MVU Book Club discussion

Okay all you Twilight fans, let me get the discussion rolling with a couple of questions for you.

1)Does the idea of living forever appeal to you? Why or why not?

2) Is Edward too perfect? There has been some criticism that Edward gives teen girls unrealistic expectations about men. What do you think?

3)Besides Edward and Bella, who is your favorite character? Why?

4)If you're a female, do you feel you can relate to Bella? If yes, how?

5) Has Twilight changed your view of vampires? If so, how?

Tori,

I'm glad to see you like Jacob, because I do not like him at all! I'm not sure why, but I found myself getting rather upset with him as I read. I only became more angry with him in book 4 when he imprinted!

1)Yes and no. Living forever would be great for obvious reasons but to watch everyone around you die is not something I want. You can't turn them all into vampires.

2)Edward makes mistakes. He left Bella in New Moon without thinking of how she felt. His jealousy shows up constantly over all the boys that like Bella. He's not perfect but good example of what a boy could realistically be and be a great guy.

3)Charlie. He's a great dad, taking the strange things his daughter does in stride. He takes her back every time.

4)Yes. She's insecure exactly like every girl I know, including myself.

5)The vegetarian concept was knew to me so yes. And also sparkling in the sunlight. It's a whole different breed of vampire then Anne Rice or Dracula.

Nicky,

I enjoyed reading your ideas. Interesting viewpoint on Charlie. I'm part way through New Moon and he's been a bit clueless so far.

Have you read any Ann Rice books? If you did, did you like them? I read "Interview with a Vampire" last summer and I was surprised at how different it was from other vampire books I'd read.

Nicky,

I agree that Edward is not perfect! I do not believe he sets girls up with unrealistic expectations, but instead I think he demonstrates the perfect love that can be found.

Living" is the wrong word here since aren't all these vampires actually "walking dead?" All nit-picking aside though, I think the value of these novels are their ability to give you a different point of view. They let you see a positive perspective of the "walking dead." Unlike the common mindless brain-eaters or myopically-driven blood drinkers, they have concerns and problems just like the living.

Being a member of the walking dead has no appeal to me personally, but longevity does.

Well, yes, perhaps "existing" would have been the better word choice.

The problems of immortality are a common theme in vampire novels. I actually had read a couple of vampire novels before Twilight mania...when I was in graduate school getting my library degree I took a great class in "Readers Advisory." RA is a service libraries provide, helping readers find the kinds of books they like. Every week in class we studied a different genre of fiction and read at least one book of each type. When it was Horror week, I decided to check out vampire books because at that time I really didn't get what the deal was with vampires and why anyone would want to read a book about blood-sucking monsters. I read a book by Laurell K. Hamilton who has a popular adult series about a character, Anita Blake, who is a vampire hunter. Well, after reading that book I got it. Unbeknownst to me, all these popular vampire books were actually romances!

Generally, vampires are desirable but unattainable men who, having lived for hundreds of years, have the idealized combination of old-fashioned manners and modern attitudes toward women. The whole vampire magnetism thing makes them irresistible. And they are also sad and wise because they have lived for so long that they have accumulated many experiences, including numerous sorrows and losses. So they are tragic and beautiful guys but they can be saved from their lonely, melancholy eternity by the love of this one special mortal woman. He loves her too much to turn her into a vampire, of course, even though she wishes he would, so they could be together forever.... Twilight pretty much follows this same model, with a few tweaks and for a teen audience.
Laurell K. Hamilton

Ms. Olson, you are true romantic!

1)ya i would love to love forever so than i could see the world and how it changes.
2)edward is perfect but i wouldn't say to perfect.
3)jack is my other fav charactor b/c he never quits and i think thats sweet
4)i think i could in some ways.
5)ya twilight has. all the things that where myths in the story i believed and also i didn't think vampires sparkles in the sun.