Five Female-led Vampire Stories
If Netflix’s “First Kill” had you craving some more female-led vampire stories, these five stories should keep you sated.
For now at least.
Starting with the first female vampire of literature. “Carmilla” is narrated by Laura, a young woman who is befriended by the mysterious Carmilla. For a gothic novella written in 1872, J. Sheridan Le Fanu skillfully suggests a romantic relationship between the two women without raising the suspicions of contemporaries.
For a more recent sapphic tale, Rachel Klein’s 2002 “The Moth Diaries” is set in an exclusive, all-girls boarding school. The sixteen-year-old narrator uses her diary to confess her feelings for her roommate Lucy, and her distrust of Lucy’s new friend, Ernessa. Is Ernessa a vampire? Or has the narrator become lost in her own inner turmoil and jealousy?
Leaving ambiguity at the door is “Snow, Glass, Apple”. Written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Colleen Doran, this retelling of “Snow White” is narrated by the Queen, stepmother to a monstrous, inhuman step-daughter. This is not for the faint of heart.
Vampires don’t have to bite to suck the life out of you. At least that’s what Mary Eleanor Wilkins-Freeman's 1903 short story “Luella Miller” suggests. Unable to do anything for herself, Luella relies upon others for everything. All those who willingly enter her inner circle work themselves to an early grave. Will our narrator survive?
Michael Morbius wasn’t the first person wishing to avoid death and stumbling across an alternative route to vampirism. In Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s 1869 gothic novella “Good Lady Ducayne” the eponymous Lady pays well for a young, healthy companion. Unfortunately, these young women never last long. Will the naive Bella fare any differently? (Another Bella meets another vampire…)
Five Female-Led Vampire Stories
Carmilla - J. Sheridan Le Fanu
The Moth Diaries - Rachel Klein
Snow, Glass, Apple - written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Colleen Doran
Luella Miller - Mary Eleanor Wilkins-Freeman
Good Lady Ducayne - Mary Elizabeth Braddon
If you want to buy any of these stories, you can get in touch with your local independent bookshop directly or visit bookshop.org
What do you think of this list? Have you already read any of these recommended stories? Do you have any vampire story recommendations that feature a femme fatale or female lead?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Mary Wyrd provides Virtual Assistant and Copywriting services for creatives and indie businesses.