with her father. A horse-drawn carriage crashes and an unexpected guest, the mysterious and seductive Carmilla, enters their lives. An early, sophisticated, and influential vampire novel, Carmilla predates Bram Stoker's Dracula by twenty-five years and the film Nosferatu by fifty. Penguin Speculative Fiction Special is a hardcover series of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and more published by Penguin Classics. Featuring custom endpapers, specially commissioned cover art, and introductions by scholars and notable figures, these collectible editions celebrate classics that invite us to ask, "What if?" and that, through bold imagination, alternative visions, and magical realms, transform our perception of our world.

HarperCollins is proud to present a range of best-loved, essential classics. ‘I was conscious of a love growing into adoration, and also of abhorrence.’ When lonely nineteen-year-old Laura welcomes an enigmatic stranger into her home in the heart of the Stryian forest, she has no idea that the beautiful Carmilla is not what she seems. Laura’s childhood nightmares have resurfaced, and a mysterious illness is beginning to take hold as the intimacy between the two women evolves into something more sinister. First published in 1872, twenty-six years before Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula, there was Carmilla, the original female vampire with a taste for innocent young women. Le Fanu’s Gothic tale of dark obsession, ancient legend and wayward daughters set the stage for the many horror stories that followed.

HarperCollins is proud to present a range of best-loved, essential classics. ‘I was conscious of a love growing into adoration, and also of abhorrence.’ When lonely nineteen-year-old Laura welcomes an enigmatic stranger into her home in the heart of the Stryian forest, she has no idea that the beautiful Carmilla is not what she seems. Laura’s childhood nightmares have resurfaced, and a mysterious illness is beginning to take hold as the intimacy between the two women evolves into something more sinister. First published in 1872, twenty-six years before Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Le Fanu introduced Carmilla, the original female vampire with a taste for innocent young women. Having influenced countless horror stories for over 150 years, this Gothic tale of dark obsession, ancient legend and wayward daughters is a classic of the genre.

'Succeeds in inspiring a mysterious terror better than any other writer' M. R. James In an isolated castle deep in the Austrian forest, Laura leads a solitary life with only her ailing father for company. Until one moonlit night, a horse-drawn carriage crashes into view, carrying an unexpected guest - the beautiful Carmilla. So begins a feverish friendship between Laura and her mysterious, entrancing companion. But as Carmilla becomes increasingly strange and volatile, prone to eerie nocturnal wanderings, Laura finds herself tormented by nightmares and growing weaker by the day... Pre-dating Dracula by twenty-six years, Carmilla is the original vampire story, steeped in sexual tension and gothic romance.

På et isoleret slot i de østrigske skove lever Laura et ensomt liv kun med sin far som selskab. En måneoplyst nat forulykker en hestevogn, og en uventet gæst - den smukke Carmilla - bringes ind i deres liv. Laura og Carmilla bliver hurtigt tætte, og alt lader til at være fryd og gammen. Men Carmillas adfærd er mystisk og sælsom, og hendes hang til uhyggelige nattevandringer vækker undren på slottet. Laura hjemsøges snart af mareridt og bliver svagere og svagere for hver dag. Pludselig foregår et kapløb med tiden, da det står klart, at Lauras liv er i fare. Carmilla (1872) er en ægte gotisk klassiker. En (lesbisk) vampyrroman fuld af seksuelle spændinger og skræk. Den udkom 25 år før den væsentligt mere kendte vampyrroman Dracula, som den var en stor inspiration for. Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873) var irsk forfatter, der i dag regnes for en af de vigtigste forfattere i victoriatiden. Han blev uddannet jurist, arbejdede som journalist, redaktør og forfatter, men oplevede store økonomiske udfordringer. Hans kone Susanna havde psykiske problemer, og efter hendes pludselige død i 1858 trak Le Fanu sig tilbage fra offentligheden og isolerede sig i hjemmet, mens hans litterære produktion voksede. Et af hovedværkerne i forfatterskabet er samlingen In a Glass Darkly fra 1872, hvorfra Carmilla stammer.

Haunted Baronet is a spellbinding tale of suspense and supernatural intrigue, blending elements of Gothic horror with atmospheric prose and unforgettable characters. Gripping from the first page to the last, this chilling masterpiece will keep readers on the edge of their seats, daring them to uncover the secrets that lie within the haunted halls of Ashbourne Manor. The story revolves around a tantalizing mystery surrounding the cursed baronetcy, enticing readers to uncover its secrets alongside the protagonist. With twists and turns aplenty, "Haunted Baronet" keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to discover what lurks in the shadows. Beyond its supernatural elements, the book delves into themes of fate, redemption, and the consequences of past actions, offering readers food for thought long after they've finished reading. Despite being written over a century ago, the story is still effective at creating a creepy atmosphere and building suspense.

""The Purcell Papers"" is a haunting collection of Gothic tales and supernatural narratives penned by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, a celebrated master of Victorian ghost stories. With an exquisite blend of atmospheric suspense and chilling horror, the anthology delves into the sinister realms of the unknown, where malevolent specters, vengeful apparitions, and otherworldly forces converge to unravel the deepest fears of the human psyche. Through intricate storytelling and evocative prose, Le Fanu weaves a tapestry of macabre intrigue, immersing readers in a world of uncanny occurrences and eerie mysteries. From haunted mansions veiled in darkness to tragic fates entwined with the supernatural, ""The Purcell Papers"" offers a captivating exploration of the supernatural and the uncanny, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Gothic literature with its timeless tales of terror and suspense.

"The Haunted Baronet" is not a known work by Sheridan Le Fanu. However, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu was a renowned Irish writer known for his contributions to the genre of gothic and supernatural fiction during the 19th century. Some of his notable works include "Carmilla" and "Uncle Silas." If you have any questions about his known works or would like information on a different book or topic, please feel free to ask.

"In a Glass Darkly" is a collection of supernatural and mystery stories written by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, an Irish author known for his contributions to gothic and Victorian-era literature. First published in 1872, the collection comprises five separate stories, each with its unique plot and set of characters. These stories often explore themes of the supernatural, the unknown, and psychological suspense. The five stories included in "In a Glass Darkly" are: "Green Tea," "The Familiar," "Mr. Justice Harbottle," "The Room in the Dragon Volant," and "Carmilla." "In a Glass Darkly" is regarded as a classic of supernatural and gothic literature, with Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's contributions to the genre celebrated by readers and scholars alike.