The Hype About Twilight
“Of three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.” This is the intriguing teaser on the back of the 498 page book, Twilight. I know that you have seen the 2005 book in the hands of most of the female student population. Or, perhaps you have seen one of the two sequels, New Moon (2006) and Eclipse (2007). Many students have asked me what the fascination is. Well, I’m here to explain the mystery that is the Twilight series.
Isabella Swan is an average clutzy girl from sunny Phoenix, Arizona, where she lives with her mother. But, when she decides to go live with her father in rainy Forks, Washington, she is suddenly very popular. Everyone seems to like her, except for one boy who stares at her at lunch. He is extraordinarily beautiful, and as mysterious to Bella as Bella is to Forks. Bella’s new friend Jessica only adds to his mystery when Bella asks about him. “That’s Edward. He’s gorgeous, of course, but don’t waste your time. He doesn’t date.” Besides giving her weird looks at lunch, he ignores her, especially during Biology class where they are seated next to each other. He seems to loathe her, even go out of his way to try to change classes to stay away form her. Bella decides to ignore him, too, when one day, Edward saves her from apparent death involving a patch of ice and a fellow student’s minivan. Bella can’t figure out where Edward came from, and Edward isn’t giving her the time of day.
After several weeks, Edward suddenly starts to talk to her as if they had been friends for weeks. “I thought you didn’t want to be my friend.” Bella asks Edward. “It would be more…prudent for you not to be my friend…but I’m tired of trying to stay away from you, Bella.” After a few weeks, Edward and Bella become close friends, even to the point of telling people that they are secretly dating, just because it’s was easier. Bella can tell that Edward is hiding something from her, but she can’t figure out what. After some outrageous flirting with an old family friend, Bella discovers Edward’s family secret: they are all vampires. However, these are not your typical suck the blood out of everyone who comes along vampires. These are self-imposed ‘vegetarian’ vampires, who live off of animal blood in order to be around humans. But, this isn’t the only trial that Edward and Bella go through. Another small thing that hinders their relationship is that in this story, all vampires have a certain favorite “flavor” of blood, or as the characters like to put it, the vampires have a brand of heroin. The people who happen to be this “flavor” never last long around that vampire. Well, Bella just happens to be Edward’s favorite “flavor.” One wrong move, even getting into a kiss too much and Bella could become Isabella Swan, deceased, in less than a heartbeat.
Many twists and turns make this series a page turner. It’s not a typical Anne Rice blood and gore, kill all humanity vampire story as much as it is a love story, where the object of Bella’s affections just happens to be a vampire. Many other obstacles are thrown at the young couple such as a sadistic tracker vampire setting his sights killing on Bella, keeping the whole supernatural world a secret from her family and friends, and, oh, yeah, meeting Edward’s parents. So, armed with this information, and the knowledge that the fourth book comes out on August 2, and the movie opening on December 12, can you blame people for getting hyped up? It’s a great story and a fast read. All I’m asking is for you to give the avid readers a break and give Twilight a chance. Love it or hate it, either way you’ll thank me later for a great read. Sink your teeth into the series that knocked Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows into second place on the New York Times Bestseller List. Available at our own school library.
