Okay – this will be my last Twilight detour, I promise!
(might have spoilers below)
So today I borrowed Twilight and Breaking Dawn from a girlfriend. I thought that Breaking Dawn seemed so convoluted that I didn’t really bother to read all of it, just enough to get the happily-ever-after, vampire-style. As a fast reader and a ruthless skimmer, I pretty quickly went through Twilight‘s 400+ pages.
Stephanie Meyers really hit on a captivating storyline – I was very intrigued by the whole premise of the Edward-Bella (vampire-human) love story. But all the way I keep thinking, I really wish there was more character development (at the risk of sounding like an English teacher), especially in Bella.
I can’t really understand the love story between Bella and Edward – why does she love him so much? How can we tell it’s different from teenage infatuation? She is intoxicated by his physical beauty, and is grateful that he protects her… but what else? The love story seems a little more believable from Edward’s standpoint, only because he’s had 90 years as a vampire to understand himself (and really, who knows about vampires? Meyers’ characterization can be just as right as anybody else’s) – but Bella? I get the chemistry, I get the attraction, I just see Bella’s feelings for Edward as more passionate infatuation than deep, abiding love.
To be fair, although Meyers didn’t go into much of what happens after Bella becomes a vampire, it’s conceivable how her passion for Edward could develop into long-lasting love – whether bound by their experiences as vampires, or that they now have a baby, or that they will grow old stay young and unnaturally beautiful together.
But then again, Romeo and Juliet didn’t have time to develop a great, lasting, deep and abiding love either. Obviously, in fiction, lasting love is not necessary for the makings of a Great Love.
The best love story I’ve seen in a long time, portrayed by Hollywood, actually comes from Up. The first part of the movie is the best – bring tissues. Because you will tear up. (I spent the first 15 minutes of the movie trying to hold back tears because I will not cry in an animated movie!)
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I have heard great reviews about Up. I may have to sneak in a matinee one of these days.
Did you read Midnight Sun? It’s the draft of the first book told by Edward’s point of view. Honestly, makes me wish that the series was told from his POV. I wish Stephenie Meyer would finish it as it only goes to Chapter 12.
Also about Breaking Dawn… why was 1/3 of the book told from Jacob’s POV? I didn’t get that at all.
Gosh, you are so right about Up! I didn’t heed the warnings, and had to use my sleeve in the first 10 minutes while I cried like a baby. My fiance thought it was hilarious.
Agreed. She’s really irritating, constantly going on about his perfect hair and face and marble skin and sparkliness…jeez. They’re both far too obsessive/co-dependent for my liking.
And yet, I still really enjoyed Twilight (not BD though, it was just awful)…sigh.
@marisol – that was a bit strange. But weren’t there also a few chapters from other people’s perspectives (like Leah?) Or i just getting confused?
I read Midnight Sun online, and really liked it! It’s a bit weird, because you know EXACTLY what’s going to happen, just not how it’s going to be told. It’s also weird to see into his life and what vampires DO with all their time (it’s not like they eat, cook, sleep or anything!)
Well, I think the whole point of Twilight is to not take it too seriously and lose yourself in it.
Edward’s a hottie!
I just finished reading Breaking Dawn this morning! I actually really enjoyed the first part of the book (Jacob is definitely my favorite character – he seems the most real). But after Bella changes over, I felt like the book kinda sucked. Yah it was a good story, but it lost it’s edge and finished up too nicely for me. I agree Bella’s character needed more – out of everyone she was probably my least favorite character. I can see how it appeals to people, especially teenagers. Wouldn’t it be easy if life just worked out perfectly.
Breaking Dawn was a really irritating read. I kept wanting to smack Bella every few pages. Then again, I wanted to smack some sense into her character pretty much throughout the entire series. You’re right that Meyer doesn’t really delve into why Bella likes Edward other than he’s gorgeous and can protect her. I can’t stand how helpless she is. And the whole becoming a vampire and having a baby (and the baby’s name! And Jacob imprinting on her…I could go on and on)…it just got way too weird by the end of the series. That said though, I’m still planning on watching all four films. The cast is easy on the eyes after all.
I have yet to see Up but maybe I’ll check it out after all the great reviews.
I cried during the first part … and then the part with the adventure book … and then at the very end when the house ended up in that one spot (I’m trying not to give too much away).
Seriously – sweetest. thing. ever.
I always hated Romeo and Juliet and never found it romantic. They’re hormone-laced teenagers, not tragic victims of unrequited love.
Oh damn, Bella turns into a vampire?
I want to see Up!
You should read the Sookie Stackhouse novels. they based the HBO show True Blood on them. I like them much better. They’re written for an adult audience and I think the characters are more interesting.
New Twilight fan here..
Read everything as fast as I could (and I’m a quick reader)
But now that you mention it, it IS annoying how she keeps going on about his perfect body and face. Seriously? Vapid…
Still in love with it
Thank you. All my friends tried to explain why Bella was so madly in love with Edward but they never really could. They couldn’t see that that was a flaw in the book. The movie expecially skipped most of the little love details there were in the book. She explains more to why Bella fell in love with Jacob than Edward.
Why in the world would you not want to cry specifically in animated movies?
I hate crying in movie theaters in general… but I can’t help myself with Pixar. Or Miyazaki. And even though I knew what was going to happen in the beginning, I still cried! I got a lump in my throat at the short film at the beginning of the movie!! Ack.
As for Twilight… the writing is so terrible, I couldn’t make it through the first book. And Bella makes me sick.
The first Sookie Stackhouse book is ok (the show is sooo much better. LOVE the show), but I heard the later ones are good.
Agree with you on “Up” – it was by far Pixar’s most beautiful (and saddest) display of love to date.
Twilight is very cool!!!! The movie was great. My mom is on the 3# book. My mom said that Edward is HOT!!!! Is there a 5# book coming out!!!! In the movie i do not like the part were Bella gets hurt!!!!!!!
Edward is so HOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Edward !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rob is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im so into it!
i’v read all the books over and over! my worst char is tay. his wolf should be the same in the movie as the book!
My friends want more twilight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wait my friend said tay is *,he needs help.lets go with that.
my fave movie was DOOM but it wasn’t a scare.
when i saw twilight my world
went weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
i have to go beceause my friend is ,WORD.i had to say that.
Why dose Bella make you sick? I think Bella is nice.