Thursday, January 15, 2009

Twilight

Ok so first of all yes this is me, Michael, the one and only male in the house. So many of you are wondering why my post starts out the the title of the highly talked about, highly hyped, and highly not male followed book. Before I go any further I must tell any and all males who might be reading this to go ahead and laugh it up now... have your jokes.... make your comments.......... Ok you done? Good.

The reason I had you get it out of your system now is because I knew it would come when I let out the following statement. I just finished reading, ok, not reading but listening to the audio version of "Twilight." I love to read. I don't limit myself to just one author, even though I have read practically every novel by Orson Scott Card. I do limit myself to fiction for the most part. I have rarely been able to get into anything that is real life, biographical, or the likes. I read to take my mind elsewhere and to free my imagination. Anyway I have recently started listing to audio books while on my bike rides, or at work while I am updating paperwork or filing it away and I don't much of my mind to complete the task. My most recent book was "Twilight".

I started hearing about the series a while ago and started thinking I would read it, even before I knew there was going to be a movie about it. Yes I heard it was a love story... not the first I have read. Yes it is has vampires in it.... not fully what interested me, if that was the case then I would have read "Dracula" by Bram Stoker. The reason I wanted to read it was because I heard from many people whose opinion I trust say that it was a good book and well written story.

I say that they were right. It is a good book and I know that the world, and many of you don't need me to tell you this..... ok so maybe all you guys out there needed me to tell you since you aren't man enough to read it on your own. Oh I have to say that it is rather funny that me the only male in my house is the only one that has read, or had interest in reading it. Rach has no desire but I think she would like it as soon as she gets past the fact there are vampires in the book.

So now to the point of my post..... looks like I started my own little novel here. As I was listening to it I couldn't help but hear things that would make me think of truths that we are taught in church. At one point it tells about how hard it is for Edward to fight himself back from following his desires, his overwhelming urges, his natural tendencies to kill and suck the life out of Bella. Edward describes the attraction, and the pull on him to do what he knows is wrong. As I listened I thought of how well that ties to the fact that each and everyone of us has to fight ourselves from some desire or attraction. Some may be relations with the opposite sex, some may be with substance abuse, and others may be something as simple as chocolate. No that has nothing to do with the six boxes of superb cocoa dusted Belgian Truffles in my cupboard. Just because it is hard doesn't mean that we have an excuse to give in. By working through it and keeping ourselves on the right path, by making the right choices we make ourselves stronger. And of course we have additional help through our Savior and Redeemer to help us and make our weaknesses strengths.

Rach is telling me that this is getting too long so the other part that stood out to me is along the same line and that is where Edward is answering Bella's question about why he fights what he knows he is and the life that goes with it. He states that, and I can't remember the exact words but, just because he was made one way doesn't mean that he has to live that way. I couldn't help but think of all those people who say "I was born this way" or "I don't have a choice if this is the life I was given". We all have the power to make life what we want, to overcome the trials, or to live life the way God wants us instead of the media.

Ok so that was my take of some of the parts in the book through my LDS ears and thoughts. And I wanted to share this with you all, even though it is long, and Rach is probably right that nobody will actually read it because it is so very long winded. Oh and tonight, just before I started typing this up I found out that Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series for those of you who don't know, is LDS.
Hmmm, maybe I wasn't so far off on the deeper meaning to the book.And who knows maybe I'll have another post after I listen to "New Moon."

6 comments:

MotherMonkee said...

I read the WHOLE post. Nice thoughts, kinds mirrored my own when I read the series but, I knew she was LDS already so I kinda cheated...

The Fishers said...

very motivational! i've read the series as well and now that you, a man, have read and enjoyed it, i'm going to use that in my arsenal while trying to get owen to read it!

LittleFamilyJL said...

The secret it out, Mike. We appreciate your bravery. And here is a bit of comfort: Joel has read them too.......

:)

Lila said...

i thought your post was great.i had many similar thoughts and really appreciate you taking the time to tell yours. michael has also read all the books and likes them too. we also enjoyed the movie. i don't really think it was 'well written' but it kept my attention. as for rachel being averted by the vampire part. i also was deterred from the story because i'm just not into vampires especially since violence usually follows but was convinced that it was more or less harmless. it was. it is a 'story' after all. so, rachel, i hope you read them and enjoy them cause, it is interesting to think about this world they have.
p.s. i don't think this 'romance' slanted novel should be read by anyone under 13. enough said.
(this seems to be my own novel.lol)

MomSqrt said...

Love ya babe!
sigh...I can't read it now...
If I did, I'd get fingers and laughs...and TOLD YOU SOs...I just can't deal with that!
Maybe some time...but darn it all...not any time soon ;)

If/when I do, nobody will know! :D

Anonymous said...

Linda wasn't supposed to tell you that...