Authors like Bram Stroker and Anne Rice have used the mythical figure of the vampire to portray mystery and evil in the most traditional sense, and to explore the dark side of sensual perception and sexuality for years.
For someone of my generation or the generations before me, the symbol of the vampire has always represented animalistic violence and bloodlust in its purest and most exciting form. Needless to say, the vampire is very adult-oriented.
Now, it seems that the subject of vampirism in literature has been molded down into a PG rating and has grown immensely popular with teen girls, most impart due to the hugely popular books in the "Twilight" series.
Being a slight vampire nerd myself - a self proclaimed mega-fan of books such as "Salem's Lot," "Dracula," "The Vampire Lestat" and other classics - I decided there was no way I could pass up the opportunity to read the latest craze in vampire literature. Sure, I was forewarned about its appeal to the 14-year-old-girl demographic, but hey, vampires are vampires, right?
Well, not exactly. If you aren't familiar with the book/series, "Twilight" is the first of four books that chronicle the life of 17- or 18-year-old klutz Isabella Swan, who falls madly in love with a young (in appearance) vampire, Edward Cullen, whom she meets in school when she moves to Washington to live with her father. The big problem is, however, that Edward falls madly in love with her too, but also madly in love with sucking her blood. Unplanned hilarity ensues as the two try and have a relationship while Edward also tries to resist the urge to kill her.
Honestly, I struggled with the first half of the book. The story is told in the first person through Isabella Swan, and author Stephenie Myer takes her time in covering all of the subtle nuances of the daily emotions and worries of a high school girl. Myer paints Edward, and the other vampires in his family, exactly how you would expect a young girl to: astoundingly beautiful, muscular, sexual, deep and all other adjectives that describe a young crush.
For a 22-year-old male reading this, it's not exactly what I had in mind about my vampires of the past. Where was the bloodlust, the claws, the fangs, the flight?
The first half of the book moved slowly at times, as Myer dove deep into the relationships that Bella experienced at her new school - boys wanting to talk to her and date her, girls not talking to her because the boys did, and so on - and the romantic relationship between Bella and Edward.
However, toward the end Myer really picks up the pace and the book moves at a sharp clip. Edward struggles with the notion of Bella loving him and is forced to fight and possibly kill for her towards the end when a wandering group of rouge vampires arrives to challenge Edward and his family for Bella's blood.
All in all, the book is entertaining. It's very obvious to see how it has risen to an instant classic among teenage girls because it connects them to that taboo world of adult vampirism, but in a way that also involves their own world and life experiences.
"Twilight" isn't written for someone like me - there is very little blood, almost no violence and nothing beyond awkward kisses - but any reader who appreciates literature will appreciate the point of view this book presents. Plus, the faster-paced finale and subtle glimpses into the classic animalistic side of the vampire persona are enough to satisfy most readers.
The "Twilight" series is no Harry Potter, but then again, nothing will probably ever match that craze. But it does carry weight in its own right.
Parents, this is a great book for your junior high or high school kids, and boys, don't be too afraid of it - it's a fast read and extremely well written, and there are several references to werewolves that play larger parts in the later novels.
I give "Twilight" my non-expert stamp of approval. Not because it ranks up there with my favorite vampire books, because it doesn't, but because it describes a time everyone can relate to (high school) and dips into that mystical realm just enough to captivate even the most casual, non-estrogen filled reader.
