LAKE COUNTY — Frances Clark Sayers, in “Summoned by Books, commented” that “?it takes an extraordinary amount of vitality on the part of the author to set people on literary pilgrimage to haunts that have been described in his books.” Stephenie Meyer”s wildly popular “Twilight” series about human teen Bella Swan and her benevolent vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen has vitality, drama and chaste passion in abundance. Astounding numbers of ardent “Twilight” fans flock to remote Forks, Wash. to see the settings of the books “Twilight,” “Eclipse,” “New Moon” and “Breaking Dawn.”
To bring Forks to Lake County “Twilight” fans, the Lake County Library is presenting a traveling exhibit “A Forks Scrapbook” which will visit each library branch in the next few weeks. The exhibit includes photos taken around Forks, La Push and Port Angeles, a “Twilight” guide to Forks, and other materials. “Twilight”-related handouts will be available for fans of Bella and Edward.
The exhibit open Sept. 13 (Bella”s birthday) at the Lakeport Library and remain there through Sept. 27. It will be at Upper Lake Library from Oct. 1 to 11, Redbud Library in Clearlake from Oct. 17 to 30 and Middletown Library from Nov. 1 to 15.
Forks is a small town that fell on hard times with the loss of its logging industry, and the “Twilight” phenomenon has brought unexpected tourism to the town. Forks has adopted Bella and the other characters almost as if they were real people-“Dr. Cullen” has a reserved parking space at the hospital and “Bella”s” red truck is parked by the museum. The locals are happy to point out all of the “Twilight” locations, including the “homes” of the Swans and the Cullens. Businesses in Forks sell “Twilight” merchandise and advertise that “Bella shops here. Forks is making the most of its 15 minutes of fame with a great deal of good humor.
For a longer version of this story and more information about the
Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer and the Forks area, see the library Web site www.co.lake.ca.us/Page386.html and click on “Twilight.” Fans will find links to other Twilight sites, a Stephenie Meyer/Bella Swan recommended reading list, and lists of Twilight readalikes.
The library phone numbers are Lakeport Library, 263-8817; Redbud Library, 994-5115; Middletown Library, 987-3674; and Upper Lake Library, 275-2049.
