While most people will always remember where they were the moment that Kennedy was assassinated or the O.J. verdict came down, Twilighters can never forget a third event: Where they were when they bought their first Stephenie Meyer novel.
Somehow, the literary phenomenon had escaped me. Much like Pinkberry or Kelis’ “Milkshake” song, “Twilight” managed to capture the hearts and minds of millions while I was obliviously living a life without it. Then in January I interviewed Miss Kristen Stewart at Sundance as part of my job, and much like any day at the “office,” we discussed upcoming projects she was excited about. MTV News ran a brief item on her remarks, and it broke the Movies Blog record for reader comments!
That night, I found myself in a Barnes & Noble, determined to track down this girly novel that Kristen had spoken so highly of, and a few thousand of her soon-to-be-closest friends seemed to equally adore. A half-hour went by as I stumbled from the “Fiction” section to “Fantasy,” from “Romance” to “Sci-Fi,” looking under the T’s for “Twilight” and the M’s for Stephenie Meyer. Being a guy, I’d be damned if I was going to ask for help from some dude in a green apron.
My cell phone rang, and the wife asked what I was doing. I had enough time to explain that B&N must not carry this obscure book, when I suddenly came around the corner to a wall of black covers with hands holding an apple, staring back at me. It was surrounded by books aimed towards tween girls. Above the shelving read the words “Young Adult.”
One side of my brain yelled, “That’s the book!” while the other screamed, “You’re a 33-year-old man in the YA section! You look like Michael Jackson! Grab the book and get outta there!”
As I cracked the novel that evening, my shame turned to shock. I was digging the book – a lot – and found myself immersed in Bella’s Forks experience. It was unlike any vampire story I’d ever read and was refreshing in its determination not to fall into the stereotypical traps of teen romance. “Twilight” was completely unlike the work of my favorite authors (Vonnegut, Bukowski, Palahniuk), yet Meyer’s prose was similarly filled with a clarity of vision, cleverness and knack for dark humor.
Now I’ve read all three books, visited the set to make sure Catherine Hardwicke is on the right path (she is), and love talking “Twilight” with all the fans who visit MTV.com and the Movies Blog regularly. Mike Welch stopped by the studio Tuesday, and he was cooler than the other side of the pillow. A Twilight Mom who knows I have a baby on the way even sent me a plaque that reads “Twilight Dad,” which hangs in my office with great pride. Thanks, Julie!
I am a male Twilighter. I am the creepy old adult who hangs around the Young Adult section. I re-make the book cover in my spare time (see photo). And like so many others, I look forward to someday remembering where I was the first time I ever got to see “Twilight” the movie.
Esme by default ... Alice at heart
Thanks for sharing your story, and being the guy who interviewed Kristen that day. I think that if it hadn't have been you we may not have gotten such an open minded reporter and instead of researching why so many people were outraged that she said they were running through tree's (and wanted her blood!) they would of simply put it down to us all being delusional 14 year old fan girls. Yet you have realised that we all aren't 14 and all aren't female and your reporting honestly bring a smile to my face. I can be anywhere, uni, work, gym, and I think back to "spidermonkey" or "running through tree's" and I'm instantly flushed with happiness!
So thankyou Larry for having the guts to purchase Twilight from the YA section. Many guys would of run away thinking " I'll get my wife to buy it later" but you stuck it out for your fans.
xxx
Thanks again for your wonderfully fun insight into this movie. YOU RULE!
It's very encouraging to know that there are 30-something men out there who are not only willing to give the Twilight series a chance, but can actually appreciate how wonderful it is. Hopefully some of them are still single, lol!
*I love the brain yelling conflict Michael Jackson bit. That is hilarious.
*I thought you were SPOT ON with your comparison of SM's prose to your favorite writers' (Vonnegut's, Butowski's and Palahniuk's) as "similarly filled with a clarity of vision, cleverness and knack for dark humor." What a fabulous comment! I feel there is some sarcasm and wit in the interaction of Bella and Edward that is much more biting than people give them credit for. I found myself laughing at this several times while reading the books.
*Hey Thanks for having your backs in visiting the set to “make sure” Catherine was on the “right path” Much appreciated.
*That is so tight that someone was thoughtful enough to make and send you a special “Twilight Dad Sign”. hehe
*It is easy to be "Bitten and Smitten" by the Twilight series. I know I definitely have been.
*The question is...Has your wife been "vamped"?
*Larry I must say, you are a major asset to us Twilighters and we are SO LUCKY!
*I think you need to have your fans write in there crazy how they got “vamped” stories. It would be interesting to see how many Guy Twilighters there really are out there and the "shame" that turns to shock as they became Bitten and Smitten too.
*Your personal Twilight cover Flat-Out ROCKS!!! I love how you really took a bite! and AHEM….Totally digging the hairy arms! Hehe
*Larry I think it is you who ARE "cooler than the other side of the pillow". In fact, I dare say “Uber-Cool”.
Congrats on the baby. =D Proves your a man! (haha)
Reading guys comments who write things like "turn in your man card" or other bullcrap is stupid and lame, actually especially iritating. They shouldn't even post things like that, since why are they looking at this kind of stuff anyway, if their not interested?
Anyway... I really loved that song "Deliver Me" by Sarah Brightman, that a girl mentioned earlier, if you haven't listened yet, you should. =D
But anyway! I love the whole Twilight Dad thing. It's cute!
We love you Larry!
You're so cool Larry, we love you!!!
*sends kisses*
All twilighters -men and women, alike- should hold their head up high!
I'm completly in love if Bella&Edward'story!!!
After about two days of me talking about iy, my boyfriend decided to read it. And that's funny because he didn't accept it as easy as you. He is too much man to admit that he loved the story! And I know he did. Thank you for making me feel better about my, how can I say, my obsession about Twilght! I will for sure show this post to my boyfriend!
thank you for giving us news about the movie!
and sorry for my english! I´m from Brazil!!
bye!bye!
Don't you just love the Twilight Moms? So did your wife ever read the series?
CONGRADULATIONS!!! on the baby on the way!
GO TWILIGHT DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!
"REAL MEN READ TWILIGHT"
Thank you.
Welcome to the Twilighters
it's kinda nice to have a male
in the "dark side." lol
i'll always remember the first time I read the book, i was on vacation in another country, i spent my whole time there reading the book.. haha! TWILIGHTERS for life! :D
thanks for Twilight Tuesday Larry!!! im always looking forward to it! :)
Congrats on the baby. :D
It has been a long time since we were MTV fans... the '80's and MTV videos... but I must say, we really do enjoy this website, your blog, and the coverage of the Twilight movie. You do ROCK, MAN! And MTV is keeping the WAIT time fun. Thanks MTV!
You are so my hero.
love you & love the new cover!
whenever Larry Carroll day becomes a national holiday give me a call, okay? lol
CONGRATS ON THE BABY!
thanks for feeding my twilight obssession..
And I once again have to thank u for Twilight Tuesday and all..
My Avatar over at my favourite Forum says: "I love Larry Carroll for bringing us Twilight Tuesday"..
Congrats on the baby, what about Rosalie, Alice, Esme, Bella, Victoria......
Don't worry, you don't look like Micheal Jackson in the YA section. Especially carrying Twilight. They understand ;)
Make sure you read The Host too! It's awesome!
Looking forward to Tuesday =]
You're the best, Larry.
Second, you are definitely not the only one! My dad has read Twilight and loves it. My brother is almost done reading it. And I'm sure many people have already given you this link, but you should check out TwilightGuy.com. It's a great site about a guy reading Twilight; it's very funny and quite interactive.
And third: all the Twilighters more than appreciate you and all the work you've done presenting all of the Twilight information to us!
In fact, there is a Facebook group all for you! And I'm posting the link just in case anyone else on here would like to join it...
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13710923213&ref=ts
Congrats on your new joy on the way :)
I found the book by chance looking for something in English to read, and like you I was hooked, You must now that I’m 27 year old woman, I live in Puebla, Mexico, yes I’m not making this up, believe me when my home town was mention on Eclipse I flip out, I have read the tree books which I order via internet and like must of us I can’t wait for the ford to brake the book stores, and of curse to see the movie, Like must girls I’m team Edward but believe me not all the time , I have a special care for Jacob as well.
O.k. So I’ll be looking for more of your articles because I think your point off view is one of the best over the cyberspace.
Jocelyn
Puebla, Mexico.
P.s. Sorry if I miss spelled something but English is not my first language.
I have seen a website for Twilight guys too! So you are not alone ;)
Is a good book period.
Also I have been trying to get my brother to read the books but he says they are for girls and now I can prove him wrong!
I'm a 14 year old Aussie chick who feel head-over-heels in love with these books. Almost every single girl in my year at school has read them, and only one didn't like it (but I think she just says she doesn't like it to be different). I also managed to get several guys my age into it as well! Don't think just because they're retarded and immature that they can't appreciate a good read (please note, one of the first guys that I convinced was 6 foot 2 and plays so much Basketball its not funny).
Twilight rules!!!!!!
Go Team Edward!!!!!!!!!
your kid is goona be so lucky to have you as a dad. haha.
I finally figured 'what the hell', and picked up a copy of Twilight at B&N on a Thursday evening. By Saturday afternoon I was done and immediately bought New Moon and Eclipse. By Wednesday I had finished all three :)