Have You Been Bitten By The Twilight Bug?

The buzz right now is all about Twilight, the first in a series of vampire novels written by Stephenie Meyer. I borrowed a copy from a friend to see what all the excitement is about. Although the books are aimed at older teen readers, I have to admit, it was a page turner. The ending definitely makes you want more, and Meyer obliges her fans with three follow-up books in the series.

The Twilight movie has really taken off, due in large part to the casting of the charismatic and handsome Robert Pattinson as the lead vampire Edward Cullen. He’s a very long way from the overly made-up, Bela Lugosi-type figures from the vampire movies of the past!  Watching him, it’s hard to remember why we’re supposed to be afraid of vampires in the first place.

Personally, I’m getting a kick out of seeing the reactions of the young fans, because I’m a romantic at heart.  My sister, on the other hand, seems a bit baffled by her pre-teen daughter, who professes to be head over heels in love with Edward.  That started a conversation about teen girls and their celebrity crushes.  Unhealthy?  Nah, I assured her. I bolstered my point when I reminded her about the John Travolta shrine she had tucked in the corner of our bedroom when we were kids.  All of a sudden, she got this dreamy look in her eyes, and the next thing I knew, she was humming and flipping through The Lighter Side searching for the latest Twilight items for her daughter!  (And if I’m not mistaken, that tune she was humming--straight out of Saturday Night Fever!)

Posted by Linda at 4:54 PM  | Tuesday, May 19, 2009