Rereading New Moon, the sequel to Twilight (and the second book in the Twilight series) on the elliptical this morning, I was jarred–and suddenly remembered being similarly jarred during my first read–to realize that Edward’s real name had been Edward Masen. Born just two years into the twentieth century, when Rose was still in her teens.
Now who does that make a Little House fan think of?
Although no one knows quite who “Mr. Edwards” was or who exactly did what his character did in the Little House series, he’s often thought to be “Edmund Mason,” a real person who existed at that time in Montgomery County, Kansas. And–here’s where I rationalize to myself–maybe Laura called him “Mr. Edward” the way so many children do with adults.
Is that why I’m so besotted with Twilight? Was it predestined?
OK, it’s a stretch. And it’s likely the only Twilight mention you’ll see on this blog. (Thank God!)
This was too funny! Can I use the same excuse? A couple of months ago, after insisting that I would not read those Twilight books, I found myself picking the first up off of a display in the grocery store and putting it with my groceries. Two days later my husband picked up #2. I then said I would not read the other two until they came out in paperback. Couldn’t wait. It must be that Little House connection that pulled me in!
You know a guy who can spit that far has got to have superhuman abilities.
Y’know, though… I’ve heard the, “Maybe they called him Mr. Edward” rationale presented many times over the years, and I’ve just never understood the logic in it. If the man’s name were Edward, I could see it… but why would they call him Mr. Edward when his name was Edmund?
This is why I love being a Johnny-come-lately, as it were, to the LIW world. Because I thought I came up with the “Mr. Edward” thing myself. Just this morning! I’ve never heard it before, or I’ve heard it and forgotten. But it’s nice to know I’m in good company. It makes sense to me as a possibility. For one, we’re dealing with memory that’s at least a half-century old–and not even Laura’s, but her sister’s and parents’. It’s imminently probable that there could have been an Edward-Edmund mixup. Also, according to the blog at Pioneergirl.com, some years’ census records in Montgomery County reportedly list an “Edward Mason.”
We’ll never know, but it sure is fun to imagine.
Wait! Is that why no one can get a firm confirmation on who Mr. Edwards was or where he went because maybe he was a vampire?