So, I've recently become obsessed with all things Twilight, and I'm sure that I'll have more to say about this subject later. It started when my neice, Anna, came to stay and she strongly suggested that I read Twilight. I confess, I was really not interested. I mean, really. A vampire novel? Didn't we do that with Anne Rice about 15 years ago? Didn't like it then, probably won't like it now. Long story short, I ran through the rest of my books and picked up Twilight, and here we are today. I've read 4 books, in excess of 2,00o pages in less than a week. And, in some cases, I've read the books twice. Holy crap.
Along with the obsession of the actual text, I've found myself doing other compulsive things, like going to the author's webpage, watching movie trailers online, and google-ing the books, author, etc. And, I've come to find out that attached to this saga is a great deal of controversy. Lots and lots of controversy.
I have to say, that if I hadn't been looking for it, I wouldn't have found it, or cared. Right now, I'm not even sure that I do care. But, it is interesting to me. There are accusations of racism, sexism, anti-feminism, pro-life-ism, copy write infringement, literary licence, and bad writing being flung all about. Whoa! If I hadn't already read the books, I'd sure be tempted, as they're inspiring all kinds of passion.
What it comes down to for me is this. It's a book- a series of books. Fictional books. In my opinion, beautifully written, eloquent books that captured my attention and compelled me to sit down and read. For hours on end. And, I loved every minute that I was ignoring my daily life to be immersed in the lives of the Cullens and the Quileutes. Books that I fully endorse to all my friends who love to read, as these were a great escape for me. I wasn't offended that Bella had a baby, or that she didn't choose the "dark skinned" Native American, or that when she became a vampire that she ate possible endangered animals. I believe that there are no moralistic lessons to be taken from these, other than maybe, follow your heart, no matter how bizarre your dreams are, they are your dreams and your dreams alone. Who is it that said "he who doesn't have dreams, doesn't have much"?
Then there's also the whole hopeless devotion thing, how many women/girls out there would LOVE to have their partner be so attentive and loving toward them that he's totally, completely, devoted to her. Whole other post for that, I'm sure. I don't think that these books are a manual on how to live your real life, I'm pretty sure that vampires and shape shifters don't exist in my real life.
And, with all these points for discussions, we also get an entrance to start talking amongst ourselves and our teens about what we liked and didn't like within their covers. And, what we do and don't like about our surroundings. These books gave me an in with my niece. We email and have phone conversations about our most favorite and least favorite parts. She and I are fully on Team Edward, not because he's white, or marble like, or a vampire, but because he's romantic, and dangerous, and flawed. Did I mention romantic? And, dangerous? We analyze why this happened or that happened, and how they can possibly make a movie of only 2 hours from all the pieces and parts of the book. She gives me glimpses into her life and I get to know her better. We also discuss relationships, and how this is fantasy, and what reality looks like. But, mostly, we just talke. And, I'm OK with that. Plus, I got to read 4 really good books.
