She may not be my favorite author, but I can't escape the fact that I am insanely jealous of her easy entrance into the world of cult fiction. What I wouldn't give to be able to have that kind of fan energy....
So in honor of a woman I admire - and to answer my (modest amount of) own fans who've asked my opinion of the infamous Twilight Series, here goes.
When I first started reading Twilight, I was nearly shaking with excitement. The books were long and I like that (more good stuff!). I read the first book July of 2008 within about 48 hours and enjoyed it quite thoroughly, disappointed when it ended. I loved many of the characters, especially Alice, Esme, Jasper and Carlisle.
Regarding Bella: I enjoyed reading about a girl who is bad at sports, has very white skin and isn't regarded as "the cool girl." However, I found her relationship with Edward displeasing almost instantly. I love a good romance; I do NOT like a romance that is held together by an insatiable need to...what? be together forever? be with someone who excites you? be near someone just because you HAVE TO BE? I wasn't exactly sure WHY they were together and thus my love of Bella began to fade. As the series continues, Bella becomes a very needy girl who can't be away from Edward at all.
Edward? Well, something about the books always bothered me. I didn't exactly know what it was until those "Team Edward/Team Jacob" tees came out. That's when I realized that I was - unintentionally - a Team Jacob girl. Edward makes Bella desperate, heart stricken, shaking from the cold, and, well faint just from kissing him! Jacob builds her a motorcycle, takes her for walks on the beach, and makes her smile!
My conclusion: The premise was fun (cute girl stricken by boy she can't exactly have), the writing was fast and easy to read (not JK Rowling, but nothing to complain about really), and although I wanted to throw Eclipse across the room (or rather, the London airport, where I read the entire book last summer) because of her unrationalized need for a vampire who refuses to turn her, I read every book (and re-read many parts of Breaking Dawn). I mean, let's face it: it's not every day you turn into a gorgeous, super fast and strong, immortal vampire. But when it comes to the romance, a little "why I love him" would be nice. And no, the answer can't be "because I can't be without him."
If I had to choose, I'm team Jacob. He made her smile and laugh. He was Bella's sun. When he was near she had fun and found comfort.
ReplyDeleteEdward ... I just don't get it. Through Meyer's way with words I felt drawn to him, because Bella was. But I never understood why. He was overbearing and pushy. He made all te decisions. How does cold stone hard lips sound appealing? When they were together all they did was fight. Was she ever happy around him?
2 thumbs up to Meyer for making this cold, hard, pale, overbearing vamp appealing to so many. I really mean it as a compliment. First read I was sucked in and all for Edward. I did re-read the series and changed my mind.
Tina, thank you for your comment! I agree with you wholeheartedly: you have to give credit to a woman who can make millions of girls insane over a character who makes us want to throw the book out the window. I read it, and I liked it, but I just couldn't exactly understand why, since - as you said so well - it was JACOB who was Bella's "sun", not Edward. Again, Meyer has millions of fans. What can I really say against that?
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