What's the deal with all the Twilight threads?

I'd never heard of Twilight until I saw that it was playing in my local theater. To which I said to myself "huh- who knew that so many young people would be interested in a Twilight Zone movie"

I mentioned this to a teen who told me she'd seen the movie, and she said it wasn't Twilight Zone, but something to do with vampires.

Is this supposed to be akin to the Harry Potter mania? (books, movies, merchandise, etc)

Are there any "grown-ups" that have read the books/seen the movie?

 

OK, just my 2 cents here..I'm 37, and a reader of gothic/paranormal romance.  I've read a lot of what's out there for adults (I did love the Anita Blake series, the first 5 or 6 books anyway!) and just recently came across the Twilight displays in the local B&N. I saw the movie first, and personally, thought it was just ok and definitely not aimed at adults.  It would have made a better tv movie, maybe a series pilot even, but not worth the $10 ticket to the theatre!  But, since I noticed that something seemed to be missing in the movie and figuring a lot had been left out, I went on to read the books. Mostly, because in my experience, the book is way better than the movie 90% of the time.  The lady at the book store even assured me that this series was adored by not just teens, but most adults read it.  Alas, I must be defective!! I was VERY disappointed!  For three books, nothing happens but a lot of whining, misery and pathetic behavior all around, then POOF! everything is anti-climactically tied up in a very happy, hurried and unbelievable fashion in the fourth book. Not counting the whole giving birth plot line..EWWW!(The alien baby in V.. Yeah, I was making those comparisons!)

My son is only 10 and still into Star Wars, but if I had a teenager who was reading this (or showing interest in it) I'd definitely have to do some research into what's out there in the world of teen reading and direct them toward something better! 

I'm 39 and I enjoyed the movie (twice) and the books.  I'm not so happy with the 4th book so far, but escaping to a fantasy-land for awhile has been enjoyable.  I like the soundtrack too.

Yeah, it's everywhere. Any type of blog or message board I visit invariably has some sort of discussion/critique of Twilight. There's usally a blurb about it in the paper, be it about the latest book or the star of the film forgetting to wash his hair. You really only just found out about this?

I saw the movie and had fun with it in an MST3K way (that's the second time that's come up today, huh.) I'd explain in more detail but I have to shut down the office now.

maaan, i love twilight!  it's weird because when it first became a really big hype i wasn't so into, and i sorta thought it would be lame.  my older uncle, though, was reading it and let me borrow it one day.  and he never got it back, haha.

My teacher (who is 32) loves twilight! She saw the movie and said it was awesome and that Edward was hot..lawls.

Never read the book and i'm not planning on reading it. I love fantasy, but i'm just not really into the romance vampire kind'of thing ;P

I'm 21, and I could NEVER see myself reading the Twilight series, it just doesn't appeal to me. For the day that I worked at a bookstore, all the women would talk about was that book. These women were in their late 20's to early 30's. They were very obnoxious, condescending,and immature. Clearly I couldn't stand the atmosphere, so I literally just walked out.

I do enjoy the occasional vampire movie though, I LOVEEEE The Lost Boys.

I read them...I LOVE THEM!  My sister got me the first book and I thought Vampire...humph.  Its so not what you think it would be.  The movie doesn't even do the books justice.  Its also nothing like Harry Potter.

Original Post by suzannasaurus:

Personally, I would never set *limitations* on what my kids could read. I'm not saying I'd go out and buy my kids horribly inappropriate reading material, but what they decide to read is their chioce. I'd encourage them to read whatever interests them. Reading is reading.

Heh heh, when I was 12 my Mom tried to set limitations on horror novels, but my stepfather was very against censorship and talked her out of it somewhow and I got horror novels to my hearts content. Of course i would have to discuss what i read with him and what i thought of it, which really isn't such a bad idea, checking in with your kid's understanding of the material...

The poster who was worried about the witches and spells in Harry Potter, I wouldn't worry. It's very much a fantasy type thing and bears little to no resemblance to what we actually do.

 

Original Post by qmwillcand:

...just at his age I still have the responsibility to control what he reads and watches. I haven't read the books in question, so I can't rightly say that they aren't appropriate. If he expressed an interest in them (which he never has), I would read them first and then decide. In the meantime, if I err, it will continue to be on the side of caution.

My mom was (still is) wonderful, but I was reading books at a young age that I should not have been. She wasn't aware of the content because she didn't read them first.

Fully agreed, and good parenting at that. However, your original comment was:

<i>I guess the whole idea of witches/warlocks, spells and all. Surely there are other good fictional novels out there that don't deal with that stuff.</i>

That is a whole other kettle of fish to which you originally described, or so it seems to me.

Likewise, I think there's a lot - a lot - to be said for introducing "questionable" content in the context of the parental relationship.

Original Post by qmwillcand:

Original Post by r4eboxer:

Right now I'm reading World without End by John Follet, it's the sequel to Pillars of the Earth and is brilliantly written. If your looking for a page turner you should get Pillars and then read World without End. They are both over 900 pages but definitely worth your time.

heehee- you mean Ken? I've read Pillars, have yet to read the sequel. Just finished his novel The Third Twin last week- way different from Pillars but a great read nonetheless.

hee hee hee, yep I mean Ken, but he looks more like a John don't you think? ;o) Anyway I haven't read The Third Twin, but have most of his German War novels, Jack Dawgs, Eye of the Needle etc. My favorite so far is World without End. I loved Pillars but World is better. His books tend to stay with me for a few weeks after I read them. Brilliant he is. If you liked Pillars you will be in love with World, pick up a copy you won't be disappointed. Get it in paperback the hard copy would be hard to handle I think due to the size of the book.

Original Post by freedomfrom:

Original Post by qmwillcand:

...just at his age I still have the responsibility to control what he reads and watches. I haven't read the books in question, so I can't rightly say that they aren't appropriate. If he expressed an interest in them (which he never has), I would read them first and then decide. In the meantime, if I err, it will continue to be on the side of caution.

My mom was (still is) wonderful, but I was reading books at a young age that I should not have been. She wasn't aware of the content because she didn't read them first.

Fully agreed, and good parenting at that. However, your original comment was:

I guess the whole idea of witches/warlocks, spells and all. Surely there are other good fictional novels out there that don't deal with that stuff.

That is a whole other kettle of fish to which you originally described, or so it seems to me.

Likewise, I think there's a lot - a lot - to be said for introducing "questionable" content in the context of the parental relationship.

The quotation in italics- how is that different? I've read books that deal with witches, etc, except mine tend to be humor, such as any of Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" novels. He's at a young impressionable age. I wouldn't care for him reading those topics much in the same way I wouldn't want him playing Dungeons and Dragons, playing video games rated M or watching R rated movies. When he's older, yes, if he so chooses.

For now, he's a kid! They grow up fast enough- I'm not going to hold him back, but neither will I speed it up. He still thinks armpit farting and burping the alphabet is hilarious! (then again, I know some adults who think that too- me for one)

 

gmwillcand - Maybe you should read the Harry Potter books to make sure you really do want to prohibit him from reading them. You might be pleasantly surprised!  My son is 10 and just finished them and since then his love for reading has tripled!

We're going to start the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.. (I think that's the name).  We are currently trying to read Tom Sawyer but he's not into it.. I don't know if we'll finish it.. they just talked so differently 130 yrs ago.

Original Post by qmwillcand:

The quotation in italics- how is that different? I've read books that deal with witches, etc, except mine tend to be humor, such as any of Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" novels. He's at a young impressionable age. I wouldn't care for him reading those topics much in the same way I wouldn't want him playing Dungeons and Dragons, playing video games rated M or watching R rated movies. When he's older, yes, if he so chooses.

But what exactly is the problem with those topics? I mean Dungeons and Dragons is a tad...geeky sure, but the kids at my school who stayed home and played that got in a heckuva lot less trouble than the rest of us!