15 Oct 2006 | The forbidden fruit
A while ago, I swore to myself that I would write less of these book, movie, and music reviews, but as you can see, this invariably resulted in failure… thanks to my overconfidence in my own willpower. At any rate, here is a lengthy review on Stephenie Meyer's young adult novel, Twilight. (Prepare to be bored out of your minds.)
When I first picked up this book at the behest of my friend, S-chan, I was both intrigued and fascinated by its premise: an average teenage girl, Bella, moves to a new town, meets an "exquisitely beautiful" boy, falls in love with him, and later comes to the realization that her beloved is a vampire.
As a promising horror story, I was already inclined to read it despite S-chan's vociferous exhortations. But what I didn't count on (and should have expected) was the romance and sensuality. Although very chaste, the love scenes are remarkably intense and stretch on longer than I'd like. But I suppose this is only natural since it seems to be marketed towards romance fans instead of vampire aficionados, like myself.
But then, there is Edward, the aforementioned vampire who falls for Bella. Edward is so outrageously attractive and captivating that it's easy to imagine why female fans are so hopelessly addicted to him. And it also doesn't help that he's a complete scene-stealer, which will cause readers to lapse into depression whenever he's absent.
I liked Twilight very much after my first read-through, but while I perused the novel a second time, I realized
- I was beginning to dislike Bella,
- The romance was getting on my nerves, and
- Stephenie Meyer's vampires don't have fangs???
Number one is perhaps my fault; I'm an extremely antisocial, anti-comformist freak, and I dislike anyone who enjoys the mundanely feminine pursuits of shopping. Since Bella almost completely fits that image of the average, American teenager (the kind of person I detest), I find it difficult to relate to her. And I've tried to, surprisingly enough.
Number two only became apparent after my second perusal, but I also find it the most annoying. Again, this may only bother non-romantic types, but I thought the sensuality was a little over the top at times, and I hated Bella's overwhelming dependence on Edward (for starters, if she says "Don't leave me" one more time, I swear I will do something violent).
And last but not least, number three: evidently, the vampires of Meyer's creation do not possess fangs. For me, a blood-sucking, immortal, and fanged individual was the definition for "vampire". Countless Hollywood movies have also reinforced this view. So please, please, please don't tell me I'm the only one disturbed by this.
Nonetheless, reluctant as I am to incur the wrath of my dear S-chan, I will still recommend to book to my fellow peers. Once you overlook the three caveats I outlined above (and for some this will be easier than others), Twilight is an enjoyable read, and I am very glad I wasted two straight days over it.
Fans should also visit Stephenie Meyer's official Twilight Web site. A movie also seems to be in the works.
Tags: books
Amy says:
I've been wanting to read that book for awhile now. No, no, don't stop reviewing; I for one like to read about a book before actually reading it and reviews serve that purpose awesomely. XD
She keeps on saying "don't leave me"? Sounds kinda like the catch line in a bunch of shojo manga scenes. o_O But then again, I've been suspicious for a while now that American media has been raided by Japanese anime/manga influence.
A movie? Wow, now I just have to read the book so I can go see the movie. XP
8:26 pm | Wednesday, October 18, 2006
S-chan says:
Dearest Jen, why do you think I vehemently warned you about the book's abundant sensuality beforehand? Knowing you, you mainly wanted to read Twilight because of the vampires, hoping or expecting that romance would remain in the sidelines.
According to Edward himself, Bella is anything but average. She's the one exception to his mind-reading talent, and the same holds true for other vampires in the sequel New Moon. Her mind somehow works differently and is quite unique, but we'll have to find out more about this later in the series.
Pssh. And since when did you favor the standards of stereotypical, generic, trite, conforming (supposedly the opposite of what you are) Hollywood movies over an author's successful debut? For [insert name of deity or profanity here]'s sake, did you expect vampires to have evolved looking drastically different from regular humans, the prey they're actually supposed to attract? Meyer explained that she was a wimpy "vampire" story writer; she went along with whatever made sense, and if you were a vampire, wouldn't it be more logical to have evolved in a way as to not alarm your prey with sharp fangs, especially if you mingle with them? Yes?
(You haven't incurred my wrath, really. You're entitled to your opinions, and I… respect that.)
So when's the New Moon book review/rant coming? :P
4:44 pm | Friday, October 20, 2006
S-chan says:
Okay, as an addendum, in regards to your disliking Bella:
She didn't think twice about sacrificing her own life in place of someone else's when she ran into that nasty encounter with James. And she even volunteered to leave home to live in a place she had then considered less than ideal in order to give her mother quality time with Bella's stepdad (which is what led her to Forks in the first place, by the way, so she wasn't just "lucky").
It's painfully obvious that Bella is a kind, selfless person of high moral caliber who's incongruous with the "average, American teenager" image you accuse her of exemplifying. So other than the obvious (your selective misanthropy), what exactly do you hold against Twilight's protagonist (as in her actions or character, not your personal preferences)?
Of course, it's not as if Bella's flawless… just for the record… before you start disliking me as much as you loathe her. >_> If you still hold some odd grudge against her, just think of how happy she makes Edward— the happiest he's been in about a century, in fact— and I know you like Edward! (He thoroughly reciprocates her feelings too, but he's obviously not as, erm, clingy.) Or, more simply, reread the preface.
10:50 pm | Friday, October 20, 2006
Jenny-fa says:
Actually, S-chan, for your information, I think I'm beginning to respect Bella now. Since I've just finished reading New Moon, I've found I was able to relate to and sympathize with her more during her depression (but, funnily enough, that feeling eventually evaporated after Bella and Edward's reunion…) At any rate, I still dislike her, but I respect her more. Does that make sense?
I know Bella doesn't exactly embody the "average American teenager," but she's a little too close for comfort, and I seriously cannot relate to anyone who even remotely resembles my idea of an average American. I also hated her "clinginess" and her annoying inability to function without Edward. Some of her "morality" may be genuine, but I think most of it stems from her infatuation with Edward and her own selfish desires to keep him alive. But, as I previously stated, this is probably my fault and I do acknowledge that I probably need some help in the psychology department.
And, lastly, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I've found that I'm also beginning to dislike Edward. I still cannot understand why he would fall for a mortal, wimpy human such as Bella, and his excruciating, unrealistic perfection has become less and less appealing to me. I did tell you that I only like some kinds of romance, and those include pure, chaste love and unrequited love. And sometimes tragedy. Only if it doesn't possess the sickly qualities of Romeo and Juliet.
10:25 pm | Sunday, October 22, 2006
S-chan says:
So you can only relate to Bella when she's devastated, or at least Edward-less and unhappy? You're irked by only Bella's "annoying inability to function without Edward" when Edward exhibited the same symptoms after he left her in Forks? And you think Bella was being selfish when she disregarded her own life to prevent Edward's unnecessary death? Selfish?
If you "seriously cannot relate to anyone who even remotely resembles [your] idea of an average American" (sans emphasis), you must be residing bitterly in a tiny, hermetic bubble, which I know isn't completely true. I can imagine you hissing out that phrase through bared teeth, but exactly how much truth exists behind those unusually strong words is unknown to me.
On another note, please be reminded that Romeo is infinitely more impetuous, fickle, and doltish than Edward. I personally don't think the love portrayed in Meyer's series can compare to Romeo and Juliet. Meyer certainly references the play in New Moon, but
Edward + Bella > Romeo + Julietin terms of the relationship's complexity and profoundness. As for the reason behind their seemingly unlikely relationship (which is entirely mutual, by the way), keep in mind that this is anything but some brief, superficial high school attraction; therefore, your "wimpy human" remark should answer itself.Oh, and see this for an interesting read.
7:23 pm | Monday, October 23, 2006
S-chan says:
Oh dear, my comments were overly caustic. D: Have a cookie and mole, even though Mole Day ended over an hour ago. Ja ne.
7:35 pm | Monday, October 23, 2006
Jenny-fa says:
S-chan… I'm at the media center right now, so I apologize if I can't give a proper reply… my brain is feeling oxygen-deprived.
Anyway,
1) I still agree with everything I've said.
2) Unfortunately, I do reside in the "tiny, hermetic bubble" you so poetically described.
3) I will not disagree that Edward and Bella's relationship is infinitely better than that of Romeo and Juliet.
4) I read the "Story Behind Writing New Moon," and many of the things Stephenie Meyer wrote made sense, except I am still annoyed with Bella's character. So sorry, but I enjoyed the part about Bella's depression because Edward's absence allowed the author to develop Bella's character more, which is something Stephenie Meyer needs a lot more of.
5) And, I would also appreciate it if you'd save your next retort for my New Moon review; this thread is becoming a bit too long for my liking.
7:54 am | Wednesday, October 25, 2006
S-chan says:
cmtCount++;
[Unsticks tongue from cheek.]
By definition, this won't be a retort; let's just call it a simple rejoinder, shall we? Anyway, I appreciate your comment about Bella's character development; it makes the reason for your preferences much clearer (rather than, for example, a sadistic urge to see others suffer). So thanks, m'dear.
9:59 pm | Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Deanna (superstealthy) says:
you made a very good point about me being lucky. thanks for changing my perspective. and sometimes i make fun of my friend for reading her trashy vampire romance novels. but i think i've read one too…from her collection of course.
8:35 pm | Thursday, October 26, 2006
Shippou123 says:
I'll return to your blog and submit my opinion on the book once I read it. Kelly was supposed to get it to me soon: but inevitably, Kelly being Kelly, it might take some time. xD
2:04 pm | Saturday, October 28, 2006