YA Book Review: Stephenie Meyer's Twilight
Twilight
by Stephenie Meyer
This romantic, sexually charged (but not even bordering on explicit*) adventure story about Bella and her vampire boyfriend Edward had me awake and reading until 3am a few nights ago - I guess that means it's an honest to goodness "pageturner." I'm not usually a fan of vampire stories, but Stephenie Meyer's book is an exception to some rules: it's smart, well-written, and believable. I hate when it takes people in vampire books (or movies) forever and a day to put two and two together and realize the kid next to them is a bloodsucking Transylvanian. Bella figures things out quickly and the rest of the story revolves around her reconciling the attraction she has to Edward with the fact that he could kill her any second. More interesting to me, though, was Edward's struggle to control his monster instincts while around Bella - all of this works as a great example of the tangled mess of hormones we seem to be when we're around 16 years old. Bella is a bit of a dull character, but Edward and his family more than make up for it.
There's a sequel to Twilight, entitled New Moon, which I also read this week - I'll be reviewing that one soon!
(* we're talking only kisses, here; however, this is high caliber kissing)
67 Comments:
ummm i have top disagree with you on Bella's character. I think she's very iteresting, i mean she can smell blood, that a bit unsual!! And also i think Edwards a bit creepy but he sounds hot though!! Hope you'll review New Moon soon, it hasnt come out yet in Australia!! argh im soo excited!!
Great reveiw! I love the book!
i loved the book and i'd like to say i love'd bella's character. what i think the author was tring to do was have Edward very unhuman and perfect. Bella on the other hand is extermly human, she is a klutz. They balence each other out. I liked her because she was so real.
Bella is horribly, extremely dull. Her thoughts do not even begin to stray from the subject of her boyfriend, she gushes for endless pages about Edward's beauty, which seems to be his only redeeming quality. Edward has wild mood swings, which just gives the 'lowlife wifebeater' vibe. The plot is lacking: Bella gushing about how perfect and handsome Edward is, like we didn't get it by the third chapter, Bella getting in TRUBBLE! oh noes! and Edward the Barbarian Hero rushes to her rescue. The fact that Bella could've easily avoided danger by using her common sense is overlooked. But what the hey, she's an idiot anyways.
i loved this book, for me 398 pages would take forever- like a week or so- but i cut this one to 3 days. i love how restricted everything felt, the way he had to walk away when things got to hard, any other vampire would have killed her in a heart beat. he had to suffer. i admired that...his love was real, he just couldn't let himself do it. even when the answer was clear-change her- he couldn't damn her soul. i really like bella too. very human yet different from the normal human way- you know what i mean if you read it already and if not get to it!!
ummmm, hello! of COURSE bella seems dull in her point of view! thats the point! shes constantly comparing herself to the cullens who she feels inferior to. you have to look beyond what just she says. i thing she is an extremely relatable character.
I love the plot of this book, a dreary, dark, small, Washington town. One that seems dull and ordinary, but has an unnatural feel: perfect for a vampire story. Other than the setting though, I thought this book was extremely overrated. I agree that Bella was helpless and dull, all she did was think about how insecure she was and how much she loved Edward. I got the point she really, really liked him in the first half of the book. Edward was my least favorite charactor. Not only did he wear turtlenecks, he had an unbearably witty way of speaking and was too perfect. In every way. I mean come on! After you find out how handsome, smart, rich, musical, athletic, strong, sparkly, and loyal he is what's the point in reading the rest of the book. You know whatever trouble Bella gets herself into, Edward will obviously save her because he's got everything going for him. Also, Edward is always talking about how he has to save Bella and how very hard it is to keep from eating her. I hate that whole martyr of love thing that Stephanie Meyer writes about. And how come Edward and Bella never talk about anything but themselves and each other? Politics, music, books, fashion, art, skateboarding, anything? It feels like they don't even know each other.
I cant wait till the next book comes out! I want to see what will happen if Bella ever turns into a vampire. I hope that Stephenie Meyer doesnt stop writing when she is a vampire. Sometimes I wish Edward would just hurry up and bite her. But that would ruin the story.
The thing I like most about Twilight is the fact that it is so much different from other vampire stories. Its not the usual gory type. Not that I mind those ofcourse! But Twilight is like a breath of fresh air but with a old world romantic twist. I loved it from the first page!
I loved this book so much!! I could not put it down! I read it all in one day, and I barely read!! When I first saw it I was like okay original vampire story, but it isn't it is so amazing! My favorite book, whoever hasn't read it yet is missing out on the best book of all times, read it!!
I loved this book, four days after reading it I can't get it out of my mind. I can't wait to read New Moon. it was a perfect story, Bella is a very interesting character and Edward is just as interesting. Wonderful book.
Leah♥
those books were so amazing to me!
i read twilight in 3 days and then after words i got new moon and i read that in 3 days too!
i have to say Edward was my favorite character. he loved her so much!and he tried so hard to not kill her! i know he seems perfect at everything. but i still think that those books were the best i've ever read!
i can't wait for the other books to come out!
Who ever said that Bella was a dull character is wrong... I mean the reason she seems so ordinary is because she is constantly comparing herself with the cullen. I loved this book not only because of the story but because of the way Meyers writes the story...
I am a Jacob Black lover!
Eclipes was the best can't wait for Breaking Dawn!
*Jac*
This Twiligt book is... well interesting i guess... but i just recently read the 'sweep' series and they have like... a very similar plot! (only that the sweep series are over witches not vampires).
But that's not hte point... i love this book ending or back part of the novel i guess. The beginning of the book is a bit cheesy!! (sorry for those who didn't think it that way.. but it is to me but i had encountered similar story plot before -and not only the sweep series.)But I never tought that the ending would be that interesting :)
I like the cullens though... they are so cooL! and edward always seem so.. perfect... what a lucky girl bella is...
Hey everyone! If you like reading my reviews and talking about books, head on over the Seattle Public Library's new teen blog, Push to Talk. That's where I work, and I'll be writing reviews (and other stuff) there regularly.
i so cant wait til breaking dawn comes out!! BUT IT DOESNT COME OUT TIL.. A LONG TIME FROM NOW!! -__-
Im not quite sure ow i feel about bella.
its odd because she is so fixated on Edward its as if thats the only thing going on in her life
she might as well be suffocated by him instead of bitten.
I did enjoy it very much. but it just bothers me altogether how females can just be sooo indulged by a male and not have a life of their own.
Im a female and i tend to try and treat guys like how they treat us.
i think if a few moer strong independent females could do this and not think twice about it there would definitely be more balance in this world. the one you cant find within pages.
It's funny how everyone is critisising how obsessed Bella is with Edward, and how she has no other life except him, but I think that's what Stephanie wanted Bella to be like. Utterly dependable. And hell, if Edward Cullen was in my town, I'd go pretty loopy too. ^_^ I just think they're amazing books. And hopefully Breaking Dawn will be even better.
exexex.
Personally, I'm amazed that so much stupidity can be fit into this world.
Twilight sucks. As a girl, I found it incredibly offensive. Bella is just about the shallowest person I've ever met... apart from some of Stephenie Meyer's fans. Bella is an idiot. She's kind of like Barbie on crack. She must suffer from some neurological disorder, because there doesn't seem to be any other explanation for her incredible clumsiness. She has no hopes, dreams, or aspirations. All that happens in the book is... well...
NOTHING! Nothing at all happens! OMG, Edwards hot. Do we CARE??? NO! the entire four-hundred-plus novel (if you actually go far enough to call it a novel, an insult to all novels) is that she thinks this vampire is hot. She cleans the house and cooks for her dad. Can you say NINETEENTH-CENTURY WOMAN-HATING???
Bella reminds me of a Barbie doll with a button you press that makes her scream for Edward to save her. She can't do anything by herself and is completely relient on men.
Stephenie Meyer is almost as bad as Tamora Pierce.
Her writing is dull. Her dialogue sounds like a pre-arranged election-campaign speech. Bella's an idiot, and as for Edward...
He's not even a hundred years old! He's just a baby still! He's basically a Backstreer Boy wannabe; an airhead hotty with no savvy. Savvy?
He's got jsut about as much persnality as a hard-boiled egg. And for those of you who don't know, that's not a lot.
For all those who are infatuated with the Twilight books, please get past the swoon-worthy buff-playboy Edward and lok at the message it sends:
GIRLS, IT'S OKAY IF YOU'RE IDIOTS. FALL FOR A VAMPIRE AND NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG. OH, AND MAKE SURE TO WONDER DOWN BACK ALLEYS!!! IT OPENS UP JUST ANOTHER OPPURTUNITY FOR A KISSY-KISSY SESSION WITH YOUR IDIOT VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND!!!
Enough said.
Personally, I'm amazed that so much stupidity can be fit into this world.
Twilight sucks. As a girl, I found it incredibly offensive. Bella is just about the shallowest person I've ever met... apart from some of Stephenie Meyer's fans. Bella is an idiot. She's kind of like Barbie on crack. She must suffer from some neurological disorder, because there doesn't seem to be any other explanation for her incredible clumsiness. She has no hopes, dreams, or aspirations. All that happens in the book is... well...
NOTHING! Nothing at all happens! OMG, Edwards hot. Do we CARE??? NO! the entire four-hundred-plus novel (if you actually go far enough to call it a novel, an insult to all novels) is that she thinks this vampire is hot. She cleans the house and cooks for her dad. Can you say NINETEENTH-CENTURY WOMAN-HATING???
Bella reminds me of a Barbie doll with a button you press that makes her scream for Edward to save her. She can't do anything by herself and is completely relient on men.
Stephenie Meyer is almost as bad as Tamora Pierce.
Her writing is dull. Her dialogue sounds like a pre-arranged election-campaign speech. Bella's an idiot, and as for Edward...
He's not even a hundred years old! He's just a baby still! He's basically a Backstreer Boy wannabe; an airhead hotty with no savvy. Savvy?
He's got jsut about as much persnality as a hard-boiled egg. And for those of you who don't know, that's not a lot.
For all those who are infatuated with the Twilight books, please get past the swoon-worthy buff-playboy Edward and lok at the message it sends:
GIRLS, IT'S OKAY IF YOU'RE IDIOTS. FALL FOR A VAMPIRE AND NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG. OH, AND MAKE SURE TO WONDER DOWN BACK ALLEYS!!! IT OPENS UP JUST ANOTHER OPPURTUNITY FOR A KISSY-KISSY SESSION WITH YOUR IDIOT VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND!!!
Enough said.
I loved this book! I stayed up all night reading almost every night. I`m even writing a report on it about books that really spoke to us. This book soooo romantic! Can`t wait to read the sequels!
This book was fabulous. I finished it in exactly one day-- Trig. forget about cosecants!--and gym, I was uh...*sick*--I just couldn't put the book down! Bella is NOT an idiot, she's a believable character; we all are a bit clumsy and illogical in some aspect, and I believe that her plainess trancends through Stephenie Meyer's celver, quick-paced narration and connects with the reader. If you cannot relate with Bella's fear of inadequacy in her and Edward's relationship, then you have a supremely high self-esteem. Congradulations.
I loved the book and own all three of the Twilight series so far. I am so incredibly excited for the next installation.
i dont think bella is a dull character at all. it is only in comparison with other exquisite, unhuman characters that that could possibly be said, but i think it provides a wonderful contrast in the story. and her character is so wonderfully depicted, it is absolutely believable. not every character in the story can be as fantastic and dreamlike as the cullens, otherwise the plot would be completely ruined. i literally felt as though i were bella as i read the story, and i am sure many other girls felt the same way.
Whoever thinks Bella is a dull character is so WRONG. i read your review and almost fell over, with every sentance my jaw dropped even more at how much someone can not like bellas character. She is amazing who wouldnt wantsomeone in thier life like edward. Edward cares about her so much. Thats all.
OMG!!!!! what is wrong with u people who think that Bella is a dull charachter and that this is a bad book!? This is (by far) the best book I have read in my whole entire life!!!!!!!!! It is so romantic and always keeps you right on the edge. I read it in 2 days! IT IS SO AWESOME!!! (also Edward sounds hot)
Whoever wrote this:
GIRLS, IT'S OKAY IF YOU'RE IDIOTS. FALL FOR A VAMPIRE AND NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG. OH, AND MAKE SURE TO WONDER DOWN BACK ALLEYS!!! IT OPENS UP JUST ANOTHER OPPURTUNITY FOR A KISSY-KISSY SESSION WITH YOUR IDIOT VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND!!!
I totally agree. It's like a 19th century story. The authors talking about being dependent on men and all, and it's so stupid!
Bella is so stupid too. She's to clumbsy and can't do anything herself. Really, girls (like me) aren't wimps. Her, on the other hand, is like a stupid barbie doll. I can't stand her. And she has no interesting thoughts. All she can think about is Edward. Seriously, do you need to revolve your life around men? It's encouraging men to think themselves higher then women.
And Edward, I can't stand him! He sounds ugly, and I can't understand how people can say he's hot!! It doesn't make sense. And he's supposibly perfect! I hate characters who are like that! He's always talking about how he has to 'save bella'! Come on, get a life.
My friend got me to read the book, and seeing how excited she was about it, I thought it would be good. I couldn't have been more off! Worst book I have ever read.
Anyone who's ubsessed, get a life. Really, the book was stupid. The author also wrote it really bad. If it had a little more orriginality, it might have been a little better, but not much.
i love twilight it was the best book i ever in my whole life
" I love the plot" WHAT PLOT! I wanted to like this book. I heard all the rave reviews and wanted to see what the fuss was about. It took me 3 days to read this book. I managed to read Stephen King's unedited version of The Stand in a day and a half so you can imagine how i consume books to stay alive. The fact that it took me so long to finish this fluff is testament to the fact that it has no plot. For 12 years or younger.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
when ever bella was in truble and edward went to save her, me and my friend was like you can come save me. andthis book makes people how thinks knowone will ever be there for them think of the good things like theres going to be someone there for them but you all should know you shouldnt trust a man with you life but it mkes you hop for the best of things. and for the people how dont see that you must be blinde. well thats all i have to say so by
oksy, whoever does not like this book is crazy. i can understand why ppl think bella is dull, but thats what its about!! bella is a normal, average girl,while edward is pretty much perfect! thats the whole story!!! so dont complain!!! its a wonderful book, and i cant wait until the movie comes out, altho i think they chose the wrong actress for bella... but anways, i love this book, and i think EVERYONE should read it, altho i dont think little kids will like it much... theyre so immature and young they dont realize when a book is a good one or a bad one.
I disagree with the fact that Bella is completely vulnerable creating a stereotype for the rest of the girls out there. But, other than that, I don't see why not this book is hated.
Okay, Bella's dull. Speaking a bit from sour grapes? As if any of us aren't dull without knowing. Just because she's a clumsy doesn't mean that she's an idiot all the way around. Her incapability of avoiding trouble makes her more interesting anyway.
From reading most of these reviews, YOU ARE ALL CONTRIDICTING EACH OTHER. Some say Edward is too perfect to be real, and some state his flaws. Well, there you go. If there are flaws to him, how can he be perfect?
I personally adore Edward. I mean really, what guy out there cares about a girl that much?
And those who are only seeing the book from ONLY the point of view that Bella is shallow and Edward is a "play-boy" dictator just clears the fact that either way if the book was good or not, you STILL wouldn't like it because you won't bother to give it a chance.
And those critisizing everybody else who enjoyed reading this book states that they are completely ignorant of the possible opinions of others.
I love this book.!
i dont read often at all but a friend told me about this book and i had left over money after christmas and can you believe it i have read all three of them all ready. i guess you could say, im absolutly upsessed.! I never put the book down, it just keeps me turning the page. Bella in this story i think starts opening up and i like her. She gets alittle agrivating in eclipis but thats another story. And i think we can all agree that Edward is absolutly dreamy, it makes me want a vampire reall badd. He is just so perfect in every way and stephenie meyer describes him so well. Jocab on the other hand, eh, i dont like him to much. Bella and Edward are meant to be, no questions asked.
i liked this one much i am already reading it again, i cant wait till the fourth one comes out.
I think that Twilight was a really good, well written book. But, of course, I am a sucker for those type of romance-y books. Although I overly got the point about how good-looking Edward was, and I don't think anyone gets into that much peril in that short period of time, I still think it was a great book. I especially thought the part when he was trying to convince her not to be scared to go with him through the woods or whatever was cute. As was when they kissed for the first time. I am excited to read New Moon, which I just ordered. And I am hoping it as good as Twilight.
I absolutley love everything to do with this series. but i must say I AM A JACOB BLACK HATER!!! Even thought I knew what the whole Bella and Jacob thing would have to come, i cried when it did. I almost quit reading the series all together! but the hope of edward and Bella continuing kept me going. I understand that this little tift has made Edward and Bella stronger, i just wish i could have told my stomach that when i was reading the book. =)
Hated this book.
I don't know what you guys are reading, but this is NOT an original book. I've read non-gory vamp stories that were far better than Twilight; which just got more press. Even the Twilight fan-fiction is better than this book.
Ed is so perfect he's boring. So he's hot. Whatever. Hot characters are nothing compared to interesting characters - you know, characters that aren't stoic, mysterious, handsome men who are protective Prince Charming who NEVER do a thing wrong. Original characters. We wouldn't want our darling Ed to become too jealous, or lose his temper too much, or stare at other girls like an interesting, realistic character, would we?
And dear God! Bella is such a helpless twit! ALL she thinks about is Edward! We hear NOTHING about what Bella is interested in, what she wants to do with her life - unless it involves Edward. Boy-crazy, no?
Couldn't she at least TRY to save her sorry butt instead of wimpering for help from Eddie-poo? Couldn't she have tried to think up some way to escape from James, or fought back, even though she definitely would have failed? It would make her a character that is easier to sympathize with, instead of a whiny, manipulative* wuss. I've had enough of these damsel-in-distress stories.
*I will never forgive that nitwit for flirting with Jacob to get information about Ed from him. And people say Jacob coming on to her was all his fault. Riiiight. This reminds me of another heroine named Swan, who was just as manipulative, whiny and annoying, who flirted with every man she could get her paws on... POTC fans know who I'm talking about.
Ugh. Sorry for going off-topic, guys. Rant over.
I hated this book.
I have no problem with anyone who loves this book because they're (A)someone who wanted a light, fluffy, cliche romance, which is exactly what this book is, or (B) someone who hated reading before they chanced upon this book.
I DO have a problem with people who say that this is the best book ever. It is not.
Bella is vulnerable, which would make her an interesting character - IF she showed some signs of inner strength. She could at least TRY to fight back against attacks, or TRY to figure out a way to escape her attackers. Instead, she sits on her wussy butt and whimpers for her Prince Charming to come save her. I'm sorry, Meyer, but Sissy-Damsels-in-Distress are so 18th century. You could come up with a strong, interesting heroine, but instead you give us a two-dimensional boy-crazy twit whose only interests are Edward, Edward, and Edward. We never hear ANYTHING about what Bella wants to do with her life, unless involves Eddie-Poo. Isn't that Dependency Disorder? Isn't that obssession - you know, kind of UNHEALTHY? I know he's a vampire and all, but you'd think Bella could at least make her own decisions without relying on Ed.
Not to mention that Bella's main "flaw" is her clumsiness (of course, there's her complete inability to make decisions without thinking of Ed and acting like an idiot, but I think that was unintentional). Guys, clumsiness is just a physical flaw. It's not a "real" character flaw, i.e. a personality flaw. If Bella could get jealous about who Ed sees - a very realistic flaw to have, huh? - I'd get interested in her character. Or if she could lose her temper at him once in the while, or be exceptionally lazy or too pushy for romance or not pushy enough or SOMETHING...anything but "Oh! She's a flawed character! She FALLS DOWN THE STAIRS! Look how human she is!"
Guys? Do me a favor and look up "Mary Sue" on Google. It'll explain my point much better than I just have.
Edward Cullen - oh, where to start. For one thing, he's a gentleman. TOO much of a gentleman. He's SO handsome, and SO caring, and SO intelligent that I want to vomit. He's BORING. Edward can NEVER do anything wrong. What kind of a hero is that? Sometimes I wonder what would happen if Edward was less attractive. Bet the fans wouldn't be so attached to him. Sometimes I worry that that's the only reason a character like Ed has a fanbase - because he looks like a model, even though he is just as plastic in personality.
And, as I said before, this relationship sounds very - unhealthy. Bella is way too dependent on Ed for help, and YES, I KNOW he's a powerful vampire and she is a weak human, but honestly? Humans are only weak in physical strength. Humans can influence situations with their intelligence and charisma. I don't see Bella trying to work out problems with her mind or influencing people with her actions. EVERYTHING involves Edward working out the problem or Edward taking control. The whole thing reeks of 1950s "the men know best".
This is such a horribly predictable book.. The writing and dialogue is dull and bland, and if there's a "good turning point" in the plot I've yet to get to it... Read more Twilight rants at http://kagome.livejournal.com
Hey there! I'm preparing to write a homework about twilight - probably about the fact that Edward wants to save Bella's soul. Do you have to say anything to that? I need some reviews about that. By the way I'm from Germany and I just read the whole series in two weeks or something. It's jmy favorite book. I can not quite figure out why, though. For once I really love this romance story. But I also enjoyed how nobody is perfect. Although Bella describes Edward as perfect, he is not! At least, on SOME ways. he is good in all that stuff someone can do, and yeah, good looking, but he also makes mistakes like trying to save Bella all the times, which kinda drives me crazy. It makes Bella seem so weak, I don't think she is!
Actually, it takes Bella months (and six chapters, with help...) to put together Edward is a vamp...seems drawn-out to me. :/
I've read the first few chapters of this book and let me tell you
I WAS BORED.
This book was so dull.
All the chapters seem the same to me.
It was very predictable.
I thought Bella was a bad example to the teenage adolescence.
She doesn't know how to stay away from danger!
She's not a magnet for danger, as described. . . she's a damn clutzy human being with no common sense.
She gets herself into trouble.
What is she?
Mentally challanged?
-_-
Goodness.
All in all, this book was poorly written, and I felt like I was reading a children's book.
It's like the PG version of Anne Rice's novels.
What a rip off.
For people who like the book :
that is perfectly fine.
I'm just stating my opinion.
Bella is not dull. She is a complex character with an unusual perception on life. Anyone who thinks that she isn't a nuanced, well-written character clearly didn't read the very carefully!!!
And I would just like to say anyone Jacob-haters out there, I love jake! It's not his fault he's in love with Bella.
Gotta hate Twilight.
YUCK @ Edward.
This dude is one of the biggest cradle robbers ever. Just because he's gentlemanly and kind dosent mean anything. That's just DISGUSTING.
Edward's suaveness and hatred towards strerotypical teenagers is highly annoying. Someone's just jealous cause they no longer think/act like a human.
Referring to yourself as a monster or a demon or a lost soul is just begging for sympathy and pity from Bella. This guy is a attention whore, that's all. His looks and mannerisms make up for what he lacks in personality.
Twilight has so many bona fide plot holes it astounded me. A poorly written novel with crappy editors who shouldn't be paid for lacking their strain in their job, this book deserves no more than a 2/10 at the most.
Meyer seems to make it up as she goes. Eclipse - Rosalie's demeanour takes such a hit, I was awestruck. No one changes so spectacularily.
Predictable, cliche` bunch of garbage is the biggest compliment this book deserves.
Everyone else covered it but why not?
Bella sucks. BIGTIME. She has absolutely no life. This isn't her personality, the thing that makes her interesting. Franly, it's the opposite. She should be definitely admitted to the closest mental asylum, something's wrong here! HER! she doesn't act human, or her age, or anything. She becomes immobile and mop-like when Edward leaves her behind but leaps up so vigorously from her deteriorated, vegetative state when she runs away to save the guy that ruined her life. He is so selfish, and while its a flaw, all the more to love him with, it's a disgusting one. He wasn't even established well.
Meyer's use of other novels in her books is so tres platitudinous. Why cut out excerpts from other novels? She's saving herself from typing up an extra couple of hundred words. There are more efficent means of portraying emotions or describing thoughts instead of copy + paste. Even my little sibling can plagiarise better than that phony ass writer who deserves no title.
Meyer has crushed life for a spectacular number of females, who now only expect vampires with golden eyes to be their saviour. Ordinary boys now no longer meet standards thanks to a poorly devised plot.
truth be told, after re reading twilight i came to realise how unrealistic it is and how bella portrays the "girl who stays home and cooks and cleans for the male characters".
however in saying this i couldn't pull myself from reading all three. the reason being even though it is unrealistic, it is nice to be able to leave reality briefly and be apart of something else like a vampire love story that involves a mere human.
i must say amongst the other 1000292939 fans of edward i am one aswell. not just because he appears to be perfect and charming and gods gift to woman, but it is refreshing to be able to think or pretend that there is such a character whom seems so perfect and that you could dream about for that brief moments while reading the book.is it such a crime to one to believe in something not so boring, dull and well normal.
i admit the klutzy and sometimes shallow perceptions of bella and her undying knowledge of how much she reall really loves edward (explained in every chapter), it makes her all the more human so atleast we as readers can cling to someone we can relate to other than the remarkably stunning cullens.
i have read all three additions and even though at times it seems utterly absurd personally i accept it to be a fantasy novel filled with what everyone really wants. someone to love them so deeply that is all they think of.
some will automatically hate it. some will love it. but considering the fan base, people everywhere fell a connection with the characters and the plot so no matter the opinions, the dullness of bella at times and the depressing beauty of the dammned. it still is popular for many good reasons if not purely for the reader to expand their imagination.
i know i will be reading breaking dawn
i disagree with stephanie meyer being a bad writer. i think the simplicity of bella and how she goes about doing daily chores and the normality of her life goes in contrast with the detail of how different the cullens are and also to highten and thoroughly explore the love plot of bella and edward. i think it shows shading of reality and fantasy!
This series has no substance to it. It is a pure "guilty read"- if even that. Cliches run rampent and plot is replaced with fluffy mooning by a protaganist who has no depth or definition beyond her love for a vampire. Tension doesn't exist, characters are flat and bland, and the plotline is very predictable.
A good read for people who haven't read before. or elementary kids.
if you want some worthwhile reading try Jane Austen, Janet Fitch, Nora Ephron, Jeff Lindsay, or Sarah Dessen.
wow.. i have to say i read the dumbest comment i have ever seen here we go
"he loved her so much!and he tried so hard to not kill her!"-- anonymous
that just shows how dumb the people who read and enjoy this book are. my friend recommended it to me.. and yes i am saying she's dumb..because she really is. But to say that its the best book one has ever read? that's disgusting.really?
At least read a good book like The Ugly American. that is a good novel.
retards..
Twilight is the coolest book in the world ever! although i think that Jacob was a good add on to the book im still happy that bella chose edward instead(was there really any doubt?)
Any way
TWILIGHT ROX!
The coolest book in the world along with the rest of the series!
Wow and to all of u idiots that dont know wat a good book is(people who dont like the twilight series)
Seriously whats wrong with it, it's PERFECT!
GO BELLS
GO Bella! the best character in the book is definetly bella(edward got close though) Twilight is my fave book ever, i read it in four days, but ive probably read it like 5 more times!
I luved eclipse and new moon too of course! i absolutely cant wait for breaking dawn and midnight summer!
Especially midnight sun, cuz it's in edwards perspective of twilight, who doexsn't want to know what the awesome cullen was thinkin?
To all those twilight series fans U R Rite! it rox!
But to all of those people who dont like it...........................................................................................................
Your WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing is perfect, didn't your mum ever tell you that?
Twilight is one of the trashiest romance novels out there. I would hardly describe it as a spellbinding novel.
i think this book is absolutely amazong. i read it in one night and didnt sleep at all. the next night i got new moon and didnt sleep that night either.(omg my first doubble all nighter)ive allready read all of the books about eight times and i am desperatly waiting for breaking dawn 2 come out. i realized that one of the things that really hooks you on this series, is how ironi,or perhasp coincidential; it really is. shed never come within any concious proximity of mythical creatures...until she moved to this SAFE little town. but at the same time the setting fits so perfectly for the existince of somethng mythical, because it IS so omnious.
i also find ,that bella (because the book is writin in first person) describs herself as an exterrmly boring,unexciting charecter, but from the point of viw from so many others,(especialy edward) she is this...exsquisite,interesting person and i really think that the contrast between the way bella looks at herself and the way others look at her,really truly adds to the quality of the book.i desperately can not wait for breaking dawn and eventually midnight sun.
-chandani<3
Alright, I must admit that the Twilight series had me hooked. but despite everything, I DID notice all the flaws of the plot and the characters.
The book starts out moving to a new high school. And then Bella gets tons of suitors AND sees a bunch of impossibly hot yet detached people whom she is instantly attracted to. So things like that do happen (albeit rarely) in real life. Curiosity gets the best of us. But it set off warning bells in my head about how the rest of it all would be pretty much mindless fluff.
And then, guess what? He saves her life twice before the end of the first week. It's pretty unrealistic that you brush Death TWICE in the first week you move to a small, "safe" town. What really annoyed me from here was that even though Edward was forever talking nonsense about how he was dangerous and how they MUSN'T be friends, Bella couldn't be freaked off. If a hot stranger kept confusing the hell out of you with cryptic messages, you wouldn't exactly be staying around merely pondering, would you?
The worst part approaches: he confesses his freaking LIFELONG SECRET with not much thought as to what the hell Bella might do. Like rat on him. Then he proceeds to profess his undying love and neverending concern for her, not actually considering that she might not feel the same way. But SURPRISE! She does. And she accepts Edward freaking immediately, with little further thought about all his dark, vampy baggage.
Ta-daa. Things move real fast. Soon they are busy gazing into each other's eyes and insisting that they don't know who cares more. Meanwhile Bella only seems to be thinking about him - fair, for a teenager and her first love, but there's this loophole where she doesn't know much except that he's a vampire, he likes her and he doesn't drink blood. She never, ever suspects he's lying, he'll slip up or anything, even though he's so obviously suspicious (stalking her in her sleep, anyone?) In fact, in a pretty short period of time, she's all for inviting him to sleep next to her. How...gullible and foolish. She doesn't even know him well enough.
Edward's bloody annoying. So if Bella didn't find any trouble to get into, what would he be doing apart from reassuring her every two seconds that he loves her infinitely...even if it's hard for him to resist her blood?!
Charlie's a disappointment too. How can any father keep being so pushy about who Bella should be with? And why isn't he being more seriously pissed with her when she takes off and meets some bears, or runs off with Edward?
And when Edward leaves Bella, she's completely not angry, just filled with grief. She didn't ponder about why they left either. Now that's what I call unnatural.
Alright, I'm done picking it to pieces. Here's the awesome part about the Twilight series that draws me like a moth to a flame: the emotions.
It's how Edward struggles (no other word for this here) with controlling himself, using Carlisle as a reminder.
It's how Bella can't stop herself from obsessing over the highly fascinating, perfect Edward (if you were her, you would be too).
It's how Bella doesn't cope well with Edward's leaving - Meyer really does justice to the sense of loss at being left behind so abruptly when you thought you had everything in your hands.
It's how Jacob's perseverance to help Bella heal pays off, yet Bella forgets so easily about Jacob when Edward's back (how many times have we placed our friends in second priority when our lovers are around?)
It's especially heartbreaking because Bella, in her very believable desperation to let go and inability to cope with Edward's loss forever, takes on unorthodox ways to remember him. To cling on to what she has left of him - mere memories.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the real redeeming factor behind all the fluff. :)
Hi. I think it's real strange that Jasper and the rest of them vamps get all worked up when they smell/see Bella getting a paper cut. I mean, she is after all a female teenager who has monthly periods right? Isn't that stronger and more umm alluring?
Thinking more about that is pretty gross o_o
Twilight sucks. Period.
_Twilight_, by Stephanie Meyer is, by a literary deconstructionist's standards, a Bad Book. Were I a literary deconstructionist I would, like so many (above) reviewers, recommend some safe nineteenth century classic in its stead. Such reviewers, being so obviously fastidiously literary, have, I declare, better taste than I. _Twilight_, by Stephanie Meyer, is indeed a Bad Book - but I love it.
I commend those reviewers offended by Bella's fixation on Edward. Clearly they, at the age of seventeen, were incapable of being distracted from the finer things in life, viz., politics, poetry, proto-indo-european, ad nauseum, by a mere boy. Clearly they, at the age of seventeen, never rhapsodised about the beauty of the male jaw, wrist, throat, etc., squandering time better used memorising Milton. Not they.
I, alas, at the age of seventeen, was weak. Apparently, I am still weak. _Twilight_, by Stephanie Meyer, though it be, as I have here established, a Bad Book, captures that weakness. That is why it triumphs.
Mostly the people i talk to either loved the book or thought it was boring. and in twilight i agree that it was sort of boring. bella obsesses over edwards perfection and beauty. that doesnt change through out the whole series.. but i can see why so many people like it too. something about these books keep me anxiously turning the pages, staying up until about 2 in the morning. so i would have to say that i guess i like the books. well i definatley do actually lol. now i cant wait for breaking dawn! and even more for the movie their making now. they chose the actors for bella and edward pretty well. i never really had their faces set in stone as i was reading, but Robert Pattinson and kristen stewart are close enough to what i imagined the charactes in the book looking like.
so anyways im just waiting until august 2 now; when breaking dawn will be out.
I have to say Meyer is actually a bad writer. If you look at the way Bella speaks, it's usually something like "I stuttered", "He smiled", "I saw", "I spun", "I tried", etc in every other line. All Meyer's sentences are short and incredibly straight forward, making it just a typical book no one will remember after the peak of excitement.
As for the characters, there's nothing bad about them but all the while, there's nothing too special either. Bella is pretty human in that she's easily angered and clumsy but she's oddly advanced for someone her age. Like she said near the beginning of the book, this is because of her parents but at the same time, rarely does a child turn out the way Bella does and because so much is unexplained about her psychologically, she is a flat and incomplete character.
Edward can also be said to be flat and incomplete because he acts mysterious in such a typical way. He's a typically faulted prince-charming and when I say that, I mean that we live in a generation where certain faults accepted to complete modern type of perfection.
Overall, the book can only be like by people easily impressed or by girls who place themselves in the place of Bella, imagining themselves to experience the same adventures/admiration (from all those adoring boys) that she does.
OMG all u ignorant people that think Twilight is bad....U ARE INFINITELY WRONG!!!!!! In my opinion it is the best book i've EVER read, so quit denouncing it! Bella is an interesting and a well-developed character, and Edward is just so noble. I LOVE IT! I can't wait for Breaking Dawn and Midnight Sun to come out!
Luv,
*Crystal*
I have to say that was one of the worst books I have ever read. The whole book was extremely dull to me; the characters were horrible Mary Sues; Bella kept going on and on about how much she loved Edward when, to me, I can't see what's very attractive about him other than the fact that he is good looking. Otherwise, he is quite an annoying character - too many moodswings for my taste... And I thought he was meant to be 100 and something, not a teenager!
Overall, this book was extremely overrated. I still can't understand what everyone's going on about when they say it's wonderful; the characters were dull and stereotypical, the setting was dull, the narrating was dull, the narrator was dull, the whole bloody thing was dull and completely uninteresting. It took me an endless amount of time to read the damn thing and I swear I just got stupider.
Ugh... am i the only male here? any ways i liked it... he got smacked at the end lol >.<
This Book SUCKED!!!! How anyone could put up with 400 pages of complete crap is beyond me. I mean not only did it not have a plot; it sends girls, not to mention society all the wrong messages. Open your eyes people! This isn’t a patriarchal society anymore; girls have more rights than ever these days and this writer Stephanie Meyer is telling us that the only thing girls can do is gush over a hot man with absolutely no personality, fall over every two seconds (which is NOT a flaw by the way) and cook and clean? No where in these book did I read what Bella wanted to do with her life, what did she want to do in uni? Did she want to save starving people in Africa? NO!!!!!! Cause you know what she was doing? Walking into dark alleyways in the middle of the night because that wasn’t dangerous, and cheating on the man she claims to love. And you know what else? That wasn’t love!!! Love takes more than just looking hot; I bet that if Edward was ugly, Bella wouldn’t have taken a second look at him. It’s an insult to our intelligence and shatters what women have fought so long and hard for.
this book has to be my favourite. i've read it so many times. i found myself intrigued with Edward and Bella's romance, it was gripping. i have to disagree with what you said about Bella being boring, she's anything but ordinary Edward can't even figure her out. i bought this book because i just needed something to read, to keep me busy, i never imagined i would find myself falling in love with a fictional character, especially not a vampire.
I really don't see why everyone is so obsessed with this book. You can't have a dull main character! That's a sure way for the whole book to be dull, which Twilight most definitely is. The main problem is that whilst reading the book, you are slowly driven insane by Bella's immature, drivelling, clumsy 'personality' -to be honest she's too shallow to have one - and Edward's weird, over-protective attitude towards her. In my opinion, Bella's pathetic and Edward is full of himself.
What's more, the book is really repetitive and predictable. It takes 400 pages to get from nowhere to nowhere and then ends with a ridiculous climax which isn't even exciting enough to be worth waiting for. There's nothing wrong with a long book, but Twilight has loads of information that is not relevant to the plot and is just tedious ranting which no one in their right mind would care about.
The book's not even scary. The front cover and blurb suggest something mysterious and dangerous, but instead it's a merry romp in which no one is ever in danger because someone will always save the day at the last minute.
A pointless, boring cliche which really wasn't worth my time.
I think the book is enjoyable. Its not a great literary effort, but then those are usually unpleasant to read, and only benefit you afterwards. Bella is not a bad character. She is brave and passionate towards her family and loved ones. She takes care of her mom and dad. She is the one to choose unlife, and she gets her way. I applaud Meyers for finally admitting that most of us would NOT refuse to become vampires. The benefits greatly outweigh the downside. Heck, I would love to sparkle and live for ever.
i have just got done readong twilght,twilight is my first of going 2 be many vampire books.
I love how this book isent just about some vampire its about a vampire acullly falling in love with a human.Edward Cullen a very hot vampire meets a human girl named bella,isabella swan now this girl is no ordanary girl that is to Edward she isent......(i dont want 2 be a book spoiler)o mean thats just wat i thought of the book i have fallen in love with Edward and one day i hope i find a guy like hipefully his not going 2 be immortal!!!!
I just have to say, Twilight is terribly written. I dont know how it managed to be published with as many typing errors as it has. Was the book edited by illiterate person? Not that I'm making fun of illiterate people... I'm just trying to get my point across.
Also, the basic storyline is not original AT ALL! It's the typical tale of the vampire boy falling in love with the human girl blah blah blah, go read the original Dracula and you'll see what i mean.
The only thing that Stephenie Meyer did well in the books was developing the characters, and even then some of them where slightly boring and/or predictable.
I'm not abusing the series completely, I actually did read them and liked them. However, I think they're only popular due to the trashy-romance of it.
twilight sucks. it is degrading to women. if you think your lower than a man go on and enjoy it.but remember all those women who faught for us to become legally under the law a person.the hardships. because back then all women did was have babies,cook and clean. think about it.
Okay,
I admit when i first read twilight i loved it.
But now i realize some flaws.
1. The Characters
a)Bella - Too boring, has no life besides Edward, is protrayed as a weak dependant person.
b) Edward - Too perfect. Stone personality, nobody likes somebody who is good at everything.
c)Lack of other main characters (possibly in other books, but not Twilight)
2. Writing
a)Spends too much time on the beauty of Edward and the Cullens. Sure its needed in some parts, but every time they are mentioned you don't need to add an adjective to describe his beauty.
b)Lack of suspense or excitment. There was parts in the story where there should have been those things, but i never found myself getting really excited like i have in other books.
Plot
a)Failing progression of the story, I found the story didn't go anywhere until after Edward and Bella "loved" each other.
b)Teenage love progessed too fast. She is infatuated with his appearance, he is infatuated with her "scent". Love at first sight is usually never realistic
in some defense of Stephanie Meyer though...
1.I do like how she created vampries and their traits, excluded all the creepy things (coffins, bats, etc.) but still made them dangerous.
2.The Story line is good, the idea of it.
If you fixed the above flaws i think this book could be truly great.
Post a Comment
<< Home