[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.

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.

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 + Juliet in 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.

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.

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.

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

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