Investigating the "Twilight" Hype

So, here's the scoop. I teach on a college campus. That campus is loaded with 18-22 year old females. About 6 months ago, I suddenly became aware of something called "Twilight". Oh, it didn't happen all at once. It started in spurts with the name "Edward". My girls---not biological; the ones I teach and am around on a daily basis---were just enthralled with the name. Facebook was chalk full of flair on the guy. (If you need to know what flair is, ask the Facebook enthusiast in your house. They'll tell you all about it.) Finally I could stand it no longer. I asked my girls what the deal was. The look I got sucked the intelligence right out of me. They couldn't believe I had to even ask the question. "Mr. Fellows, come on. Edward??? He's the main character in 'Twilight'???" My intelligence points weren't getting any higher. So, one of them handed me the book. I did what I always do with books I haven't heard of, I read the jackets to see what it was about. A romance novel? Really girls? There had to be more. And boy, was there!

A few months later, a movie trailer with the same title as the book struck, and struck hard! Anytime I was in a room with a television playing this trailer around my girls, I---and every other guy in the room---was suddenly shushed with enough force to knock me over. They were enthralled again. And then, it happened. The movie premiered. What a turnout! I know this because after the latest bond movie---which I went to see---let out, I waited for "Twilight" to be done. I thought the people would never quit filing out. I wondered how the room held them all! And of course, most of my girls who saw it that night loved it!

So, I had to know. At first I thought I could get by without knowing, but my curiosity got the best of me. A friend of mine gave me her copy of the book over Thanksgiving. I'm almost done. And so far, I like it! *GASP* (Did I say that out loud??) Now, I won't say that I am enthralled like the entire---seemingly---female population. But, it is a fascinating story. And---I may get stripped of my Male Membership Card for this one---I plan on renting the movie once I finish the book.

Stephenie Meyer, the author, is an interesting storyteller. From a purely literary standpoint, I do enjoy her style of writing. The story itself has become interesting enough to keep me turning pages. And admittedly, the hopeless romantic in me.... Okay, I'll stop right there. I like my membership card.