Perhaps it’s the upcoming release of “Breaking Dawn” or the latest news from author, Anne Rice, concerning the February release date of her new novel, a foray into the supernatural world of the werewolf called, “The Wolf Gift”, that has, once again, ignited a firestorm of Facebook and Twitter comments debating whose vampire creations are best.
Or, perhaps, it’s just their on-going battle, started the day the first Twilight book was first published that has both sets of fans debating the pros and cons of sparkly vampires, who twinkle in the sun, against angst ridden immortals who curse their very existence and what they have become.
In the midst of this online war, the leaders have remained fairly quiet except for a couple of statements from Mrs. Rice, regarding the Twilight phenomenon.
In November 2010, in defense of previous comments made about “Twilight” and Stephanie Meyers” to another journalist, Anne took to her own Youtube channel , AnneRiceDot.com, to, once again, explain her position on the books.
While she, definitely, states that she believes the thought of immortals choosing to go to high school, year after year, as they do in the “Twilight” books is something she thinks is a little silly and not something her vampires would ever think of doing, she goes on to heap praise upon praise on Ms. Meyers and her creation, going so far, as to say, she think the idea is a work of genius and understands, completely, why it has such a youthful and loyal following.
However, the legions of “Twilight” fans, young and old, did not accept this and see it as insulting the person who has brought romance and fantasy back into their lives.
And, naturally, with the proliferation of social networking, their voices are constantly heard defending there beloved Edward, Bella and Jacob against all nay-sayers, young and old.
Recently, a new post on Anne Rice’s Facebook page has created quite a stir. Just yesterday, after a few of her “People of the Page” wrote posts along the lines of “Real Vamps don’t Sparkle” and posted pictures of Lestat, played by Tom Cruise and Louis, played by Brad Pitt, in the movie version of “Interview with the Vampire", saying:
Lestat: Is he sparkling?
Louis: That shit ain’t acceptable.
Anne, herself, responded with “Lestat and Louie feel sorry for vampires that sparkle in the sun. They would never hurt immortals who choose to spend eternity going to high school over and over again in a small town ---- anymore than they would hurt the physically disabled or the mentally challenged. My vampires possess gravitas. They can afford to be merciful".
The posts following this came fast and furious, with people agreeing with the sentiment and others disagreeing. It garnered so much interest and response that Anne, once again, felt compelled to post. This time she said, “I think this is a new golden age for lovers of fantasy fiction, so many new and talented writers offering their vampires, werewolves and other supernatural heroes. There's plenty of room for a little humor in talking about the various interpretations. It's all there for our enjoyment, and it always has been. I like the new authors, as well as the old.
Succinct and to the point … as always.
So, whether you love Lestat, Louis and Marius, as well as, all the other immortals created by the genius of Anne Rice, who taught you it was okay to fall in love with monsters and outcasts or adore the simpler, and right to the point, style of Stephanie Meyers and her gang of youthful vamps, with their pent-up sexual tensions, teen angst and gang-warfare between vampires and werewolves, one thing is certain, we all love the supernatural.
In the world of fiction and the theatre of the mind, there is room enough for all. And, if you don’t believe me, I’ve got a couple of really handsome, but vain, vampires I’d love to introduce you too.
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I hope you enjoyed my article. I meant no disrespect to either set of fans, or their respective authors, and, only, intended to present a truthful account of the ongoing feud between the two.
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Coming up, something special for Halloween … What makes you jump in the dead of night? My article just might get you thinking about it and sleeping with those lights on. Also, my review of “The Night Eternal” by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo Del Toro, as well as, an interview with Gregory Maguire, author of the “Wicked” novels.
Please remember Anne Rice’s new book, “The Wolf Gift”, about her new supernatural character, werewolf, Reuben Golding is now available for pre-order in hard-cover and kindle versions.
Have a Happy Halloween … See ya next time!
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