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Republican Vampires

Started by Sibling Zono (anon1mat0), October 11, 2009, 03:57:02 AM

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Is Edward Cullen from Twighlight a Republican?

He made the abstinence pledge
2 (20%)
He drives a Volvo and GOPhers only drive American, right?
0 (0%)
EMOs don't vote
0 (0%)
How can you ruin such awesome books by suggesting that?
0 (0%)
Just look up who wrote the books
3 (30%)
Twithlight? WTF is that?
5 (50%)

Total Members Voted: 10

Scriblerus the Philosophe

Quote from: Swatopluk on October 12, 2009, 08:51:21 AM
Together with the abominable Lewis revival...
Awww, I liked the Narnia Chronicles and I hope they make more. That series was a stable of my childhood reading diet, along with Harry Potter and Allanah the Lioness.

Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on October 12, 2009, 03:34:01 PM
...I did not enjoy that movie nearly so much as I expected to...

But, whatever you may say...Beckensale in slick leather was totally hot-- and her 1/2 wolf 1/2 vamp paramour[sp] was hot*, too.   I'd pay good money to see more Beckensale-as-a-vamp, but alas she just made the two.... the 3rd movie was a prequel, and I did not see it (although I should).

^This. Beckensale and her paramour were pretty much the only reason I saw the movie, though the score for the movie is really good and I like some of the ideas presented in the flick.

Other than that, I actually don't care about vampires. I don't mind them of course, but I've never pursued them in literature. Any suggestions as to what to read, guys?

I get mad when people compare SMeyers to Rowling. Rowling may have had plot holes in her books you can drive a bus through, but she can write! (tidbit about Twilight: SMeyers actually uses the phrase, "...my traitorous tears, betraying me." I died a little inside.)

Another thing contributing to the Republitard aspect of the books is that Bella is basically a Mary Sue (which is to say the author has inserted herself into the books as a character). She fits almost everything that makes a Sue--everyone immediately, inexplicably loves her, everything that's male and biologically in her age bracket wants her (Edward counts because he was seventeen or eighteen when he was turned). She's cutely clumsy, etc. There's more, but this was basically a relationship Sue--she latches on to Edward from the get-go because he's what she wants in a man [tidbit: Edward apparently resembles John Smith a lot, the founder of Mormonism. This is also baaaad and unholy according to Mormon tradition].
Anyway, that Bella is a Sue means that everything that woman believes (or most of it, anyway) will appear in the books.

ANOTHER random tidbit: for a while, everyone thought Bella's name was a nod to Bela Lugosi. She then admitted she had never read/watched ANYTHING about vampires.
"Whoever had created humanity had left in a major design flaw. It was its tendency to bend at the knees." --Terry Pratchett, Feet of Clay

Aggie

#16
Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on October 12, 2009, 05:46:53 PMAwww, I liked the Narnia Chronicles and I hope they make more. That series was a stable of my childhood reading diet, along with Harry Potter and Allanah the Lioness.

:ROFL: <------  at myself

Thank you, Scrib, for reminding me that I'm getting rather old rather quickly when I caught myself saying "wait a minute, those weren't around when I was a....." (since you're a young adult, this points out that I may not be anymore).  ::)

My mother actually read most of the series before I started (she got hooked early enough to be waiting eagerly for each of the last few to be released), and lent me most of them to read.

Narnia was likewise a childhood staple (have you got around to The Screwtape Letters yet?), with other fantasy incursions including loads of Road Dahl, Redwall (only the first few, I understand there's quite a lot now, but I haven't bothered reading them), Tolkien of course, and locked firmly on The Wheel of Time around age 11 through whenever they decide to get the last book(s) out - the series has outlived the author. ::)
WWDDD?

Scriblerus the Philosophe

Nope, never got around to the Screwtape Letters. Yes on Rold Dahl, Redwall, and Tolkien. I couldn't get into the Wheel of Time, but I got right into David and Leigh Eddings' Belgariad and Mallorean sagas.
I got into Harry Potter in 1998, I think. I remember my mom buying me a copy of Sorcerer's Stone at the grocery store. Chamber of Secrets was out already, and the third came right out after that. I read the third on 19 times (no exaggeration) waiting for number four. Still my favorite one. :)
"Whoever had created humanity had left in a major design flaw. It was its tendency to bend at the knees." --Terry Pratchett, Feet of Clay

Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)

Well, Lewis was religious proselytism right from the get go, but despite his plot holes (if with Rowling those are trucks with Lewis are Titanic size ones) he is IMO a tolerable writer... to a point. I actually read 4 books and for the 5th it was just too much.
--
Tolkien OTOH shouldn't be mentioned in the same paragraph as the guy above. Heck! He shouldn't be in this thread at all, we will be punished for desecrating his name by mentioning him here!
Sibling Zono(trichia Capensis) aka anon1mat0 aka Nicolás.

PPPP: Politicians are Parasitic, Predatory and Perverse.

Aggie

Lewis is better when encountered as a child unaware of religious considerations, IMHO.  The Screwtape Letters are much more appreciable as an adult, with a bit of a wink/nod thrown in there (and were dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien, fa!).  Definitely recommended, from what I remember.

Scrib, how far did you get in the WoT?  I think you'd need to make it through at least three books to get a fair picture of the series (and they get bloody big after that).  I may attempt a re-read before the last one comes out, but at my current rate of reading it'd take a decade or so.

WWDDD?

Scriblerus the Philosophe

My dad bought me one in the middle of the series and I tried to get into and then gave up.

I was pretty unaware of the religious stuff in Lewis. I was like nine and despite being Catholic, I really didn't get it. I knew Aslan was like Jesus and I saw the whole thing with Adam and Eve, but pretty much the rest of it went over my head.
I read the entire series and liked it a lot for just a bunch of stories.

Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on October 12, 2009, 06:32:18 PM
Tolkien OTOH shouldn't be mentioned in the same paragraph as the guy above. Heck! He shouldn't be in this thread at all, we will be punished for desecrating his name by mentioning him here!
I like Tolkien well enough, but he's not the epitome of all that is awesome about fantasy. The Hobbit got me into reading, but the rest of the series didn't grab my attention so much as Mr. Frodo Baggins.
"Whoever had created humanity had left in a major design flaw. It was its tendency to bend at the knees." --Terry Pratchett, Feet of Clay

Aggie

Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on October 12, 2009, 07:40:15 PM
My dad bought me one in the middle of the series and I tried to get into and then gave up.

That explains it - I used to do re-reads every time a new book came out to keep all the sub-plots and minor characters straight.  It'd be worth reading the firs three in order (they are relatively short) if you have some spare reading time to see if you like it.  It's probably necessary to read at least three, because the series expands and refocuses beyond the first book (similar to HP, except the writing is top-quality from the get go).
WWDDD?

Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)

The whole point of Tolkien is one of consistency, his universe is meticulously detailed and while some of his characters are almost flawless, many points are very credible regarding their [human? ;)] nature. The beginning of the Silmarillion may be dense and boring but carefully consistent -you could say necessary- to his universe. It's a level of care (a lifetime) that can't be compared to other authors of the genre, hard even with other genres.

And he has aged quite well, I might say. IOW, regardless of criticism he is at a very different level from a Lewis or a Rowling.
Sibling Zono(trichia Capensis) aka anon1mat0 aka Nicolás.

PPPP: Politicians are Parasitic, Predatory and Perverse.

Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith

Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on October 12, 2009, 05:46:53 PM
.....I don't mind them of course, but I've never pursued them in literature. Any suggestions as to what to read, guys?

My favorite vampire series is/was Fred Saberhagen's Dracula Series.

I strongly recommend beginning in the middle, with my favorite one:  "An Old Friend of the Family", #3 in the series... containing the classic line by Dracula, "I was delayed in arriving, I had to change planes..."

:)

Here's a fairly complete list:  "http://www.amazon.com/Fred-Saberhagens-Dracula-series/lm/3HNRQ3MKRVR53"

The series is set in the modern world, and most folk are oblivious to the existence of vamps, natch.   Dracula is what I would call in AD&D terms, Lawful Neutral.  He did not kill wantonly, but was loyal to a fault.  However, if someone crossed one of his lines?  He would destroy them without a moments hesitation or thought. 

I've read all but the last couple, and would recommend any-- but my favorite is "Old Friend".
Sometimes, the real journey can only be taken by making a mistake.

my webpage-- alas, Cox deleted it--dead link... oh well ::)

Scriblerus the Philosophe

Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on October 12, 2009, 08:10:30 PM
The whole point of Tolkien is one of consistency, his universe is meticulously detailed and while some of his characters are almost flawless, many points are very credible regarding their [human? ;)] nature. The beginning of the Silmarillion may be dense and boring but carefully consistent -you could say necessary- to his universe. It's a level of care (a lifetime) that can't be compared to other authors of the genre, hard even with other genres.

And he has aged quite well, I might say. IOW, regardless of criticism he is at a very different level from a Lewis or a Rowling.
Oh, indeed he has and I got through everything but the last quarter of Return of the King. And I read about half of the Simarillion before forgetting about it (srsly, happens all the time. I get half way through a book, put it down to read another one and then pick up three more and forget about the first one all together).

Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on October 13, 2009, 02:15:35 AM
Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on October 12, 2009, 05:46:53 PM
.....I don't mind them of course, but I've never pursued them in literature. Any suggestions as to what to read, guys?

My favorite vampire series is/was Fred Saberhagen's Dracula Series.

I strongly recommend beginning in the middle, with my favorite one:  "An Old Friend of the Family", #3 in the series... containing the classic line by Dracula, "I was delayed in arriving, I had to change planes..."

:)

Here's a fairly complete list:  "http://www.amazon.com/Fred-Saberhagens-Dracula-series/lm/3HNRQ3MKRVR53"

The series is set in the modern world, and most folk are oblivious to the existence of vamps, natch.   Dracula is what I would call in AD&D terms, Lawful Neutral.  He did not kill wantonly, but was loyal to a fault.  However, if someone crossed one of his lines?  He would destroy them without a moments hesitation or thought. 

I've read all but the last couple, and would recommend any-- but my favorite is "Old Friend".
Hmhmhm, must investigate them when I have time. Bookmarked for when I have the time and money. They look pretty good.

Quote from: Agujjim on October 12, 2009, 08:02:48 PM
Quote from: Scriblerus the Philosophe on October 12, 2009, 07:40:15 PM
My dad bought me one in the middle of the series and I tried to get into and then gave up.

That explains it - I used to do re-reads every time a new book came out to keep all the sub-plots and minor characters straight.  It'd be worth reading the firs three in order (they are relatively short) if you have some spare reading time to see if you like it.  It's probably necessary to read at least three, because the series expands and refocuses beyond the first book (similar to HP, except the writing is top-quality from the get go).
Ah, such a precious commodity! :) I'll try again.
"Whoever had created humanity had left in a major design flaw. It was its tendency to bend at the knees." --Terry Pratchett, Feet of Clay

Swatopluk

If you want something scientific about vampires why not try
Tractat von dem Kauen und Schmatzen der Todten in Gräbern
http://de.wikisource.org/wiki/Tractat_von_dem_Kauen_und_Schmatzen_der_Todten_in_Gr%C3%A4bern
:mrgreen: ;)

Provided you are able to understand 18th century German this is quite interesting. This is the first tract on vampires that actually deserves the term scientific and a lot described there holds up well even today.
As far as movies go, I can't say to much yet, or the Movie quiz would be too easy ;D

For fiction you could give Kim Newman a try
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Dracula_series
I have only read the first volume yet but I think I'll try to get some of the others.
In short: Stoker lied, Dracula triumphed, and Britain is now a Victorian class society with vampires to be found on all levels, especially in government. In Anno Dracula a mad killer/slasher murders vampire prostitutes in Whitechapel (London) and the police tries to find the guy.
Knurrhähne sind eßbar aber empfehlen würde ich das nicht unbedingt.
The aspitriglos is edible though I do not actually recommend it.

Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)

Sibling Zono(trichia Capensis) aka anon1mat0 aka Nicolás.

PPPP: Politicians are Parasitic, Predatory and Perverse.

Swatopluk

Knurrhähne sind eßbar aber empfehlen würde ich das nicht unbedingt.
The aspitriglos is edible though I do not actually recommend it.

pieces o nine

Scrib: I went to Where the Wild Things Are  this past weekend, and the tweens racing from their Mom's minivan to the doors stopped in their tracks, absolutely mesmerized  by the large signs posted on the multiplex doors:

TICKETS FOR NEW MOON ON SALE NOV 19

They turned to each other, jumped up and down shrieking, and nearly expired of pent-up frustration/bliss/sparkliness right there.

"If you are not feeling well, if you have not slept, chocolate will revive you. But you have no chocolate! I think of that again and again! My dear, how will you ever manage?"
--Marquise de Sevigne, February 11, 1677