Weigh in: What's with the popularity of vampire literature like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight?

Posted on Fri, Feb 5, 2010 : 10 a.m.

Weigh in: What's with the popularity of vampire literature like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight?

By Leah Rex

Does vampire lit keep you on the edge of your seat?

Photo by Flickr user trpnblies7

I find the phenomenon of Vampire Lit intriguing. A random sampling of the best-seller lists any given week will likely turn up a novel by Stephenie Meyer, Charlaine Harris, or Laurell K. Hamilton. What’s up with all the vampires? It is particularly interesting to note that Dracula did not inspire its own genre, and Anne Rice owned the genre for years. So what perfect storm has arisen to make us suddenly unable to get our fill of vampire novels?

I am sure a sociologist would say that in times of trouble, escapist entertainment always sees a spike. A psychologist would say that women, tired of the antics of mortal men, have turned to a species that exists in the present day but exhibits courtly manners. Undoubtedly, historians and literary scholars could weigh in too but I hope they do not, because I am just having some fun here. The intrigue of this genre is that it is so weird and improbable, and raises the delicious question of what could be next.

The vampire romance is a source of particular delight. I am all for a good romance novel, and everyone knows that the best romances have a bona fide bad boy strutting through their much dog-eared pages. I suppose, in his way, the vampire fits the bad boy mold, what with the neck biting and blood sucking and all. Bad boy or not, I remain puzzled by the vampire as romantic lead. Personally, I am not much interested in a man who sleeps all day and has a hard time keeping his teeth to himself.

My bewilderment aside, there is no question that the vampire has readers squarely in his grip. So what is it? Immortality? Danger? Other-worldliness? Fess up ladies of Ann Arbor; if a vampire hit on you in a bar would you bite? Are your Sunday guilty pleasures a stack of vampire romances and a container of Ben & Jerry’s? Are you in Camp Edward or Camp Jacob?

Leah Rex has worked in some aspect of the book business for more than half her life. When given the choice between food or books, she will always choose books.

Comments

Erin Mann

Fri, Feb 5, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.

I've always been into monsters & spooky things - vampires are my favorite. I guess because they are usually depicted as these beautiful, sexy, romantic creatures who can blend in with humans but also have various powers (depending on who you're reading/watching). I read the Twilight series by recommendation but The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith does a much better job of satisfying my "thirst" for teenie-bopper vampire lit.

melissa

Fri, Feb 5, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.

I've read all 9 Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse) books and just finished the Twilight Series. I don't like the Twilight hype so am not admitting to people I know that honestly... I really liked it. It doesn't have to be vampires, but the draw to Charlaine's novels was the HBO series True Blood created by Alan Ball. I loved Alan Ball's series "Six Feet Under" so was definitely going to watch this too. The draw to Twilight, is just plain good writing (my opinion only, I guess) and a good story. It's hard to put them down. It must be the idea of true love, a true bond, and the vampire angle is that it lasts forever. It's a happy hopeful thought. What lasts forever these days?

melissa

Fri, Feb 5, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.

I've read all 9 Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse) books and just finished the Twilight Series. I don't like the Twilight hype so am not admitting to people I know that honestly... I really liked it. It doesn't have to be vampires, but the draw to Charlaine's novels was the HBO series True Blood created by Alan Ball. I loved Alan Ball's series "Six Feet Under" so was definitely going to watch this too. The draw to Twilight, is just plain good writing and a good story. It's hard to put them down. It must be the idea of true love, a true bond, and the vampire angle is that it lasts forever. It's a happy hopeful thought. What lasts forever these days?

A2K

Fri, Feb 5, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.

Those three authors are very different - Charlaine Harris is a mystery writer, and her vamp novels show it...her style and characters are much more developed than the other two authors. I think the Twilight books are terribly written, almost painful to read. Anne Rice had her own *considerable* hangups, seemingly from a childhood fraught with religious guilt, and an obsession with homoerotica. I guess vamp lit is entertaining first and foremost? It's a nice escape from the depressing last 10 years...plus, Eric Northman is practical, rawther naughty, and HOT. *heheheh!*