Carmilla, Dracula and Lestat, three of the most famous vampires in fiction
Ever since I first watched Bela Lugosi in an old black and white version I have been fascinated by vampires, and among my favourite books are Dracula by Bram Stoker and Anne Rice’s more recent series of books that starts with Interview with a Vampire. Vampires are creatures of the night and represent the blurred line between life and death, predator and lover.
I want to think about three of my personal favourites which have each been influential in the development of this genre of fiction. These are Carmilla, written by Sheridan Le Fanu and published in 1872 which features the first lesbian vampire, Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula published in 1897, and Anne Rice’s beautiful Lestat who was first introduced in 1985. Each has shaped the vampire myth and it’s portrayal of immortality, seduction, and the tension between human nature and supernatural power. So let’s look at each of these iconic vampires.
Carmilla: The Birth of the Female Vampire Icon
Carmilla, created by Sheridan Le Fanu in 1872, is the first significant female vampire in literature. Carmilla embodies a more intimate form of horror, one rooted in the subtle, almost imperceptible invasion of innocence and is likely because of how women were viewed at this time. What I found fascinating on first reading this was that her lesbian sexuality was not what I expected to read about in a Victorian novel!
Carmilla is not just beautiful but also given a quiet and languid demeanor which hides how dangerous is she is. Her relationship with Laura, is not one of brute force, but a gradual, intoxicating manipulation, what today we would describe as grooming. This slow invasion of both body and mind defines Carmilla’s role, making her one of the most chilling figures in the Gothic canon.
Carmilla’s charm lies in her haunting and dreamlike beauty which slowly erodes her victim's resistance. Her seductive power is not simply physical but emotional, as she engenders a deep, almost hypnotic bond with her prey. The danger of Carmilla lies in her capacity to distort reality, making her victims question their own desires.
In Carmilla Le Fanu paved the way for the vampires who followed, particularly in her sensual, psychological hold over her victims. The themes he introduced—sexuality, the combination of love and death through predator and paramour are explored further in later vampire novels and can be seen clearly in contemporary vampires such as Anne Rice’s Lestat.
Count Dracula: The Classic Vampire that Defined the Genre
When Bram Stoker published Dracula in 1897, he cemented the vampire's place in popular culture. Count Dracula became the quintessential vampire, and his characteristics—from his nocturnal habits to his insidious charm—have become the foundation upon which all subsequent vampire lore is built.
Stoker blended folklore and Gothic tradition into an iconic figure that is still recognised, giving him a form of immortality. Stoker's Count encapsulates the fears of his age, of the unknown, of the outsider, and of unchecked power. Stoker’s Count Dracula is both terrifying and irresistible inspiring both awe and dread.
Count Dracula’s charisma stems from his aristocratic refinement mixed with his thirst for blood. We are drawn to Dracula not only for his menace but also for the elegance with which he embodies it. His control over his victims, how he manipulates them into willing submission, highlights his dangerous charm as well as his sexual allure.
Dracula’s terror is not just physical; it is deeply psychological. He plays on the fears of loss of control and uses his supernatural abilities to shatter his victims autonomy. This psychological horror is central to Dracula’s lasting power in literature.
Lestat: The Modern Vampire Rockstar
In the late 20th century, Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles introduced a new kind of vampire, in the complex figure of the beautiful and flamboyant Lestat. Lestat is a creature of modernity, brimming with self-awareness and human flaws. Rice redefined vampires by imbuing them with a rich inner life, emotional depth, and moral complexity. Lestat is a vampire who struggles with his identity as both a predator and a creature capable of love and empathy.
Lestat’s evolution from villain to anti-hero is central to his appeal. He begins as a selfish, hedonistic figure, relishing his power over mortals and other vampires alike. However, as the series progresses, Lestat becomes more introspective, grappling with his immortality and the moral implications of his actions and this makes him one of the most compelling figures in modern vampire fiction.
Lestat’s charisma lies in his ability to embody the vampire as both seductive and tragic. He is magnetic, rebellious, and fully himself, yet beneath this confidence lies a deep loneliness. Lestat’s immortality gives him power but also isolates him. He is the ultimate outsider, forever zigzagging between indulgence and despair.
The Seduction of Immortality
Immortality gives vampires a power over mortals that is both is intoxicating, giving them power over others but also isolating, forming a barrier between them and the humanity they crave. This is why vampires are often shown as tormented by their immortality which cuts them off from what gives life meaning—love, connection, and growth. This struggle defines many vampire characters, particularly Lestat, who struggles with the meaning of existence in a world where time has lost its significance.
Whether it’s the subtle allure of Carmilla, the domineering charm of Dracula, or the rebellious magnetism of Lestat, vampires seduce not just through physical beauty, but through the promise of breaking free from what society expects of us. Their seductive power lies in their ability to offer forbidden pleasures, drawing their victims into a world where desire reigns and consequences fade into the background. So I’m off now to renew my acquaintance with one of these three, the only problem is, which?
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