I recently guided my Victorian Lit class through a reading of *Carmilla." I read it years ago and on this re-reading found it richer than I'd understood on my first reading. Imagine the Victorians' horror not so much at the ways of the vampire, but at the female power and solidarity displayed in these pages. The story starts slowly, moving as languidly as Carmilla herself, but builds to a more lively pace with a classically inconclusive ending. I highly recommend it. Also, if you're interested in *Dracula*, read *Carmilla* as its precursor. Stoker wrests the power away from the women and puts it firmly back in the hands of the men--a thoroughly Victorian move. ( )

Oh, how I love thee, dark creature of the night.

Vampires, really, are too good. Deliciously enticing and frightening at the same time. I'm surprised how much I liked reading Dracula, despite being WILDLY melodramatic. But it really is a page turner.

The other vamp stories & essays are quite good also. Good creepy but not keep the light on while you sleep creepy. ( )