Caramelle & Carmilla

Two iconic sapphic vampires, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla and Jewelle Gomez's Gilda meet between the covers of this first entry in Aunt Lute Colloquy, a series dedicated to fostering conversations across literary generations. In Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, young Laura's peaceful and lonely life with her father is plunged into confusion by the arrival of Carmilla, a mysterious yet uncannily familiar stranger. Seduced by Carmilla's magnetic charm and intimate touch, even as she is disturbed and repelled by her strangeness, Laura slowly discovers the peril of her new friendship. Inspired by a glimpse of affection in Carmilla, Jewelle Gomez's "Caramelle 1864" is a story about survival and love between two girls on the Underground Railroad.