Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Unicorn Sighting
Message From C2R: I was as shocked as anyone else when Kerensky informed me that he has a penis. Well, not at first. At first I was very skeptical, as I always am when confronted with Unicorns. For those of you not in the know, we refer to men who are into Twilight and or Robsten as Unicorns because they are so very rare.
When Kerensky discovered what a hot-commodity he is a unique position he was in, he contacted me with what he felt were some interesting ideas for blog posts written from a male perspective. We agreed that they were interesting, and informed him that since he is the only unicorn we know who would be capable of authoring these posts, that he would have to do so. Also, seeing as how I don’t trust anyone I informed him that I would have to verify that he was in fact a “he”. Which I have now done. No, I did not see or touch his balls you guys, stop being gross. I talked to him on the phone 
So please give Kerensky a warm and fabulous RobstenLove.com welcome. He is from Finland and is currently in the midst of obtaining his PhD in Computer Science. Be gentle with him he’s sensitive
Hello, my name is Kerensky, and I’m one of the few men frequenting the forum at RobstenLove.com. I had the inspiration to write this little piece when I read one of the administrators commenting something to the effect of “I can’t understand the appeal [for guys] to be into this.” I’ll be spending the next few thousand words, split over several blog posts, explaining my personal rationalizations for being interested in Robsten, Twilight and fanfic. I don’t presume this to be a terribly enlightening discussion on the topics from a general male perspective, but hopefully it gives the female readers some insights into what a guy thinks about these things.
I’ll start with my journey to Twilight as it supports the rest of the discussion. I heard about Twilight sort of incidentally over 2009 but hadn’t seen the movie or read the books until November 2009. After picking up a new BluRay player for my man cave, I figured it would do to have some movies to watch. It just so happened Twilight BluRays were being sold at discount and conveniently located at the checkout; so I popped it in the cart and the rest, as they say, is history. I watched the movie that night; for all intents and purposes to calibrate and check out the features of the new player; but after watching the meadow scene and especially the ballet studio fracas I was pretty floored. Who the hell was this amazing young actress that provided this electrifying performance? What happens after the movie? What’s going on?
I re-watched the movie, Googled it, Googled & ogled Kristen Stewart, and then hit the bookstore the next day. I admit to outright lying to the sales clerk that I was getting the books as a Christmas present for someone else. I’m not entirely sure if she believed me. Subsequently I devoured them in two days, and then re-read them again. I should mention that I’m an academic, so getting obsessed with books is a bit of an occupational hazard. I didn’t really engage in too much self-flagellation over finding the series fascinating, but to this day I feel relatively uncomfortable disclosing that fact in general discussion if Twilight comes up. Mostly it’s due to the saga’s classification as Young Adult literature, and its movie characterization as a shitty vamp romance pandered to 13-year-old girls. 
As I mentioned, I like to read a lot. I like to pick the plot, prose, narrative and subtext to pieces. So I have no illusions about Twilight’s literary merits. The dialogue is cheesy and stylistically it’s nothing to write home about. I was rather disappointed with Breaking Dawn, primarily because of the heavy emphasis on Jacob. In my opinion his story arc had run its course and reached its high point in Eclipse, so in Breaking Dawn he should have been a supporting character, rather than a major POV. Also, to me Jacob as a sort of an external narrator and commentator to Bella’s condition was an odd literary device to employ.
So why do I persist with Twilight given its flaws? To me, Twilight is at its heart a story of the nature of love, its different qualities and effects on people. I can recognize the parallels to my personal set of experiences, and that is what helps me connect with the decidedly un-me-like Edward Cullen and his love of Bella. Ultimately it’s the strength of the storytelling that provides the necessary hooks to draw me in and keep me entertained. There are many unresolved and unexplored little nooks and crannies in the story Stephenie Meyer has provided to us. They enable talented fans to author their own tales and probe further into more mature themes in the main protagonists’ relationships. But more about fan fiction in the upcoming posts!
Great job on the post Kerenesky! It is so nice to hear a man's perspective on the twilight series as a whole. Funny thing is what you have said is not that much different then what drew me, and probably many other ladies, to the series…the books are not literary greats..but the love story that is told is what drew me in. Edward and Bella's love story is what makes this series great!Again great job…and I look forward to reading the rest of your posts!
First time i comment here, but you got me hooked lol. Thank you for sharing your personal experience with the Twilight Saga. Please keep them coming I am really looking forward to read your posts
Great post. I also saw the movie before reading the books and then I just had to know what would happen next. Lucky for me my sister already had all four (had to purchase my own when she made me give them back). I'm not a romantic at all but the love in the story and the chemistry between Rob and Kristen hooked me nonetheless. Looking forward to reading more of your thoughts.
It sounds like you came to Twilight much like I did, the only difference being I'm a 54 y/o woman whose family thinks she's lost her mind. It is the love story that draws you in and keeps you hanging right there. For those of us who are single it's a reminder of all the fairytales we read as children or the Harlequin Romances we read as adults. I am very happy to hear your perspective and can't wait for the next installment. One note I would like to make to you. Jacob's story in Breaking Dawn is the only hint the reader gets that there's something deeper to his relationship with Bella. It's only when Renesmee is born that the connection becomes clear. The idea that he shouldn't be attracted to Bella and still is demonstrates the tie that the baby has to him.
Thank you again for a great perspective.
Great post, Kerensky! Completely agree with you on Breaking Dawn and Jacob. I'm really looking forward to your future posts.
Great job, Kerenesky!
"Anonymous said… It sounds like you came to Twilight much like I did, the only difference being I'm a 54 y/o woman whose family thinks she's lost her mind." – Em, yeah, I only have to change the age, I'm 43. And the Bookstore-Story – I'm ashamed to say, but I was using the same lie. Maybe this is one of the most important facts to see that we all are not so different. Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
Man, that was like reading a fine fan fiction and boom "cliff hanger". Please post soon
And Breaking Dawn totes gave me nightmares. Welcome aboard!
sunshine
oh wow… WOW! uhmm speachless!
Hi! my first comment on this blog, so Hi!!!
Kerenesky, really awesome! I have to agree with you on BD … kinda ICK! LOL! Have you seen a video on youtube that is called "Hitlers reaction to Breaking Dawn"? I think its worth of watching! Made me LOL!
Wait your from Finland?! Thats awesome! I'm from Estonia!
It was such a delight to read a BOYs POV on things! cant wait to read more!!!
agreed!
cant wait to see a mans POV on all these things..
gonna be one heck of a journey!
WELCOME ABOARD
I can't wait to read Kerensky's next post. I really liked reading his take on Twilight. And thanks to C2R (and/or other bosses
) for being open to new ideas.
Great post, K! You are in a very unique position here so thank you for sharing your experiences & insights with us. Really looking forward to reading more from you!
A tip for those ashamed to go to the bookstores and purchase the saga books, I bought them online. Only amazon knows about my obsession with books and/or the saga ones, LOL! I´m in closet with all things TWI.
Congrats Kerensky.
C2R believes you are who you say you are. And your story is fairly similar to mine, at least in regards to how this topic hooked you in.
Maybe she believes me too, but I think I have gotten on her nerves with a few posts. And I definitely screwed up a few times.
BTW this is Dano328, Dan The opytaylor signature is attached to Google. My brothers still call me that because I looked like Ron Howard (from the Andy Griffith show) as a kid.
Anyway, Kerensky, you responded to my "Introduce Yourself" post with comment "You're not some weird alternate universe version of me"
I find it easier to share the male perspective in book discussions. I'll try to keep up with the Eclipse discussion if that is still going.
But my viewpoint is far from typical, otherwise I would not be spending time on this site.
I did not know what you guys meant by Unicorn until now. Is there a club?
Hey Kerensky!
I always love reading your comments on different topics, you really have a way with words. I'm so looking forward to reading all of your posts in the blog. It's going to be great to get a man's POV.
Welcome Kerensky! It's lovely to meet a unicorn =P
and any intellectual male's point of view is worth reading I say =)
am excited to hear ur take on fanfics!
wow welcome kerensky and other unicorns reading! it is great to hear a mpov as always. i lol'ed at cee's verification hahah good one