Daughters of Darkness: Lesbian Vampire Stories

by Pam Keesey (Editor)

A collector's edition of a best-selling cult favorite.

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Horror, Erotica, LGBT, Queer, Fiction

250 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1993

Reviews

[chad chrysanthemum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this on a whim when I saw it in an Oxfam books a few months back, and that turned out to be a great decision. Based on the title and cover image I thought it was just going to be kind of funny, trashy erotica, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a fascinating collection of lesbian vampire stories that is very much an overview of the genre to date, from the late 1800s to the early 90s, when this book was published. In a fairly academic foreword Keesey covers the origins, classics and clichés of the genre, talking about books, short stories, poetry and movies. We then whip fairly quickly through a number of examples, other than the entire middle section which is devoted to a reprint of Carmilla. I can't complain -it's one of my favourite vampire novellas, it's absolutely hilarious, and it really is the foundation of the genre. Really, I respect Keesey for being bold enough to put a 100-page Victorian novella in the middle of a book of so-called erotica. As always for a collection, here are some of my more specific thoughts on the individual elements:
Dracula Retold (1989)
Fantastically fun little short story written in a weird kinda modernist way. Classic conflation of vampirism with lesbianism done in a really funny and clever way. The ending made me totally laugh out loud
I, Vampire (1984)
I'm generally not sure about novel extracts in collections like this, as I'm sure I'll talk about later, but this one was an absolutely romp and immediately catapulted the book to the top of my to-read list (as soon as I can find it anywhere!). It's such a weird and exciting premise that it immediately got me hooked.
Carmilla (1872)
I've reviewed this elsewhere on goodreads so I won't go into much depth, but it's as fun & funny as always, and a welcome refreshment to have some classic literature thrown in here.
Daughter of the Night (1992)
Uhhh. Weird. Another novel extract, I'm not sure this one earned it's place. I think it's supposed to be about forced heterosexuality and Elizabether coming to terms with herself through the lens of vampirism. That said, what it actually is on the page, is statuatory rape and i am Not Into That, and I'm not sure it was necessary to get the point across exactly like that. Maybe I missed something, who knows, still didn't like it.
Louisiana, 1850 (1991)
This short story was awesome! It's part of a larger collection of stories with those characters, but worked well as a standalone nonetheless. I really liked the characters, I think exploring the Girl and Bird's experiences of the time was well done and seemed like the author exploring her own history through interesting lenses, and the end was really well done - it's hard to create real emotion in a story that short. The swith from 'the Girl' to 'Gilda' was really genius. Vampirism was well-employed to add depth to the story.
Lilith (1989)
Seemed like pointless smut, sue me. Vampirism is used as little more than a vessel for somewhat unconsesual sex, and there's really very little story other than some shaky coincidences. Uh, I guess it says something about lesbians/vampires as predators? But that's kind of, shit?
Virago (1990)
This is possibly the worst offender of the novel extracts, as you get dropped in a confusing universe with already developed characters with no explanation. It's an interesting jungle adventure story in which an alluring woman turns out to be the monster hidden within its depths, which I respect. However, as with Daughter of the Night, there's just not enough to create any attachments to the characters, really, and I was left feeling confused. There's some fantastic descriptions of the Amazon though.
The Vampire (1988)
Straight up lesbian BDSM erotica, but with this weird and fascinating layer added through vampirism. Our protagonist is an interesting character with some mysterious power & hidden depths which I respect, because few of the other protagonists in this collection were like that. It's definitely, like, a lot but I understand it's inclusion. According to the introduction it "broke new ground" in lesbian erotica, and is also an homage I guess to the historical overlap of queer & BDSM communities. While it absolutely wasn't my thing and made me vaguely uncomfortable, it's one of the more interesting and historically significant inclusions and it's always good to remember that just because something makes you uncomfortable doesn't make it bad!
O Captain, My Captain (1987)
Oh short story, my short story - this one fucked. Not *just* because it's sci-fi, but c'mon - it played a part. It's a fun dracula re-telling, and I'm still kicking myself that I didn't realise until right at the end that the character's names are almost exactly the same in the book. Drake? Oh yeah, she's Dracula. Could Harper possibly play the role of Harker? Possibly!! Thoughts on whether Westra will be a Lucy Westenra type character? Odds are yes! Shame that I missed out on the extra layer into right at the end, but oh well, not the author's fault! Anyway, yes, still too much erotica for me but I understand that's what I got myself into. It was just a fun, intersting take on Dracula and Vampirism and sci-fi, and I liked it!
Minimax (1992)
Previously I know I took away points for confusion in novel extracts but this one's SO insane that I put them back again. Look. ok. There's a talking parrot in love with a slide rule. Need I say more. (I will: I liked the bit where Natalie talks about finding a mother figure in someone who's not her mother, and it's fun and just kinda cute to here her talking about girls and how to take someone on a date. Also the bit at the end? Where you're not allowed to promote vampirism anymore? Cutting commentary on Thatcher, love it).

[Kathleen Jowitt]

This is an eclectic collection, containing several short stories, a couple of extracts from full-length novels, and the full text of J. Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla". There are all sorts of vampires, from the merely misunderstood to the out and out evil; the settings range from Countess Báthory's Hungary to outer space, via nineteenth century Louisiana; the styles are equally eclectic. I wasn't convinced about the inclusion of novel extracts, which felt a bit unsatisfying to me (while still not really motivating me to go out and find the books).

But overall this was an interesting sampler, and I particularly enjoyed Pam Keesey's introduction, where she gives an overview of the lesbian vampire genre on the page and and the screen. It would be interesting to see an updated edition: this book is getting on for three decades old now, and my assumption (possibly incorrect) is that there would be quite a lot more to add.

[Alexis Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a supposedly erotic collection, there is very little sex. In fact, some of the stories end just before the characters have sex. Most of the characters are whiny politically correct lesbians that have been wronged by men. Only a handful were actually sexy.

The stories are also extremely predictable, and pretty much all the same. More or less ordinary female character is introduced. Then she meets some other woman who is dominant, pale, and/or avoids daylight, and then surprise plot twist; woman who is obviously a vampire turns out to be a vampire.

[Ruthie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up a couple years ago in a used book store. I'm not lesbian but I do like vampire stories and I was curious what "sharply erotic" vampire stories would be like. The introduction which included a history of vampire literature was the most interesting part about it for me. Sadly, I read that two years ago when I started the book and don't remember much. The subsequent nine stories mostly left me thinking, "Oh, ok." A third were interesting to me, a third were completely stupid, and the other third were unmemorable. And only one seemed erotic to me. The others were about vampires who happened to be lesbian but the "sexual and seductive" qualities hinted at on the back cover totally eluded me.

[Freyja Vanadis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven collection of lesbian/vampire-themed short stories. My favorite is probably the excerpt of Jewelle Gomez's The Gilda Stories. Pat Califia has a story in here, and of course she wouldn't be herself if the story wasn't based on s/m. This book also includes the Katherine V. Forrest classic "O Captain, My Captain".

[Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually didn't finish this book. The first few stories were horrible and I put it down and could never find the desire to pick it back up again.

[Diksha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder if I just wasn't in the right mood for lesbian vampire erotica to fully enjoy this collection of short stories and one(?) novella. I was gifted this book by someone whose intellect and kindness is awfully inspiring to me. Perhaps I was trying to think of the book in terms of its theoretical potential; grad school will do that joy-sucking thing to every book. I did enjoy a couple of the stories in this collection, but much of it was just "Oh yeah, sexy. I like what I see. Yeah, let's do it. Wait - you're a vampire?" or "Gasp! You're a lesbian?! AND a vampire?!?!" One of the stories in this collection seemed to be promising as a nice little horrorscape before it devolved into sexual assault.
I have already read and thoroughly enjoyed Carmilla and The Gilda Stories, so it was nice to see it included in the collection (just the first chapter from Gilda, I think). If you're looking for lesbian vampire stories in different settings and with erotic undertones/explicitness throughout, this is a great collection. The stories are just predictible when read one after another.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories range from eclectically excellent to the cliched to the absurd. Some delightful quotations:

"the two wimin began to talk, and they talked of cookie recipes, the neighbourhood, the institution of marriage, and wimin banding together to smash the patriarchy. it was quite a pleasant afternoon."
(zana, "Dracula Retold", pg. 19)
--Curious how this is basically what happens in every knitting circle ever... hmm.

"Genuine sentiment will win out over mere clumsiness, or the literature of the world is in jeopardy."
(Anna Livia, "Minimax", pg. 234).
--This had better be correct, or my love life is doomed.

[Julia Anne Figueroa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book, but it was so bloody hard to read some of those stories that I had to keep putting the book down and walk away, then come back to it, but all in all the changes and portrayals were good for female vampires sexual appeal.. Though one store was hard to follow what was going on or meant. Read it for yourself and see if you understand what I mean. And yes I do have a favorite story out of the lot.

[C Patt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stories were REALLY GOOOD and others made me question my love for reading. It was cruel to put Carmilla so early in the collection. I literally almost didn't finish because of it. Lucky for me I did because I discovered two absolute favs and possibly an introduction to a new love for scifi novels?

[Geof Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the first story, which leaned so far into early 90's Lilith Fair stereotypes that it bordered on self-parody, these were pretty good. I've read Carmilla before, but reading it in context of Keesey's introduction made it more of a lesbian tale than a vampire tale, which was new.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of these stories are great and some I thought were awful. I skipped Carmilla and Louisiana: 1850 because I already have them in paperback format. There are some stories that have outdated language regarding people who don't have sex, but besides that I still like this anthology.

[Mark]

Put on pause 30 December 2020 as haven't touched in many weeks.
Initially began 13 October 2020.

[Zayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, considering it was a collection I didn't have on my register at all.

[Haley Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish this book, not my type.

[Sue Still · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, when I read it, which was a long time ago now.
It's a classic and one of those that kept me reading lesbian urban fantasy/paranormal romance.

Vampires, and a lot of biting.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back off, straights. Vampires are for lesbians.

"Freedom will no doubt be accomplished. But for men to need war to make freedom… I have never understood. Now I am tired of trying to understand."

[Abstractica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personally, in the perspective of my not being a lesbian and merely a garden variety feminist, the usage of spelling such as 'womon' instead of 'woman' was not easy for me to parse (I have learning disabilities), and I don't feel it added anything in a literary sense, but actually detracted from the reading experience for me. More power to the authors, just not my thing. So that's one minor gripe I had with it. No big deal really, and I don't really have any other 'gripes' per se, it is just fairly unremarkable insofar as reading enjoyment. Half decent beach read, nothing more really.

It is a tepid book in the erotic sense, so much is true. It really should not be considered 'erotica' at all, and is extremely tame by today's standards in a world where atrocities such as 50 Shades exist (I make that judgement not for subject matter necessarily, but sheer value of the writer's ability to craft their skill, of which FSoG has none). However, when you consider the times when it was published, the genre label fits a little better.

The following may be helpful to people who are just picking up this book in this era, insofar as this book being called 'erotica' when it really isn't by today's standards.

I bought this book back then when it was just out, early 90s, and the climate back then was such that the lesbian bookstore in Vancouver BC was having constant problems with the products they'd ordered being let across the border and through customs in a timely and professional fashion, a
"luxury" afforded every other bookstore in the region. The owners of the bookstore were even in court often because of these issues and while I don't recall the details, their shipments were constantly being seized, under justification of 'pornography'. It went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. Cite for any interested parties -

http://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.c...

Also during this time (to help illustrate the cultural timbre of the time), there was a prolonged dispute with the 'morality brigade' to keep out distribution of the free local LGBT weekly paper, to keep it out of libraries. Outside of Vancouver and probably some locations in the city, it could be a hassle to find a copy. Eventually they allowed the paper to be distributed there, but it was hidden atop a tall shelf at the very back of the library.

I'm not even kidding.

So yes, it isn't really very erotic at all, but back in the day, things were a lot different and it could be considered a lot more erotic in its time, sadly merely for the fact that is was lesbian focussed. I daresay not these days and more the better. And I'm glad we have come a long way since those times. Living moment to moment, one tends to not muse upon such things, and when reminded of history, it helps broaden perspective and see how far the work many people have done for human rights, has gotten us. Onward and upward...

[Edward Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this anthology of short vampire stories but erotic is left up to the reader (or I am just really jaded when it comes to that stuff ;) ) - Some of these were reprints from other books and novellas that were captured here to pad out the covers. I really enjoyed the author's other anthology: Women Who Run With the Werewolves: Tales of Blood, Lust and Metamorphosis but this one just missed the mark for me.

[LeeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of all of the stories and I didn't think they all worked well together, but I did enjoy the overall theme of the book. This is a nice introduction to lesbian vampire stories--some erotic and some plain strange. There is a reference section to further reading that I am going to explore.
Favorite story was Oh Captain, My Captain. I would give that one five stars alone.

[MsTiptress · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was not enough action, not enough sex,and the vampire characters SUCKED big time.. Horrible read I would not recommend anyone let alone lesbians read this story.. Unless you like old English and vampires.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of Darkness: Lesbian Vampire Stories by Pam Keesey (1993)

[Marielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh please. Who doesn't love a good lesbian vampire story?

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten different stories and the quality varies but, if you collect vampires, worth reading.

[Ginna]

fabulous collection - and insightful analysis of the genre in the introduction

[gdnght]

Rec. by Toni Armstrong Jr. and by Pam, whom I met at Toni's party :)