Twilight
By Stephanie Meyer [LibraryThing - Amazon]
When Bella moves to the dreary small town of Forks, she doesn’t expect to meet the love of her life – and she certainly doesn’t expect him to be a vampire. But Edward is exactly that, and his love for Bella may not be stronger than his thirst for her blood. And even if it is, can Edward protect Bella from the bloodthirsty newcomer who’s set his sights on her?
Warning: Minor spoilers behind the cut.
In this interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I’ve never been a big fan of vampires. I liked Buffy because it was funny and had rockin’ female characters, but I never bothered with Anne Rice or Laurell K. Hamilton, and I don’t find capes and Transylvanian accents sexy. At best, vampires make me roll my eyes.
But even if I’d loved vampires with an unholy passion, Twilight would still be terrible.
There are a bunch of issues that would be major problems in any other book:
1. It’s boring. Hundreds of pages go by with, essentially, nothing happening except a lot of florid prose about how pretty Edward is. It was so boring that I honestly wouldn’t have finished it if I hadn’t been reviewing it for AV, and I always finish books.
2. Yeah, it’s florid. Ludicrously so. (Edward sparkles in the sun. No, really.) This isn’t helped by Meyer’s somewhat bizarre relationship with punctuation (here’s a hint: you don’t need a semicolon, a dash, and an ellipsis all in the same sentence!).
3. Bella, the ostensible heroine, is a terrible character. She’s utterly devoid of personality in order for the reader to be able to map herself into the starring role. For example, the boys back in her hometown of Phoenix don’t notice her (she’s so ordinary! just like you and me!), but counting Edward, she has five boys vying for her attention in Forks (omg so popular!). The sole exception to her utter lack of personality traits is her completely over-the-top clumsiness, which was apparently added to give her an adorable quirk but actually just makes me think she has severe inner ear problems. (When she breaks her leg, ribs, and skull in a vampire attack, they tell her mother she fell out a window, and this is a plausible excuse because Bella is just that much of a failure at walking without falling down.) She’s also unbelievably passive; she spends the climax of the book barely conscious, unable to move or even see, listening to everyone else save the day.
All of these would be hugely problematic anywhere else, but Twilight has another issue that so overshadows those already mentioned that it renders them almost negligible: It reads like a do-it-yourself guide to abusive relationships.
I’m serious. Edward is moody, violent, prone to anger, jealous, and justifies any poor behavior towards Bella with excuses like “It’s just because I love you” and “It’s what’s best for you.” He works to sever all of her other social connections, leaving her entirely reliant on him – and in fact, she’s disturbingly codependent, with lines like “It would be physically painful to be separated from him.” She lives in terror of triggering one of his bad moods or making him want to leave. She describes his hands on her wrists as “manacles.” He stalks her and watches her while she sleeps and she feels flattered. He’s also insanely controlling; if he wants her to do something, she does it, and if she doesn’t hop to it, he picks her up or drags her where he wants her to be. I’m speaking very literally here – he both drags her around and pins or straps her down multiple times in this book.
Of course, since he’s a vampire, this is all compounded. He’s so much faster and stronger than she is that she is always at his mercy – she lives at his sufferance. (And he utterly delights in reminding her of this fact, which is disgusting.) Plus, since a vampire feeding is inextricably linked in the public consciousness to sex – seduction and rape simultaneously – there are some extra-disturbing undercurrents to all of this. See, Edward and his family have sworn off drinking human blood, but Bella is so extraordinarily tempting to him that he has to fight every second that he’s around her not to kill her. Uh, romantic. Plus, they can never have a sexual relationship, because as he tells her, if he ever loses control, “I could reach out, meaning to touch your face, and crush your skull by mistake.” That is some charming pillow talk there, Ed. First of all, this means that Bella can never make any romantic or sexual overtures towards Edward for fear of disrupting his control; when they kiss, she has to essentially lie back and think of England (or Forks). But more importantly, I’m sorry, but I don’t find a guy having to concentrate fiercely every minute to keep from violating or destroying me romantic. I find it creepy and terrifying.
Now, all of this would have been mitigated if even one person in the book had expressed any concern about the relationship based on something other than the fact that she’s food to him. But no. A few people, Edward included, tell Bella that he’s dangerous to be around because, duh, vampire, but no one – not Bella’s parents, not her friends, no one – says that it’s a bad relationship because he’s an abusive, moody, controlling stalker with rage issues. Bella herself never twigs that the relationship is mind-bogglingly unhealthy, but Bella can barely stand upright, so you can’t expect much from her.
So you’ve got this friendly User’s Guide to Setting Up Your Home Abusive Relationship – and it’s being stuffed into the hands of every teenage girl in the country, if not the world, and touted as romantic. That’s incredibly irresponsible and reprehensible. It’s not a writer’s job to raise the youth of America, but it damn well isn’t her job to tell them behavior like Edward’s is love, either.
Without this last horrendous aspect, Twilight would probably get one cupcake – maybe one and a half, if I were feeling generous. As it is, Twilight gets zero cupcakes. It’s infuriating, disturbing, and just plain bad, and I’d cut out my own tongue before recommending it to anyone, especially the girls it’s marketed to.
Angela said,
May 23, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
Hey, it gets worse in Eclipse, where he cuts the brakes on her truck so she can’t sneak out and go see the friend he’s forbidden her from associating with.
Seth Christenfeld said,
May 23, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
Methinks Ms. Meyer has…issues.
maite Lorente said,
May 23, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
This is the best review that I have read about the book. Thanks so much. It is exactly my opinion.
sam said,
May 24, 2008 @ 6:19 am
Oh thank goodness, I thought it was just me! I agree with every point you made! I read this book after hearing so many people rave about it and watching the hold list at my library grow and grow, and I just hated it. Bella is so useless! And Edward just did nothing for me. Perhaps if it was shelved with the other Harlequin Supernatural Romances, I wouldn’t be so hard on it.
Dinah said,
May 24, 2008 @ 6:47 am
Finally! Someone else sees through this “romantic” charade. Thank you for posting this!
Mary Miller said,
May 24, 2008 @ 8:55 am
We all have our tastes in reading. I would just be curious to what level of readers you choose materials for and in what setting you work with young adults.
Kelly said,
May 25, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
My sister absolutely LOVES this book, and I finally decided to give it a chance the other day. I got through, literally, one page and just couldn’t read anymore. But apparently the tweens are going crazy for it, as my friend’s little sister also loves it. Kind of distressing, really.
Jessica said,
May 26, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
Angela: AUGH AUGH AUGH. That’s so not okay even a little. (Although there was a weirdly oblique reference to something similar - like, her father randomly tampered with her truck in the first book to keep her from going anywhere, and Edward is like “Oh, is that all it would take to keep you in one place?” And she doesn’t even comment on the fact that her father TAMPERED WITH HER TRUCK TO KEEP HER FROM GOING ANYWHERE, WHAT.)
Seth: I try to separate authors from their fiction, but yeah, it’s a bit worrisome that Meyer didn’t ever imply that this was anything less than a perfect romance.
maite Lorente, sam, Dinah, Kelly: Glad to know I’m not alone!
Mary Miller: Until last week I was a teachers’ assistant at a middle school and worked with preteens every day. I didn’t then and don’t now choose materials for anyone - all I can do is recommend or not recommend books to my own teenage siblings and the other young people I know. That, however, wouldn’t change my opinion of Twilight. May I ask why you were wondering?
Margot said,
May 26, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
It just gets worse, you know. At least you didn’t hit the love triangle of DOOM and the ridiculousness of Jacob and her having to PUNCH HIM TO GET HIM OFF OF HER and him then getting congratulated for kissing her. And her being manipulated by both boys and her goal in life to SACRIFICE HER OWN LIFE FOR THE BOYS and ARGH this series makes me spiral into caps.
But I agree with your review, and its nice to know I’m not the only one who detested these books.
Jodi said,
May 27, 2008 @ 5:33 am
THANK YOU. All the twittering high school girls where I work luuuurve Edward, sucking up this book like he sucks dry the poor critters on his wilderness camping trips. Me? I wanted to smack some sense into the wet dishrag that passes for Bella. I quit halfway through New Moon due to my increasing irritation with her depiction as a total waste of space incapable of controlling any aspect of herself, from the physical to the mental to the emotional. Not a model any high school girl should emulate.
katherine said,
May 27, 2008 @ 9:27 am
True as these comments are, the popularity of the book is so GINORMOUS…I’m astounded and left speechless. ( except to say, bravo to you Jessica, for speaking out when clearly you could be tarred and feathered by her fans ) Like Sam, I thought I was the only one who shared some of your feelings.
Gillian said,
May 27, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Well said.
You have gotten a great amount of discussion going among Young Adult librarians. Many aspects of the series are now being looked at.
RPattzLove said,
May 27, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
UGH!
…….
Jeannie said,
May 28, 2008 @ 5:05 am
HAHAHA I loved your review, probably for all the wrong reasons..I am a Twilight Fan..A major one… but i will add that im in mid twenties not a 15yr old.
I would like to thankyou for reading the book. Its so much better than another reviewer on a movie site who bad mouthed the movie and the book without even reading it or watching it as it hasnt come out. Im not here to get angry at you either for not liking it because everyone has their own personal tatses. Ive read books that my friends loved and i hated.
You do raise some interesting points however that i did notice throughout the series. Edward is very controlling… and it is even brought up by another character in book 3. I agree that this weird to be putting towards teens, that its ok to be controlled, to be pressured into things etc. But i also thing that you have read too much into it. But thats my opinion…. You should have a go at The Host. Its a bit different, the themes are definately not the same. I would actually be interested to read what you had to say about that book as well.
But thankyou for your honest opinion on a book that is loved by the world, but i warn you that once it gets out what you wrote, your throat may be cut by the beloved fans. Didnt you know that this is bigger than Harry Potter?
annabeth said,
May 28, 2008 @ 8:24 am
OMIGOD. I think that Twilight series are great and I love them. I don’t know how you could say such things. It is a thrilling, gripping series with the right ratio of adventure and romance. Give them a chance please. You don’t have to read them.
I love Alice.
hiphopnic said,
May 28, 2008 @ 8:25 am
I think that Twilight and the rest of the series are amazing books that are loved by many people. I am affended that people think of Twilight like this. If you do not like them just don’t read them. I think that it is mean and cruel to do this to a book. I think you should respect books and literature as if they were people.
Cami said,
May 28, 2008 @ 8:25 am
I am starting the series, and at least I am giving them a CHANCE!!!!! I really feel you should be a bit more respectful to them!!!!
Bookworm said,
May 28, 2008 @ 8:26 am
I totally disagree. If you guys don’t like them, don’t read them! I love this series, even if bella is weak, edwarrd can be controling… i mean, whats a story if it’s perfect?????????????? Edward just wants bella to be happy, and bella does have some issues, but, it’s an amazing piece of writing. I think you should be a bit more respectful, like saying, “I don’t like the way edward or bella was portrayed” or something like that. not difficult!
Livi said,
May 28, 2008 @ 8:27 am
I happen to love these series of books! Thank you very much. I think they are a great story of love and adventure! They are really good books if you give them a chance!!!!!!!!!! A lot of people happen to love them! I am very offended that people are really saying this. I think it isnt very fair and that you should respect peoples decitions! Thanks for listening.
ANGIE said,
May 28, 2008 @ 8:48 am
Bitter much, anyone? In case you have forgotten, this is HIGH SCHOOL and everyone is trying to assert their own identity. Apparentley, someone never had a high school sweetheart. And you really need to read ALL the books, because in the end, it is ALL about the protection of Bella, not the control of her. And get this, sometimes hormonal teenage boys misread signs and think they are great (Jacob’s kiss). Let’s not get so overboard on this subject without all the facts or feelings shall we? Next thing you know Joe Camel might show up and try to get Bella to light up. Come on people, read ALL the books! Ya know, where Edward does leave her alone, when he comes back to save her and how he and Jacob put their differences aside for her protection? Anyone else out there with some sense? Anyone?????
Debbie Reese said,
May 28, 2008 @ 8:54 am
I’m looking specifically at the Native content Meyer brings into the series… it’s kind of a mess. I find very little reviewer/reader discussion of that content. You can read what I’m thinking over on my site:
http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com
thalia said,
May 28, 2008 @ 10:06 am
If you don’t like the book, then just don’t read it. These are excellent books in my opinion, not just for teens, but also for adults. There is the right ratio of action and romance and I think that stephenie meyer did a great job.
Jessica said,
May 28, 2008 @ 7:16 pm
Margot: I’m so glad I stopped after one. Jacob was vaguely likeable in Twilight!
Gillian: So I hear! I took a look at some of the discussion and it looked really interesting. Glad I could get something started!
Jeannie: Thanks for the rec. Is The Host another YA vampire series? I’ll have to look into it.
ANGIE: I feel that each book in a series should be able to stand on its own and present its themes without support from supplemental reading. If Meyer can’t convince me that Edward isn’t really disturbingly controlling in 500 pages, she never will. Furthermore, there’s a difference between blatantly advising someone to engage in unhealthy behavior (i.e. your Joe Camel example) and depicting destructive relationship patterns in the guise of “romantic” behavior, especially when those patterns are often mistakenly viewed as romantic in our culture. Everyone knows smoking is bad for you, but plenty of people will read Edward threatening Bella’s other suitors instead of letting Bella speak for herself as romantic, instead of the alarming, controlling behavior it really is.
Debbie Reese: Thank you so much for the link to your blog! I’m ashamed to say I didn’t really think about the portrayal of Native culture in the book, and I’m finding your posts on the subject really interesting.
To all the people saying “If you don’t like it, don’t read it”: How will I know if I like it if I don’t read it?
To all commenters, whether you agreed with me or not: Thank you for commenting! I love hearing readers’ opinions, and I’m sure Rebecca would say the same. I must, however, ask you to be civil. Play nice, guys!
Jeannie said,
May 28, 2008 @ 11:47 pm
The Host is a Sci-Fi novel, no Vampires. Written by Stephenie Meyer though, so it would be interesting to see if you just done like her writing or its just Twilight.
The Host is about Aliens invading the earth, but is considered an Adult Novel.
Go to www.stepheniemeyer.com and youll be able to read the first chapter online. I loved it. Its about what is humanity, what is it to be human, what is love? I really liked it. I would love to read your review on it.
Bookworm said,
May 29, 2008 @ 8:10 am
Obviously, if you read this review you probably don’t like them. If you feel that way, don’t read them, and then add more smeely comments. no big! i’ve read the entire series, and i love them! i didn’t like harry very much in harry potter, and, as such, don’t really like bella at all. please give them a chance.
Cami said,
May 29, 2008 @ 8:18 am
I am going to read more into the book tomorrow and I am glad to have different opinions. I agree with hiphopnic that you should treat literature like a person!!! My mom read it and LOVED it, so did a lot of my friends!!!! I think it is cruel though to say that Ms. Meyers has issues. That is just a bit much!!
thalia said,
May 29, 2008 @ 8:24 am
I really like this website. While there might be some strong views (ahem) it is really cool reading about everyone’s opinion. You guys brought some good points to the table that I never even considered.
Rebecca said,
May 29, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Sticking in my two cents about a general issue, rather than the specific book (as I haven’t read it, and don’t plan to as I very much trust Jess’s opinion), but I think it’s a bit much to say that books should be treated in the same manner as people. Books are released into the public sphere, which invites commentary on them. Profession authors such as Meyer (and everyone else whose books we’ve reviewed here) have to be aware of that and, at least for the most part of it, be okay with it. It’s part of the profession.
You can’t succeed as a professional writer without expecting and accepting criticism of your writing. That’s very different than criticisizing the author as a person.
Debbie Reese said,
May 29, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
In the reviews I’ve seen of the series, there is rare mention of the Native content. The omission intrigues me. If you ask most people about the portrayals of American Indians in, say, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, they are “Indians? Really? I don’t remember.” I assign that book to my students (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) and they are stunned that any teacher is asking students to read that book, given the ways that Native peoples are portrayed in it. I’m curious about what people tune into, why, why not they notice/do not notice Native portrayals in lit… Meyer is using Native content, but it seems to me (based on my study thus far) that she doesn’t really know much about Native people. She’s passing along some sketchy info. A lot of people (most probably) would say it doesn’t matter, that it is only fiction, etc., but I disagree. It does matter. Americans SHOULD know what treaties are, not Meyer’s misunderstanding of what they are. That’s one example of error she makes. That is factual error. Also problematic are the ways he’s drawing on Quileute ways of thinking about their history…. So many writers think nothing of appropriating and retelling Native story, shaping it for their purpose, but fail to realize that Native story is sacred to Native people from whom the stories originate…. just like the Bible is for Christians. Most people wouldn’t fool with Bible stories, yet, Native story is seen as fair game…
Sherry said,
May 29, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
I read the books, all three, and thought they were harmless romances in the vein of Harlequin romances with vampires thrown in. Here’s my review if you’re interested:
http://www.semicolonblog.com/?p=2442
I don’t think most girls are planning to find a non-vampire Edward to protect and control them any more than fans of Gone With the Wind are out looking for Rhett Butler. Maybe I’m overestimating the ability of teenage girls (and adults) to separate fact from fiction.
Hannah said,
May 30, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
When I got halfway through the book I was worried the whole book was just going to be them saying “I love you!” I was happy when something actually happened!!
Jessica said,
May 31, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Jeannie: Hmm. Well, thanks for the recommendation anyway…I don’t know if I’ll pick it up, and if I do I probably won’t review it here, since this blog is for kids’ and YA lit, but I’ll let you know if I change my mind!
Debbie: How can people miss the Native Americans in Little House on the Prairie? They’re pretty important. And yeah, the moral of the book seems to be “Stupid government, giving land to those whiny Natives!” which is…problematic, and one of the reasons it’s my second least-favorite book in the series.
I wouldn’t say writers don’t mess around with the Bible (John Milton and Philip Pullman spring to mind), but they do it a lot more carefully. Writers seem to treat Native culture like they would treat a defunct polytheistic mythology, like, say, the ancient Greek or Norse gods - which is horrible. Of course, this country has always been really good at turning Natives into fictional characters.
Sherry: I thought your review was really interesting (although that quote at the top comparing AIDS to vampirism made my blood boil a bit). I think it depends on the girl - how old she is and whether she’s been taught to question fiction. Of course I don’t think if you went up to the average teenager and said “Abusive relationships are great!” she’d say “Okay!” but I think a relationship like Edward’s and Bella’s, presented as something Oh So Romantic, can be very compelling and misleading.
I also think you made an interesting comparison, because before I saw Gone With the Wind for the first time all I knew was that it was supposedly one of the most romantic stories ever told. I loved the movie, but I was appalled by the way Rhett and Scarlet treat each other, particularly when he rapes her. And yet the popular consciousness of that movie states that they are incredibly romantic. Of course, most teenage girls don’t watch old movies like that…
Hannah: This comment made me laugh so hard. Good call.
Kitty said,
June 1, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
Maybe Edward’s abusiveness is some kind of indication of something that’s very, very wrong in Ms. Meyer’s life. As much as I detest the woman as an author, it makes me shudder to think that she’s apparently been raised and taught to live with abusive males as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.
If Edward had manifested himself as a villain, I’d have bought it as a cry for help or an attempt to cope with old emotional wounds. But since Edward is apparently considered a heroic, romantic love interest, I’m more than vaguely concerned about Ms. Meyer’s pyschological state. Bella is, as has been said in a hundred other anti-Twilight statements, a blatant stand-in for the author herself. If Bella is a dependant, willing victim of Edward’s abuse…what does that say about Stephanie?
thalia said,
June 1, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Go Rebecca! That is a really great point about books being different from people and how authors can use criticism to make their books better.
Jessica said,
June 2, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
Kitty: I don’t know if it’s fair to make assumptions about Meyer’s life or emotional state based on the book. After all, it’s fiction. What comes out on the page may have little or nothing to do with Meyer herself.
Alexis Cavazos-Kottke said,
June 3, 2008 @ 11:31 am
OMG! i cant believe u wrote that. My dad sent me to this to read it and i thought it was going to be about how good it was. And just because i am 16 doesnt mean that my opinion shouldnt count, seriously the series is wonderful and u should put on a different mind of thinking when reading these books because most girls my age are just starting to date and don’t have a lot of expirence in what is right and what is wrong in a relationship. I think that Ms. Meyer is doing a great job at showing girls my age what isnt a good relationship. And she sets up the books in a way to attract more of the teen readers to read her adult books.
Julie said,
June 6, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
It was quite shocking to read the first posting. Edward abusive? Even after reading your explanations, I still don’t see it. An abusvie person does mean things to others for selfish reasons, like for power or control. Edward’s motive for his “abusive” behavior is clear, he loves Bella. It may appear that their relationship is obsessive, but I think whole point is that with Edward nothing is ordinary. (Remember, this book is fantasy as much as a romance novel.) That being said, I give this book 5 cupcakes!
GA said,
June 8, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Well, yes, I would agree. XD I love vampires. A lot. And I read through Twilight but thought it was utterly ridiculous. I mean, honestly? Honestly?
I didn’t pick up on the abusiveness, I have to say, but now that you mention it… x.x I think I just didn’t notice because Bella is so happy to be passive to all his desires, anyway, which I found annoying and also incredibly offensive. Every “talent” Bella may have–like, say, being smart–is always told but never shown. As many problems as Edward has, if she actually defied him once in awhile, he probably just wouldn’t bother with her, period. -_-;;;; Not that I’m saying she brings abuse on herself, but… Well. I don’t know if her character would be happy with a less controlling guy.
It’s hilarious, though, that anyone would find Bella mappable. I can’t relate to her at all. How do you relate to someone who never makes any choices? o.O I really don’t understand.
Maybe adolescence has changed drastically in the, oh, three years since I’ve been sixteen, but seriously. Just because the words “true love” are pasted into a story doesn’t make it romantic. Bella is not a heroine. She’s not even really a damsel in distress. As a reader, I couldn’t respect her, and I really don’t think anyone else should, either.
Gothic Author
P. S. I also find it immensely amusing and ironic that the only argument in defense of this series seems to be something along the lines of, “You don’t understand!” XD XD XD
Jessica said,
June 10, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Alexis: I absolutely think that your opinion matters, no matter how old you are. I just happen to have a different one. I don’t think that a boyfriend who always tells you what to do, where to go, and what to where, who grabs you and pushes you around physically, and who makes you scared of his temper is a good boyfriend. You’re right that a lot of Meyer’s readers are just starting to date, and that worries me, because they might think Edward is a nice boyfriend. He’s not. A boyfriend shouldn’t control you all the time or make you scared of him. Ever.
Julie: You said “An abusvie person does mean things to others for selfish reasons, like for power or control.” I’m afraid that’s simply not true. Many abusive partners think they really are doing what is best for the relationship. I agree with you that Edward loves Bella and that’s why he acts the way he does. I just don’t think that the way he acts is okay or healthy. He controls her, he deliberately scares her (and I don’t mean the vampire thing, I mean he makes her afraid that he’ll get angry at her or leave her), and he repeatedly hurts her (with his “crushing” grips and so on) and threatens physical violence (”I could…crush your skull”). That is all abusive (remember, emotional abuse is still abuse), and I don’t care how much he loves her, that doesn’t make it okay.
GA: Bella’s mappable because even though there isn’t anything about her that’s like you, there isn’t anything about her that’s unlike you, either. Frankly, there isn’t anything about her, period. I’ve never enjoyed that, but plenty of people do.
Torri said,
June 10, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
wow it’s scary the number of people who are falling over themselves to defend this book. It doesn’t sound like something I’d enjoy. If I’m supposed to identify as this Bella well I don’t take well to the ‘it’s for you own good silly rabbit’ thing she sounds like a ‘You Suck’ character from tvtropes.org.
I remember loving Interview With a Vampire and The Vampire Lestat (I laughed out loud when the beautiful vampire pounces on a rat because ‘it’s feet are so interesting!’) But the last Anne Rice novel I read was The Blood Canticle… it bloody well read like a Mary Sue story and I stopped reading after about two chapters talking about how beautiful the heroine looked while sickly and then more on how beautiful she was in OMG such a different way when she was a vampire.
Reading this review I’m left wondering if Edward loves Bella and worries over her so much why not just turn her into one of his kind so they’re on equal footing? Hell even movie Vampire hunter D had a human/vampire romance where the vampire’s been holding himself back from biting her most of the movie and near the end she expresses that she wants him to bite her so she can know him completely.
GA said,
June 10, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
I guess so… >.is trying to scare her on purpose. Before they actually get together, he’s doing his best to make her hate him and fear him so that she will stay away, which would more or less take the temptation of her blood out of his reach. When he threatens her, for example, he wants her to realize how dangerous it is to be near him and what violence he’s capable of even when he’s not thinking. Except since the story is from Bella’s perspective, it’s quite clear that this doesn’t scare her so much as just freak her out since it’s “physically painful” for her to be away from him.
Basically, I figured he was trying to be a gentleman by scaring her out of the line of fire, as it were, but that’s annoying in and of itself. It’s the same thing almost every hero does because he loves the girl, so obviously, it’s all for her own good since she can’t possibly have her own opinion about it. Or, you know, be capable of handling herself.
GA said,
June 10, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
…Ahh, crap, I forgot about the HTML.
Here’s what I actually wrote:
I guess so… It’s just strange for me, though, because if I honestly think about sticking myself in that story, I would spurn Edward and his sparkly skin unless he plied me with vampire wiles or something.
About Edward, though, I didn’t see his actions as necessarily abusive because he is trying to scare her on purpose.
Abigail said,
June 28, 2008 @ 1:26 am
A friend sent me this review, and I thought it was interesting and amusing. I am a vampire fan, though it depends on the series or author; I don’t really go in for Hamilton or Rice, but I enjoy Charlaine Harris and Bram Stoker. (My favourite vampire novel is “Sunshine” by Robin McKinley, and it changed the way I thought about vampires entirely.)
I don’t like Twilight. It has absolutely nothing to do with the subject matter, because I adore the subject matter. I get sick of the passive voice and wardrobe descriptions — if I wanted those, I’d read Eragon, which I also loathed. (However, I will give it to Meyer: at least she isn’t ripping off other authors in the fashion of Paolini. Eragon and Arya? Tolkien is rolling in his grave.)
A comment above states that this series is bigger than Harry Potter. I find this idea baffling. It reminds me of a story I found at a blog elsewhere: a man in Washington apparently remarked despondently, “how could Bush have won? Nobody I know voted for him.”
It just makes me wonder if I’m the man from Washington, or if these fans are. Bigger than Harry Potter? I think that depends on where you’re from.
Nikki said,
July 12, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
I had seen this book around. Now that I think of it, it was all over the place. I never really paid any attention to it. The cover didn’t catch my eye and if I ever read the back I don’t remember it (probably because I’m not into vampires or anything like that). I read this review because I wondered about the name ‘Twilight’-it sounded interesting and pretty, I guess. But from what I actually read in your review the book sounds just terrible! I’m very glad I never wasted my time trying to read it. I don’t like boring books but a lot of the time when I get a book from the library or bookstore even if it’s boring, as you say this book is, I feel like I sort of have to finish it and usually I do. But thankfully, I didn’t get this book and I don’t have the content of it stored in my head now. I saw a commercial recently for a movie they’re making of it and I saw for the first time a couple days ago that there were actually 3 books of it. I thought everyone on here was exagerrating a bit about how big it is but now I see that it’s actually pretty big and that’s kind of scary, for the reasons you stated and because I might be tempted to read it now to see what all the fuss is about.
Nikki said,
July 17, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
I think physical, emotional and mental abuse is still abuse no matter what the motives for it are. I just read thru all the comments now whereas before I had only read a few of them. And I haven’t read the book so I don’t want to say anything much about what I think but it still sounds awful to me (even after hearing what people have to say to defend it).
Erin said,
August 1, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
Hallelujah, there are still sane readers out there. I cannot stand this book or any of its sequels. I don’t understand why my peers (teenage girls who are the target audience) are fawning over a book too stuffed with fluff to be interesting. Bella is one of the most annoying main characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading and I do not understand why several respectable reviewers reccomend the book. All of Sephenie Meyer’s characters are Mary Sues and I have to say that my best birthday present ever was a box of matches to accompany a paperback copy of Twilight.
Cassandra said,
August 1, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
I loved this review. It’s spirited. Which I find rather ironic, as I’m really into the series. The points you bring up are valid, however, and I haven’t really read Twilight in a while, so maybe I should take another look at it. I have to agree with you on Bella, however; she’s not a very good narrator, and she paints Edward as practically perfect–something I don’t like at all, because he’s definitely not.
Anyway, thanks for reading. It’s nice to know that people actually take the time to read before making judgments (*cough* unlike my friends *cough*).
Cassandra said,
August 1, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Sorry about the double post, but I actually went back to read all the comments and saw someone posting something along the lines of Meyer identifying herself with Bella. I was at the movie panel at San Diego’s International Comic-Con last week, and she said that she actually identified more with Edward, rather than Bella. Figure that one out. *shrugs*
GungaDin said,
August 1, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
Oh my God! Stephanie Meyer beats women!
Sorry, but that post above was too priceless for me to let that joke go unsaid.
Anyways, this is insanely enlightening as a review/post. Comments aside, I wonder how much of this is your… reading too much into it or whatever (we’re on the internet, no offense but you’re not completely reliable)…
That said, holy God is this horrifying. Just straight up terrifying how Meyer can craft the story in such a way that the relationship is described as entirely normal and people won’t see it because of the cluelessness of Bella as a character (can anyone say they actually like her?). The fact that Edward can do these things and she can get away with it makes me… worry… incessantly for this whole romance idea that other people have said more eloquently than I ever good….
Now I want to read the book to make my own informed decisions about the validity of calling “the perfect man” a misogyinist, woman-abusaling vampire who’s insanely overromanticized…
… I think that makes sense…
Thanks again for this!
Heather said,
August 1, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
Brilliant, thank you so much. I went in to reading this book thinking it would be a possible fun thing to follow Harry Potter with, and ended up being completely horrified. Everything about it is crap, and I could only make it through half of the first book. It makes me physically ill to think of Bella, and Edward.. Edward is just hilarious, in a sad, sad way.
In addition to all that you said? I also think that Edward being viewed as “the perfect guy” by girls is like a sex addict house maid with ginormous boobs being viewed as the perfect woman for guys.
I would also encourage people to look at the warped sense of beauty displayed in these books too. Vampire venom is what makes you eye gougingly beautiful, and becoming so includes lightening of the skin. There are several instances where Bella describes specifically white skin and straight angular noses as “perfect”. I also just have to laugh at the Native American kid being “one w/ the wolf” or whatever x)). Stereotype much?
Bridget said,
August 2, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
And I thought I was the only one. What a relief to know not all are completely blind to the disturbingly unhealthy relationship of Bella, oh so weak and fragile, and Edward, limitlessly strong physically and mentally. It’s like the feminist movement never happened. I’m disturbed people read the book and don’t see a problem with its blaring sexism. What is Meyers teaching young girls? That they need to be soley dependent on a man to be happy. That they can sit by idly and do nothing while they let their man walk, talk, and LIVE their lives for them!? It makes me so angry.
AJ said,
August 3, 2008 @ 10:49 am
Man, people.
‘If you don’t like the book, don’t read it’
‘You need to give the books more of a chance.’
Well, apologists: which is it?
People are allowed to have opinions and allowed to review books! Comments like “books are like people and if you say bad things you will hurt their feelings” are just silly. Is the same true of movies, even ones you don’t like? It is OK if you like the book but it’s immature to chastise the reviewer for expressing her (valid) opinions.
Alyx said,
August 3, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
This is a really spectacular review — you’ve managed to put your finger on what’s been troubling me for so long about the Edward/Bella relationship, but that I was having trouble finding the right words for. Thank you for stating it so baldly — he is, plain and simple, abusive, and it really does send a poor message to all the (clearly rather impressionable) teenage girls reading this series.
I’m also amused by all the people saying this review is “cruel”. Uhm, are the fictional characters going to get their feelings hurt?
Thank you for writing this! It’s a brave woman who will put herself up to the fangirl firing squad.
Hannah said,
August 9, 2008 @ 11:15 am
Holy crap, and just when I thought it couldn’t have gotten any worse from the talk and hype about it to begin with, this review talks about /more/ crap. o_o What astonishes me is that I’ve heard most Breaking Dawn fans have hated the final book.
My, how did Meyers somehow out-do herself with making her series any worse than it originally was, seriously?
I’ve tried to read it, admittedly the first page, but the punctuation and tenses were out of order so much I was disgusted, and of course, as you said, the characterization is just awful; especially how it starts off. =l
I think I’d rather play Russian roulette with a fully loaded pistol when Twilight is concerned.
Usually I can say something good about a novel, even though I don’t read much, but from the school reading list, there are at least some commendable elements in them.
Jessie said,
August 21, 2008 @ 6:02 pm
Thank you so much for writing this very insightful review. I agree with everything you said. Honestly, it’s about time someone mentioned the fact that Edward is an abusive boyfriend. Just so you know, I used to be a fan of the series. Breaking Dawn was such an epic failure that I immediately lost all my love for it (Eclipse and New Moon helped too).
As far as The Host is concerned, terrible book. Although it’s supposed to be an adult novel it comes across as a YA one instead. It’s not nearly as bad as the Twilight series, but it’s still bad. Just like Twilight, there is a lot of sexism. For example, at one point the protagonist, who is marginally more likeable than Bella in my opinion, states that “this body did not belong to [her] or to Melanie, but to Jared”. After reading that I had to set the book down for a good long while. I was absolutely livid!
Yuki said,
August 21, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
Well, you’re actually very lucky - most of your commenters are reasonable, rational people, whereas this poor link:
http://psa.blastmagazine.com/2008/08/16/twilight-sucks-and-not-in-a-good-way/#comments
was utterly blasted. If you want to debate almost any point in the book, you can find it in the comments here.
I made it through Twilight, gritting my teeth all the way, and I found that I had to take New Moon in small doses - the utter stupidity of some of Bella’s actions practically enraged me. She complains about how Jacob is spiteful when she spurns him (again) for Edward - but can you honestly blame him? And then she repeats over and over again how she has a huge hole in her chest, as if the reader just doesn’t get it the first dozen times.
I may, in fact, read the last two books, if only for the sake of continuity, and dare I say it, laughs. I love debates, and Twilight has pulled up a wonderful one. And thank you so much for your wonderful review. I agree - no cupcakes for Twilight.
Maddie said,
August 21, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
THANK YOU. This article is great. It tells the truth that most people aren’t willing to hear. Abuse is NEVER attractive, and I’m glad people are finally waking up, taking the initiative, and telling people the truth about these books.
katururu said,
August 23, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
I disagree with the statement “IF you don’t like it, then don’t read it”. Well we CANNOT know that we won’t like the book if we don’t read it first. We give a chance to the book. The book is bad, we say our opinion openly, throw the book away, and the matter ends. It’s only a opinion, we don’t want to fight.
Anyway, this Twilight fever will fade in a year or maybe two, and it will be replaced by some other “fast-read” book. Because the book is not only bad in its complete plot, it is structurally bad written, I don’t think this book will become a classic, so we don’t have to bother too much.
Allina said,
August 25, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
People who are saying that you shouldn’t review the books like this, ever heard of critiquing? Well this is exactly it. She has a right to speech. She’s saying what she thinks.
I love this article. It’s well written and simply brilliant.