Clarimonde

Name: Clarimonde
Price: 5.75 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781530847822

✍️ Lafcadio Hearn

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$5.75

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Lafcadio Hearn presents Gautier's 1836 vampire short story about a priest and his undead lover.

The text examines the romantic and supernatural conflict between a clergyman and a vampiric woman. It reflects nineteenth century literary trends in France, specifically through its appearance in La Chronique de Paris. The work demonstrates early narrative techniques for portraying the undead. Hearn’s contribution ensures this specific tale remains accessible to contemporary audiences interested in the origins of vampire fiction. The story avoids complex subplots, focusing instead on the immediate emotional and moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist.

Key Themes

vampire romance priestly conflict gothic tradition

Literary Context

The story originates from France in 1836, appearing in La Chronique de Paris. It represents an early phase of European supernatural fiction, influencing later vampire narratives through its blend of religious guilt and romantic obsession.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Bram Stoker · Shelley Jackson · Anne Rice · The Vampyre

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2016 📖 40 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781530847822

📝 Description: Clarimonde

This volume presents Lafcadio Hearn’s edition of Clarimonde, a vampire short story originally written by Theophile Gautier. The narrative follows Romuald, a priest who falls in love with Clarimonde, a beautiful woman who is revealed to be a vampire. The text draws on the gothic and supernatural traditions of the nineteenth century, specifically referencing its publication in La Chronique de Paris in 1836. Hearn qualifies this work as a significant piece of horror literature, bringing attention to early literary explorations of the undead. The book suits readers interested in classic vampire lore and the intersection of religious duty with forbidden desire. It appeals to those who appreciate short fiction from the Victorian era and the development of supernatural themes in European literature. The edition is published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform and released on April third, two thousand sixteen. It does not suit readers seeking modern horror or lengthy novels, as the content remains a single short story focused on these specific characters. The narrative structure centers on the relationship between Romuald and Clarimonde, exploring the tension between spiritual vows and earthly passion. The source material provides a concise look at how early authors conceptualized vampirism beyond mere folklore. Hearn’s selection highlights the enduring appeal of stories where the sacred meets the profane. This edition offers a direct window into the literary history of the genre without additional commentary or extensive analysis.

💎 Our verdict on Clarimonde

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This edition successfully preserves Lafcadio Hearn’s curation of Théophile Gautier’s significant 1836 tale, offering readers a direct window into early vampire lore. The narrative avoids convoluted plotting, focusing instead on the intense, immediate conflict between a priest and his vampiric lover. This approach highlights the development of supernatural themes in European literature during the nineteenth century. The work is best suited for readers who value historical context within horror fiction rather than modern twists or lengthy novels. It excels in demonstrating how early literary techniques portrayed the undead with emotional depth. Fans of gothic romance and the specific tension between spiritual repression and carnal desire will find this short story compelling. It stands as a vital artifact for understanding the roots of the genre.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the genealogy of vampire fiction will find this volume essential for understanding how early authors conceptualized the undead beyond mere folklore. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate the intersection of religious duty and forbidden desire, offering a concise look at the moral dilemmas faced by clergy in supernatural contexts. The text provides a bridge between nineteenth-century French literary trends and contemporary horror interests. Those who enjoy short fiction from the Victorian era will appreciate the immediate emotional focus without complex subplots. It appeals to scholars and enthusiasts of gothic literature seeking the origins of themes later popularized in modern horror. The narrative’s exploration of spiritual vows versus earthly passion offers a timeless conflict for fans of dark fantasy and psychological horror.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

This edition successfully preserves Lafcadio Hearn’s curation of Théophile Gautier’s significant 1836 tale, offering readers a direct window into early vampire lore. The narrative avoids convoluted plotting, focusing instead on the intense, immediate conflict between a priest and his vampiric lover. This approach highlights the development of supernatural themes in European literature during the nineteenth century. The work is best suited for readers who value historical context within horror fiction rather than modern twists or lengthy novels. It excels in demonstrating how early literary techniques portrayed the undead with emotional depth. Fans of gothic romance and the specific tension between spiritual repression and carnal desire will find this short story compelling. It stands as a vital artifact for understanding the roots of the genre.