Carmilla
by Sheridan Le Fanu
English • Published 1872 • Public Domain • Free to stream
Published in 1872 — a full 25 years before Dracula — Carmilla is the gothic vampire novella that started it all. Sheridan Le Fanu's story follows Laura, a young woman living in an isolated castle in Styria, Austria, who befriends a mysterious and beautiful young woman named Carmilla after a carriage accident. But strange things begin to happen: Laura suffers terrible dreams, falls mysteriously ill, and local women start dying. Carmilla is eerie, dreamlike and deeply atmospheric — a landmark of vampire fiction and one of the finest works of gothic horror ever written. Bram Stoker is known to have read it before writing Dracula.
Narrated in its own distinct natural voice — every audiobook on this site has a unique narrator chosen to suit the character of the story. Stream free, no account required.
About the book: Carmilla
Carmilla is an 1872 Gothic novella by Irish author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. First published as a serial in The Dark Blue from 1871 to 1872, the novella subsequently appeared in Le Fanu's short story collection In a Glass Darkly in 1872.
Set in 19th-century Styria, it is the story of a young woman who is pursued by the vampire Carmilla. The work is narrated by Laura, a young woman living in a secluded Austrian castle, who becomes the object of both affection and predation by the enigmatic Carmilla, leading to a complex and dangerous relationship marked by both romantic desires and vampiric violence. Since its initial publication, Carmilla has often been regarded as one of the most influential vampire stories of all time; its title character is the literary prototype for the female and lesbian vampires in fiction.
The novella directly influenced later horror and mystery writers such as Bram Stoker, M. R. James, Henry James, and others. Due to its popularity, the work has been anthologised, having been adapted extensively for films, operas, video games, Halloween plays, comics, cartoons, radio, and other media since the late 19th century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carmilla free to listen to?
Yes, completely free to stream — no account, no subscription, no ads.
Who wrote Carmilla?
Sheridan Le Fanu, first published in 1872 — 25 years before Dracula.
Is Carmilla in the public domain?
Yes, free to read, share, and listen to worldwide.
How long is Carmilla to listen to?
Carmilla takes approximately 3 hours to listen to in full.
When was Carmilla written?
Carmilla was first published in 1872. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates Carmilla?
Carmilla uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
Can I download Carmilla?
No download is needed. Carmilla streams directly in your browser — no app, no account, no signup required. Just press play.
What genre is Carmilla?
Carmilla is classic literature. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.