Fanpire: The Twilight Saga and the Women Who Love it

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Fanpire: The Twilight Saga and the Women Who Love it

3.44 of 5 stars 3.44 · rating details · 25 ratings · 10 reviews

An author immerses herself in the frenzied fandom of Twilight, the young-adult vampire romance series that has captivated women of all ages

Twilight, Stephenie Meyer’s young-adult vampire romance series, has captivated women of all ages, from teenagers who swoon over the film adaptations to college-educated women who devour the novels as a guilty pleasure. All told, over 11...more An author immerses herself in the frenzied fandom of Twilight, the young-adult vampire romance series that has captivated women of all ages

Twilight, Stephenie Meyer’s young-adult vampire romance series, has captivated women of all ages, from teenagers who swoon over the film adaptations to college-educated women who devour the novels as a guilty pleasure. All told, over 110 million copies of the books have been sold worldwide, with translations into 37 languages, and the movies are some of the highest-grossing of all time. Twilight is a bona fide cultural phenomenon that has inspired a vast and unimaginably fertile fan subculture—the “fanpire,” as the members describe it.

Just what is it about Twilight that has enchanted so many women? Tanya Erzen—herself no stranger to the allure of the series—sets out to explore the irresistible pull of Twilight by immersing herself in the vibrant and diverse world of “Twi-hards,” from Edward-addition groups and “Twi-rock” music to Cullenism, a religion based on the values of Edward’s family of vegetarian vampires. Erzen interviews hundreds of fans online and in person, attends thousand-strong conventions, and watches the film premiere of New Moon with Twilight moms in Utah. Along the way, she joins a tour bus on a pilgrimage to Twilight-inspired sites, struggles through a Bella self-defense class, and surveys the sub-universe of Twilight fan-fiction (including E. L. James’s enormously popular “Master of the Universe” story, the basis for her erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey).

Erzen also takes a deeper look at the appeal of traditional gender roles in a postfeminist era saturated with narratives of girl power. If Twilight’s fantasies of romance and power reflect the fears, insecurities, and longings of the women who love it, the fanpire itself, Erzen shows, offers a space for meaningful bonding, mutual understanding, and friendship.

Part journalistic investigation and part cultural analysis, Fanpire will appeal to obsessed fans, Twilight haters, and bemused onlookers alike.(less)

Hardcover, 184 pages

Published October 30th 2012 by Beacon Press

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May 09, 2012 Patricia added it

Shelves: source-e-arc, genre-non-fiction, 2012, release-2012-07-to-12, review-in-queue

I usually refrain from requesting (and reviewing) Non-Fiction titles, but there are certain types of books that I can't resist, like.. books about books and fandoms.

Mostly everyone knows that I'm not a big fan of Twilight. At the same time, I'm very much fascinated by how incredibly strong Twilight's influence on us is: People started reading because of the saga, spent dozens of dollars on franchise, and can quote half of the dialogue by heart.

As someone who's just interested enough to care, but...more I usually refrain from requesting (and reviewing) Non-Fiction titles, but there are certain types of books that I can't resist, like.. books about books and fandoms.

Mostly everyone knows that I'm not a big fan of Twilight. At the same time, I'm very much fascinated by how incredibly strong Twilight's influence on us is: People started reading because of the saga, spent dozens of dollars on franchise, and can quote half of the dialogue by heart.

As someone who's just interested enough to care, but not enough to actually attend any TwiCons or movie premieres or whatnot, getting to read about them from a perspective that I can actually appreciate, was the main reason why I ended up reading Fanpire.

It was an interesting read, and pointed out the good and bad things about the series, without being overly enthusiastic or ranty. Erzen certainly tried to avoid conflict there, and that's not a bad thing, except that, because she focussed on the saga as a whole, the book lacked more in-depth chapters. Erzen attended many Twilight-related events, talked to people, shared her conclusions- though those aren't about whether Twilight is great or horrible. It's a widely-known fact: Twilight is popular and the people who enjoy the series are as different from eachother as can be: They are mothers and daughters, men, women, Mormons, atheists, etc.

She talks about the rather dysfunctional relationship of Bella and Edward's, and makes it a point to also show how the majority of the fandom realizes (or has come to realize) that while enjoying their relationship in a book, they'd never want to actually live that.

The book basically consists of her summarizing the novels and talking about the events she attended and fans she talked to. She also spends some time talking about fan-fiction (including the Masters of the Universe FF, also known as the Fifty Shades of Grey series), male fans, how the series might affect relationships and why it is so popular despite it's flaws. - I enjoyed those parts, even though I wish she had talked about several parts a little more and cut others. (Then again, I got a copy MONTHS in advance, so it's definitely possible that the final copy has been edited a little more.)
In short

I do not regret reading Fanpire, and I think it was interesting to see some more mature women (and men, no matter how few of them) talking about Twilight. We all get to see and hear 15-year-old girls shrieking "Rob!!! Edward! OME!", but it's rare to get to see wives talking about the books or teenagers pointing out that while they love the books, they wouldn't want to be in a relationship with a stalker. ;)(less)

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Sep 12, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Original Post at Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust under the title
FANPIRE is a Fascinating Examination of Fandom

FANPIRE:
The Twilight Saga and the Women Who Love It
Tanya Erzen
Beacon Press Boston
October 30, 2012
Paperback 182 pages
Also in Ebook formats
Obtained copy at BEA. No remuneration exchanged and all opinions expressed herein are my own, unless otherwise noted or cited.

With the final movie in the TWILGHT Saga set to open in November, it's apt to examine the Twilight phenomenon and the fans who ru...more

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Nov 03, 2012 Chrissy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, read-in-2012, ebook

I must be one of the last women in the world to have not yet read the infamous Twilight series. I've seen the first movie (which I loved) and parts of the second and third (which didn't impress me as much) and I am, of course, familiar with the story as well as how everything wraps up in the end of the final installment, Breaking Dawn. And sure, I do plan to read these novels at some point, because I always like to be familiar with whatever is outrageously popular in literature, although I do re...more I must be one of the last women in the world to have not yet read the infamous Twilight series. I've seen the first movie (which I loved) and parts of the second and third (which didn't impress me as much) and I am, of course, familiar with the story as well as how everything wraps up in the end of the final installment, Breaking Dawn. And sure, I do plan to read these novels at some point, because I always like to be familiar with whatever is outrageously popular in literature, although I do realize that I'm quite behind on this endeavor. But, I finally have my own copies of all four books and I plan to get them read pretty soon -- which made me interested in this little gem -- FANPIRE: THE TWILIGHT SAGA AND HTE WOMEN WHO LOVE IT.

Basically, Erzen positions herself as an anthropologist of popular culture, creating an ethnography of sorts of the women who adore this popular brand of vampire fiction, making herself a part of their gatherings in order to understand the popularity behind the series. Ranging from a Bella martial arts class to a Twilight exercise class or a massive Twilight convention, Erzen encounters various groups of women -- both online and in person, who share a notable obsession with everything Twilight. She encounters bands who create all of their songs around themes from the Twilight books, mothers who convene yearly to gush in a group setting about their love for Bella and Edward, and even groups who indulge in a spirituality that centers on the beliefs and lifestyles of the Cullen clan.

Erzen takes several different perspectives, explaining the fascination with Twilight on a number of unique views. Some see the series as an expression of their own conservative religious beliefs, emphasizing the chastity of Bella and Edward until marriage. Others take Twilight as an embodiment of post-feminism, asserting a woman's right to boldly choose love over career and education without feeling shamed for her choice. Some view Twilight as a depiction of the perfect romance, with a brooding, adoring man deliberately seeking out an average, clumsy female, with whom many typical women can easily relate. Erzen explains the relation of Twilight to both political and religious beliefs, the expression of cultural views on romance as applied to Twilight, as well as the manner in which the movies and books have spawned an economic greed that encourages fans to show their loyalty with their dollars and cents.

Engaging, entertaining, and at points enlightening, FANPIRE is a great read not only for those who adore Twilight but for those who find themselves interested in the ways that literature impacts society as well as the ways in which desires, beliefs, and insecurities simliarly impact literature. I would very much enjoy seeing similar books focusing on other series or genres and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read and review FANPIRE.

(I did receive an electronic copy of this book for the express purpose of providing an honest review. All thoughts are my own and are uninfluenced by the manner in which the book was received.)(less)

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Dec 08, 2012 Kayla Eklund rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-and-edelweiss, reviews-completed

This review is hard for me to write. I am very indifferent about Fanpire. I felt no strong emotions either good or bad while reading it. I think that might be because I am not a gigantic fan of The Twilight Saga. When it first came out, I really liked it. Then right before the movie was released Twilight was everywhere. Eventually, I got so sick and tired of hearing about Twilight that I grew to majorly dislike it. Anyways, some parts of the book were interesting. It was kind of fun learning abo...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Natasha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, vampires

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

An interesting and fascinating look at the fandom of Twilight and how passion can easily turn into obsession.

I am not a fanpire nor a plain old Twilight fan. I read the first book and thought it was ok. I am always interested in fandoms and how fans participate in their respective fandoms. There are always people who will take their fandoms too far and turn them into obsessions. Judging by the reactions of the people i...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-are, edelweiss

I first bought Twilight for my then thirteen year old daughter, after reading a news article about it's phenomenal popularity in the US, in the hopes that it would spur her to read something other than her Facebook status feed. She glanced at the blurb then tossed it back at me, complaining it was too thick and she wasn't interested. Deflated, I figured I would read it and see what all the fuss was about. Three hours later I looked up and cursed, its was Sunday 7pm, the shops were already shut a...more
I first bought Twilight for my then thirteen year old daughter, after reading a news article about it's phenomenal popularity in the US, in the hopes that it would spur her to read something other than her Facebook status feed. She glanced at the blurb then tossed it back at me, complaining it was too thick and she wasn't interested. Deflated, I figured I would read it and see what all the fuss was about. Three hours later I looked up and cursed, its was Sunday 7pm, the shops were already shut and I would have to wait until the next day to go and buy New Moon. On Monday morning I dropped my children off at school, bought the rest of the series and spent the next two days immersed in Forks.

In my late thirties, a married mother of four children with a university degree, I was hardly Meyer's target audience but I read the books breathlessly, one after another, resenting interruptions and finished the last page of Breaking Dawn with a sigh of regret. Intellectually I recognised the flaws in the series but I just couldn't bring myself to care. I have no idea why I fell in love with the saga, but I was wholly enamoured.

Fanpire is the result of ethnographic research amongst the diverse fans of the series by Professor Tanya Erzen, who was interested in exploring the books appeal. An analysis of online surveys promoted at Twilight fan sites and first person interviews with Twihards of all ages, yields surprising contradictions and fascinating theories. Erzen also explores the accusations leveled at series fans by Twilight haters and its critics.

For the most part, Fanpire is a very readable cultural study, with discussion from Twilight identities such as the site hosts of bellaandedward.com, twilightmoms.com and twilightguy.com and quotes from the fans themselves. It is a little repetitive at times and occasionally drifts off into tangents (such as Meyers' and Summits lack of support for the town of Forks).
Interestingly, though Fanpire was written before the 'discovery' and publication of Fifty Shades of Grey, Erzen devotes an entire chapter to Twilight fanfiction and specifically to the source of Fifty Shades, known then as The Master of the Universe, and shares an interesting comment that reveals the genesis of the erotica series name.

Fanpire is an interesting read, and I think the author's hypothesis's have some validity though I am not sure it adequately explains my own infatuation with the series. Some phenomena simply can't be explained or defined by either a qualitative or quantitative study and the popularity of Twilight is one of them.(less)

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Nov 14, 2012 Andd Becker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Twilight fans, known as the fanpire, form the subject of the book.
The author conducted research through interviews, online sites visits, and a survey. She talked with fans of all ages at conventions, workshops, and film showings. She spoke with residents of Forks.
The resultant book is a sociological study of a cultural phenomenon. The author reveals why females find Bella and Edward appealing.
I received this book free through the goodreads FIRST READS program.

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Mar 27, 2013 Sawiggins.wordpress.com rated it 4 of 5 stars

Popular culture and religion go hand-in-glove, even in the most unexpected places. This is a fascinating study of how vampires have invaded the realm of religion. See more at: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.

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Dec 14, 2012 Tiffany Steen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-read

I love, love, love the Twilight Series, so I was tickled to death when I won this book from Goodreads First Reads. I rented the first movie for my son, and ended up watching it by myself when he fell asleep half way through. Since then, I've purchased all the books and movies. I can honestly see where the author came up with the idea for the "Fanpire" book with all us girls/women going crazy for the sexy characters and epic love story. The first chapter, titled, "I'm in love with a fictional cha...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Melvina Davis rated it 2 of 5 stars

I liked the Twilight books and movies but I am not a "Twilight Fanatic." I did not care for this book at all.

*Won on Goodreads*

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