The Spinster's Exploits

I’ve not been at my most sophisticated recently. I am thrilled to be thrilled by the undoubted sexiness of the True Blood vampires that I am now watching on DVD – I am so retro! As said – was quite shocked but entertained by the X-rated human sex that’s quite graphic. I’m not a porn watcher, so my idea of graphic will be quite low key, but I find True Blood sexy and amusing.

And of course, my viewing got me thinking – always dangerous! And I just happen to have Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” – the bestselling vampire/teenage girl romance that was a sell-out some time ago. A friend had it, and thought I’d like it – she was right! I did enjoy it and the steaminess came from desire and a lack of sex. I was fine with that, but curious and had vague recollections of reading about an author who wrote vampire stuff that was seen as a coded abstinence message. And of course, it WAS Stephanie Myers.

I can see the excitement of abstinence/delayed gratification, in these days of hyper-sexuality and the pornification of culture. The cover plays up on temptation theme without implying the lack of gratification within – a fabulous red apple in the hand of a pale armed young woman – very Garden of Eden! As a fully paid up – if sloppy – pedant, I would just like to point out that the Eden fruit is unnamed in whatever version of The Bible you may have, and the apple idea is the result of cultural interpretation.

But I digress – as so often! – So no sex – And here comes the spoiler alert if you’ve not worked out the lack of sex already. I can also see why putting up with possibility of death due to passion as a teenage girl, but having a restrained “lover” who protects you from himself and is prepared to suffer the pains of abstinence for the girl’s sake can seem romantic and passionate. A long way from teenage male demands and alleged damage caused by to their sex organs if their girlfriend or potential girlfriend doesn’t put out!

I think it is fabulous to have sex with whoever you choose, if they want it too. I am saddened by a culture where young girls feel obligated to perform like porn stars while fearing being labelled for doing so. And when I worked with young women, some believed someone who truly loved you wouldn’t want to have sex with you!  It’s easy to see the popularity of “Twilight” among teenage girls and even their older sisters…

Luckily I’m a pretty senior grown-up able to follow my own desires. When I looked up Ms. Myers, there was some sniffiness about her prose, but I thoroughly enjoyed “Twilight” and its unrequited passion as much as I would enjoy them more classically represented in a Jane Austen!

Now that my vampire appetite is whetted, I fancy a re-read of “Daughters of Darkness: Lesbian Vampire Stories” edited by Pam Keesey. I cannot remember what I was looking for or buying at the time in the nineties, but it was a recommendation by a bookseller for some reason. Despite my heterosexual history, I am certainly open to lesbian and gay based stories and remember enjoying the collection.

Happy reading!