Vampires are NOT Faith promoting….
So when I found out that phenomenally successful author Stephenie Meyer is a Mormon, all types of questions popped into my head. Chief among those: What is a nice Mormon girl like her doing writing about vampires?
I haven’t read any of her books, but of course, Utah is abuzz with her success, and of course, every event you go to includes a discussion of how wonderful her books are. Why am I the only person who thinks, “Mormon? Vampires??”
Stephenie’s books ARE EVEN listed on the Deseret Book Web site.
Hello? Vampires?
Don’t get it.
November 10th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
I have actually seen Mormons in the sunlight, and they didn’t sizzle, so I’m just as confused.
However, Anne Rice wrote Vampire stories and she’s Roman Catholic.
I guess Vampires transcend Jello and Rosary’s.
November 10th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
hmmm, Mormon bloodsuckers. Not such a large leap. Bloodsuckers and leaches tend to come in all shapes, sizes, demoninations, and dogma.
November 10th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Strangely, I heard about the Twilight books through Gaspard Ulliel fansites. Gaspard is a French actor and many Twilight fans want him to play the role of Edward in the film version. I was sort of put off when I found out the author was Mormon (yes, bitter much) but after doing a little digging, I have to admit Stephenie Meyer is so freaking cool.
And vampires are very LDS. Eternal life and all.
November 11th, 2007 at 8:46 am
I hate to admit it, but I also love these books. I kept hearing about them from LDS friends and finally decided to push through my prejudice and check them out. Couldn’t put them down!
November 11th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Well the audacity of mormon folk never ceases to amaze me. I’m not crazy about vampires but I do enjoy your books. I am reading “Behind Closed Doors” now. Started today and can’t put it down.
November 11th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
While I enjoy Stephanie Meyer’s books, I really felt after reading the second book in the series that vampirism is actually a metaphor for Mormonism. The main character wants to become a vampire, even though it isn’t necessarily a popular choice, so she can have the equivalent of eternal salvation. Also, the vampires are nice, unlike their unsavory reputation of being bad, blood-sucking fiends. Call me a cynic (which, perhaps, I am), but I sometimes feel that you could exchange “vampires” and “Mormons” and not lose all of the meaning.
I enjoy the series because it’s well-written. My Mormon friends, who I introduced to the series in high school after noticing her degree from BYU, LOVE it because a) it’s about vampires, which are cool, and b) there is nothing that offends their moral sensibilities.
November 11th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
My 15 year old has read the first two books and is on the last one. I tried to read some of it and I just don’t get it. And I loved Interview With The Vampire. I really don’t think it’s because she’s LDS…I just don’t get it. I think I said that. But I really mean it.
My son heard about this from his LDS friends last year in 9th grade and got hooked. I’m all about him reading, so as long as he wants to good for him.
November 11th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I agree with all the above comments. I find this interesting, and DO intend to read the books. I hear she is VERY good, and hey, I’m all about that. It’s just that to me, vampires and Mormons don’t mix. But then, there is the whole “eternal life” concept pointed out above, and they sure do embrace that… LOL.
There are a LOT of vampire books, and it seems that many people have their own “take” on vampires, so why not Stephenie Meyer?
November 12th, 2007 at 11:14 am
ok, i really liked the books. i had no idea she was mo-mo. Dammit. I’m a little disappointed there won’t be a hot love scene between Bella and Edward (the two main characters). Oh well, win some, lose some.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
That’s amazing that it’s on the Deseret Book Website!
Maybe this is how Mormons actually achieve Eternal life. This could also explain what all of those *blood oaths* of the early church were about.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:50 am
they are good books and they are faith promoting if you happen to be pagan. I am a pagan. Seriously though they don’t contain sex except for the fact that the main character thinks about it sometimes. Well maybe more than sometimes but that is pretty normal. You can find Harry Potter on the Deseret Bookstore website too.
November 27th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Mormonism and vampires - they both suck the life out of you. Quite appropriate, as far as an author writing what he/she knows.
I think someone slipped an extra bit of snark into my coffee this morning.
December 15th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Vampires are just like any myth, so she’s safe. You know, like the myth of the B of M, the Golden Plates, Joe Smith, Special Stones in Hats, and Eternal life. Mormons love to play pretend.