Fanpire

June 11, 2012
The sociopolitical implications of the Twilight saga and the "fanpire" it's spawned are given the scholarly treatment by Erzen (Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian Conversions in the Ex-Gay Movement), an associate professor of comparative religious studies at Ohio State University. Erzen offers an engaging analysis of the intensity of fan response, as well as entertaining descriptions of her research: she attends conventions, a symposium, tours, a "Bella's Self Defense Class" and a Twi-themed aerobic class. In the process, she introduces readers to a parade of "twi-hards": the mostly Mormon Twilight Moms, Twilight Guy, Krisbians (lesbian fans of actress Kristen Stewart, who plays heroine Bella Swan in the movie adaptations), and church groups that plumb the series for "biblical intent." Erzen's most compelling argument is her analysis of Twilight as "postfeminist fantasy." Erzen was struck by how many female fans were drawn to the way Bella "relinquishes her autonomy... weary of making decisions... they expressed a craving to have someone elseâspecifically, a boyâdo it." While Erzen aims more for breadth than depth, the book is a thought-provoking and entertaining take on the Twilight phenomenon.