Written by Phoenix native Stephenie Meyer, the popularity of the young-adult series comprised of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and the newly-released Breaking Dawn has reached critical mass. With a Twilight film adaptation coming to theaters this winter and an opening day’s sales of 1.3 million books for her latest installment, Meyer can be left with no doubt of her success. From a first-time novelist to a mainstay on the best sellers list, she has risen through the ranks like a veritable juggernaut.
But why? To figure out why the books were inspiring legions of fans and a dozen fan-sites (including the recently hacked Twilight Lexicon), I read the books myself to see what’s what.
To put it simply, dear reader, I was horrified. Not just by the sickeningly purple prose or the lack of general writing quality, but the books themselves are insulting on every level-as a woman, as a teenager, as a literature student, and as a graduate of the Harry Potter craze. What’s worse is that so few seem to realize it.
Twilight is the story of the so-called “average” new girl Bella Swan (Ha, ha, get it? Beautiful Swan?), who finds herself as the object of not one, not two, but a total of five boys’ romantic designs (because she’s so “plain”, see?). The most important of these is the mysterious, hilariously-Byronic Edward Cullen. Bella plays the pitiful damsel in distress a few times and after 200 pages of thinly written suspense, we learn that Edward is in fact a vampire. Never fear, though, because Bella’s “Adonis-like” admirer is no Nosferatu. Instead, he and his vampire family are so-called “vegetarian” vampires, feeding off of animals instead of humans and inexplicably attending high school (during lunch periods they buy trays of food and stare at each other so that Bella can conveniently get a glimpse of Edward from across the cafeteria). The first novel deals with Bella and Edward’s romance and is capped off by a hastily tacked-on plot designed to shove Bella into the damsel in distress role yet again so that her vampire lover can save her.
Okay, you’re saying. It’s a little cheesy. But why is that so bad?
First and foremost, the books present a female heroine who can hardly take a step without needing some boy to rescue her. In fact, the books represent sexist views in almost every way-from the fact that Bella gives up her ambitions and plans for college to get married to Edward, the fact that she is portrayed as a modern Eve, begging the noble, moral gentleman for sex while he desires to preserve their virtue, the fact that their relationship is dangerously unhealthy, and finally to the fact that nearly every single female character in the book is a hopelessly negative caricature.
The series does not improve with subsequent books, either. In New Moon, Bella enters a self-described “zombie” state when Edward leaves her. In fact, the author oh-so-cleverly inserts blank pages with the months’ names as a poorly conceived plot device for showing the depths of her heroine’s pain and also to avoid having to write the “hard stuff.” Bella turns near-suicidal; she purposely puts herself in harm’s way-going so far as to jump off a cliff-to hear her lover’s imagined voice in her head.
What does this say to readers, bearing in mind that the target audience is the tragically impressionable 12-17 year old girls? That they should fall apart at the seams for months if their boyfriend leaves them? That reckless self-endangerment is okay, so long as it’s to be close to your lover? What a lovely message to send to young women.
The sole bright spot of New Moon is the lovable Jacob Black, a member of the nearby La Push reservation and newly-turned werewolf. It is in Bella’s scenes with Jacob that readers see a glimpse of actual personality, and the burgeoning romance is certainly much more true to real-life teen romances than the lofty ideals of the star cross’d lovers Edward and Bella. But add another half-forgotten plot into the mix and Edward and Bella are reunited, with Jacob left by the wayside like a kicked puppy. Pun intended.
Eclipse. It is in this tome that Edward and Bella’s relationship takes a decidedly worse turn. Edward goes so far as to remove Bella’s engine from her car to prevent her from seeing her friend, Jacob, and even has his vampire ‘sister’ kidnap her from a weekend. Bella is a little peeved at this, sure, but she writes off Edward’s atrocious behavior with the terrifying “he’s just a little overprotective” and “he does it because he loves me”. Reader, I actually felt a little sick while reading this, despite these so-called good intentions (they’re always leading to hell, remember). Not only does Meyer give her two characters an obviously unhealthy-even abusive-relationship, but she romanticizes and idealizes it, and not only with Bella and Edward, but with Bella and Jacob as well.
Jacob, in fact, gets a bizarre personality transplant (lycanthropic dissociative identity disorder, maybe?) and turns into a real asshole in this book. He actually forcibly kisses Bella-twice-while ignoring her protests and actually threatens suicide should Bella refuse him. But not once does the thought of abuse, sexism, or inequality even occur to her main character! In fact, halfway through Jacob’s forced kiss (sexual assault, mind you) Bella actually decides that she’s in love with him. What is this??
I threw down my copy of Eclipse in disgust and I was ready to forget that the books existed until the Twilight-mania began anew in the lead-up to August 2nd’s release of Breaking Dawn. I can write this article just having read the first three, I told myself. In the end, though, partly due to morbid curiosity and partly a result of wildly irrational hope that somehow Meyer would redeem herself, I gave in.
I was wrong. In Breaking Dawn, Meyer gives us an honestly bewildering and at times horrifying close to the series. The several hundred pages are filled with sickly-sweet self-indulgence and a blatant dismissal of continuity and realism. In brief, Bella and Edward get horizontal at long last (but only after they’re married, of course-we can’t have the naughty temptress taking away Edward’s 107 year-old virginity) and Bella somehow gets pregnant. Please, Meyer says, never mind the fact that all the vampires’ body fluids are replaced with their ‘venom’ or that sperm dies after three days, much less a century. Even more fantastically, the vampire/human spawn grows at an alarming rate, so fast in fact that Bella feels it “nudging” her at approximately two weeks of gestation. Now, I’ve never been pregnant but I did take health class back in high school and I’m pretty sure that there’s something wrong with that picture.
I’ll spare you the details of the rest of this horror show. Trust me, the birthing scene is something I desperately wish I could un-see (after the loosely-called ‘baby’ breaks Bella’s pelvis, spine, and ribs from the inside, Edward ends up clawing his way to a surely-unsanitary vampire version of a Caesarian section using his teeth). I’m sorry. I had to share my pain. Bella becomes a super-special vampire with super-special powers and she wins the not-conflict of the not-climax. And don’t forget her nifty ability to go hunting in a forest in a cocktail dress and heels.
Thankfully, the ‘Twilight’ series is over. Not as great is the fact that millions of girls are reading this sexist tripe without a care in the world, obsessing over the “perfect” Edward Cullen and the “hot” Jacob Black, pretending to be Bella Swan and ignoring the unhealthiness of the relationship just as successfully as the character does. What happened that two hundred years after feminist hero Elizabeth Bennet is put down on the page, we get one of the most awful excuses for a female literary hero that I’ve ever seen?
So frankly, excuse me if I bow out of the Twilight mania. I’m going to go sink my teeth into Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and pretend that Stephenie Meyer’s terrible series did not set gender equality back two hundred years in the minds of millions.
Read my follow-up to this piece, entitled Twilight: A Follow-Up, and a Promise!
Read my review of the movie!
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3,545 Responses to “‘Twilight’ Sucks… And Not In A Good Way”
Brilliant review! You are so right about the mess that is this series.
Oh, thank god for saying that! I tottlay agree.
Thank you so much for this article. The craze for these series of books are truly unbelievable. It is a dime-story/trashy romance story at best. If you believe Meyer’s success is the only surprising thing, you should really check out the MOTHERS who encourage their children to read this trash. I am all for literacy and including families to read with their children because in an era of the internet, it’s nice to read from a book and not a screen. However, it’s completely inexplicable by all accounts any parent would condone these books as some kind of guide.
I really hope more open-minded journalist pick up on your review on this series.
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“What happened that two hundred years after feminist hero Elizabeth Bennet is put down on the page, we get one of the most awful excuses for a female literary hero that I’ve ever seen.”
The worst part about it is that Meyer has stated that one of the books is inspired by Pride and Prejudice. Isn’t that just awful?
thanks so much for trying to take the blinders off of the deluded millions reading this crap! i totally agree, very well written and if Meyer reads this she surely won’t be able to look at herself in a mirror
I 100% agree with what you just said. The books are overrated and I can’t understand why anyone would read them. I’ve read the first one and it was seriously a waste of time. It bothers me that EVERYONE reads them.
you are my new idol.
Yes, yes, and YES!!! Thank you so much for this article!!
I just find it so interesting that HP was under so much controversy for it’s “pro-Magic” messages, when Twilight’s messages are so much more disturbing, and yet no one has said anything about them. Other than the fact that the writing and characterization just plain SUCK, I honestly don’t see how this book could have been published. I find it somewhat offending how they keep comparing this hack writer to JK Rowling, who actually knows how to write and construct a decent story. Rowling actually fills up her 500+ pages with an actual story, not just fluff with a poorly tacked on “plot” in the last hundred or so pages.
Once again, great job on the article! I hope many more people get a chance to read it.
The most hilarious part? If you mention any of this to Twihards, they either stick their fingers in their ears and hum, or they shriek about how, “OMG ITS JUST A BOOK STOP ANALYZING IT OMG UR RONG”. For extra lolz, observe their Chris Crocker-esque reactions to any and all criticism of the Holy Mrs. Meyer. Seriously, it makes the “LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE-AHH!” videos look perfectly reasonable. Apparently, if you say anything that isn’t glowingly positive about the books, you’re hurting her widdle feewings and you’ll make her cwy, and you’re a bad bad person.
And to add a cherry of rage to this WTF sundae, take a gander at some of the interviews she’s given. Words cannot describe.
Ugh, I hate these books with a passion. I’m right in the target demographic, so about half of my friends are worshiping these things and getting furious at me for not liking them. If there’s anything worse than that books themselves, it’s the fanbase. Like Narwhal said, they can’t bring themselves to understand that these books aren’t the greatest pieces of literature ever written.
SMeyer has to be one of the most clueless authors I’ve ever known of, to the extent that she’s stated in an interview that her books “don’t have any meaning.” She also said that she’d been planning the Rosemary’s Baby plotline before she even wrote the second and third books, because it was the only direction she thought the story could go. She shouldn’t go around bragging about never having done any creative writing before Twilight, because it shows. Badly.
Thanks so much for writing this. Like the others have said, you couldn’t make this argument to a fan because they’ll deny it up and down the street. But it’s great you did. It’s nice to know that at least ONE article notices these blatant flaws.
It’s so strange that people who see the book for what it really is are in the minority, isn’t it? Like being surrounded by those body-snatchers or something. I dunno, the point is GO YOU for writing this and try to pass the information on. I’m glad we have one more sane person in the world.
But I noticed you didn’t touch on the themes regarding pedophilia. Next time haha
Bella Swan is damn creepy
Her relationship with Perfect Vampire Boy is creepy
How the hell did this blasphemy, the Twilight Series infect millions of teenage girls?
Stephanie Meyer, you FAIL
However, this review totally cracked me up while grossing me out at the same time.
You should go hang out with the Washington Post. The highlight of their review was “Reader, I hurled.” IT SEEMS TO BE A TREND, DON’T YOU AGREE?
All really excellent points. I agree, Jacob has been the only redeeming factor in this series, enough so to keep me in the fandom and shipping Jacob/Bella. I cans ee how people see a personality transplant with him in Eclipse, but I think he’s just an angry, desperate kid doing whatever he can to save Bella’s life.
Funnily enough, I am massively obsessed with Pride & Prejudice now. Austen and the Bronte sisters, I am SO all over them, and I have Bella to thank for it. Ironic, no?
So, basically, I agree with you on pretty much all points. The website I have linked is a community of Breaking Dawn critics, either people who dislike the entire series or are disappointed by the fourth book alone (and by extension, the whole series, even if they still like it.)
This was amazing. I’m linking it EVERYWHERE.
Hey, Kismet.
Very well written essay. I wish more fans would start perceiving the Twilight series like this. However, I disagree with your take on Jacob’s actions in Eclipse. You kind of contradict yourself when you say Bella & Jacob have a “real-life teen romance” and then dismiss the fact that Bella realizes she is in love with him by the end of Eclipse. Bella is an awfully stubborn and clueless person. Jacob was doing everything in his power (whether it be ethically right or wrong) to show Bella that she can have a good life if she chooses to remain human. Bella realizes she loves Jacob after the kiss because she comes to the realization that she can’t bare to lose him. Also, you forget to mention that Jacob was the one who saved Bella from her depression after Edward left her. Jacob was the one who brought happiness back into her life so I don’t she how she can’t fall in love him. Bella even calls Jacob her own “personal sun”.
Nevertheless, I agree with all the points you made. This series is definitely overrated and I fear for all those young teens who obsess and think this its greatest book ever written.
I agree on every point without exception.
If only we could have some new, strong female lead in a new young adult fiction to ease the pain.
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I’m sorry, but i don’t agree with anything you say. At all. I loved all four books and there are plenty of us out there who also enjoyed the series. I can’t wait to read more of Stephenie meyers books. So Fuck you all.
I have read all the books and by the end of the first I wanted to slap Bella. I have 3 girls(5,3,and 6Months) and I don’t want them reading this book at least until they have had a few healthy relationships and have had a chance to develope strong minds and opinions and relize that this not real life. I really didn’t like the last book. I was hoping that Meyer would come up with a better story. I am not a writer but I think I could have writen a better story.
No doubt I’ll be drawn & quartered for saying so, but I much prefer escapist fantasy to the bitter, negative harping of frustrated feminists. I guess it’s a sign of the times that those who don’t like/appreciate/understand a particular point of view feel compelled to vilify it with the most negative spin possible. Mostly what I hear in such rants is, “I couldn’t care less about a balanced point of view; my opinion is obviously the only correct opinion!” and “Anyone who doesn’t feel like I do is an idiot!”
You do make a few valid points in your essay. Too bad it is so vitrolic that the people you would like to influence are immediately turned off and will never benefit from the thought and effort you put into writing it. All you accomplish by such tactics is whipping up the frenzy of other like-minded souls.
Ugh. Give me a break. Every time, in any facet of entertainment, movies, books, tv, whatever, that we get a female protagonist, there ALWAYS has to be some pretentious discussion as to whether or not that protagonist is a feminist portrayal. I found Bella to be selfless, often clumsy, full of love, and incredibly grown-up. She is surrounded by men who love her and a family called the Cullens, who, if we could set aside the anti-feminist argument for one second, are one of the most incredible examples of compassion and tolerance in books and film today.
Sometimes there is more to a book or an entire saga than the heavily scrutinized choices of a female protagonist. Isn’t it more important to embrace the fact that a female author is reigning in the industry right now, that J.K. Rowling wasn’t the end of powerful women in letters, and that this time around, the protagonist is female?
I could’t agree more with you! And what bothers me most is that there are thousands of teenagers in the world that wanted to have a relationship like Edward/Bella. That when I say something like what you writed, people look at me like I’m an Alien. And that’s because they can’t understand that Edward is not perfect and Edward/Bella is such an unhealthy relationship. Personnaly, I have a great relationship and maybe that gives me other point of view. Or maybe is because I was in that “fase” when I was younger. The thing is I don’t dream with a “perfect” obsessive and overprotective boyfriend, and with a relationship when you have to give up all your life, friends, family, your individuality because your boyfriend. In that cases, sonner or later someone get really hurt.
)
I used to be a twilight fan, but I couldn’t even read Breaking Down. The story is too much ridiculous for me, I still have some sense of quality, I don’t eat everything that people gives to me without thinking twice like some fans do.
(And I know my english is not perfect, but do you know speak portuguese?
This is a fictional book, and I totally disagree with YOUR OPINION. I enjoyed the Twillight Saga.The reason I don’t want to go point by point with you is space, time, and I’m not trying to convince you to change your opinion.
I am just an average reader no fancy titles but with comments like: ” I was horrified”…from the first three books, why keep on reading Breaking Dawn?
Dear writer, it is obvious that you believe that your opinion is the only one that counts, since your opinion piece refes to the people that like It, in this manner
“What’s worse is that so few seem to realize it.”
It seems to me that you are close minded, and only care of the rights of women who only agree with you.
Your opinion piece was very disappointing, I am going to go pretending that feminazis do not exist in this educated world.
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Zungia’s reply frightened me…it doesn’t matter if your an “Average” reader. Bad writing is bad writing, it’s not really an opinion. When you have as many mistakes in grammar as SMeyer does, it’s just bad. Also shallow love is another thing you can’t argue with, it just is. But I agree with your post, I don’t think your a feminazi or that you think your opinion is the most important.
I’m still laughing about it. This 23 year old tomboyish single woman is really glad girls finally have someone to listen to besides you!
A Zuniga: It does not take a “feminazi” (a decidedly UN-educated word, by the way) to see the blatant anti-feminism in these books. A child should be able to see it. “Mommy, why doesn’t Bella ever have anything to do when Edward isn’t there? Doesn’t she like to draw or color at least, or have any other friends to play with?” or “Mommy, why does Bella think her daddy only loves her and wants her for her cooking?” or “Mommy, why does Bella want to die and leave her mommy and daddy forever?” *rolleyes*
If you think that there is nothing wrong in the message of these books, then you prove the author’s point that “so few seem to realize it.”
It is not close-minded to disagree with the message of these books anymore than it is “close-minded” to disagree with the message of Men Kampf, even if the one is obviously less extreme and evil than the other.
Tarah: “Sometimes there is more to a book or an entire saga than the heavily scrutinized choices of a female protagonist.”
But isn’t this series all about the choices of a female protagonist? In this case there really isn’t much more to it than that, and thus it is perfectly acceptable–necessary even–to analyze her weak, anti-feminist, immature choices and decision. You say that Bella is “selfless” and “grown up,” but she is only selfless in certain situations (her desire to leave her family and friends forever to be a vampire and her deciding to risk her life and succumb to death in NM were extremely selfish decisions), and is extremely immature (last I checked, mature people don’t want to go to college only to have sex with their love interest all the time, or don’t act like ungrateful brats when people try to give them presents, or don’t want to commit to vampirism forever, but not marriage).
Excellent article, spot on except for your analysis of Jacob in Eclipse–the second time he kisses her was *not* forced (especially if you list the “suicide threat” separately), so it was not “halfway through…sexual assault” that she decided she loves him! The first time he kisses her was wrong, and he deserved to get punched, though it’s understandable as far as him desperately trying to make Bella see other options besides suicide by fang. His ploy at the end was manipulative and also not entirely morally sound, but it was also part of his attempts to save her life from vampirism, and it did ultimately succeed in showing her she did love him, and that there was another life path she could choose from than death and Edward….
So even if Jacob acts a little more annoying, and does a couple of things he shouldn’t, I don’t think that makes him an asshole in the second book–he’s mostly just desperate, and running out of time before the woman he loves/his best friend kills herself…..
The feminist argument plays like a broken record. Feminism is about choice. Bella chooses the path she wants out of life and never lets anyone persuade her otherwise. That is the essence of what woman fought for in the 70’s, their right to choose their path in life, not the idea that to be be a real woman you have to shun love and become the most hard-a$$ professional out there.
Yes, their love was obsessive, but name a love story by any author where the characters aren’t consumed by their love? To claim this is unhealthy is to claim that books such as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Romeo and Juliet, where in that case the two lovers committed suicide, should not be read by teenagers either for fear that they get the “wrong” message.
If you hate the story, fair play, but don’t construct arguments that have no merit.
Oh goodness!! Who cares!?! It’s a literary escape. Some people get heated about the most ridiculous things!! These books don’t make me want to be any less independent of a woman than I already am!! It’s an outlandish love story, with the attraction of vampires and werewolves who are portrayed in a different, yet appealing light. It’s suspenseful, plays with emotions, yet is clearly fiction and has no means of trying to be applicable to the real world. It’s written for enjoyment – not critical feminist literary analysis!!
I find that the enormous popularity of the Twilight series proves that now more than ever girls and young women are showing an affinity for traditional gender roles. I think it is a naturally built-in characteristic of a female to want to be cherished, and wherever is the harm in that? Does it make women any less stronger, independent, or intelligent than men?
I also find that a feminist debate over a fantasy novel is rather childish, this book is FICTIONAL, the characters do not share a normal relationship, yet it is being judged as so. I think the real debate should be whether the girls consumming these books are old enough to separate fantasy and reality.
Concerning the hero… Your sarcasm over Edward and Bella’s chastity doesn’t apply. The character of Edward is not a “perfect” seventeen year-old-boy, he is a 107-year-old man. He was born into a world in which people actually possessed scruples.
Concerning the heroine… Did any one stop to point out the feminist nature in Bella before she was thrust into the world of vampires? Did anyone make comparisons to Bella and your “ordinary” teenage girl? She was a precocious, independent, self-sustaining female who had never had a serious relationship and cringed at the thought of marriage? How feminist can you get?
Also, this whole outrage over Bella’s need to be constantly saved is hilarious. What do you expect her to do when confronted with a mythical monster- stop Edward in his tracks and say, ” It’s okay babe, I got it!”?
Concerning the pregnancy, I feel that Meyer’s characters possess traits to be admired, not disparaged. They are loving and self-sacrificing. However, in a world where women are quick to abort HUMAN babies, much less violent, blood-sucking ones, Bella’s actions could be perceived with misunderstanding and disgust.
I do not think the Twilight books are the best books in the whole world, nor is Meyer the best author. I DO however, feel that they should be appreciated for what they are- escapist fantasies- nothing more, nothing less.
I for one liked the first book. It was addicting…like crack or something (I wouldn’t know, haha). It wasn’t very realistic (duh, vampires aren’t very), but overall I liked it.
After that, the books got subsequently worse. Especially Breaking Dawn. And the way you described it so honestly…well…
You are my hero.
sherrilina
what you don’t realize is that,when I want a message or roll models I go to an institution or person, that is going to give me that according to my believe or need. I do not go looking for a book that is clearly fiction, doesn’t apply in the real world and is for my entertaiment.
Sneha
You lost me, but anyway if don’t like it the Twilight Saga fine,
but bad writing? that is your opinion not mine.
I thought is was very enjoyable . Mistakes and grammar? well there is something call editor,and have you notice how many grammar and spelling mistakes our text books have, that is scary!
@ Brenda:
If your friend made the “choice” to stay with her abusive boyfriend or to kill herself to be with him, would you think, “Oh, okay. That’s fine. Feminism is about choices.”
There’s more to feminism than choosing a path. There’s a huge difference between a woman choosing to stay at home with the kids rather than go to work (I consider that in line with feminism) and her choosing to die and leave everything about herself behind for the sake of being perfect and to be with a guy.
The biggest problem with these books is that romanitic love is shown as the be-all, end-all to life. Forget friends and family, give them up for dazzlement. Bella doesn’t even have to experience real motherhood. With Jacob and the other Cullens there, plus the fact that her child is practically invincible, will live forever, AND is accelerating mentally…she’ll never have to deal with the hardships of motherhood. She can just go shag Edward for all eternity.
I feel for anybody who lives in the belief that the Twilight saga is an actual good read, honestly. I don’t have any friends, or family members, who’ve read the books and actually enjoyed the story in the way in was intended. They’ve definitely gotten some unexpected laughs, please Edward as a pillow biter? My ribs nearly cracked with laughter – as opposed to being booted in them by my ~angelic~ demon spawn – but I don’t think any educated individual should be allowed to say that these books are going to have any literacy impact at all. I searched high and low for a plot, throughout the four dragging reads, fruitlessly. How she managed to have these awful works published, I can’t imagine. There needs to be a law against allowing the minds of our younger generation to be infected with this conservative rubbish. SMeyer should be ashamed of herself for trying to coast on the back of the unexpected, undeserved, popularity she achieved with what I can only assume was limited effort.
@ Sara. You do understand that “traditional gender roles” are what we term a social construction? Society has been conditioned to accept without question that women are the weaker sex, with the only desire in life to be ‘cherished and protected’ while men are the stronger, protectors, without whom we couldn’t exist. Please. Perpetuating that myth is how women are constantly branded the lesser of the sexes – if anything, I would have appreciated more of an effort from Meyer to show the equality that can exist between the sexes, rather than have Bella be the “adorable” klutz (oh, i’m rolling my eyes so hard now) and Eddie Sparkles her dazzling knight.
It’s becomes easier to fight the inequality within the world when the younger generation of women are informed of this imbalance sooner, rather than later – but filling their heads with nonsense about how nothing will ever mean a thing without their twu luvv by their side does nothing but harm.
First, let me say that I don’t think the first three books are very well written (and the fourth, well, I’m only 150 pages in and rolling with laughter it’s so terrible. I’ve read fan-fiction by 12 year olds that was more realistic, but I digress.) I enjoyed the first three for what they were (fantasy, teen-romance novels) while thinking that SMeyer’s success was a bit unwarranted considering how juvenile her writing is. However, she has never denied the fact that she writes these books as a total wish-fulfillment for her own crazy desire for Edward. She dreamed this guy and wanted to make him real. Fair enough.
I don’t, however, see the feminism argument. Perhaps it’s because I’m a little wifey who chooses to stay at home and do the laundry and cook for her husband (who works a strenuous job all day to put food on the table and a roof over my head) and take care of the house and finds it amazingly fulfilling. Oh no, wouldn’t want me as a role model for children!
I find nothing disturbing about Bella wanting to cook or take care of things for her Dad, and I think that she well understands his inability to really express his feelings and also the depth of hurt he’s encountered from divorcing Renee and not being able to help raise his own daughter. She *chooses* to do things for him, to be a responsible housemate, actually. She could choose to have pizza every night, but since her dad isn’t a good cook, she takes the reins. Go her. I think that’s amazingly empowered and mature when so many teenagers (and adults!) out there today prefer McDonalds to a home-cooked meal.
Do I take these novels seriously? No. They’re fantasy; the plots and characters are mostly unrealistic and Bella is much too self-effacing for me. Her self-opinion needs some serious help. As far as the sacrifices Bella wants to make to be with Edward, eh, as someone who moved 10,000 miles to be with her husband and only gets to see her family once every few years, I know how hard decisions like that can be.
But, if anything in this world is about sacrifice, it’s love. Would I kill myself to be with my husband? No. But I’m not a heroine in a fantasy novel, either.
First – It’s “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.”
Second – I read the Twilight series and my feminist world view is intact! Can you believe it that women are not that easily influenced by works of fiction that they adopt any novel’s political agenda after reading it?
Third – Elizabeth Bennett is not much of a feminist hero to begin with. Not only is she a regular Cinderella, she passively waits for other people (in this case Mr. Darcy) to save her sister and her family’s reputation. And Wollstonecraft’s ideals she fails on pretty much every level.
Fourth – Breaking Dawn was indeed a really, really bad novel even by the low level standard set by the previous three books.
Personally, I wasn’t able to get past the first book. While it is… let’s say, mildly entertaining (if you’re a 14 year old), it did nothing for me and I found the writing to be quite poor and uneloquent. In fact, I still can’t get why the series are so famous, when there are thousands and thousands of better adolescent-themed books / vampire versus werewolves novels (whatever) out there. But then again, just because something has sold many copies, it doesn’t mean it’s brilliant. Harry Potter is so much better in every way it isn’t even funny.
Jennifer: You’re trying far too hard to thrust pseudo-intellectual English class feminism onto a book series meant for bored teenagers. “We” don’t all have to consider the idea of traditional gender roles a four letter word like you apparently do. The poster you are regarding makes a very valid point: where, in a woman’s desire to be cherished (or hell, a man’s desire) is weakness implied? The ideas of love and security do not have to demean one in any measure of strength, but steep that person in a larger measure of normal HUMANITY.
The Twilight Saga (or trilogy, as I prefer to believe) is not written in or for the traditional system of literary merit. A housewife is exploring her own imagination and dreams through middling prose and inspiring millions of kids (and grown up kids) to pick up a book and turn off the TV and we bitch and moan like this? How about celebrating that something has allowed the medium of the written word to stay as popular as it had become through books like Harry Potter instead. Despite declarations of love for Edward Cullen in facebook groups and applications most of these readers are grounded in reality. This is just a book with a Darcy-like character for a younger generation, not the downfall of modern humanity as we know it. Or an excuse to belittle people through tirades about supporting modern feminism.
Alright, where in this article is the writer saying she thinks women who choose to be housewives are bad role models? No where.
Everyone who is defending this series needs to keep in mind that just because you, yourself, are not influenced by the books does not mean that others are not either. Many of you are claiming your mothers, or in your twenties…you should be over the influence of the media. However, the majority of readers of Twilight are impressionable 12 to 16 year olds who believe that what they read is reality and tend to want to make their lives based around what they see, read, or hear.
This article is not so much about feminism as it is about showing how a story is telling young women abusive boyfriends are romantic and ideal. Just pretend you did not see any reference to feminism in this article, do you still have an argument against it? The writer is saying how this story portraying an unhealthy relationship is not right. There are girls I know who want boyfriends just like Edward and think he is so perfect and do not think other guys live up to that standard.
How is this not a negative influence? If you had a friend or family member who was in the same kind of relationship as Bella and Edward, would you not be concerned? If someone’s boyfriend is taking the motor out of their car, or having them kidnapped, or “suggesting” they not hang around certain friends anymore…can you honestly say you would not be worried?
And yet there are millions of teenage girls reading this and wanting it. It disturbs me that so many people are unconcerned that their children and people they know are reading this and wishing for it.
Okay, everyone, let’s be mature about this.
I’m personally against the books, citing constantly the errors in research and editing (at this point, I believe she bribed her editor), and moaning in sheer horror as I slog along, trying to find the enlightening plot in the story. Yes, it is fiction. No, I should not take it seriously. But when it comes down to it, stories affect the way people view things, and I believe that it should at least be a proper young adult novel and at the very least show some character development. Bella learns nothing about herself throughout at least two books, and as for her role in modern feminism, I must lean more toward the detraction theory. It may be a matter of choice, but I am disheartened to read that she goes into a coma for something like six months after Edward leaves. So she doesn’t go watch a sad movie and cry and bond with her friends – she chooses to walk around like a zombie moaning about her true love.
What message does that send?
As for her precociousness, she never shows it. Meyer always states how she thinks everything is just so easy and backward at Forks, but we never see her reading anything of her own volition, as far as I know. So she cooks – but what does that say about her father? He simply expects her to cook for him, and let us ignore the fact that he cannot have possibly eaten TV dinners and take out every night without gaining massive amounts of weight. Forks is a small town, as well, and unless he is at the gym constantly, he won’t exactly be getting much exercise. What does this say? That the man shouldn’t bother doing any housework at all? As much as some people may choose to cook and clean for their husbands, most of us would expect an occasional hand with the dishes or something. I do cook, and there are many, many days where I wish my parents would stop complaining about the dishes in the sink when yes, I do wash them nine times out of ten.
As for her love interest, I am extremely confused. What chemistry is there? He can’t read her mind, she’s not afraid of him. She smells tasty, he’s pretty. What else? Oh yes, he plays piano. And is pretty. And apparently, despite being frozen as a seventeen-year-old boy, who, scruples or no scruples, should have had some trouble resisting, he remains a perfect gentleman. Never mind that he went on a ten year stint of sin. Never mind that he lived through the hippie era. Never mind that biologically he is unsound. Where is the relationship development? They abruptly decide to start dating, she gets saved who knows how many times because of his or her own stupid fault, and then they end up married. Wonderful. I see no real bond there, other than the constantly stated one – stated, not shown, and if I must repeat the adage – let your actions speak for you.
Modern feminism…hmm, such a confusing word. What is it, exactly? Let’s define it as a choice to do what you feel is best for you…and let’s find if it really applies. What about the Yates case? She kills her children for their own “good” and it is her choice – she systematically drowned them, despite their struggles, put them in bed in a pretty little tableau, and called 911. She feels this is best for her, because now she cannot lead them into hell. A redemption for her sins. I suppose this is feminism.
I suppose too, that the questions I have read online are feminisms. That when a fourteen year old girl asks how to make her twenty year old, physically abusive boyfriend accept her apology after her father and brothers defended her, it is an example of feminism, because she wants what is right for her. What other skewed concepts of life do you wish to throw at me? Should we completely outlaw abortion and pray that no teen mother dies from a coat-hanger home abortion? Or that no black market will rise up, as it did for the Prohibition? I don’t like the concept of killing fetuses, and I would much rather that girls be taught to keep themselves safe, but is it good for anyone if the child grows up unloved? People have great potential – and no one wants to see a baby grow into something monstrous.
Feminism is the concept, I believe, of relative gender equality. We will never be perfectly equal, but I am sickened by the fact that Bella never stands up to Edward. She does not want to go to Prom beause, well, that’s the way she is, and she has a broken ankle. He tells her to go, and she goes. She cannot bear to have him leave her side, and the only time she stands up for herself on any issue is when it is about her death/vampiricy. She allows him to order her about, as if she is nothing but his beloved pet, and eventually endures a night of incredibly rough sex – which, the biological processes confuse me – from which she emerges mentally unscathed.
Bring out the whips and chains if you like, but if it’s going to leave bruises, that’s not a very good sign.
And just as a quick footnote: I am seventeen. I have a boyfriend, whom I love dearly, but I am nowhere as obsessed as Bella is. I would be furious if he decided I was not on equal footing as him – he has stated his dislike of some of my friends, but he’s never pressed me to stop talking to them, much less disabled my car, and I have done the same.
I shudder to think about what would happen if I had not been with him when I read the first book. I gritted my teeth throughout every idiotic act of “modesty” or “sacrifice”. I can not help reflecting on the insane difference between my dearest and Edward – and being extremely thankful for it.
@ Holeigh.
I find it hilarious that whenever somebody wants to discredit a point made, they find it appropriate to call it ‘pseudo-intellectual’, as if that is enough and they are the ultimate judge. And yet you completely misread my post. I don’t find anything wrong with people wanting to be cherished, or protected, as that speaks to our more primitive urges – what I do have a problem with is people dressing it up as only female or male proclivities. Which simply isn’t true.
Oh please !
everyone feel sorry for me, I Really love the books.
I have read worse books, with worse role models than bella,
but i don’t hear anybody putting the blame on those authors, you people have very selective ways of thinking.
let’s remember this is a fictional book that doesn’t apply to anybodys life.
Oh, I forgot to tell you, I read the host too and I had a great time.
my two teenagers read the books and were the ones that introduced the series to me. I am very glad
Perhaps the reason for us not criticizing other, much more horrid books is because they’re not currently under the title of “Bestseller” or “The Next Harry Potter”? What would be the point of it, if we don’t actually feel worried that it’s wrongly influencing generations of girls?
“It’s fiction” isn’t much of an argument. Especially if you look around the internet and find many girls comparing every aspect of their lives to the Twilight series. Not always in a positive way either. Teenage girls, for the most part, are insecure, and therefore often easily misguided by books such as Twilight. Whether you believe it or not, it happens.
The argument of Bella being strong because of her actively choosing to do this or that falls short when you find that her mind never does much choosing beyond, “I want to be with Edward. Edward, Edward, Edward.” Edward leaves her, so she chooses to be a zombie for several months. The author even exaggerates it by giving us pages with the names of a few months and nothing else. What does that say? This girl is so unealthily devoted to this one being that her life really is absolutely nothing but passing time. This girl does not choose to make herself healthy, it just so happens that another man comes into the picture and she decides to cling to him for support. Even then, she definitely chooses to hear hallucinations of her loved one getting angry with her, being fatherly in that “Bella, don’t do that, you’ll get hurt” kind of way. She definitely chooses to put herself in danger in order to keep the hallucinations around. She chooses to get near men that reminded of the ones that wanted to rape her earlier in the series. She chooses to go cliff-diving.
Bella does not actually care for her own life. She is defined by the men she loves. If she is not a Vampire Girl, she is a Wolf Girl, as she stated somewhere in New Moon. Without them, she is nothing. Unlike many other romantic novels, those aren’t the sweet words from a lover’s mouth, they’re real actions.
Also, when arguing whether or not anti-feminism exists in these books, perhaps some of the doubters should take a look at the portrayal of the other women in the series? The first argument against me might be that Rosalie and Alice are strong, and therefore the books are not anti-feminist, yet who are Alice and Rosalie strong in comparison to? Bella, right? Would you say Rosalie is tronger than Edward, Emmett, Jasper, or Carlisle? Same question goes for Alice, and then you’ve got Esme who is nothing more than a mate/mother.
That’s not to say I have a problem with anyone devoting themselves to their children or their lover, but I do think something’s wrong when every single female’s life story surrounds that one love or their children. Even when the women don’t have men, they spend their time pining over the one that left them. The men on the other hand have all these great backgrounds that stand apart from their women, if we even hear about their backgrounds that is- though I think Meyer’s lack of character development skills is more to blame in this case.
As you can see, you’ve been kind of forewarned. The obnoxious screams of the hardcore fans will come in droves because GOD FORBID a critic or anyone for that matter dislikes the series.
Again, while most of the “omg, ur sooo wrong” comments will arrive in the tons, beware of rabies, those Twi-Hards are vicious.
Thank you! Thank you so much.
I started reading the Twilight books when I was 18 and had just had the most miserable first semester of college. I was looking for anything to lose myself in and Meyer’s books were the first that came into my life. At the time I thought they were the greatest romance books I’d ever read, which you’d think that after my many years of reading Tamora Pierce’s books, where woman actually have spines, I would have known better than to like Bella.
But I have seen the light and it saddens me. One of my own friends is disgustingly in love with Edward and thinks he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread and it makes me sad that girls like her can’t see what you’ve so poignantly stated here. Girls should be given better role models in this day and age, and Bella is most definitely NOT an acceptable role model.
This article is like a breath of fresh air.
The perceptions that Twilight is giving girls’ around the world about reltionships is down right worrying.
Like, “He only does it because he loves me.” is one of the biggest reasons women give fro not leaving abusive relationships.
And yet girls all around the world believe that it is a justified reason..
Whatever happened to healthy relationships based on trust and commitment.
Yeah, I really need to get roung to reading the Vindications of the rights of women. It was written by Mary Shelley’s mother right?
“Third – Elizabeth Bennett is not much of a feminist hero to begin with. Not only is she a regular Cinderella, she passively waits for other people (in this case Mr. Darcy) to save her sister and her family’s reputation. And Wollstonecraft’s ideals she fails on pretty much every level.”
Sorry, but I had to reply to this comment, you are taking the story out of it’s Historical context.
If Eizabeth had been the good little girl she was supposed to be she would have married the first man who proposed to her.
She would therefor be stuck as an unhappy wife to Mr Collins.
What was she supposed to do when Lydia ran away with Wickham?
She has no money, no social status, nothing with which she could possibly influence anyone. Her father can not do anything either.
And she turns down Mr Darcy the first time he proposes because she does not see how she could be happy with him at that point of the story.
When we look at books written in an differnet era than our own we need to take them in context of the day. I mean people say that Uncle Tom’s Cabin is racist, but if you look at the context of that day it actually admitted that the Back slaves were people, which is much more then most people did.
@jennifer- bella was existing just fine before edward came along, and wanting Meyer to show more equality between the sexes is rather irrelevant for a YA novel. Bella is not Edward’s equal because she is a human, and he is not. That was the only differance I found, which was eventually eradicated in the last book. In what way are women branded with the title “the weaker sex” these days? History has proved that women can write books, give speeches, tend households, follow careers, fulfill dreams, lead nations, just as well if not better than men. Is this a brand we choose to place on ourselves? I believe in “equality” of the sexes. However I also believe that men and women are different. What is so wrong in that?
I disagree with your statement that society has been conditioned to accept without question that women only possess the desire to be cherished and protected. I believe that the past century, from women’s suffrage to women’s rights, completely refute that idea. Even throughout history, when women were treated worse than dogs, we didn’t need a wall street job or the vote to prove that women are certainly NOT weak.
It is just so great that this entire debate is doing the opposite of what is was meant to do! It’s only adding fuel to the fire if you know what i mean. I can see the headlines now-”VAMPIRE SERIES SPARKS CONTROVERSIAL DEBATE CONCERNING FEMINISM, AND TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES”. Meyer is going to have her hands full, and i personally would love to hear what she has to say about all this.
Thank you so much. It’s nice to see that not everyone in the press is blinded by this book. The story is, as Sara puts it, escapist. Yet, I find that many teenage girls believe it to be the Bible and dictate their lives after it, usually resulting in angry and often threatening responses to those who aren’t “dazzled” by Edward.
I read these books because my friends were so in love with them. I expected to like them, but I felt that Twilight was mediocre at best. I tried finishing the rest, but gave up halfway through Eclipse and read Wikipedia instead. When I told my friends, I was greeted with things like:
“But, I thought you were intelligent! Why don’t you like it?”
“You’re going to end up with someone like Eric and I’m going to laugh.” (The person who said this ended up rejecting an extremely nice boy because he was “on the chess team and a nerd.” Um hello? You’re on the math team. you’re technically a nerd too.)
“I hate you. Why are you alive?”
“I think we should get Edward to kill her.”
“I wish I was Bella. Then, I’d get my vampire friends to kill you.”
These were from people who I’d been best of friends with since the third grade, but this book has changed them. They were all very studious and looking at top colleges. Now, I’m the only one even looking at college (to anyone at MIT, if you’re reading this, I’d like to be accepted
). I haven’t spoken to them about Twilight since then and I’m dreading the beginning of school because I know that they will talk about Breaking Dawn and how Edward and Bella are the epitome of human relationships. I’m 17 and, though I’d like to think otherwise, I believe that girls around my age are impressionable. My friends go around squealing, “OH! I wish -I- was Bella… Life would be so perfect.” So, you’d like to defer your admission to Dartmouth in order to get married (to a 107 year old man who left you at one point, resulting in a suicide attempt and a zombie-like mindset) and pregnant. Then, you’d like to narrowly escape death during childbirth and have your friend take a liking to your newborn daughter? Um, did I miss the memo?
Maybe I’m just drifting away from my friends, as so many teenagers do. Maybe, I just don’t understand this kind of romance. But, what I do understand is that no one is telling these people that being so devoted to a novel is bad and that the choices they make now could, potentially, change their lives.
OK people SHUT THE FUCK UP,if people like this book stop dissing it and stop compareing it to FRICKIN harry potter!they are 2 different series.and in the 2nd book BELLA SAVES EDWARD FYI!!!!!!!!!!!so there bella is a great role model she cooks for her dad,takes care of her mother,and does her homework and is an excellent stdent!and smeyer said bella will go to colleage but as infinate time so ahe can do what ever.so in conclusin if you say twilight sucks YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO TWILIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Profanity just makes you seem immature. If you really want people to consider your opinion, you shouldn’t resort to ad hominems.
Screw You Twilight is awesome
HOW DARE YOU !!!!!! I’m at lost for words but you know what your only just another person ! But really this fandom is going to grow with or without you !!!! HONESTLY THIS IS ONE OF MOST BEAUTIFUL STORIES I HAVE EVER READ ! I’m not an intelligent person like yourself and others who have written comments on here but when I READ I LOVE TO GET AWAY AND JUST BE ENTERTAINED AND THAT’S WHAT THIS BOOK SERIES DID FOR ME ! I DON’T CARE ABOUT ALL THE STUPID LITERARY FACTS OR ANY POLITICAL OR WHAT’S RIGHT OR WRONG I JUST READ ! I’M SORRY I JUST FEEL REALLY BAD FOR YOU AND WHY DON’T YOU TELL US WHAT BOOKS ARE WE SUPPOSE TO READ HARRY ? NO I ALREADY TRIED THAT PASS …
SORRY BUT THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORSE ARTICLES I HAVE EVER READ !!!!
TWILIGHT FAN
TRUE TWILIGHTER ….
This article is awful ! Thanks for bowing out because honestly the Twilight fanbase just doesn’t deserve someone who’s so NEGATIVE in the community. I loved the books and so did MILLIONS so your just one of those people who can’t just take the ride and enjoy it for once. YOU JUST THINK TOO MUCH JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE ! Well anyways I hope you find what your looking for because I doubt you’ll find it !
Team Twilight/Stephenie for me.
First of all… STOP GENERALIZING YOUR OPINIONS! gosh… its disgusting. if you would add a “i think” or “in my opinion” and “for me…” to your theories and thoughts, ok… but you say, that it IS this way. and that is wrong… neither is twilight perfect for everyone. its a question of taste and whatever…
and thats the ONLY reason i found your review just terrible.
i hate people who think the only thing that matters is their opinion… gooosh! stop it! don’t be that… that overheaded! irks.
and by the way… write a bookseries that is that popular and, in my opinion, genious. then you will have MAYBE the right to be so self-absorbed and post your review because you thought the world has waited for it…
SORRY Miss I’m too good for regular books. Women like you just piss me off and GIVE US A BAD NAME !
Harry Potter fans go away you guys are always looking to bring us down but I’VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU GUYS GO AWAY AND CRY IN YOUR ROOM BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO WAIT 11 MONTHS FOR YOUR MOVIE BOOOHOOOO ! Anyways I loved the series and it’s sad you had to write an awful article to get your retarded opinions out.
It’s an opinion piece. The author can express an opinion if he/she (sorry!) wants. There is no such thing as a better opinion. The author doesn’t think that his/her opinion is the only one that matters. If that was so, there would be no “comment” function.
So what your daying is, love can’t exist.
Soul mates don’t happen? There’s not half of you missing?
Have you read any classics, especially during the 1800’s, romance period? They’d do anything for their love. If you are a 13 year old girl (which i just so happen to be) and you believe that you need to kill yourself because your boyfriend left you, than you are an idiot, you just want attention. But to Bella, Edward wasn’t just someone she was in love with, he was her best friend, someone who completed her, the only reason why she was able to be fully happy, no parts were missing when he was there. She’d miss him even if she never met him. It may sound cheesy, but thats what he was to her, i don’t believe you can be truly happy if you meet your soul mate and they leave. But of course that is my opinoun. I haven’t found my soul mate, and i may never, but bella found hers and she can not live without him. It’s simple and not complicated. I’m sorry for my missspellings. I’m awful at typing and spelling.
I think that Twilight is AMAZING you people don’t get it do you SHE LOVES HIM!!!!!! Stephenie is a clever author and whatever you have against her is really idiotic!!!!!
Oh please the haters on here are harry potter fans who are still mad at their movie coming out late. GO AWAY ! They are so annoying !
Anyways the article was awful and it’s sad people like you have to bash something that’s not yours to begin with. But you know what theres opposition in all things and your it. PEOPLE JUST READ IF YOU LIKE IT YOU LIKE IT ! I LOVE THE SERIES AND NOBODY IS GOING TO CHANGE MY MIND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The TWILIGHT SERIES ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ur just a bunch of haters! its just a book and it makes people happy and brings joy to many people lives! STOP KILLING ARE JOY!
IT’S A LOVE STORY AND IT’S FICTIONAL GET OVER IT LADY WITH YOUR STUPID ARTICLE REALLY !
Maybe you should try THE HOST !
Can I ask where all of you guys got this link? I’m just wondering…
She can give her opinion BUT WERE GONNA GIVE HER OURS WE HAVE THE SAME RIGHT !!
WE LOVE TWILIGHT AND WE WANT TO LET HER KNOW WHY ! AND WE DON’T CARE TO CHANGE HERS !
See…why does the Twilight Series evoke so much hatred?
Why can’t fans of the book understand that not everyone loves the book?
Personally I thought Twilight was boring (only the end was somewhat interesting), but I got through it. Then I moved on to New Moon because I thought Meyer’s writing and story would get better ( I had faith. Faith.). It didn’t so I didn’t finish it.
And don’t say I don’t have an opinion when I haven’t read all of the books when you’re going to turn around and say “why did you keep on reading them if you didn’t like them?”
I can’t dislike them if I haven’t read them, but I can stop reading because I read enough and had enough. Stop asking that stupid question.
It’s like yelling at someone for no liking bananas or The Dark Knight. People have the right to their opinions.
First off, Bella’s mother (or Renee as Bella so disrespectfully calls her) left Charlie when Bella was a few months old so Renee spent a good 13-15 years (benefit of doubt) taking care of her daughter. It may have not been the best parenting, but Bella seems to be 100% so I don’t know why she has this idea that she’s done everything. Don’t forget Bella. You were a baby once.
I can’t stand my mother sometimes and sometimes I think I can survive without her, but she does more things behind the scenes then I could ever imagine.
And Charlie has been on his own for 17 years. No excuse. He’s not some caveman.
And no one has yet to tell me just why Bella and Ed love each other. What’s the basis? Please someone help me. Does he make her laugh? Does he know what certain looks on her face mean without her saying anything? Do they finish each others sentences (I know cliche, but it’s a sign)? Do they do things before the other knows because they know that’s what they wanted? do they just fit together?
Please. I want to know. And please don’t yell. Be civilized.
IT”S A BOOK!!!! Get over it!!! Why do people seem to love to degrade books that just happen to be cheesy or too feminist!!! It’s f*cking fiction!! Not real!!! People like it, that’s what matters!!! Yes, it will never live up to Harry Stupid Potter, but no book will!! Does that mean you get to bash on a series that has success even if you don’t understand it? Stephanie Meyer is a great writer, no need to be jealous because she’s better than you.
It’s no real!! It’s not hurting anyone! If you didn’t want to read it, then no one forced you to. Does that you mean you get to come online where the author and millions of fans are going to see who bash on there book? NO!!! People like to get lost into it, get over it!!!
And Get A LIFE!!
Fine. But, there’s no reason to insult her.
LADY THE ONLY THING HERE THAT SUCKS IS YOUR BLOG !
FOUR MOVIE, MIDNIGHT SUN AND MORE BOOKS …..
IT’S NOT OVER AND WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF IT’S JUST A BOOK WHY THEY HELL ARE YOU ON HERE YELLLING ? YEA …..
“First and foremost, the books present a female heroine who can hardly take a step without needing some boy to rescue her.”
So you’re saying it’s bad if someone can’t save herself? You’re saying it’s bad if not everyone can defend themselves? Not everybody is wonder woman you know. And how is a human girl supposed to save herself from a car about to kill her? She can’t! Killer vampire? nope. How about 20 newborns? Yeah, she’s really weak for failing to defend herself there… Stephenie Meyer states on her site, “I am not anti-female, I am anti-human.” How is any human supposed to appear strong next to a vampire? They can’t. And I’ll tell you why Twilight has so many fans. It’s because we can relate to it, it’s a personal story. Take out the vampires, and you could probably put yourself in Bella’s place. I don’t think you have the right to personally tell people what’s sexist and what’s not. And besides IT IS FICTION! I really wish people would stop taking good books, and over analyzing them. When I read New Moon do you think I’m going to jump off a cliff because Bella did? Heck no! People read books for FUN, not to get a message for themselves. At least people who actually want to enjoy books do… And next time you write a review could you please make it less bias, not everybody is as “strong” as apparently you are…
Perfect response to Twilight. You’ve entered the minds of all the properly functioning brains out there and put their thoughts into words perfectly!
For a piece of writing to be good, in terms of literary rules (and yes, you HAVE to judge a piece of writing by those rules no matter who you are), there has to be a reason for writing it. When Meyer blatantly says, “They’re just vampires”, or “There’s no meaning behind any of it” (I’m paraphrasing here), that’s just about the worst thing any “author” can say or do! There HAS to be more to a story than just mushy romance!
Twilight has no deeper meaning intended except for influencing the 10-15 year old girls out there that you MUST find your own Edward NOW or you’ll die a lonely unhappy woman, and you might as well kill youself.
Please. Twilight is just bad writing. That’s all there is to it; Ani-femenism and abusive relationships aside.
what sucks is this article. NOT WASTING MY TIME.
Millions of books sold who cares what this lady says !
Only virgins who cant drive would actually like TWILIGHT haha. Everyone at my school who reads it is an ugly, sad loser, sry to say, deluded into believing theyre just ‘average’ and that someday, maybe some beautiful, strong boy will look at them and fall in love, even though it would make no sense and never really happen. So yeah, keep reading Twilight, losers, cuz it’s as close as you’re going to get.
Oh and I cant believe married women with kids like this. Really? LOL thats the most pathetic thing I have ever heard. What is WRONG with you???
I never insulted her.
I have a right to have an opinion and discuss the book. That’s what people do with Shakespeare and Robert Frost and Flannery O’Connor. They pull it apart and see the themes, conflict, etc.
So why can’t we do the same for the Twilight series?
I admit that those books are nothing compared to the previously mentioned authors, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look at them. Some people saw the flaws even they were reading them for the first time. They saw that actions speak louder than words and they watched Ed’s actions. That’s good if you didn’t notice, but as you said, it’s a book. Readers should leave fiction and fantasy on the pages. You say you want a hot guy like Ed, but then claim that it’s fiction and none of it is real. Well then…Ed doesn’t exist. He’s an exaggerated fictional character that would be impossible if he existed to today.
But sadly people don’t believe that he’s not real and that’s a problem.
I liked the Twilight saga and just because you don’t like them doesn’t mean you have to be a bitch!! Stephenie Meyer is a great writer and millions of people love these books so f@#* off. but i do agree with you on the part that these books should NOT be compared to Pride and Prejudice cuz that is like the greatest book ever, in my opinion.
I personally disagree with you. You look at it from a VERY negative view. I’ve seen that with reviews about HP too, and arguments turn out to be just pointless. (they teach children witchcraft…that’s very bad…, they say there’s no good or bad, only power (well, yeah Voldemor said that, and that’s the bad guy) etc.)
I think it’s a very good book. Many people think Twliht isn’t, but some there are always people who don’t like a book (also with HP).
Ow, and please Twilight fans, now don’t get mad at all HP fans, because the person who wrote this likes HP and doesn’t like Twilight, that’s absurd. Many of the HP fans are Twilight fans too(like me).
Did you read The Host? It’s very different and I think you’d like it better.
And ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The HBP movie is coming in JULY…(sorry, I just had to say that)
~evanna11
Lily, probably most people got it from Bellaandedward.com
I’m sorry Evanna. Are you referring to me?
I’m simply turning the arguments of fangirls and readers who love the book on their head. They contradict themselves and I had to use a harsh (though, I didn’t find it harsh) example as to why none of these people make sense.
@ Jeanine: If you mean me (in your second post), I was talking to TwilightFan who consistently called Rice “stupid”.
Honestly, when a person publishes something, they are putting himself or herself out there and, while there will be praise, there’s also criticism.
Hallelujah!! A sane review of the series. I love you for writing this.
I’ve read the books and let’s just say I wanted to throw them out the window more than once but I’d spent money on them so I wasn’t about to do that. [The first 3 I bought second hand thankfully.]
I only read them because 99.9% of my friends were reading them and I felt so out of touch when they went on and on about them. The reason I hadn’t wanted to read them in the first place was because I don’t like Vampire stories but they said these vampires weren’t your typical ones so I thought. ‘Hey why not give these a go then’.
I wish I hadn’t given in. Really and truly I do. I only kept reading because I didn’t want to just stop mid-way through a series. I’m kind of weird like that. No matter how bad something is I won’t stop halfway through it.
So enough rambling on my part. Again thank you for posting this review. Very well written. That short page is better written than the entire saga put together.
This article sucks…and not in a good way.
wow. you are the craziest person in the world.
edward does all of that because he loves and
cares for bella and wants her to be happy. =]
stop critizising it… nananananaa I CANT HEAR
YOUU! – that was for one of the reviewers (; -
@ …on
Sorry I thought you were a fan.
But yeah. I agee.
I never insult Meyer and Rice (the author Anne Rice?) doesn’t deserve to be insulted either.
Theres one thing the FANS and STEPHIE MEYER have in common….conflict avoidance! I didnt read past the first book but apparently theres never any real battles in ANY of them, not even the last one. And the fans keep saying “stop criticizing it!”… they dont want no battles, not in their books or in real life. How fucking boooooring.
wow you’re a b**** and a snob for that matter… I’m sure you’re not too pretty yourself sunshine
Your opinion matters.
Its okay to state it.
But your title is just rude and disrespectful.
I’ve seen and read reviews for Twilight that hate the series but at least their titles were respectful. “Twilight Sucks… And Not in a Good Way” is a poor and rude way to state your opinion.
Your title gives off an amature vibe. Sorry.
how the hell could u write that!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ur such a freaking retard!!!! thsi is the worst thing ive ever read in my life. im a true twilight fan and there i nothing wrong with these series. if u do thing that (which obviously u do) u just have to remember that this is a FICTIONAL book!!! and U DONT HAVE TO BE A FAN OF IT!!!! we dont care-of course we disagree and we think that u should see or view of the books but apparently ur past resoning…. but i will tell u this and i know other twilighters will agree with me- stephenie meyer is a wonderful author and she is a great mom and is just writing for herself and to make a living. of course she is very happy when others enjoy her books but if they dont….thats ok with her. contrary to what u think SHE IS NOT A WITCH TRYING TO SUCK US TEENS INTO WANTING A ””BAD”” REALATIONSHIP LIKE BELLA HAS!!!!!!!!! this book is just for enjoyment…nothing more!! yeah, fans do fall in love with edward (like me!) and jacob (im team switz) and they do want to be bella but so what??/ if u dont agree witht he book’s views and ideas of stephenies writing then u shouldnt have even finished them of even have written this review. thats all i have to say. one thing though-i do have to give u this- breaking dawn wasnt that great. dont get me wroing im still a twihard twilighter but not a ‘breakingdawner’ im not mad at the plot she took- im just mad that the way she wrote was not the same and it wasnt as magical (yes, magical-just like twilight, new moon, eclipse) as the others. thats all. i really do feel bad for all u anti-twilight people. ur really missing out of a good part of ur life-reading these books and enjoying them just because they’re books. I LOVE TWILIGHT, NEW MOON, ECLIPSE, BREAKING DAWN, EDWARD, JAOCB, BELLA, ALICE, JASPER, EMMETT, ROSALIE, CARLILSE, EMSE, RENESMEE, CHARLIE, SETH, AND STEPHENIE MEYER!!!!!!!!!!
umm, she took her heels off when she was hunting?
and the second kiss Bella asked for.
;D
I think that you understime the teenagers today, I see them under a different light.
Teenagers today are well read, travel, they work, get involved in so many activites, music, art, they are independent and know what they want.
I had the opportunity to live abroad: China, Korea, Mexico,Thailand,Japan, USA. I can say that this bright young women and men are not uninformed nor uneducated. (I want to mention that I read the twilight Saga in other languages too)
Do they know the difference between a fictional character from a book with vampires and worewolf from a real life situation?….. let me think.
I dare to say yes, a positive yes. you will always come across some exceptions, not the rule, but that can be applied to adults too.
Are teenagers unexperience, awkard, undecide, odd, overbearing overexicited , trying to find their place?… yes
But who is not? I have seen tons of teens with a lot of common sense and more maturity than some adults.
Am I impressed by all these young women and men today .. YOU BET!
I am worried about the twilight Saga influence on the teenagers today? A definefly, clear, NO !
I do not understimate them for a second!
Haha, thats the classic ugly persons defence.
I love me some ugly people actually, I appreciate people of all stages of physically finesse as long as its accompanied by some braincells and a sense of humor. But those sad sacks who wallow in fantasies about impossibly beautiful, yet totally humorless people, when they themselves are so damn beat in the face region? It’s just pretty lolloriffic when you stop and consider it!
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okay clearly every one has their own favorite genre. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE SERIES THEN FINE! Just stop putting negative comments about it. I bet half of you haters didn’t even read the series. You guys are just annoyed by all the talk and obsessiveness going around.
i personally love the series bc i find the chemistry between edward and bella absolutely romantic and AMAZING!
THIS ARTICLE SUX……..and not in a good way!
cecilia: “i really do feel bad for all u anti-twilight people”
Oh, do u? Why thank u! U so thoughtful.
Wow I bet the boys are all over you
Besides that the article was well written.
Sure, Twilight is not a master piece. But sometimes people just want to read a book without having to deal with the underlying details and the analysis. Just to read a book and enjoy is something that people want to.
While I agree with barely anything in your article, I understand that you have your opinion.
Though, this being said, I agree with Emy. It’s your opinion, yes, but there is no need for that kind of a title.
And truthfully, slating the Twilight Saga is quite blatantly the best way to get hits – hoards of angry Twilight fans are going to come here and slate you right back, or Twilight haters are going to agree with you. Which was probably the point of the entire article.
Just like a swarm of fire ants, rawr.
wow Dollywood, that was bit immature.
and now your probably going to reply with somehting more immature that sounds thoughtful and insightful. What a sharp mouth you have! and I applaud you for that… it’ll get you places…
if you don’t like the series, thats wonderful. But I don’t understand how you can’t understand Bella. Firstly, she’s the new girl, so obviously, all the guys are going to be over. Secondly, she doesn’t need a boy to save her, she just chooses to have a boy save her. So what if she can’t take two steps without finding a way to get hurt or need to be saved. MILLIONS of other girls are the same way. Me included. Thridly, in New Moon, Bella is devastated. I believe if the love of your life, whether they be human or vampire, left you, you would be in a state similar to hers. Sorry that not everyone in the world is capable of waking up the next morning and pretending like that never happened. Fourthly, whatever, you can have your opionion, and so doesnt everyone else. People like this book, people don’t, but there is no need to take it to this extent.
Ok, I’m one of the young teenage girls you’re talking about and I love the Twilight Series. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion so I’m going to voice mine. The Twilight Series encouraged me to read classiscs like Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. I enjoyed them a lot. I really like Bella. Maybe it’s because I can relate to her. She’s clumsy, afraid of blood etc.
People say Bella and Edward are too obsessed with each other but I thought it was like a breath of fresh air to read about that kind of never-ending love in a time when people divorce everyday.
I don’t think Edward’s perfect. You have to remember that Bella thinks he’s perfect, but she would, she’s in love with him. Edward has his flaws. Yeah, he’s over-protective but he’s been waiting his whole existence for a partner and he knows that Bella could be killed so easily by one of his kind. He wants her to stay, forever.
I’ve read Stephanie Meyer’s book The Host too and I think it was a great read. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan too and I just want to say I completely agree with Evanna11.
I’m finished my rant now….. I think!
Um, WHATEVER!!! Why mince words when the books really do suck? Harder than a toothless ten peso Tijuana hooker, even.
Yes, there are very brilliant children and teenagers, but there’s also children and teenagers that get swept up (as you can see with all the capslock hate). There are actual people that want an Ed, but that’s impossible.
Now I won’t venture into the extremes (because I do have faith in us), but as you can see right now that some of these posts are very violent and fail to provide answers to the questions we have. We see things differently than you do and that would be fine if no one rejected a perfectly good human man because he wasn’t perfect or went crazy on someone with a different opinion or complained to their husband because he wasn’t Ed. That’s why we have a problem.
Not to mention it’s poor writing (too many adverbs, no subtley, purple prose, etc.).
Emy: No reply because we…AGREE! Praise Heathus!
wow rude much? if someone wants to read about a teenage girl who falls in love with a “vegitarian” vampire then they should be able to. if u dont like it (is it obvious) well o smart one DONT READ IT. i dont really care that much wat u say about the book just dont be so rude about it and PLEASE, go get some help b4 u ruin another books rep.
I am not a teenager, but a stay at home mom who appreciated the ability to get away from reality and enjoy a little unrealistic romance. I don’t think anyone would consider Meyer to be the author that Austen was; she is no where on that level. However, I find it funny that you feel the need to take the time to crucify another person’s work rather than creating something worthwhile of your own. Best of luck to you in your career. You will need it!
if u read the books with a mind set of feminist, independent rights and crap like that… its wat its gonna b. y cant u just read the book and say “hey i dont like that, but congrats to the authors success.” no. u people have to worry about all the other people in the workd instead of yourself.
so waht do i say???
WHAT HAPPENED TO UR INDEPENDENCE.???
i bet all of u wished that the love of your life culd b there to save you wen u were in need of help. and i bet u were all were a bit peeved wen ur boyfriend said he doesnt love you anymore and left u.
make wat u can of that!!!
Lia
We have to read it to not like it. If we didn’t read it then it would be pointless debating with you.
I truly can’t stand that argument.
srry i got bored and decided i wasnt done.
o and if u havent figured it out yet i actually liked twilight (just thot id let u know) i totally agree with cecilia and dollywood is a bitch (srry but u know its tru)
good thing u have ur point of view, but simply i dont agree with you, this book IS the bes,t while i was sad and lonely this book game me happines made me laugh and cry in a good way, but there are always twilight haters anywhere but whatever, its not like Twilight is my life either.
I personally love the twilight series. But we all have our own opinion. Millions of people around the world like these books, but not everyone can like them. You have your own opinion, and thats great. but i dont think you should go around writting articles telling people what they should and should not read. You read the series and didnt like it, ok so what. i read the series and loved it, ok so what. we are 2 different people. and i personally have to disagree with everything you said. again just MY personal opinion. The Twilight series is not a real life situation. You cant apply every little thing about these books to real life. Nothing in these books will ever happen in real life. its not possible. these books were written to entertain. To some people it certainly did that, to others not so much. we all have our own likes and dislikes so you read whatever you want to and ill read whatever i want to.
Oh I truly do admire STEPHIEs success! She was able to sell four books about gentle sparklepires to the masses, and considering theyre books where nothing really ever happens (no conflict-climax-resolution as one would expect and hope for when reading any book), and that the writing is really pretty mediocre verging on bad, thats absotastically amazing! But also proves that people basically have no taste or minds of their own and that they need a crap writer like Meyer to introduce them to Austen or Brontes before they would even think of picking those much better authors up.
The reason STEPHIE gets reamed out isnt because of her success, JKR was way more successful and she didn’t get her ass chewed out on the internet nearly so much. Its because STEPHIE is successful for producing something that a good load of people find stunningly crappy! OMG I am too young to be a published writer so save your “write a book yourself” arguments, but I’m pretty confident I could take a poo, walk my dog, go to school, and come up with a lame concept like Twilight all in one day.
As a writer myself, I do not think about the people who are going to read my works, I write for myself. It’s MY story. And in Mrs. Meyer’s case, it’s HER book. It just so happens that this book was adored my millions, and the author of this entry fails to realize that this is a work of FICTION. Yes, it does have some flaws and such. However, that is not enough reason to “trash” the series.
The reason I am against this entry is because the author of the entry claims that the book was written to influence women to be damsels of distress. But we all know that books like those only aim to ENTERTAIN. Even if this book, or any book for that matter, includes anti-feminist or pro-sexist characters and situations, it is still just a book. People have brains to think for themselves. It is up to us to decide what to do with the information that a book presents.
Obviously, the author of this entry is very one sided and refuses to keep an open mind, which a good reviewer should do. He/she greatly succeeds in twisting the points of feminism and sexism to attack this book.
I’m sorry.
i couldn’t read everything.
i was getting blinded by the words. And besides, why are you yelling out that the book is bad? Just keep it to yourself or something. Besides, I read both Twilight books and Harry Potter books and by what I mean is all of them.
I don’t hate any or give to any what reason to them but
just step of. Besides, I think Stephenie gave reason to
the book to mostly talk about vampires and their habitat but probably just in her world.
Anyways, you are rude for one thing and sometimes, some people who have read twilight don’t actually think of feminist and stuff like that. Some of them get lost in their mind after reading the book or just can’t wait for a new one.
W/e
everyone has their own opinion.
you guys don’t have to fight over stuff like this.
if u like it..fine you like it. if you don’t, then you don’t.
and if other ppl post articles online about how they feel about it, and you don’t like what they said, you just close the window and continue on with your life. you don’t need to trash each other….
OH HA would you all say “its just FICTION” if a young adult book openly supported something like paedophilia or…
O SHIT WAIT
Thats so dumb though, srsly, to say that because something is fiction its above criticism. If you produce anything for the public whether its a computer or some cereal or some long johns or anything thats consumable then consumers will make their criticisms heard. AND WAIT WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT THINGS ON THE INTERNET, ITS JUST SOME STUFF ON THE INTERNET WHYSO SERIS?
If you didn’t like the article then why did you read it?
Hmm…sounds familiar.
I could not even finish this pointless article. This person KNOWS NOTHING about Twilight. Stephenie NEVER ever said that venom replaces blood, that was a rumour on the internet, nothing more. She has addressed this several times. Why would she say that when she has known since 2003 that Bella would get pregnant. SO HA!, SCREW YOU! Secondly, why do people think Twilight is insulting to women? Of course Bella needs rescuing now and again, she hangs around with vampires!!! And she is a very strong person, she actually has most of the power in her relationship with Edward. The person is a complete TWAT!!!…and not in a good way haha. (people from england will know what i mean hehe)
First off, I am a fan of the series, and I do somewhat agree with this review. However, I am not an impressionable 12-17 year old girl and I despise Bella Swan with everything I have. Basically, you have to have a certain, sort of twisted mindset to enjoy them. Edward is a fictional hunk that falls for the “geeky” kinda girl. What’s wrong with that kind of romance? Psh, anyway, I just had to say that some fans (all of my friends, at least) usually agree with these reviews. We just love the loveable characters. Except Bella.
And having read a few vampire-themed novels before (not that I’m a fan of them, I just like to read), Meyer recreated the vampire image in a way no one else had done before. Yeah, it’s still weird, but its better than humans volunteering their blood for said mythical creatures, hoping that they can control themselves (and yes: there is a book like that).
“It’s just fiction!”-
What the hell? Fiction should still follow it’s own logic. If I wrote a fiction where only pink elephants could fly, I wouldn’t have a blue elephant fly. That is it. Like Dollywood said, it shouldn’t be above criticism if it’s fiction. That’s the worst excuse in the book.
“If you don’t like it, don’t read it”-
And when we say we didn’t read it, people say, “Well, you can’t have a proper opinion on it!” This argument is moot.
i must say this article was interesting to read. i agree with some points and disagree with others. i agree that Bella shouldn’t have gotten pregnant because of the physical impossibility, but it is fiction therefore not real. i didn’t agree with the hostility that seems to ooze out of ever sentence of this article. he or she seems to have abandoned self control in his or her attempt to convey that they aren’t a twilight fan anymore, or never were. well that’s fine, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. i won’t attack this person for exercising their right to tell the world that they hated a book series.
I could not even finish this pointless article. This person KNOWS NOTHING about Twilight and just sounds like a spoilt child who can’t understand or appreciate an emotional beautiful love story.. Stephenie NEVER EVER said that venom replaces sperm, that was a rumour on the internet, nothing more. She has addressed this several times. Why would she say that when she has known since 2003 that Bella would get pregnant. And vampires are FROZEN in time you retard so yes Kellen, whatever sperm Edward had when he was turned into a vampire would still alive and in his body. SO HA!, SCREW YOU! Seriously, did you even read Breaking Dawn properly?
Secondly, why do some ignorant people like Kellen think Twilight is insulting to women? ITS NOT AT ALL! Of course Bella needs rescuing now and again, she hangs around with vampires!!! But she is a very strong person, and she actually has most of the power in her relationship with Edward. Is Kellen THAT stupid not to have noticed that? Bella took care of herself and her mother perfectly fine before she met Edward remember?
And Edward was MUCH more then just her boyfriend unlike other teen couples, thats the whole f*cking point of the story! Thats why she fell apart, because he’s MORE then just a boyfriend!!!! Have you never read Romeo and Juliet?
Kellen is possbibly the most ignorant person i’ve never had the displeasure to encounter and is a complete and utter TWAT!!!…and not in a good way haha. (people from England will know what i mean hehe)
KELLEN RICE: GROW UP, go to your local store and buy a brain, and don’t insult things you obviously don’t understand!!!
I actually don’t like the Harry Potter series. But hey, that’s just me. I’m not going to go on and on about how “stupid and close-minded” HP fans are. Because again, like it has been said, EVERYONE is entitled to their opinions. Oh, and yes, I’m a fan of Twilight. Does that make me stupid and close-minded? Nope.
Obviously, a debate like this will be going on until FOREVER. Some people just can’t stick with what they like and leave what they don’t like alone. Oh well. That’s the world nowadays for you.
I think you have a point it really beacuse i think girls get obseed on finding their on Edward Cullen or Jacob Black , belive me I was one of them.
Did you even read the right book? You couldn’t have if you said all this.
The Twilight Saga is fictional, and written very well. If it wasn’t a well written book then it would not be number one on the charts.
you are rude!
Kellen Rice has an opinion on the book…like you do. She has the right to voice it…like you do.
If you like the book, that’s great. She didn’t. She saw flaws in this book and decided to address them. You can too.
Don’t bash her.
Oh i forgot their never gonna find one becuse it’s just a book and the movie it’s just a movie so the actors are not them and they’ll never be them.
o fuck off u dumbass moronic bastards. it’s a damn great series and you know it. u dickheads are stupid. u suck….and not in a good way
Why does everybody have to be so extremely cynical? I don’t care if Bella is a good role model or not, I live my life the way I want to live it and I don’t look toward Elizabeth Bennet, Wollstonecraft, or Bella for guidance which is how every “strong” female should live. Anyway, Twilight isn’t a story about role models and life lessons, it’s a story about an amazing, binding love. Bella’s not being weak, choosing Edward over college, because being in love, true love, is not being weak, it’s being human. You seem to feel that a woman isn’t strong unless she is alone. Also, Bella isn’t being a damsel in distress. If you recall, Bella herself tried to save her mom and the Cullens from James in the first book (damsels in distress don’t often wield the sword themselves to save their loved ones, that’s called a heroine if I remember right). Once again, you see the theme of love, she’d die for those she loved. Anyway, if the strongest, most independent woman was being pursued by a vampire, they’d have absolutely no chance to live through it and they’d need to be saved by another vampire. Also, about Stepehine Meyer, she never claimed to be the next Jane Austen, or even a good writer. In an interview, she actually said she wasn’t. She IS a good storyteller though, and that’s exactly what she did, she told an amazing story about love. Sucks for you that you think that being in love means being a stupid little girl. Maybe you ought to listen to what Stephenie Meyer has to say about herself, her books, and her characters before you judge them all. Since you obviously have no reasoning or logic skills when it comes to human emotions or behavior, you need to go listen to what Meyer has to say about it all before you attack everything. That’s what a good journalist would do.
Why can’t people just read a beautiful book and just take it for what it is? Why most they be SO cynical?
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn are all beautiful books about a love that could not be broken and the very real characters that it affects.
I don’t agree with your opinion of the series. Maybe it’s not an “enlightened” dream, but I think women long to find someone that they love entirely and a love that is sweeping and life changing. That is what Edward is to Bella and that’s the main focus of the story. To me, it’s like Romeo and Juliet. Sorry if you feel that is a sexist and dangerous thing for young girls to read about.
I would be more concerned, if I were you, with shows like Gossip Girl that turn young women into bitchy stereotypes with nothing to do but cut each other down and sleep with everyone in their school. Just saying…
Although the fourth book was a HUGE dissapointment, I enjoyed the rest of the series. Not because “ZOMG EDWARD WUZ SOO HAWT” or because I saw Bella as a model-figure. No, I just liked the idea of having the choice to be swept away from the trite human world and into something ELSE.
The Twilight Series is DEFINETLY not the greatest literature out there. It’s just an entertaining read. It’s more entertaining if you don’t over-analyze everything and you don’t compare it to real-life scenarios. Let’s all chill out; it’s just fiction.
I read the script for the movie, and, I think the screenwriter’s adaptation of the novel is much better than the book itself. They got the book and made it better.
by the way:
The Host was a good read. Better than the entire series.
Quantity does not equal quality.
Fast food is abundant and easy to get in a drive thru. You have to go to the grocery store to get fruits and veggies. So is fast food better than fruits and vegetables?
Numbers mean nothing when it comes to quality.
@K
Opinion: a personal view, attitude, or appraisal. (from dictionary.com)
What a lot of you people need to realize is that people have different opinions on this book. The author of this article happens to not like it (GASP). The people that insult others for their opinion only prove to be close-minded.
@sarah
In Romeo and Juliet, some characters actually commented that the relationship was mostly lust, and would fizzle out eventually (The Friar). This is not so in Twilight. Bella and Edward’s relationship is automatically classified as “True love!”
AH, YES!!!!! THANK YOU! Someone has got a mind! My eyes are watering over because I’m so giddy with what was said here, and I am still clapping! I totally agree with what was said and I’ve been saying it myself for ages: Cliche characters, terrible, bland writing style, and predictable, poorly thought out plot line.
This article is the East, and the writer is the Sun!
Like I said, no one over analyzed anything. They were reading the book for the first time and noticed things they didn’t like and didn’t like the book after they read it.
Personally for me, the book was boring. It took too long to pick up and when it did it was over. And I’m not talking solely about action. I’m talking about conflict. There was none. No suspense.
LOL@ at the majority of fans defending the books who can’t seem to piece together a coherent sentence and can only be insulting.
To those fans I say: Turn off capslock, sit back and think about what you just read (or what someone told you the article said), and then come up with a real argument against it. If you can’t do that, then just say “I don’t agree with this at all.”
You only make yourself look bad and prove the reviewer’s point if you sling around insults for no reason whatsoever.
It’s just a book? Then why are you getting so defensive?
There were HP reviews back in the day that I didn’t agree with, but I wrote coherent arguments. So much for Twilight being the more “mature” series. Look at the fans. lol
Jeanine
I will invit you to see both sides. low class, vulgar, with tons of personal attacts and comments taken out of context. they are out for blood.I had to quit visiting some sites because of the negative responses to the twilight saga.
No vulgarity is neccesary.
I do not worry about the twilight Saga being a bad influence for the teenagers today. they know how to think
First of all, i have to say that you were very convincing, though i have to disagree with you.
This is written from Bella’s perspective and usually most teen girls have a slightly low self-esteem and that’s the reason why she calls herself plain. Moreover every second she looks at herself she just assumes she’s this plain, dull-looking, accident attracting magnet.
About Bella’s suicidal moment in New Moon, ..well..it doesn’t target that every girl should leave her soul behind if her boyfriend ditches off. Bella and Edward are “star-crossed lovers” and seemingly it’s their destiny to love forever… yet in our modern world i am pretty sure that any girl would dread herself in a broken relationship for months. But this conflict in New Moon happens in most books and shows. Like Instant Star where Jude wants Tommy , etc.. Who wants to read or see something without broken hearts or reuniting moments. …Moreover..it’s soooo romantic. lol. and…” That they should fall apart at the seams for months if their boyfriend leaves them?” NO NOPE Never. Total No no!
Think of this situation on the flip side. When teenage girls are reading New Moon from Bella’s perspective they might realize how much of a jerk Bella was being and they might insist a solution for themselves if they were put in that situation like..”Omg..Bella’s a jerk, i would neva do dat, hmpf..screw Edward, Hello Jacob”..Lol.
It all depends on how you are seeing it. I’m pretty sure that girls at the age of 12-18 are mature enough to know their rights and wrongs.
Well..as for Eclipse..I totally thought that Bella was a slut when she thought she loved Jacob. BTW Jacob is a jerk for forcing a kiss and forcing someone to like him. Damn Wrong.
Breaking Dawn was a…hm..i don’t know how to put it…fuzzy. When i was reading i was like ” She’s preggers..OMG! WHat the Heck is this B.S” Yes, totally agree with the venom and no sperm .. and how she got pregnant thing. But the ending was cute with Renesme.
As for this book setting a bad example for teenage girls..well not exactly. This book is giving girls the glimpse of the modern version of Romeo and Juliet. If you think this book is wrong, then i guess mothers should be outside of English classrooms with signs protesting about schools teaching Romeo and Juliet. Because Juliet got married at 12 and suicided for her love, well in that case, Bella is totally cool. She is confident with her love, honest, and a naturing mother. Edward is 100x better that Romeo in the sense that he waited till marriage, looked after Bella’s every move, and a handsome-looking gentleman. (Even though they both meet their love from the window side.)
Disagree or Argree not with what’s on my mind, it’s just all how you think of it. Btw don’t let this article damage what you believe about the Twilight Series.
Oh! theres more from the Twilight series such as the Midnight Sun.
Chow for NOW!
Wow, i’m in shock! People really have a lot on their mind when it comes to The Twilight Series. I personally love the books, they’re actually one of my favorite, i understand that some people don’t like them , but just because they hate them, does not mean they have to be so rude and go to extremes, yeah Bella is clumsy so? Who ever said that physical strenght is more important than mental strenght? Heroes don’t always have to be strong and magical, enyone can be a hero, and just because she decided to be with Edward and marry him and have sex with him does not insult females at all, she just made a choice she thought it was better for her, and what if she cry and got depress when Edward left, as someone said in one of the comments, he was the love of her life and suddenly he was gone, Damn!! I would’ve felt that way too! And Yeah Edward maybe perfect for Bella, but she just sees him that way because she loves him, but in fact Edward isn’t flawless, he can be selfish and stuborn and so many others things. My point is that people need to stop talking about the book as if it were the world’s worst book ever written, GIVE ME A BREAK!! Stephenie’s intention wasn’t to write a masterpiece, but to let others feel the way she did with her invented, loveable characters, and she’s said it herself She’s not a writter but a storyteller, so just get OVER IT!!
First of all I must say, this article is extremely well written and that you’ve made your point, but, ugh please… You have GOT to give some props to Stephenie Meyer, something about what she wrote attracted millions of girls. I must admit, I’m one of those 17 year old girls who loves the book, but I’ve also told people how irritated I am when the protagonist (Bella) seems to always put herself in danger and gets saved by so many people, i.e. the vampires as well as the wolves.
Who’s the kid here? I mean, you seem thoroughly pissed for some very odd reasons. You sounded like Stephenie Meyer was purposely writing this book saying that women has absolutely no power to save themselves and therefore must be saved by creatures with super strengths. Seriously, we’re not THAT pathetic. Ever wonder that maybe the sexist views you pointed out are merely your personal interpretation of the book?
I don’t know about other people out there, but as far as I’m concerned, dozens of people that I know that read this book, including myself, have not deluded ourselves with the idea that if our boyfriend ever leave us, we should all go into a zombie state.
The whole body fluid thing, I don’t get it either, but I’ve always bared in mind that it is a fantasy book.
And what with Elizabeth Bennet? Who ever said that the theme of the book was about feminist hero?
No harm intended, my apologies if I offended anyone, but seeing as the debate is pretty much heated up and that you had your ‘15 minutes of freedom of speech’, might as well add my own opinion.
With all the above said, I must say, it’s good to know you actually have copies of the books.
ok just ‘cuz u don’t like that story doesn’t mean that u have to make an exstremely mean & rude article about, fine if u don’t like the series, but keep it to ur & let the people who do like it alone!!! u big jerk/meany!!!! T_T!!!!! & i agree w/ elyse& sarah up above me too!! ^_^!!! & who doesn’t like this article!! thanks!!!
I said no vulgar statement.
I haven’t cursed.
I haven’t used capslock.
I’ve brought up questions that haven’t been answered.
I’ve been calm throughout this entire debate.
I’m sorry if you don’t see what I’m trying to say.
But hey. That’s your opinion. Right?
I did enjoyed the four books, so my teenagers. of course we all have different opinion on which one is our favorite book from the series.
I know you didn’t . I wasn’t saying you did.
Absolutely brilliant. I’ve seen some poor reviews for Breaking Dawn (and after its release, some for the first three books) but none have addressed the issues you have.
Those same issues (and many more) have been brought up at this forum: http://twilightsucks.proboards81.com/index.cgi
You may want to check it out.
I was refering to both sides tha are doing that.
This was the worst review I have ever read. Even though I am a fan of the books, I am incredibly open to negative reviews, but come on. You could try being a little tactful. This was just outright mean. And remember people, this is fiction. Its entertaining. Its fun to read. You’re entitled to your opinion, but have some class. I actually find it quite comical that your hatred for the book has you so fired up and emotional. Too bad it couldn’t be channeled in a better direction.
Oh, sorry. It’s difficult to know who is coming from where.
Yes, a woman decided to be sexist..right(*insert heavy sarcasm*). Twilight is a series, in which you see how Bella and Edward change. Throughout the book Bella’s personality grows and she matures. At the end of the series she goes from that ‘damsel in distress’ to one of the most strongest females/ characters in the book. Like someone earlier said, it’s fiction. You don’t find sexy vampires out on the street trying to save people and falling in love with a plain girl. It’s all about have imagination and being a fan of romance and action. We all have our say in this, I am not telling you, you are wrong. Obviously it is your opinion, and this is mine. Twilight is an excellent book, i found myself reading the series over and over and i CANNOT wait for the movie.
im a woman and i still like the books!!! they are awsome
also, they are just books, come on
not reality
From Spain.
I find it strange that so many of you fans blubber things like, “How could you not like it? Did you even read it?” but then when we say that we HAVE read it, you say, “Why would you keep reading if you didn’t like it?”
I have to tell you, that’s pretty strange. Almost as if you think that nobody that’s read it couldn’t like it. But then you start wailing things like “EVERYONE’S ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINIONS” and “WOW DO YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN CRITICIZE THIS BOOK?”
But really, Twilight haters aren’t the first people to criticize books. Critique of all kinds has been around for a long, long time, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anybody saying “if you hate it so much then why are you writing about it?” before Twilight. Does this give you a hint at how incredibly rabid and senseless many of you are?
I’m not even going to bother to address the article, since I agree with everything that it’s said.
But really, so many of you fans are just unbelievable, you know that? I mean, I’ve met a few genuinely intelligent, sane people who liked Twilight, but they’re this tiny minority drowning in the sea of obsessed, dimwitted fans like TwilightFan, Jess, Alize, Selu, Lia, Gabby, lillia(:, TWILIGHT FOREVAAAA, sarah, and cecilia. It’s fans like them that ruin the names of decent fans like… okay, there aren’t too many, but if you scroll up to look at a few fans’ comments you’ll see that some of them attempt to make some sense, and I appreciate that.
And please, fan girls, stop confusing popularity with quality. Just because the books have sold millions doesn’t mean that the books don’t suck. Or are you really so stupid that you have to rely on popularity to figure out if something’s good or not?
I think that you understime the teenagers today, I see them under a different light.
Teenagers today are well read, travel, they work, get involved in so many activites, music, art, they are independent and know what they want.
I had the opportunity to live abroad: China, Korea, Mexico,Thailand,Japan, USA. I can say that this bright young women and men are not uninformed nor uneducated. (I want to mention that I read the twilight Saga in other languages too)
Do they know the difference between a fictional character from a book with vampires and worewolf from a real life situation?….. let me think.
I dare to say yes, a positive yes. you will always come across some exceptions, not the rule, but that can be applied to adults too.
Are teenagers unexperience, awkard, undecide, odd, overbearing overexicited , trying to find their place?… yes
But who is not? I have seen tons of teens with a lot of common sense and more maturity than some adults.
Am I impressed by all these young women and men today .. YOU BET!
I am worried about the twilight Saga influence on the teenagers today? A definefly, clear, NO !
I do not understimate them for a second
Now I am moving on
Um… okay. Some of us actually LIKE this series and there’s absolutely NOTHING wrong with that. I’m pretty sure Stephenie Meyer didn’t intend for this book to be “anti-feminist”. Stop bashing her.
You need to chill out.
I’m a girl, but come on. I hate all that feminist shit that woman always talk about.
the books are great.
It’s a love story so yeah, Bella loves Edward and that’s why she’s willing to give up things to be with him. It’s because she loves him.
And it’s not like she’s giving up college and stuff for just marriage. It’s to become a vampire, because that’s what he is and she wants to be with him. It’s not a like a normal situation. It’s a fantasy book.
And thats also why the whole pregnancy thing can work. Because it’s a fucking fantasy book!
You really need to chill out! Feminist are annoying as hell! What the hell does it matter? It’s the stupidest thing to get upset about. This whole review was so stupid I’m ashamed to be a girl just knowing there are women like this who can’t even read a love story without thinking its sexist!
Umm hello…it’s young adult FICTION. What do you expect? She tried to keep the setting realistic but the books are entirely fantasy…something that came from a dream.
Sorry if you’re dreams are so boring that you can’t appreciate that. I am an adult and I happen to the love the books…for the fantasy. Just like the fantasy of HP.
If you don’t like them…then stop reading and get over yourself. Meyer even states that the books really aren’t for the readers as much as they are for herself (and the first time she say down to really write, would you be stellar at it?), and who else would have the balls to admit that!? So don’t get so upset about something you really have no control over.
If you want to feel more equal in your reading that perhaps you should stick to an age range that better suits you or perhaps nonfiction.
[...] has an article discussing why the writer thinks Twilight [...]
Okay, I HATE the claim, “It’s just fantasy!” Even if that is true, that doesn’t mean the book shouldn’t follow it’s own logic/canon. If i were to write a book and claim that only pink elephants could fly, I wouldn’t write about a flying blue elephant. That would break canon, no matter how many excuses I made for it.
To Kill a Mocking Bird is fiction, but does that mean it’s stupid and unrealistic? No.
Just because it’s FICTION doesn’t mean it should be exempt from criticism. Just because it’s for Young Adults doesn’t mean it should be empty, stupid, useless, or messageless. That’s insulting.
i really liked the amount of examples in your essay and i see your point of view although i think that you’re looking a little too far into the messages in the book. I dont think Stephanie had any intentions of the sexist views and she wasnt even planning on having the book be this popular or as influencing. I do agree that it was extremely intense during the birth and pretty creepy but atleast Stephanie didnt skip over any “difficult” or “painful” sections you claim she skipped over in New Moon.
It was very refreashing to hear someone on the negative side of The Twilight Craze.
Very good article, even if i dont agree with it, and i think you’ve got a lot of guts to post it online.
Awesome again!
~S~
I enjoyed reading this article although I disagree with most of what was said. It’s interesting seeing things from another point of view.
I’m a Twilight fan which means I’m used to defending the book. Most of the Twilight community are sick to death of trying to explain to people that Bella isn’t some ‘damsel in distress’ character. She is a ‘normal’ girl who happens to be surrounded by supernatural beings. Of course she’s going to need rescuing, how would she be able to hold her own? She makes her own choices, she fights for what she loves and I think that’s a lot to admire in a character.
As for Edward, you must remember we’re seeing him through the eyes of someone who’s desperately in love in him. Love, as they say, is blind. He is by no means perfect.
I’m insulted to read that you think teenagers are so immpressionable. (I’m 18 myself.) I think most people are able to seperate a book from real life. If everything were to influnece how we acted goodness knows how we would be with shows like ‘The Hills’ and ‘The O.C.’ I think you should give us a bit more credit.
If you did a bit of research the pregancy would have been explained to you. Meyer has had it mapped out since 2003.
The books are not sexist. Simple as that.
The saga has inspired people all over the world to write, draw and create music. Most importantly they have got people to read again and created interest and excitment over literature.
I work at a library and I read a lot. Twilight remains my favourite book. I enjoy Meyer’s writing and her stories. I wonder why you continued the series if you hated the first book so much?
I’m interested in debating the series and looking at it from a critical point of veiw. But this article wasn’t a review. You did nothing by bash the series and look at it from a narrow, one minded side.
A few of the commenters are laughing at the Twilighters for coming on defending the saga. I find it wonderful that people can be so passionate about books. We don’t automatically hate anyone who doesn’t like the books. But with an article like this I think we have a right to be mad.
I’m sorry that you didn’t like the them. But I hope some of these comments will help you look at the books from another light.
In the meantime I would ask you to work on your reviewing skills.
Sarah.
I think Twilight is boring until the nomads arrive… only the end was interesting and Catherine Hardwicke and Melissa Rosenberg perfectly know that– we will mostly see the end of the book in the film and not the entire story of Bella & Edward.. Thanks Catherine!
Twilight ROCKS!!!!! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!
Okay ladies…..
Let me first state that I am a wifey, mommy, and have a great career…. I loved the series! It is a nice escape from the every day to do list. It is fictional, everyone knew that going into it. If you don’t like it….. fine, but to WAIST this much time on something that you don’t like is sad!! There is so much more going on in our world to worry and debate about.
Also, to worry about what it is doing to young teenage girls today, here’s a thought… I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and I am appalled at the song on the radio that is so popular “I kissed a girl and I liked it”. Are you kidding me?? Not to mention what they are showing on TV now a days. There are teen girls out there experimenting with kissing other girls, drugs, and other horrible things and you guys are worried with them reading this and hoping that they can maybe find true love or whatever it is they get from it. Give me a break!! Lay off them!! There are no such things as vampires, and it is a great read to some.
Why not focus your time and debate on something good or worth it! BTW, women have so many choices today and you cannot ridicule anyone for the choices they make, reading a book or not. Their life, their choice, thats that!
Not trying to offend anyone, just stating MY opinion!
i think you are full of crap.
Twilight is beautifully written.
I do recall countless times where Bella does stuff and takes more than one step without having Edward to come and save her.
Many books have damsels and distresses and are amazing.
There are many people who feel this article is right while there are others who couldn’t disagree more.
If you did hate the book so much why did you continue reading.
I must agree with what Sarah said. Everything she said was true especially the part about where you were just bashing the book.
If you were a good reviewer you wouldn’t have just bashed the book.
Your reviewing skills suck.
WHATS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE
THAT SERIES WAS AWESOME …..
U GUYS RUIN EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY
ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT ALL DESERVE TO DIE
EVERYLITTLE DETAIL WAS AWESOME IT PUT A PICTURE IN MY HEAD ON WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN THE MOVIE
I HOPE U SUFFER WHOEVER YOU ARE THAT WROTE THIGS THINGY AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT IT
SKREW YOU FOR THIKING THIS TWILIGHT IS AWESOEM IN EVERY WAY YEAH
I think for all of you hate this saga you sure are putting a whole lot of time and effort to read it and then bash it. Something about is good otherwise you just woudn’t care. I read this because my 14th yr old daugther wanted me to know what was going on when we went to see the movie and couldn’t put it down. We bonded in a really cool way. It rare to find things in common with you teengae children. And we raised our daughter well enough to know this book is ENTERTAINMENT reading for your own pleasure. Her Dad and I are her role models in life not the book. Ienjoyed the romance part of the books because its fantasie not real hello people. If you were married than you would know. I love the Twilight Saga and I can’t wait for the movie. My family will go and get dressed up as vampires and we’ll connect with our teenage daughter on her level. How many parents can say that.
somebody else already wrote what i wanted to say for the most part….THANK YOU SARAH !…
Damn you! You’re a bad reviewer because you gave this book a critique! [/SARCASM] Seriously, Twilight fans?…
If the reviewer utterly hates the book… then their review is going to be mostly negative. They will not sugarcoat anything so poor Twilight fans don’t get their feelings hurt.
OH MY GOSH HOW THE HECK CAN YOU SAY THAT?!?!?!?!?! TWILIGHT IS AN INSPIRATION!!!! WHAT THE WEREWOLF (HEHE) IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!?!?!YOU ARE SICK!!! WHAT THE CRAP DUDE!!!!!!! YOU ARE A WEREWOLFIN WEREFOLF WHO SHOUND GO TO WEREWOLF!!!!!!!!! WTH?!?!?!?!?!?! WHAT THE HECH IS WRONG WITH YOU YOU SICK PERSON??!?! DONT WRITE AN ARTICLE ABOUT IT!!! JUST SAY THAT YOU DONT CARE FOR IT AND KEEP IT LIKE THAT!!!!! BUT DONT GO BLABBING IT OUT TO THE ENTIRE WORLD!! YOU SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR MAKING SO MANY PEOPLE MISERABLE!!!!!!!!! WHAT HTE HECK LADY, WHAT THE HECK!?!??!?!?!?!?!??!!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!? YOU JUST WANT SOME ATTENTION!!!!
So ok obviously there are people who don’t like the series and they will speak there mind! I LOVE the series! The only problem I have with this article is the fact about the depression and everything that Bella falls into in New Moon not be a very good potrayel for young women, all I can say is thet it IS A STORY!!! I think it’s nice to have wonderful, fantastical stories like this to escape into after the reality of life! Especially teenage life these days! I mean really I think most of the young girls that read this are smart enough to know that it is FICTIONAL! If not I think there are bigger problems in there life! Any way that’s about all I have to say!! Oh yeah and SOOOOOO looking forward to the movie and the BEAUTIFUL Robert Pattinson!!! WOOO HOOO!!!!
The romance may be fantasy, but that doesn’t change the fact that Bella is in an abusive relationship. Some teenagers may know that it’s just a story, but for every one of them there are more saying that they wish they had a boyfriend like Edward. Is that the type of relationship that should be promoted?
I totally disagree with you. Although your article was very well written.It was interesting to hear a different opinion to the story no matter how insane it was. These books aren’t about the fiction aspect of it, the vampirism is the conflict that makes the books more complicated and shows how strong the bond between Bella and Edward truly is. I don’t think its sexist, it would be the same story if Bella were a vampire and Edward was human.
I think you just have to get over the fact the is a very fantasy type book. Even if fantasy isn’t the core of the books it still is a very good part of it, it is part of the reason it is so fantastic,it adds some action and imagination to the story .
The Twilight Saga is awesome and always will be !
I have to say that love can be many things. No one way of expressing love is better then the others and while some women want a man to protect them others find that idea horrific. Some people find the best way to express their love is physical and other people chose to wait. It is just that–a personal choice.
As for those who seem to be troubled by the “disguesting” scences I suggest that you read other vampire books. Anne Rice, for one, writes excellent vampire books all of which have violence as a large part of them. Even Bram Stoker (the author of Dracula) had a good deal of vampiric violence and damsels in distress. Even the great Elizabeth Bennet (no scarcasim there) had Darcy’s help in regaining her younger sister’s reputation after she caressly ran off with Wickham. And with Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff digs up Catherine’s body and thoughtout Catherine’s lige she could never actually marry the man she loved because she believed that “it would degrade” her. At least Bella married the man she loved and didn’t beat around it.
Lastly, let people read what makes them happy. This is America, let’s not go off the deep end and start censoring books like people did with Harry Potter and many other books that can whiz young adults away from their viedo game consuls.
I wholly disagree with you. I’m a woman and a feminist and I think your claims (along with others) of Twilight being anti-feminist are a source of a serious misread.
I would agree with you, that Twilight is anti-feminist, IF any of the situations where presented as anything other abnormal or supernatural. But it isn’t. Not once is any situation in the books presented as anything close to actual life.
Bella is not weak and needs saving b/c she’s female. Bella is weak and needs saving b/c she’s a HUMAN in a SUPERNATURAL situations. The supernatural, abnormal, superhumanness of the characters dictate and informs everything that happens in the series.
To pretend as if it is otherwise seems very willful to me.
Aside from the baby craziness in nearly all the female characters in the last book, (except for the ever Amazing Alice), I really don’t see a damn thing anti-feminist about it.
Bella makes up her own mind and sticks with her choices even when everyone she loves is telling her she should do otherwise.
Edwards IS A VAMPIRE, so this informs a lot of his actions that if considered for someone like Mike would be seriously disturbing. Also, everyone seems to forget that Edward apologizes, tells Bella will trust her decisions, and then changes his behavior. This is a very big development, yet it is always left out.
I don’t mind people disagreeing with me. But what I do mind is when people take the book out of it’s very own context in order to try and make your arguments.
More detailed argument as to why Twilight is NOT anti-feminist can be found here.
http://www.shakefire.com/boards/showpost.php?p=285397&postcount=266
and
http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/11/film-clips-is-twilight-anti-feminist/
Lastly, I swear I have read these exact words before from other reviews that site Twilight as anti-feminist. Word from word.
@ Jeanine: Notice I said the “majority.” I didn’t single you out, did I?
You don’t understand at all. What age are you? 40? 30? You really need to give Stephenie Meyer some credit. Ok, so Bella Swan is not plain. But, she thinks she is. I mean most teens now see them selves as boring and plain.
I’m not going to harass any of you guys but you have to remember that other people do like it. You can’t really understand some teens minds. I being a teen, read it and i thought it was pretty good. Some people prefer these books to more mature books. They are easy to read and quick.
Btw, You really need to shut up about the feminist shit crap. I’m a girl and to honest, I don’t give a damn about all that. I live in a house with 6 stepbrothers and 3 sisters. We’re all teens. 4 of my stepbrothers have read it and love it. I know more boys than girls that read it. Ok, so more girls read it than boys but i hardly doubt any one who loves it would jump of a cliff if there boyfriend dumped them.
The one thing to begin with of your review is the fact your biased towards Harry Potter. If you look closely at Harry Potter you can find the same sexist behavior you claim the Twilight series has. I am a fan of both series. Twilight has a different spin on vampires, something that isn’t easy to accept since it is so new. The relationship Edward has with Bella is not an abusive one as you call it. Edward has been around since the 1900’s his attitude is old fashioned mixed in with modern ways. Bella is not the damsel in distress. Surely in the other books she takes on a more defensive act rather than to be defended. If you wanted to talk about damsels in distress how about Cho Chang or even Ginny.
Cho Chang is your classical save me damsel in distress, while Ginny allows a decison to be made for her about her safety. Bella is just like any teenager with just a slight fantasy twist and you could say the same about the characters in Harry Potter. There are many teenagers and people that are older than can identify with Bella. But you call her anything but normal as Meyers claims; then what of those people that see a little or alot of themselves in her are they simply abnormal, freaks of society. You need to get your facts straight about anything related to Twilight before you go and bash it. I get it Twilight isn’t for you but before you go and tear it down like you did look at the Harry Potter series you can see in it some of if not most of things you acuse Twilight of. Your review of Twilight was unjust and biased before you even read it. You hold Harry Potter in such a high light that if anything comes around that may best it you feel the urge to nit pick at things that are the way they should be considering the plot and background of the book. Nothing is wrong with feminism but in the end your review just made you sound like a disgruntled Harry Potter fan who hates being bested by a new fantasy series.
Let me first say, that if you hated the characters and writing style of this series, then why did you read ALL of them? If was such an awful series and you hated, then there would have been no reason for you to continue reading….So obviously there was something that you liked about these books and I don’t really understand why it bother’s you so much about how Stephenie Meyer has chosen to portray her characters, especially Bella. She is the author, and she writes the characters how she sees them fitting into her story. And the whole comment about setting woman back two hundred years or whatever, me and all of my friends love the romance in this book and Edward being abusive….I mean come on! Every girl wants some boy that will love her and take care of her, that doesn’t make Bella weak. And why do you have write such a mean review, can’t you just let people read books they like and respect that millions of teenage GIRLS out there love these books? At least people are reading. So, you kinda really suck. Later
I actually enjoy the books, writing isn’t great but the story telling is good.
I’m 27 years old, and most of my friends who read this series are over 21. Its a fictional story, if girls take this story seriously, they have deeper issues, and their parents haven’t done their jobs.
Most young women aren’t going to take a fictional Vampire romance as fact…
The author of this article is in no way “stopping people from reading the books they like”.
I don’t think anyone wants to censor books. A lot just want people to stop treating it like it’s the greatest book ever and realize that there are numerous flaws, including Bella and Edward’s relationship.
Also, since it was mentioned by Sarah, there is still a flaw when it comes to venom replacing almost all bodily fluids except for sperm. If a vampire’s body does freeze exactly like it was then that means that the sperm is frozen as well and doesn’t die, right? How does that explain Nessie being half-vampire? If it’s frozen then it should still be human, as Edward’s body can’t produce more.
Anyone got the pitchforks?!?
okay, i’ll admit.. at first, when i heard about these books from a friend, i thought it sounded STUPID. But when i finally gave the books a chance nearly 1 year later, cause i desperately wanted something to read, i really really liked them. Ofcourse, being the young teenage girl that i am I “fell in love with both Edward & Jacob”..both fictional characters and, but then i realized as soon as the books got bigger and bigger and more “twilighters” were being CREATED, I actually realized how silly these books were..suuuure they were just so tempting and addicting, but when I started seeing little girls aged 8-11 reading these books, it makes you think “WTF?!…” and seeing more and more people just OOOOVERLY obsessing about how they wanna be BELLA or have a man ‘JUST LIKE EDWARD CULLEN CAUSE HE IS SOOO PERFECT’, kinda made me realize that all these people (including myself) look DUMB when they profess their love to fictional characters. heyy, dont get me wrong..sure the characters ARE interesting, but seriously..if there was an actual ‘edward cullen’ in real life – aside from his DAZZLING, HOT LOOKS- would’nt he annoy the hell out of you with his way over the top protectiveness, and his seriousness?. Think about it guys..what are the true reasons that soooo many freaking teenage girls love these books?, i bet you if there wasn’t an Edward Cullen or a Jacob Black in these books..it wouldn’t even be nearly as big as it is today.
BUT im just saying y’know?
To Dollywood
The girls who read these series are not fat girls who just want to be loved. I am not fat and i have a lot of people who support me. This book is not to be taken as something to profile people as…it’s very disturbing knowing that people can catergorize others by what they read, honestly if you asked around, you will find more older girls in their 20’s will love this book too. and to be even more honest…I have not found one supposedly FAT girl who wants a handsom guy who loves this book… and It is not just the teenagers who like it.
I LOVE THE WHOLE SERIES!!! Yes i agree some things could have been better…but then this is someone else’s book, planned out to the way they wanted it to be. S. Meyer may not be the best author, but she is a great story writer. She knows what she wants and she tells it the way it is supposed to be. While reading through these, I was seriously getting offened by the remarks of there being any sexism in this book. Honestly, everyone knows that if men dont have to cook, they wont. it is just a fact of life. In the beginning of Twilight, Charlie, Bella’s dad tries cooking adn Bella saw that it was something that he was not good at, so she told him that she would do the cooking from now on and he said “ok” there is nothing sexist about a girl who wants to help out her father. Another thing is that YES! Edward makes her happy. Just his presence makes her smile. They are two people, ( people used as just a saying), in love. Love does many things to you. Honestly I have never felt that kind of love, but if you look around you can just see it. It does not have to be explained…I am not bashing this artical, everyone has their own opinion and this is mine, this is a book that you have to be open minded to read, and if you are too busy looking for the errors you will find them…but if youare just reading for fun this book will grab you rattention and you will fall in love with them. Everyone has their own type of reading, some like westerns, some like way out there books and others like FANTASY books. I am a fan of the real life and a fan of the fantasy books. My first true love of a book was Speak. It was a book that I can relate to. The twilight books are books that I can do both with. I can relate to them in the love aspect, and i love the fact that there is a twist of fiction in it. Vampires rule, well they would if they were real…to like these books you have to be in touch with the fantasy lands, you know what i mean lol. And another thing that got me was that about Edward’s and Bella’s relationship was abusive…I SEE NO ABUSIVE ASPECT TO IT… Edward knew the chances of Bella getting hurt if she went to see a newly young werewolf…Bella didnt quite understand…Edward was looking out for her like i would hope that a boyfriend would look out for me. That is all I have to say and that this is my oppinion and you can disagree or even agree with me but there is no way you can change my mind about it….I LOVE THE TWILIGHT SERIES and they were the best books I have read in quite a while so I say thank you to stephenie Meyer for creating and publishing these books!!! They are much appreciated!!!!
wow. seriously how lame do you have to be to spend your time writing an article about a story you did not like. if you didn’t like it then you should have stopped reading it. not every person in the world has the same views as you and not everyone has to think what you say is right. it is your opinion however but if everyone in the world thought and talked the same then there would nothing interesting in the world. Of course many people may agree with you but there are also many who disagree and as a fan of Stephenie Meyer i believe that you should keep your opinions to yourself and allow other people to read the series and create their own opinions. this article was very immature and as a young teen i know that every person likes different things and have different views on EVERYTHING. but honestly let readers come up with their views on their own, they don’t need articles like these to influence what they read. And i agree with Amanda, you really suck.
Amanda: “Every girl wants some boy that will love her and take care of her, that doesn’t make Bella weak. ”
Please don’t put all girls into the same category, especially into the same category as Bella. What Edward does goes beyond wanting to “take care of her.” Watching her while she sleeps, removing the engine from her truck, and listening in on the people around her to find out what she’s thinking goes way beyond concern and becomes controlling.
Arietta..
There have been very old legends involving Vampires and pregnancies,there are many many different legends about Vampires, so really the Pregnancy in the book, depending on what legends you choose to follow isn’t all that impossible.
I am 28, I enjoyed the books for what they were, fiction…Just as I love Harry Potter
I just wanted to say that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The series was amazing or horrible, Stephenie Meyer is amazing or horrible… think what you want. What I honestly can understand is why someone who HATED the series, the characters, AND the author all in the first go-round would even start the second book? Or finnish the entire series? Or post a huge rant about how horrible it was. Why not just move on to something different that you will enjoy? Leave the fans to the series and the haters go elsewhere. I will never understand why haters spend so much time and energy to point out all the things they disagree with. Wouldn’t they be happier finding something they did enjoy?
That’s just my thoughts on this rant.
Lol this is pathetic.
I’d like to see you right a book.
You can hardly right a sleezy article.
It’s the best book I’ve ever read.
You’re pathetic scum. :]
I disagree and that’s all I have to say, because I would be here forever explaining why the Twilight series is the best series I’ve ever read, including Harry Potter.
Charline: I agree with you, though the problem is that Stephenie Meyer focused too much on the science aspect, so a lot of her explanations don’t quite add up. If she hadn’t tried to use science to explain her vampires then it would have made much more sense.
I’d like to see you spell correctly.
right =/= write.
The reason fans are foaming at the mouth when they see *any* sort of criticism is because they are incapable of defending this series on any sort of intellectual level. At all. It fails virtually every objective measurement of good writing.
Have you noticed how all of the Twilighters respond with curse-ridden ad hominem attacks, laughably bad arguments against the series’ obvious faults, idiotic comments about how we’re all “femi-nazis”, or simply whinge and moan about how it’s “not nice” to say anything but nice things about poor widdle Mrs. Meyer’s book because we might hurt her fragile ego?
On the other hand, people who see this series for what it is present themselves intelligently and have clear, concise, and accurate arguments as to why they think it’s crap.
The replies speak for themselves.
seriously…Narwhal my arguments come right out of the book if you dont like what I have to say dont read it and say that the arguments are bad…everyone has their own opinions and I guess to you everyone who likes the book is uneducated…we just have a different taste in books than you almighty people who dont like these books and think they are crap might i remind you that these are all opinions!!! And I never swore in my oppinion thank you though for mentioning the swearing it was kinda unnecessary
Yes, Ashley, your arguments do come out of the book, but most of the other “twilighters” resort to ad hominem attacks on Ms. Rice (”pathetic scum” etc.)
yeah I agree, they dont make sense even to me…LOL
I love how a majority of the time the rabid fangirls can’t even bother with a real debate, it’s just a load of, “WAAAAH, I HATE U THESE BOOKS ARE AWESOME ID LYKE 2 C U WRITE SOMETHING BETTER U THINK UR SO SMART WELL I DONT LOLOLOL!!!111″
This, ladies and gentleman, is the audience of these books. Even the adults who enjoy these books still have their mindsets stuck at 16, and no, I don’t care who I offend with that, because it’s true. Meyer herself is an example of that. Interview after interview she shows a lack of thought process. No wonder her fans behave this way, they try so hard to be like her.
Well… you know what…. you SUCK!
Im sorry roxana that my mind is stuck in the 16 year old mind set…I have no intentions of being like S. Meyer. I just like her book and I will stick up for it…If we all backed down it wouldn’t give you anything to do…….. And There are a lot of intelligent people who also like these books dont just take the few people who like this book and label them all the samed…I think that im not chilish…I just have an imagination so thank you
sorry my spelling errors are really bad in that last post!!!
Arietta
The same could be said for Frankenstein, or Doctor Van Helsing when it comes to science.
When it comes to works of fiction, one is only limited by ones imagination, I can think of many good things that have been filmed or written using science to explain impossibilities, when even with the science it still wouldn’t be possible.
It is after all fiction.
ok so this article was great!! i read all of the books …….harry potter was way better i dont think anyone could ever touch harry potter though…..but twilight was a good read and i understand everything you say about girls being obsessed about finding an Edward or Jacob because i have seen all of my friends like that..it was not entertaining……….people should not bash rice beacause she expressed her opinion and everyone has their right to do so……Harry Potter fans should not worry either although the movie was pushed to next year it will still be 100% better than Twilight the movie….whoch looks really stupid (although twilight wasnt that bad)…but i am sure that the movie will not be great and people are making too much of a fuss over these four books which were not that great..
Really? They “come right out of the book”? So do the far superior counter-arguments made by anti-Twilighters. FYI, the vast majority of us have read all four books.
And yes, everyone is entitled to an opinion. Mine just happens to be backed up by fact.
Great review. Of course the other side of the coin, like in the ol GooseBump days, at least these books are being read. Reading anything is better than not at all. Bravo for giving these girls something to think about. Honestly, The New York Times should hire you.
oh and all the pple who posted comments like “you suck : and all the profanities just know that rice is talking the truth and have nothing to say about that .lol oh well i find it to be very funny
Wouldn’t give me anything to do? Erm, wrong. I happen to be online just now, please don’t get the impression that I live and breathe Twilight. I do have a life, regardless of what the rabid fangirls believe of the Antis.
These intelligent lovers of the books that you speak of- yes I’ve met them before, they make up about 1% of the Twilight loving population. Have you seen the comments above at all? Or in any article that has a negative opinion of the book? The majority, without a doubt, speaks in exactly the same way that I mocked them in my last comment. Besides, this doesn’t particularly pertain to you, so whether you’re childish or not doesn’t matter. The majority is, though, and that’s what matters, because it shows you the type of audience these books appeal to.
I hate this review. Twilight is different from a girl’s view and a guy’s view.
Jeanine
when i said dont read it i was talking about people that went halfway thru “o this suks. im going to finish it just to bore myself to death”
dont know if ur one of those ppl. if ur not good 4 u
WELL.
i have to admit that that was a very well written essay. or watever trash you call it.
if you dont like it GOOD FOR YOU. dont bash it.
if you ever write a book im going to TRASH YOURS. do you know why? because you feel the need to do that to stephenie meyer.
AND
what?
are you trying to lower the sagas status on the charts?
i dont even think you understand how good the books are if you look at them negatively.
think of it as a FICTIONAL LOVE STORY. written out of true love and almost real life situations.
i dont mean literally you are going to fall in love with a vampire and a werewolf but between two guys if you were a girl. and vice versa for a guy.
TAKE A CHILL PILL. it wasnt that bad.
i have read them all and i enjoyed them all.
breaking dawn was a little weird but im not going to say IT SUCKS.
i hope your happy with all those sick fans you have now. and all the twilighters who hate you.
sorry.
its the truth.
have fun running from angry mobs of twilighters.
OH AND DONT MAKE IT SEXIST AND ABUSIVE. YOU’D PROBLY DO THE SAME THING IF YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH A VAMPIRE AND THOUGHT YOU WERE IN LOVE WITH A WEREWOLF TOO.
take into consideration the OBSTACLES you would cross it supernatural creatures existed.
think about it.
I believe the author is indeed a girl, Mary.
@ Pat O’Neill: I could not agree with you any more. You, good person, are amazing.
its upsetting that everyone labels ALL twilight fans the same. No we are different and we all act different…That is all I was saying…And when I said “you” I meant everyone who sits around waiting for one person to be for the book and then they put their two cents in just trying to be right…Not saying you but that is how you came across but that is your opinion and I respect that I was just giving another perspective to look through….but I agree most of the girls who Adore the twilight series are childish and they need to cool it down…I was just putting my two cents in and defending the 1% population of twi fans and thank you!…
I am a Twilight fan. Now that you have that fact, allow me to speak from my side in a rational, non-text speak rebuttal.
I enjoyed the series because Bella is a strong female protagonist. There is evidence of that in each of the books. Instead of running into Edward’s arms toward the end of book one, Bella chooses to try to save her mother’s life. She walked into that fully aware that there was a 99.99 percent chance she would die. Please explain to me how that doesn’t give verification that she was brave and self-sacrificing for someone other than Edward.
In New Moon, where as Edward completely falls apart without Bella, she still gets up every day and pretends that she is ok. Sure, she did have her zombie state but can you really blame her? It is not a fault to mourn the loss of someone you loved. Plenty of people can take it to Bella’s extreme (and many have) over the death of a loved one. It does not mean by any stretch of the imagination that she is weak for feeling so strongly.
In Eclipse, Bella had to deal with events and confusion that would send some screaming to an asylum. The constant threat of losing her father, her best friend, and others could send most over the edge. Not to mention facing down her own death again and again. But Bella didn’t sit down and allow letting the chips fall as they may. She took an active role in her life, making tough choices when it would have been easier to hang back and let Edward solve all of her problems.
Sure Bella isn’t physically strong and is not the most self aware person alive (if she was she wouldn’t get in half of the messes that she did), but Bella shows that you can love someone deeply and still keep your independence. On the surface, it may not seem that way but look a bit closer and hopefully you will see a little of what I saw in her. She didn’t sit there and mindlessly agree to everything Edward told her to do. She fought often with him and Jake, who both thought she was too weak to make her own decisions.
I do respect your opinion of the book and am glad you at least did your research before writing. However, it does not change my love for the books.
I usually don’t mind people expressing their opinions about the books and its fans… but this article was just fucking rude. Why don’t you try backing up some of this shit with fact.
Does anyone here understand what the meaning of Fiction is? Twilight is pretend for gods sake! It’s a means for entertainment. Not something to read if you want to know what to do in a situation where your boyfriend leaves you or where to get your political views from!
I for one love the Twilight Saga, and Bella isn’t just some damsel in distress. At the end of Twilight she thinks her mom has been kidnapped, so she goes and gives her self up to try and save her mom. Yes, Bella sort of annoyed me when she was all stubborn towards Edward, but it doesn’t matter to me..because i remembered that the books were..fiction… I probably shouldn’t have even read this article. I’ve got better things to do.
Yeah I somewhat agree with that! They are entertaining but… thank you for saying what alot of people are thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!
i cant really say that i agree with anything in the article although it did have some good points. Please dont confuse me with some random Twihard that loves the book more than his or her own life, but the article was very rude to the book and its fans. I agree that it shouldnt be compared with harry potter but for different reasons; harry potter and twilight are completely different books so theres really not that much to compare. I think that people should calm down though because no matter what book it is theres always going to be some people that love it and some that dont and there will always be articles saying “this book was awful! dont read it! there was nothing good about it at all.” There will also always be articles praising it for being “wonderful and fresh.” honestly i loved twilight and i do want to defend it by saying this: twilight is a really good book for some people. It has an interesting plot and the characters have depth. I would recommend it to people who like romance novels and people who just want to read something about vampires but not to people who are looking for the best piece of writing there is out there.
Twilight is my favorite book though so please stop trashing it, and if u want to make fun of it then at least dont talk about stephanie meyer bc writing is hard and her book was at least a good book (to some ppl at least)
hahah i really loved twilight, new moon, eclipse, and breaking dawn. im a total fan. but i love reading the negative reviews because they give a fresh outlook besides crazy fan girls say “OMEC” (oh my edward cullen) or “TEAM EDWARD!”.
But this seriously has to be the meanest review ever! good, yes. and also the writer is very insightful. and it really shows has different people perceive different books.
It seemed to me, that the writer thinks that the bella/edward romance is just a stupid highschool romance, making bella seem anti-femenist(sp?) and idiodic for becoming “zombie-like” for half a year. But the truth is that their romance isnt just a highschool crush, its the real deal. True, uncensored LOVE. The two could literally not live without eachother. Hence edward’s overprotectiveness and bellas obviousfolding to his will (which i agree she is a pansy when she refuses to kick his ass after the whole engine thing).
Its the real deal, and they have undying (pun intended) love for eachother. so i dont think it is a sign of unrealistic weakness that bella has, simply the overhwhelming devotion that she has for edward.
Edward, is another story. Thought, its hard to grasp(since the books are in bellas pov) it is obvious that edward feels just as intensly for bella as she does for him. Every minute he is with her, he is in physical pain. but his adoration for her makes him able to resist his primal urge to kill. Now it seems that, since he must protect her from himself, everyone and everthing is a danger to her. So in edwards overexaggerating mind, he goes to extremes to protect her. Even from the all to sarcastic Jacob.
Basically, i really liked this review. and it seems people dont grasp the concept of true love the same way. wether they think it exsists or not. So yeah:]
(ps i dont want anyone bashing me cus it wont do any good, i’ll never come back on to read it so dont waste your time)
LOL @ all the twelve-year-old Twitards acting butthurt and dropping F-bombs. I hope you all find your very own Edwards some day soon. <3
I wasn’t going to get involved, but having finished reading the comments I felt the need to.
Firstly, we all realize we are arguing over 4 works of YA fiction by a housewife who had never written before in her life, right?
Just checking.
Secondly. I am 19 years old, a sophomore creative writing major, and I loved the entire Twilight saga. I was among the girls waiting in line for Breaking Dawn at midnight. Are the books perfect? No. They were not meant to be some great thought-provoking works of adult literature. They are YOUNG ADULT books and they provide an escape from life for a while. Do I expect everyone to love them? No. If you don’t like the books, that’s your opinion and I respect that.
But just like everyone is arguing and complaining about everyone else’s takes on the stereotypes of housewives, feminists, and etc, not all Twilighters are rabid fangirls who will rip your throat out if you don’t love their precious books. I am a Twilighter and I would greatly appreciate a little respect rather than being grouped in with the obsessive pre-teen demographic.
Thank you.
Okay first of all ..i understand it’s your opinion but you can go about sharing your opinion in a more respectful way …
First of all. This book isn’t sexist or completely anti-feminist what so ever.. People are so quick to judge on Twilight but they don’t even consider other stories that happens to have the super hero of the book save the girl .. and yes people may think that it’s all about a girl who can’t take care of herself but if you really look more in depth in the stories you would surely realize that Bella is an extremely strong character.. She may not be strong physically (until BD) .. But she’s extremely strong mentally .. Case 1. in Twilight she was willing to risk her own life to save the ones she loved .. she didn’t want edward to come after her .. she was willing to die to make everyone else safe.. so her plan didn’t exactly come out the way that she hoped because edward came into the rescue, but the fact that she was even willing to consider dying for the people she loved made her a strong character.. Case 2. In New Moon.. Again she was willing to risk her life for Edward .. Everyone only sees everything to one side.. everyone only seens Bella as this weak girl who Edward or Jacob has to keep on saving.. But she’s done plenty of things to save her loved ones.. Her running down in Italy trying to save Edward from committing suicide almost.. && coming into Breaking Dawn she was the HERO of the book ..
Your comments about the books being sexist are your own personal opinions .. But you’ve clearly not looked deep enough to the series to see all the strife and the things Bella has had to overcome and go through .. All which clearly represent how strong of a character she really is ..
&& i see that you are one of the people out there that have complained over the fact that “vampires can’t get someone pregnant”.. Seriously people.. the Twilight series is a FICTION.. say it with me now.. FICTION .. It’s not your vision or your book to say what Stephenie Meyer can and can’t do .. It’s her vision .. her books .. and she can write in whatever she wants to .. I find it ridiculous that so many people are so quick to say how it’s not possible that Bella got pregnant, yet they don’t understand the whole book isn’t even possible in the first place.. Vampires aren’t real nor are werewolves.. So why all the complaining now about how Bella’s pregnancy isn’t possible.. When in reality the whole book is work of fiction ?
Lastly, I will say that Meyer isn’t the best writer ever.. and any Twilight fan who’s read plenty of descent books will agree that Meyer has plenty of grammatical errors in plenty of her books. But the books are a great read, and the truth of the fact is Stephenie Meyer isn’t a writer she’s a story teller.. So of course she’s not going to have the same great writing styles as other authors out there, but in the end Meyer knows how to deliver a great compelling story that you may not love .. But plenty of people in this world have grown to adore and love.. Some of us are a bit obsessive… Yes i will admit that I am one of those fans .. But so what? If it annoys people how much we love the book then they don’t have to pay attention.
Overall .. I respect your views on the book, yet i don’t agree with them what so ever.. It’s your opinion and that’s okay, but I hope you don’t think that this one little review you give will affect any fan out there.. We will still love the books and still defend the books when someone bashes them..
I must say, although I am a diehard Twilighter, you did bring up some good points. Yes, Edward’s close to abusive behaviour in Eclipse regarding Jacob Black was aweful, and were I Bella I would never have put up with it. But other than that one fault, Bella is an admirable character. Despite her clumsiness (which there is nothing wrong with, I myself am extremely accident prone) she is an incredibly mature and self confident woman.
And let me point out that although Edward went to some ridiculous extremes to keep her away from Jacob (I mean, taking out her truck’s engine! Come on!), she didn’t really put up with it. Yes, she did brush it off by saying “He’s doing it because he loves me” or whatever other rubish excuses she came up with, she still went out of her way to undermine him. Like hopping on Jacob’s motorcycle in the middle of the school yard. That was awesome!!
I loved these books very much, nearly as much as I adore Harry Potter! (Although I do admit that Breaking Dawn was rather frightfully…..extreme.)
I stood in line for Breaking Dawn for hours, and I plan to do the same for the Twilight movie and for Midnight Sun.
Stephenie Meyer is my hero, as is her wonderful heroine, Bella.
oh and i dont thing twilight fans should bash the writer for putting up the essay cus we have a lovely little thing called free speech. and i bet they got paid to write a review (or maybe not i dunno) so we all gotta make a living
LMAO.
How old are you ? Seriously, What is this shit ? Who are you to say all this crap ? THIS is just a book ! You don’t like it ? OK. But it’s not a reason for insult the autor like that. Poor girl, I feel really, really, sorry for you.
You’re just so pathetic.
I can’t believe you all want to rant about how MEAN the review was. She stated an opinion she felt strongly about, so what? Have any of you noticed that some of you start your sentences with “Sorry, but..” and end them with a big ol’ “FUCK YOU”? That doesn’t make sense, it and only makes you come off as bipolar. You want to talk about mean and rude? Have any of you read the reply message from Meyer’s brother, Seth, to a fan who wanted her petition acknowledged? Now that was mean and rude, especially with someone so close to Meyer herself, he shouldnt have behaved like an angry rabid fangirl.
Back to the angry fangirls though- If you really want to defend your books, do so in a civil and mature manner, otherwise the rest of us will learn to go blind when your comments come up. If you want to have a healthy debate, we’ll respect you (it’s hilarious that the anti-twilighters have a greater tolerance for differing opinions than the real fangirls do) and we’ll listen to what you have to say. By jumping in and typing all in caps, you’re not doing anything for your argument, and you’re only causing me to keep believing that a good majority of the fangirls are complete idiots.
Learn a little, help us take you seriously, or don’t bother with it at all, because your screaming comments will end up as wasted space.
&& i forgot to add.. At the end of the day Stephenie Meyer can go home and say that all 4 of her books have made it on the New York’s Time Best Sellers List.. As well as topping many other best selling lists out there..
&& she can also say that one of her books sold 1.3 million copies in one day .. I’m pretty there are so many more accomplishments that she has had ..
But then again, you writing this article can’t really say any of those things listed above.. So what makes you think that what you say really matters?
Dear Kellen Rice,
If you can do better, then go on, write a book! Can’t wait to read it!!! But if you’re only jealous, I can understand, ’cause this is the best series ever!!!!
I think you totally suck!
So I just say: shut up and go to hell!!!!
Oh and this also goes to all of you who are jealous of Stephenie and “hate” the series!
PS. I will never come back to this site, so you can write whatever you want, I won’t be able to read it!
i have to respect you for you oppinion…however…i think you are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo wrong its not even funny.
these books are amazing, and they arnt being shoved down you throught, so i don’t see the reason for such the harsh artical..but other than that. the thing i think you are most wrong about is stephanie meyer’s writing style…its amazing. it is so detaled, and beautifuly written…and its not giving wrong ideas about feminizm, just because some don’t like an enchanting love story does not mean that every one else does not love it.
thanks
To Kris:
So what if Stephenie Meyer made a load of money? Have you seen the backlash that’s happened after BD? Half her fans hate her now. Have you been to Amazon.com at all? Hundreds of discussions with people furious over how everything’s turned out. Lately, if anything, Meyer doesn’t have much to be happy about, because her fanom 180′ed like crazy. Call those people what you will, “traitors” or whatever, but it still happened, and I’m sure Meyer’s taking it pretty badly, since she can’t own up to anything in her interviews and now her own brother has taken to being a jerk to the former fans. So right now, I, and I’m sure the author of this article, are quite happy we’re not Meyer. That women had something nearly good going, and then she turned around and destroyed it all single-handedly, so really, what am I supposed to be jealous about here?
Writing this article accomplished quite a bit I think, unless you’ve blinded yourself to the praise she’s received by writing it. She now gets to meet more like-minded people who aren’t resorting to ad hominem attacks just because they can’t come up with a rebuttal. You, with your comment, did the same. “You’re not rich so you suck!” is basically what you said. Unlike the article, what YOU said, really doesn’t matter, as much as you think it might.
Wow. Someone is totally jealous of Stephenie Meyer and her amazing ability to write.
lawl.
rofl
your negative thoughts will manifest in your own writing. don’t say i didn’t warn you. lmao
Wow you guys just cant stand to leave something as it is. You just have to try to ruin it and pick it apart it saddens me. This is a BOOK a FICTIONOUS BOOK. Let people enjoy a good story. The author isn’t claiming shes the next JK FAG Rowling or Jane Austen she simply wrote a story her sister thought it was good so she published it and shared her story when she didnt have to and iam glad she did so are the other millions of fans. Why waste your time to start a hate rant just because so many people like a simple book hey at least teens are reading instead of getting pregant and doing drugs. Also I happen to belive that this is a GREAT ENTERTAINING STORY not a fucking peice of literature. I also happen to believe that maybe 1% of the world has found there soulmate including FICTIONOUS Bella. The story has no drugs or sex nor does it promote anysort of drugs or sexual relationship between teenagers Bella and Edward got MARRIED then had sex just like any sort of normal couple in our world what makes them stand out more? So let little girls and boys who like the story enjoy it for what it is. So FUCK all you whiny ass HATERS or Harry fagget lovers i can go on and on about what a little bitch harry potter is and all the faggets that love that gay ass book about little kids with wands who waddle around and say some wierd ass shit how imature its fans are expecialy the adults and the adult fans will be able to read in al little more about twilight and why things are in there it is a little mature for young readers. So thank you again for whoever wrote this to try to stop peolple for like a simple series wow you must be really pist Meyers raking in the money no matter what.
PS: By the way blast magazine didnt you just post an article on 10 best part of the series and how good it is. hmph wierd
yeah i loved the article with the 10 best Bella and Edward moments
awesome
You are crazy.
Dhampirs were never supposed to make sense. Do recall that the original legends had mystical/magical bases to them, and that at the very, very bottom, I do believe, it was just cholera. A sickness that drains your energy, and makes you cough blood, especially in the night. Vampires come from the belief that when some people died, they would rise because of their sins and drain the energy of the living – blood is actually nutrient poor, but back then they did not know better – and sometimes even have sex with their former wives. Some people took advantage of the myths – men would come to their lovers as “vampires”, women would say that the new baby is a dhampir when they had them some year after their husbands died, etc. My problem with the whole thing, and you may correct me if I am wrong, is that Meyer attempts to explain vampires with science. If she had left it at “it’s magical”, I would probably be less irate about it, but she insisted on giving a scientific explanation for the creatures. So many things are wrong with her vampires that, while you may say she’s simply being original, I say that she has no clue about basic biology.
Now, vampires are stuck in at one stage of their life, right? So, since their entire bodies are simply frozen, down to the cellular level, where does the venom come from? How does his frozen sperm move – recall, they are not alive to swim to the egg. If there is no blood, what services their bodies? What surrounds their brains? What cushions their joints? What cells create the pheromones that scent their breath? If she had said “Magic”, perhaps I would not complain. I like to have my species explained in logical terms, but if she had to cop out with “magic”, I would not mind as much. It’s when you try to force science into a design that was never meant to hold water…well, I suppose it’s happened many times, in many other books and movies. Just not quite to this extent.
Moving on….
I must disagree about the non-abusive statement. Jacob has never hurt Bella (But then, not having read Eclipse nor Breaking Dawn, I can’t be perfectly sure) to my knowledge. For that matter, if irks me greatly to read her whine about how “Why can’t he be like the Cullens? Never mind that he only just became a werewolf, never mind that his rage is not an easily inhibited issue like blood lust – there is no way you can block every rage-inducing thing that happens – never mind that he was your best friend for who knows how long, that he went against his pack for you. Ignore all that he is and has done as you run to Edward, dropping him like a hot potato – a little irony, anyone? Where is your sympathy? Where is the truth I was hoping for – that a friend may, after all, become the best mate for you?
And even for that, why does she love Edward? I will willingly suspend my disbelief of their relationship, but I demand an answer. Why does Edward love her? What kind of relationship is it if I only hear “Because they do”? Their sacrifices? What sacrifices? Bella worries for her mother – how sweet – yet is still willing to leave them all behind. Edward decides that he must take his own life because his true love has died – such a smart boy, going to his death without even returning himself to verify it, or at the very least to visit her grave. Selfishly, they react only to react, without even a thought. I love my boyfriend because of his humor, his patience, his determination to do well, and the very human laziness that makes me push him onward. And more.
I cannot help but think, because I am. When you lose your ability to think and reason, are you nothing more than a fictional character catering to Meyer’s purse? I suppose I may think of you that way. I suppose that, in my quest to understand the human mind, I will read these books, cringing and grinding my teeth before finally going to my warm, cuddly boyfriend for comfort. And learning at last that Camus was right – nothing matters, because nothing is on the human mind anymore. We look only to be entertained, forgetting how everything affects us? Did that one message, perhaps one of the very few decent ones, not make it across the Twilight series? The future, and your mind, is subjective. If you choose to read something, you may say it is for entertainment value, but you will make a choice in your life because of it. What choice, I cannot say, but good luck on come what may.
lol well this was fairly entertaining.
but you all need to put your claws away and use your energy for something productive. ohhh wells.
i agree completely with Kris, Jessi, Kerry, and Gossip. like i said I love Twilight to death but im not going to spend my life daydreaming about a handsome sparkly man riding in a volvo coming to sweep me off my feet. It would be nice but this is real life; in real life that doesnt happen. I also dont appreciate the twihard pre-teen – 15 yr old stereotype. Yea im 13 but im not going to go into public and look at every hot guy and think OMEC EDWARD! that would be a little… yeah. anyway i dont care if anyone writes about twihards as being lovers of anything twilight or related, just dont get the idea that every teen who loves twilight is going to be rabid over it. I know im sort of ignoring all the comments from twilight fans above who are foaming at the mouth over anything that anyone says about their “black and red bible” but they are only a fraction of the people who love twilight and not at all the typical fan. Keep arguing if you want to but seriously!
Twihards: its just an article! yes its rude but does it honestly matter to you so much?
Anti-Twilighters: its just a book. say what u want about the book, but leave the real life people behind it alone. Stephanie doesnt deserve your jeers and comments.
There’s not much point in saying that, Michelle, considering you’re here too.
Also, lol @ FICTIONOUS. Hahaha.
All right, I’ll stop being mean now.
I don’t understand. Every single one of you is saying something about feminism and I so don’t see it. I am a feminist; I read the books and loved them. I would recommend them to anyone who just wants to escape for from this hell we live in. I’m sorry if I offend people but, come on, don’t we read novels to get away from the troubles of our lives?
Some of us are having trouble with money, family problems, and someone we love or know is in this war with Iraq, don’t you want to escape all that? I know I do. I read books because they take you away somewhere different. That is what they are supposed to do. The Twilight Saga is a fiction novel it is in no way shape or form to make women think less of themselves or go back to the 1600s when women where nothing but slaves, basically.
I never once thought that and hello, feminist! Right here! If you think about all of us want that kind of love, the kind that never dies, and the kind that lasts even after death. I know that will probably never happen but what is wrong with dreaming about? I never once thought Edward being abusive maybe a little bit overprotective but that’s normal. I know some of you will say something about this but I don’t really care this is my opinion.
Twilight – Bella was a mature 17 years old. She cooked, cleaned, basically took care of herself, and had never been in a relationship. (Name a seventeen year old like that today.) When she met Edward she was like every other girl shy, nervous, and awkward around him because she liked him. (Aren’t we all like that around the guy we like?) Edward and Bella are not a normal relationship but I’m sure most people with even a half a brain could tell that. (Most people know that vampires and werewolves don’t exist.) Oh and she risks her life to save her mom! (Would you do that?)
New Moon – Bella was heartbroken after Edward left. (Tell me someone who isn’t broken after a first love has gone.) Bella doesn’t jump off a cliff to commit suicide. She was going to do that with Jacob remember? Cliff Diving! She wasn’t paying attention to the weather and that’s why she nearly drowns. Yes, she does start doing stupid things to try and remember Edward’s voice but doesn’t matter because it’s FICTION!
Eclipse – Bella is stuck. She doesn’t know who to choose and Edward said that if she fell in love with someone else he would walk. Jacob and Edward make it hilarious because she is trying to choose and they are fighting over her. (Who doesn’t want two hot guys fighting over her? I know I would.) She makes the choice to be with Edward he didn’t make it for her. Jacob was the one who tried to make her choose him.
Breaking Dawn – Bella and Edward get married but OH MY GOODNESS! She’s only eighteen! (Most women in America get married when they are 18 or 21.) They are married and they have sex. Another OMG! She having sex! (Hello people married! Most lose his/her’s virginity at, sadly, 16 or 17 and they’re NOT married.) She has a kid, it’s killing her, and she’s keeping it! (Guys, I agree with pro-choice. If I were pregnant I would do whatever it takes to make sure it was okay. I would give my life for it because it should have a chance to live.)
I could go on with all four novels but I think that I got off topic. It’s a FICTION NOVEL not a Biography on someone’s life. My cousin reads them or rather read them to her and she knows the difference. She’s six and a half.
Please Remember that this is MY personal opinion so please don’t take offence. I just don’t see why everyone is going crazy over these novels. This is the same thing that happened with Harry Potter or any other novel with a supernatural genre. Google it.
I’m a Twilight fan and I respect your opinion but you should really respect Mrs. Meyer and her fans. I will not be returning to site because if you can’t respect others than what’s the point of reading.
This is a bunch of feminist bullshit.
Bella makes her choices and that’s what the book is about. The second kiss from Jacob isn’t forced by the way.
And Bella made it through 17 years of being clumsy, before Edward came into her life.
Twilight sets standards for boys, so that every girl can find an Edward Cullen. She doesn’t have to settle for less.
This article was a waste of time. If you didn’t like the book, why are you bitching about it online?!
Because, as has been previously stated, we have the right to free speech.
I fear the standards for boys now. I may become lesbian, after all.
@ Heather:
“Fictionous” is not a word; you probably mean fictitious.
I don’t see why Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling need to be called to homosexuals. Say you don’t like the review and say you don’t agree, but there is no reason whatsoever to be throwing in the word “faggot”. You can’t argue without throwing in ad hominems or profanity. If you can’t criticize something without profanity, I’d say you’re just as immature as those Harry Potter lovers whom you hate.
@Yuki: I agree.
I totally see where your coming from, and I respect your opinion.
But I had to say, I don’t think you should put down anyone’s work. This article sure does that. Stephenie Meyer’s books are so detailed, so beautiful. I learned alot from that series.
The angle that you are looking at the series at, is wrong. If you look at all books like your looking at, I bet every single book will have fault.
Perhaps you should read it again. You don’t understand the beauty of twilight at all.
ok i totally agree with Nicole on the comment before mine.
Twilight does hav its problems but jesus christ wat is your problem?!?!
so wat if twilight was a bad book in your point of view, it makes people happy and yes bella has some problems and its unrealistic
but OF COARSE IT IS ITS ‘BOUT VAMPIRES!!!!
you either hate the book or you love the book, in the end ITS JUST A BOOK!!!! a book that millions of fans love.
Stephanie, as you just said, it’s her opinion, so how can you say the angle she’s looking at it from is wrong?
There a many, many Anti-Twilighters who read this book loving it at first, and as time passed and they reflected on it, certain things began to bother them. Personally, I could plow through the stuff I didn’t like until I got to the end of Eclipse. Then the books annoyed the hell out of me. So can you say I was looking at it from the wrong angle or that I need to re-read them, if I started out enjoying them and THEN hated them?
Perhaps we don’t understand it’s beauty, but then one could say that perhaps you don’t understand it’s horrors.
Sorry people, but she says a big truth. When you get some books for read, not Harry POtter, another real books. You will understand.
Twilight is a horrible serie, with a horrible end.
I actually like the first 3 books, but I see what you’re saying and I agree with it , though not to the level of passion you do,
I let these issues slide because I liked the story line. The character development, if you want to call it that, got worse and worse as the series continued, But still Twilight, new moon and eclipse are my guilty pleasure
Anywho, I 1000% agree with you about Breaking Dawn… my review? “WTF was that?”
Though I do respect your opinion, why read all the books if you didn’t like them? haha just saying, if you hated them so much… why read the whole series?
Ah, escapism, uselessness is your nature.
Of course, the world has been going to hell for the past century or so. Yet you complain that the greater the stakes in your future, the greater your escapism potential. I see how it works – Bob’s in the army, I’m afraid he’s going to get shot and die, I should read a romance novel. Very logical, very concise, very intelligent. Never mind doing what you can to support the troops, such as researching the candidates and voting for the right one, or donating money and supplies, or coordinating a rally. What you should do, as a wife, a mother, a feminist, a woman in general, is read Twilight. If we all did, the world would be saved.
Passion lives, passion dies; to attempt to wring more out of life is a treacherous path that tends to lead to hell.
I have made my comment on the fact that it is, after all, just a book. Just fiction. Just something to swoon over and eat up time. Don’t bother thinking about the studies on how the media affects teenagers, don’t think about how peer pressure can and will press a normal girl into an abnormal mold, don’t mind that there are probably subconscious desires in many fans that will never do anything but get in their way.
And like every other concept, maturity is subjective. I’m seventeen, I can cook, clean, take care of myself, have been invited to Harvard about five times now, have planned out my life carefully, have managed to hold a job, drive a car, earn plenty of college credit so I might skip a year, and even support my boyfriend without having sex, and guess what? My parents would tell you that I am immature. My friends would tell you that I am very mature. I am who I am, and her apparent maturity shows only in her house-wife skills. She is not emotionally or mentally mature, she is simply performing as she has for a long time – otherwise, she would at least attempt to teach her father to take care of himself. Give a man a fish…
Perhaps I am the only one here who does not want drama. I am perhaps the only one mature enough to realize that drama sounds good only on paper – in real life, it’s nothing but an annoying, immature mess.
The actual statistics on marriage are about 23-25, and rising as women enter the workforce. And clearly, you are confused – Pro-choice would mean that you believe she should have aborted Nessie.
I’ve gone on and on about how thing affect people. No one listens – but please stop making the same inane statement as an attempt at an argument. It is pointless, has been disproved several times already, and of course, simply takes up space.
haha you stupid ass brainwashed cunts
TWILIGHT IS SHIT.
EDWARD CULLEN IS ABUSIVE AND CRAZY
STEPHANIE MEYER IS A FATASS
i shall not read the comments. they don’t interest me.
i can honestly say: FINALLY SOMEONE GOT IT!!
i am so glad someone said it all,and i hope all ”twilighters” realize this-what you and i know for a loooong time.
To Roxanna.. First of all i never said “you’re not rich, so you suck” .. I merely made a comment of things that Stephenie Meyer has accomplished in her years of being an author mainly because many of the haters of the books on here seem to make very nasty mean and rude comments about Stephenie and her work … When there is simply no reason to do so .. Many people love the books that Stephenie has put out there .. I’m pretty sure more people respect Stephenie than what you have to say, than what i have to say, or what this writer of this review has to say.. && you right, why should anything I have to say matter? Well it doesn’t, it’s simply my opinion.. This review is her opinion .. and none of anything on here really matters cuz at the end of the day Stephenie is still considered a very successful author ..
&& as for Breaking Dawn.. Where is your statistic showing that half her fans hated this 4th book .. Yes i’ve read plenty of negative comments out there about Breaking Dawn.. But at the same time so many of her fans LOVED the book .. so it’s not completely true that half her fans turned on her unless you’ve got the numbers to prove it .. So you don’t know that more of her previous fans hated the book than the fans that loved it.. Because with every book there is a mixed review and mixed discussion just like Breaking Dawn has .. People may have dissed and said rude things about Meyer after reading BD.. But so many people have also praised her for her work..
So basically .. I’m pretty sure that anything this writer has to say about the Twilight series doesn’t matter.. it doesn’t change anything .. there are still a TON of fans of this book .. More so fans than haters considering many of the comments on here are defending the books instead of bashing it ..
So before responding to my comments again =)
ITS JUST A BOOK, GUISE, RIGHT?
Well this REVIEW is just a REVIEW. Why so butthurt? Twihards are such sensitive flowers. And wth would anyone want their “own Edward”? I would die of boredom. Him and Bella dont do anything fun together other than coo-cooing and kissing. My boyfriend is: human, flawed, warm, funny as hell and i’ll take that any day over mister tasty freeze.
I agree with Stephanie! The books are beautifully written and detailed and the language is just gorgeous! I, for one, can never hear enough about Edward’s scintillating arms, his flowery breath, buttery eyes and his overall ability to be both dazzling and dazzled.
And the richness of Bella’s character! The readers get a fascinating looking into the mind of a teenage girl verging on being a sociopath but she’s eventually saved from complete misanthropy by her vampire lover turning her from an average human into something far superior. Sometimes, when all else fails, it takes a very close relationship to fix everything.
PS I agree with Ebonie. REPRESENT!
That is an absolutely genius review. I absolutely agree with you and admire your ability to express the pathetic mayhem these series have created. Well done.
To ProTwilight I used to like this series. I used to be completely CAPS LOCK-y fangirly about it. I mean, I recruited my friends to read it. I made fanart. And do you know what? I waited a month, I reread, and I counted how many times Meyer could call Edward stunning/gorgeos/perfect. And then I realized something. There is no such person. He is fictional.
I know everyone hast the right to their own opinion, eh, but if you guys could turn off the cap-locks long enough to realize that you’re just criticizing some one else opinion, hence, you are the epitome of hypocracy.
In addition to this, I love the posts saying OOOOOMG I can’t belive this!!! Your jus lyk mad cas lyk HARRY POTTER IS DEAD! DEAD I SAY!!! If you haven’t properly read the article, I found little to no comparison of the two series. You treat it as if every insult to the Twilight series has a Harry Potter fan standing behind it wringing its hands maniacally. Seriously, you guys need to stop feeding into the MTV hype.
I agree with Yuki and Kris .. everything they said was absolutley true ..
this writer of this review doesn’t matter she’s nothing compared to Stephenie and what she’s accomplished !
Back of haters!
OH MY GOSH, i know that some people dont like the twilght books but its no reason to start talking major trash about it! Even though bella is very weak in the beginnig of the series she gets so much stronger as it progresses. I think she is a good role model even though she has low self esteeem, she is still a good student, she is honest, she is very unselfish, i mean for gods sake she moved from pheonix to forks, all to please her mother so she could spend more time with her husband and to please her dad also becasue he lived alone, if thats not unselfish i dont know what is!! And you have to remember that stephenie meyer originally wrote twilight for herself and she didnt think about pleasing other people when she was writing it. Everyone has there own opinion but you all are just being rude saying all this hurtful stuff, stephenie made a chioce to let the world read her book. if you think about it its not that much different than if someone made dinner for themselves, but out of generosity decided to let other people have some too, and then people start saying that they did a horrible job and it was gross and horrible, think about it, ITS JUST PLAIN RUDE! and lets face it, I doubt many people could have done better if they were going to write a book, i mean look at how popular these books are! millions and millions of poeple read these books and if they really were horrible do you think they would have done this well!! I know you have a right to voice your opinion but this was someones fantasy and not even originally meant for others, so please if you wont have respect for the book, have respect for stephenie meyer!
I am sorta confused, why did you kept reading if you knew you didn’t like the first book to begin with? You even end up finish reading the fourth book. For me, of course I couldn’t deny how Bella could give up all her future just to be with Edward. Thats stupid. But somehow people are ignoring the facts that there are PLENTY of woman and girls out there who puts themselves in the same position and somehow, at least 50% of you who posted here might gather the same position in 10 years time. Its an unconditional love type of book and merely less fraction of the earth knew exactly what it was and based on Breaking Dawn, I say even less fraction of the Twilighters knew what to feel. Again I am wondering, why bother reading if you really disliked the first book and end up having the four books of SMeyer on your shelves? For me, it just doesn’t make sense. But I know you are a very strong women and it is understandable you argue with SMeyer’s writing. I just hoped that you understand there are millions of women on this planet and they are different from us beings, and there are weaker women placed in the world, some who could take Bella’s shoes easily. And you know what, they are a lot stronger than we are at times. Bella for me is a lot more stronger than any other characters of the book. Plus it is never wrong to rely on someone, wanting to be saved.
@ Nicole. Jacob’s second kiss IS forced. Coercion is a form of force. Saying, “I’ll kill myself if you don’t do this for me!” is coercion.
LOL god …
i know many of you think that it was tupid that bella gave up her future to be with edward, but think about she didnt have much of an exciting life to begin with. and now edward comes and hes amazing and she loves him more than anything and he loves her the same. its not like she had huge dreams for the future anyway and she still gets to have a child and live with edward forever and even still se charlie and maybe even renee eventually. if i was in her position i wouldnt have done tings much differently!
“So before responding to my comments again =)”
What?
Perhaps half was not the best wording, but the one’s who turned over aren’t exactly a minority. Even websites that once praised the books and Meyer (EW for example) have now given her the thumbs down. She may still have a large fanbase, but it’s still something to have another large group of people hating her. What authors do you know of today that are currently receiving this kind of backlash after only five books sold?
Also, “You’re not rich, you suck” was the gist of your comment, because you made it a point to compare Meyer’s success to the writer of this article’s lack thereof. What was the point in that?
Perhaps you think what the writer says doesn’t matter, but she’s obviously getting loads of attention because of this article, even if half of them are negative, clearly what she has to say does matter. It adds to the tally of people hating the series, and this article has been linked to dozens of other websites thus far. I think that says a bit on how much it matters to people. So yes, at the end of the day Stephenie is considered a very succesful author, but you should add on, “who has loads of people that currently hate her.”
I love the books. So fuck you.
First of all, I’m disgusted by people like you. You can hate these books but you can’t talk in the name of the whole fan base. It’s your opinion, right, but don’t generalize it !
I think you’re jealous. But jealous of what ? And who ? Stephenie Meyer because she has the capacity you don’t have to write some beautiful sentences ? The capacity to write something that please without insulting ? Or maybe you’re jealous of Bella’s and Edward’s not as perfect relation as you told it was ? Maybe you have a lack of getting horizontal ?
Anyways, you’re not as talented as SM is. You have to insult a books serie to gain some reactions. People like you shouldn’t write this kind of tings or even read this kind of books. You’re too clever for that !
As for the feminism, what a stupidity you wrote ! Will you see in Twilight series a failure to animals right soon ? In deed, Jacob and his pack are kicked by some newborn vampires ! You should defend as well all the poor grizzlis, mountain lions and deers, it’s not fair ! All for the women, but anything for the animals… Maybe you’re not as clever as I thought…
Anyways, that just a book. Some psychologist would say that a man hurted you several years ago and that you’re not anymore capable of believe in a true love. True love does exist, not vampires. Sex does happen and it’s not harrassment. To be share between two men does happen, but not involving werewolves and vampires. If you can’t dream, don’t read these books. And if you can’t understand difference between reality and fiction, stop living it must be hazardous for your health !
What a pity reading this kind of thought… I feel bad for you but not enough to forgive this insulting manner to treat the work of an honest woman. You only deserve the fans spitting on your own work. And I am one.
Laeti_Cullen
@ Cami:
Did you even read what Yuki wrote? She doesn’t even support your point.
@ Those of you who would like to know why we kept reading:
There are so many reasons for this. I kept reading so that when my friends asked me why I disliked the books, I could give thoughtful answers without resorting to ad hominems. Some people didn’t dislike the book until they thought about it and others didn’t start disliking the series until Eclipse. some read it to stay in touch with friends who are obsessed.
Also, in response to those countless cap-lock replies stating: OMG. I CANT BELIEVE YOU SAYD THAT!!! ITS A BEAUTIFUL STORY!!!! THIS ARTICLE SUCKS IN ALL THE WRONG WAYS!!!!
Aha! How clever! Even though the author of this article used a play on words of the original MTV article, you just reiterated what they said to play to your agenda. Its if someone says “Gosh, this movie sucks.” and you respond, “YEAH!!! LYK WELL UR MOM SUCKS!”
That is lame.
and To Pro Twilight who says:
“Lol this is pathetic.”
You’re right, free speech, coherently formed opinions sure are pathetic. (sarcasm spasm)
I’d like to see you right a book.
Indeed, I am righting a book. I’m RIGHTING the hell out of a book. With my WRITE hand. GO FIGURE!
You can hardly right a sleezy article.
Sleezy is a great adjective. BTW, there is an A in sleazy. Ha! Its good to see she can hardly WRITE.
It’s the best book I’ve ever read.
Now that is just insulting. HOP ON POP is an EPIC.
You’re pathetic scum. :]
Indeed we are. Voicing our opinions in ways that might be mean to people. Hey why don’t you go pick on MadTV/SNL/any comedian.
I’m always amazed at the number of people willing to jump down a bloggers point for speaking her mind. That is kind of the point after all. If you don’t like what she has to say, then don’t read it. She’s not claiming that her view is more important than anyone’s, she just giving us her honest opinion, and frankly I applaud her for that.
That being said I have to agree with most of her points. Even for “literary escapism” I can’t deny that Twilight is pretty poorly written. Not to mention the fact that her character’s personalities seem to magically morph between books, especially from New Moon to Eclipse. Edward goes from being overprotective to becoming a kidnapper, Jacob goes from being sweet to turning into an ass, and Bella gets even whinier and more insecure than ever. It boggles the mind, and signaled a trend that only got worse in Breaking Dawn.
It’s a shame, but it’s true. Twilight just really isn’t that good. I’m sad is took me four books to get it through my head too.
Ok, so after reading this i see where a lot of people are coming from. I like twilight because it was a cute love story that a friend suggested. I didn’t like every part of the stories and there are parts of it that i know a lot of people would do things differently. So it’s a story. It’s interesting hearing a new point of view for once instead of the constant Edward crazed emotions I’ve recived. Do i agree with everything? Well thats my opinion. But it’s interesting how much people can get worked up about fictional writting. Appreaciate anothers opinion! It just gives people another way to think about things. So thank you Rice for your article it was very sane. Maybe a little rude to the author of the books but what are critics for if not to be blut and to the point.
P.S. Twilighters, please express yourself with some dignity instead of potty mouth slandering. “Fuck you”, is not a very good argument to be fighting back with and it’s giving others a bad name and proving the point that Twilighters are simple minded “idiot fangirls” Please be more mature then that!!!
Do realize that this is nothing like your dinner analogy. This is much more like a restaurant – writers tend to write for themselves, in all honesty, or at least they say they do. If the food is bad, you have the right to complain, yes? Meyer isn’t exactly handing out free copies of Twilight – I’ve heard complaints about the signing fees and the fact you have to purchase new books for her to sign – and does anyone else think that Midnight Sun is going to be nothing but another cash cow? We hear Twilight again, all over, but this time in Edward’s view. What people say may not be true, and it’s just a bit frightening how quickly words are being swallowed.
Bella is a good student, but does not care about college. Bella is honest, but lies to her father constantly. Bella is unselfish, because she keeps hurting those who care about her. Yes, she did move to Forks and take care of her father, yet he is a grown man, able to care for himself, and her mother, as stated, was incredibly silly. Do you think that maybe this was little but a plot device, a bit of a lie? Where else is she so unselfish? Where else does she sit down and think about how everyone around her must feel? I’m sorry, but Edward doesn’t count.
Have you heard of the term research? Do you realize that no good warrior goes into battle unarmed? Do you understand that we want nothing but to understand why this book is so loved, that we want to perhaps make our marks on the world, perhaps even do some good? Wasn’t that what the Harry Potter moms did – they feared witchcraft and protested the books. We are here to talk reason into you – because while witchcraft is obviously fiction, romance rarely is, and I will say it yet again – books will make an impact on someone’s mind. Not obvious, perhaps, but it will happen, and I fear for the future generation.
Whatever happened to picking up a book to pass the time? Must people over analyze every single detail in those books to death? I don’t know if you knew this, but this is a FICTION book. Everyone reading them knows that so thanks for the warning about us teenagers impressionable young minds being corrupted, but apparently, your mind got corrupted with stupidity at a very early age if you can’t distinguish the difference between a book thats for fun and one that would change the way we see the world and make us girls want to be damsels in distress…or whatever it was you were trying to say. It’s a book about VAMPIRES for fucks sake. Obviously we don’t expect any guys to be like Edward because, guess what? EDWARD IS A FICTIONAL CHARACTER. I hate to ruin all of your fun but, we knew that. You’re the idiot for thinking so lowly of all of the females who have read this book and liked it. And another thing, when you start a series of books, and intensely hate the first one, I have an idea; PUT IT DOWN.
Your just a fucker who’s jealous that every girl would rather read these books than give you the time of day. Grow up, you fucking douchebag.
I highly disagree with this article. Most of these ‘examples’ from the book are not even major parts of the story. And even though there are ups and downs in the series {I was personally disgusted by Book 2 in Breaking Dawn}, it still is good and wonderful in many ways.
The heroine in the book is named Isabella Swan because Stephenie Meyer always wanted to name her daughter Isabella. But, because the name is kind of out of style she decided to nickname her Bella. This has no connection to this lousy reviewer’s ‘joke’ of it’s origin from ‘Beautiful Swan’.
Also, when Edward and Bella decided not to have sex until they were married, the reviewer tried to turn that into a bad thing! I think it’s fantastic that finally someone wrote that you can love someone without giving away your virginity. Young adults need role models {Real OR Fake} that set a good example and Edward and Bella are one of them! And even in the last book, she only said the word ‘sex’. She DID NOT write in a big sex scene were she described every little single detail that happened during the night.
There are many other points I would like to dig into but I have better things to do with my life then to dissect a cruddy journalist’s review of a wonderful book. Stephenie Meyer has a very big fan base that knows that her writing is genius.
Stephenie Meyer has sold MILLIONS of her books all across the world and was on the New York Times Bestseller list for each of her books. Can you claim that millions of people all across the world read your writing Kellen Rice? That you’ve even been in the New York Times? Yeah, I thought not.
Stephenie Meyer wrote this for her self and willingly shared it with the world. And I truly thank her for sharing it.
Kellen Rice, on the other hand, just has a big case of jealousy.
I rest my case.
I agree with Nicole, It said in New Moon “It wasn’t like I hadn’t landed myself in the ER before with just the help of my own two feet”. Bella WAS making the decisions for herself, and do not trash Jacob, I hated him, but then I realized that he was helping her. If you think about it, Stephenie kind of used Jacob to show that it isn’t really that bad, there is always some one else, the same with the whole imprinting thing. And to go as far as to say it’s sexist… Well, that’s just the most extreme over exaggeration I’ve ever heard. Edward save’s Bella to have the prince-charming in the book. And there is Alice, who I think is awesome, AND she saves the day, don’t forget Jane either, according to the GUYS those two GIRLS are the power houses. How is that sexist? I think that this article is the work of a Harry Potter fan gone mad, that’s what all of the other one’s like this with evidence against this were. And guess what? ALL of the guys that you say make the book soooo sexist aren’t complete without the girls. Edward left for Bella’s own good, but he was nothing without her. Jasper and Alice couldn’t even seperate to fake out the family in BD, Emmett and Rosalie are the two peices of the puzzle, and Esme and Cralisle are 100+ years and still strong. So suck on THAT!
Oy. Some amazing case you have – let’s put you on the stand, shall we?
Does Bella not get married simply so Edward will finally turn her into a vampire? Mind you, I haven’t read the last two books, but by the end of New Moon it seems like she wants nothing more than to be turned. And of course, Edward’s supposedly perfect, Victorian-era scruples restrain him from having sex until after marriage. And, of course, she no longer feels pain – only ecstasy during the very G-rated sex. Never mind her bruises – turtlenecks and sunglasses are in style, anyway.
Now, I have a friend named Isabelle. What do I call her by? Her full name. What does she like to be called? Izzy. While you would love to believe that Meyers is simply in love with that name, you cannot dispute that nicknaming her “Bella” is not very…helpful in dispelling the accusations.
Aren’t you getting just a bit defensive, dear? Does this touch, after all, on your deepest hopes and dreams that you would be this protective of the series? It does mine – it blatantly insults my world view with images of beautiful, sparkling vampires. I will stand up for what I believe in, and I am frankly proud of it. I’m sure you are, too, but I feel only shame that someone of my gender would be so biased.
Because believe me, I thought that the book would be good.
I was wrong.
Person opinion, I can’t bash you for that, just like you think you can bash others. Sure you brought up good points, but still, don’t you think people can tell the fine line? Just because you’re some writer for Blast, doesn’t mean you’re all high and mighty. I understand the points, but I myself as a reader can tell what is what. I would think alot of the girls my age would so agree. I agree with Chloe. It’s just RUDE to go off on some tirade, and it’s just RUDE to rant about someone who is with out a doubt a way better writer than you are, than you ever will be. At least she is going some where besides writing for a magazine. She’s getting OUT THERE.
IT’S NOT OVER YET!
Meyer is re-writing the series from Edward’s point of view. Brilliant review, though.
This is one of the most hilariously over-the-top comment threads I have ever read. Thank you, Twilight fans, for bringing some prime-quality entertainment!
Great review by the OP, by the way.
Kellan Rice:
What the fuck are you thinking?! You have not only insulted the greater population of young readers world wide, but you have also shown yourself as a stupid ass snobby old bitch, who just goes around giving people a hard time. The only good thing that has came of this is the reasuring fact that only the smartest of young girls would take an interest in these books. Unlike you, you pitiful, disgusting excuse of a human being.
I hope this ruins your career you stupid asshole.
Miranda Caro.
Dedicated Twilighter.
This review made me so frustrated! This is a fantasy romance novel! So please do not ruin it for the rest of us by trying to rationalize it with comparisons of “typical teenage love” or “normal life.” The girls who read these novels and enjoy them probably still fantasize about the romantic Disney-like love story. Yes, this is not “grown-up” behavior, but some of us like to escape from a life where most girls get their hearts broken by insensitive men. They want to get cozy, read a book, and imagine such a strong love. I’m sure you have an image of your “perfect guy.”
While I went through a break-up with my ex-boyfriend, this provided therapy equal to that of sitting with my girlfriends eating icecream and watching “The Notebook” or “Titanic.” These movies reflect the same nature of this kind of book and did well in the box offices for a reason. We do not read it to copy Bella’s every move and idea in order to apply them to our personal lives, but to play pretend in our own hearts. Sorry if that conflicts with your logical way of life.
In addition, the book was NOT wriiten to highlight Bella’s personal beliefs and actions; it was about love. Today, every single little word, phrase, sentence is disected and analyzed by it’s level of sexism, racism, etc. Why is it necessary to chop down something that someone else finds wonderful. Putting down the girls that read these books doesn’t make you sound like a feminist hero.
If you don’t like the books, fine. However, the craze reflects that most girls enjoy them. Be happy that people are picking up books to read. I’m pretty sure A Vindication of the Rights of Woman does not apeal to a twelve-year-old who rarely reads.
Leave it be.
JB, I have to agree – none of these fans are smart enough or care enough to look at the comments made. Miranda, for example, ignores the fact that profanity is immature, that quite a few of the “smartest young girls” cannot type for their lives, and that really, she’s just another stupid RFG.
I’ve given up reason. I’ve realized there are very few fangirls who will listen to reason, and am resigned to watch the world go to hell.
This is the worst article I have ever read!! I love the series and so do a lot of other people. And who are you to say all of this? YOU aren’t as succesful as Stephenie, she has thousands of loyal fans-including me- that hate articles like this.
First of all I want to say that I’ve read all the books, and have thoroughly enjoyed them. I also consider myself to be somewhat of a feminist.
I understand your point of view and I don’t entirely disagree (I was also put off by both Jacob and Edward in Eclipse), however, overall, I don’t find the books sexist. I think that Bella is a “normal” girl who has been thrown into a fantastical world. She isn’t weak because she is female, she’s weak because she is human. So, yes, there are times when she needs to be rescued. But there are also times when she is the rescuer (end of New Moon anyone?). She is fearless, strong willed and frequently speaks her mind. Are these not also strong qualities for young women to look up to?
There are also other strong female characters to look up to as well. Alice, for example, is one of the most crucial characters in the series, and to the Cullen family. She is tiny and very “feminine” but also lethal and not to mention incredibly intelligent!
I also believe that the books need to be examined as a whole. You go so in depth in commenting on the first three books where Bella is human, but breeze over the book where she is the MOST powerful character in the book! She saves her loved ones (no matter how anti-climactic you found it), without the need to be rescued by anyone.
Oh dear God.
Damn, I’ve been wrong! I must go find my perfect guy! Let me abandon my boyfriend and search for man who SPARKLES!
Perfect is subjective.
So, I shall swear once again.
Fuck perfect.
I love the Twilight Saga, I’ve read all the books at least twice and I think they’re amazing. And it is just fiction, you people shouldn’t analyze it so much. The book is made so you can forget life for a few hours and not worry about things. Fine, you don’t think it’s good…why do you have to write this? Why would you take the TIME to write this?! And all the haters who keep reposting on here, why are you here?!? You should focus on the positive things in life. Don’t spend time hating.
Miranda:
Thank you for further reinforcing the notion that Twilight appeals to the immature masses. Your review is living proof. The internet is a big place, and you’re going to run into people who have different opinions than you do. Get over it.
Sincerely,
Stretch
Frequently Disgusted By Humanity
Hal – thanks for being a semi-reasonable fan.
I still hate Bella. Perhaps I’m very wrong for not having read the entire series, but really – do you think Edward would have been killed? Aros was far too happy about him, and besides – two other vampires were there who could have easily dragged him away from making a scene.
That, and her utter lack of understanding anything infuriates me. Forget that Jacob was your best friend for who knows how long. Ignore his feelings – He should be overjoyed by your reunion. Very naive, no?
And have you by any chance heard about Mary Sues? She was bad throughout the first three, and in the fourth, she is overcome and eaten alive by Sueism.
Fuck you. Fuck you. You know what you are in my mind right now? You’re a fuckin’ dino…A fuckin’ old ass white lady who reads a book and says to herself..” Oh my! This is so sexist-,” you know what…FUCK YOU BITCH! NO ONE GIVES A FLYIN’ FUCK!!! BITCH!! Old ass white bitch! ugh! GOTOHELLLLL!!!!!!
Sincerely,
KISS MY ASS!
I don’t hate. I reason. I think. I have a brain. Stories are told because there is something to learn, to understand. Clearly, the television is not escapist enough for you – but that will change once the movie comes out, I bet.
Lmfao, wow, the comments here have given me quite the headache. There seems to be a lot of delusional and close-minded hatred going around.
People, chill. There is such a thing as “different opinions” and, in the same way that you’re allowed to bitch about this article, Kellen Rice can bitch about the series if she feels like it. Get over it. As you’ve so eloquently put, it’s just “a book”.
The excuses being thrown around are so overdone and irrelevant. Stop saying “BUT IT’S FICTION!!111″. Fiction has to work on a certain logic, otherwise, it’s just a piece of convenient self-indulgence, like I THINK (see, an opinion. Are we making any progress?) Twilight is.
Shame on you. Heathus’ tut-tut can be heard from up above.
“This article was a waste of time. If you didn’t like the book, why are you bitching about it online?!”
lol Are you serious? Let me rephrase that for you:
“You think this article is a waste of time. If you don’t like the article, why are you bitching about it online?!”
I LOVE TWILIGHT!!!
1) it’s called FICTION!!
2) in some sense it based sorta true. we all go through problems with sometimes choosing who we love. and who loves us!
3) it also shows how edward and bella balance each other out.
she’s this girl who is always falling, and he’s always there to catch her.
4)about jacob. DUH! i mean, he wouldn’t rape the girl. IT”S A KISS!!
he did that because after she’d kiss him, she realized she had a special place in her heart for him too!
5) it’s a book that will still keep you up at night reading, because it’s totally different! a VAMPIRE, she makes it sort of a dark gothica item, and uses it for a good part! that way more people can enjoy it. LOTS of people love romantics! and sometimes you need cheesy shcmeezy in some ways to comfort you.
overall it’s a very goood book! it may be a little over the top, but that’s why AGAIN i say, IT’S FICTION!
Shut up, haters! If you HATE Twilight so much, why the hell are you here? And reviewer–get a life. How long did it take you to write an article bashing America’s new favorite book series? Time that you could have HAVING A LIFE. That’s right.
Stephenie’s books are not misogynistic. Bella has proved personality strength over and over; so what if she was a zombie when Edward left? What would you feel like if the soulmate of your existence LEFT? Right, you probably wouldn’t know. That’s what Stephenie is trying to portray. She gives teenage aspiring writers and readers what they want. Yeah, let’s see you write a 4 million dollar worldwide bestselling book series. Oh, what? You can’t? Shocker. So before you go around destroying people’s reputations, take a look in the mirror, hypocrite!
Me again. I read ALL of the replies… and from other’s responses… It IS a FITIONAL BOOK. That is like setting your life guidlines by trying to get into Hogwarts, or trying to find elves or fairy’s. People LIKE reading something that is some what realistic so that they can think of ways THEIR lives can be better, NOT have vampires. If you make a living by trashing books that people like, and is a best seller, than man, you need to do a life-check. Meyer didn’t even plan on publishing the book, her SISTER did it for her. She wrote from the heart on a world that would be perfect, not for the money to try to destroy it. And, again on the sexist thing, sure, Bella could be more brave, but she went to a vampire to die to save her family, sure, it’s a little extreme, but it showed that she had courage to help her loved ones. How is showing courage to save your loved ones a bad message? It isn’t. And to the writer that said I was being overly-defensive, I am, and so should anyone that calls themselves a Twilighter, because in my opinion, you should stand up for what you believe is right. And how is Edward waiting for Marriage until they have sex a bad thing? It shows girls to wait, not to give in to what everyone else is doing. Trying to turn those things into a bad message is like trying to slam a revolcing door, stupid, pointless, and it shows that you like to waste you time. So go ahead, right what you want, because, guess what? How good does it make you look to try to trash something teens love? What message does that send? “Don’t read what you want, if other people trash it, then it’s crap, don’t be yourself?” You said Meyer was sending bad messages? Look at yourself, don’t point dirty fingers at clean hands.
Signing now, and probably will right more,
Paige Selbert
Dedicated Twilighter
Spell correction *revolving door*
Not a response.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH HAL!!! ROCK ON
Really, you suck, i mean, leave us alone, we LOVE Stephenie Meyer, and her story, and nothing is wrong with Bella, she is a normal, do you understand? NORMAL seventeen years old girl, she is not a “super bad girl” or something like that, why a teenager must be rebeld and stupid? You dont like Twilight, just because its a success, read it again, read it like another book, and then, tell me what do you think, i be waiting for your answer….
Ismael, a REALLY teenager from Uruguay who LOVES Bella and her Story
Kellen Rice, you are my hero. I was appalled by these books too — thank you for this bulls-eye of a review.
Another spell check, sorry, I was mad.
*your* in “you time”
Let me make a challenge.
Who here can give me a calm, compelling reason to think Twilight is a well-written novel? Before you all rush to scream at me, read these rebuttals:
http://twilightsucks.proboards81.com/index.cgi?board=twilight&action=display&thread=638
I’m far too tired of the repetition.
Can I have your children?
Thank G-d someone has written the truth about this series in print form (well, as ‘print form’ as the Internet can be). These books are horrible. The writing is atrocious, the characters are ridiculous (another quibble I had with the book is that Edward and Bella just suddenly declare their love with no real reason behind their affections. WTF?), and you are absolutely correct that the messages they send is horrifying and not fitting for young girls today. I wonder if perhaps Ms. Meyer’s Mormon religion influenced her writings?
And to all those who are SCREAMING that they know the book is fictional and thus they will not actually take any lessons from it: that’s wonderful. Unfortunately, that argument doesn’t address the issue of the AWFUL writing in the books. Put this crap down and go read some Jane Austen.
Ismael, you remind me of something….
Oh yes.
LEAVE BRITTANY ALONE!!!
Yuki, a REALLY teenager from the US who loathes and despises this story.
((What does that even mean? a really teenager?))
Sorry I re-read my comment.. meant I completely disagree with Yuki and agree with Kris .. I was typing to fast out of frusteration for this stupid article!!
Wonderful. I wonder if you actually read my comments. Clearly, you’re frustrated, and friends don’t let friends argue angry.
P.S. Im agree with Twilight_LOVER, its a FICTION!!! BUY A LIFE AND THEN, STOP BOTHER US!
I wonder why haters like you spend their time throwing shit to others just to make them feel bad, you are such a sad person, dont hate, less for stupid causes like a kind of book, I mean.. who the fuck cares what kind of book it is, people read to it, and like it or not. get to it.
You and all fucking haters better shut up. And if you wanna hate go to the hell. This is right the place for haters.
Who really suck in not a good way is Kellen Rice. You really don’t know write articles…this article is just a shitt.
Ah yes, fiction excuses everything.
Did I lose my life again? I’ll have to eat a faerie.
Once again, Ismael, repeat after me:
LEAVE BRITTANY MEYER ALONE!
I think that each person is crazy who doen’t like the twilight sieres and there the best books every. And no offence but the articale is really dumb.
Ok, just for you…
LEAVE BRITTANY MEYER ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course. They kicked me out of hell for hating too much, don’t you know?
Ah, well, HTML clearly doesn’t work here.
And we’re all entitled to our opinions, dearest JL. If I want to hate, I will hate. And I am perfectly entitled to my hatred.
Of course, you’re entitled to your ranting, but it’s not particularly compelling with the constant “Fuck”s and misspellings and such. Very mature for you, though, so kudos
How ironic. You’re so annoyed at the haters you’re throwing around ad hominem attacks and telling them to go to hell while they’re using logic and examples from the books to back up their claims. Isn’t that just a little hypocritical?
Yuki… I read the messages, and I have a question… how is the “fiction fact” and excuse? Tell me how, and I do NOT want the question danced around, is a fiction book supposed to set someone’s standards for life? Tell me how it isn’t different than “Did I lose my life again? I’ll have to eat a fairy” Fair’y are the little kids version, but it is the same meaning. Little kids don’t know better, but teenager’s do. If they don’t blame the people raising them, not a writer of a fantastic and best-selling book series. Answer the question please.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
Oh yes, the irony. I’ve stated that, but though they are able to wade through five books and 2000+ pages of utter bathos, they cannot take the time to read my commentary on their actions.
I’m betting the next few posts will include something of the usual.
I’ve read all four books and I have to say I dont hate them. You cant even compare them to Harry Potter, so I”m not going to get into that.
The fact that this is “fiction’ does not mean Myers can write whatever she likes and we can just look past it, literature and “fiction” is supposed to show the human condition in some way, so when Myers makes Bella the damsel in distress, shes basically saying most teenage girls are this way.
I myslef have falling for Edward, and Im not really ashamed to say that. Edward is an idealize form of a boyfriend and his realtionship with Bella is the ultimate version of true love, so I never got mad over New Moon, I mean if my true love left Id be just as bad.
Geart review, and I agree with most, but at the same time is a pretty addictive guilty pleasure.
ok, honestly, i thought this was a dumb article. I found nothing wrong with the Twilight series. So Bella is clumsy? So Edward is a vegetarian? So what! And thinly written? This is one of her first books ever written! I applaud Stephenie Meyer for this book. I loved it. Anyone who agrees with me say TWILIGHT SAGA FOREVER!
I’m reposting the link provided up there because I’ve fallen in love with everything in it.
http://twilightsucks.proboards81.com/index.cgi?board=twilight&action=display&thread=638
And Arietta, those “claims from the books to back them up,” as you said, did you even read them? How is a guy waiting until marriage a bad thing? How is that a claim that proves it’s a bad book? How is your life having a happy ending a bad book? I rest my case.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
Again to Roxanna..
There is absolutely no reason to HATE Stephenie Meyer .. that’s what I’m trying to get at .. So what if you don’t like the book .. Does that give you a reason to hate an author ? No ? You can hate the book without having to bash and put the book down for fans out there .. Stephenie is a well respected author that a lot of people look up to .. It’s stupid that haters like you automatically “hate” stephenie because she made a book that you don’t like.. When has that ever been a good enough reason to ever hate someone?
Never.
If the haters don’t like the book then that’s fine, but why should you guys care so much about what the fans have to say about the book .. Go on with your lives and hate the book .. that doesn’t mean you have to comment on every little thing that us fans comment about .. If you guys seriously hated the book, then why even bother reading all 4 like this reviewer did .. That’s just stupid .. If you hated the book then there shouldn’t have been a reason for you to keep on reading the books correct?
As for you comparing Meyer’s success to this reviewer.. there really is no comparison simply because Stephenie is the success here .. This article is getting major attention from fans of the books who read her review and want to stick up for the book .. As have many people already have ..
So i will once again conclude my comment with the simple fact that, Stephenie Meyer is a successful author ..
And anyone who hates her or any author for that matter is seriously just an immature person who finds a reason to hate anyone just because they did something that they didn’t like.
Seriously some of the haters say us fans need to grow up, but perhaps they should look in the mirror..
&& This will be my last comment i ever make on this topic ever again, because none of us fans need to prove anything to the haters.. The books are great, the author is great, and if they can’t see that, then that’s not our problem it’s theirs.
This is the most idiotic thing I think I’ve read, just let people craze over whatever they feel the need to. Its stupid to kill a bunch of teenagers buzz.
Oh, you have it so wrong, The kids who read this stuff know its not real, Personally I havent read Breaking dawn yet but I beleve that you are wrong… She is an awsome writer and has an awsome imagination.
Do a favor to me and all of the Twilight fans out there. Stop messing with the books.
Well, i must say something, i really like Twilight, but, and there is always a BUt, I HATE some books, like, philip pullman´s GOLDEN COMPASS, its the worse book i even read before, and the movie sucks!!…..ahh..i feel better now..
Kris and Chelsea worded it nearly perfectly, it is THEIR choice if they like the book or not. Why try to take that away from them? Yuki, answer that too, if you even have an answer.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
so as i was reading this article…..i must say my jaw started dropping after every other line. and not in a good way mind you. the only thing that sucks in here is you and your lameass article. and all the stupid people who agree with this. i started laughing, but i was FUMING at the same time. i couldnt disagree with you more. these books are FICTIONAL. meaning NOT REALLLL. which it seems as though it is something you clearly dont understand. these books give some of us an escape from reality. and theyre DIFFERENT. this is something that isn’t infested with sex, drugs, alchohol etc. like everything else is these days. sure she writes them having sex in the 4th book but is she being graphic? is she violating bellas character in any way? NOOOO. as for the vampire/human baby. if you really paid attention, you could kinda see it coming. grownig at an alarmingly fast rate and craving blood. but when you said “theres clearly something wrong with that” i broke into a fit of giggles. AGAIN…ITS NOT REALLLL. i mean seriously how much dumber can you all get?! it seems that this concept is not getting through to your overly thick head. shes not publishing these stories because she wants all love struck teenage girls out there to make “suicide attempts” when their boyfriends leave them. thats just how the story goes. and it makes sense. as for bella falling apart when edward leaves her, that shows how much she loved him. he is her first real love. how could you not expect someone to fall apart like that when theyre in that situation?! and edward even says at the very end of the story when they reunite that he didnt mean it when he said he didnt love her. he did all this because he loves her and wants he to have a normal human life. but then it goes to show you that they cant live without eachother. but what irks me the most is where your getting all this femenizing crap from. i dont understand this. this is not degrading women in any way what so ever. this is just the way BELLA SWAN is described. shes described as clumsy and basicaly a danger-magnet. but are all the females in the story described like that? NO. look at rosalie, esme, alice, renee. renee first and foremost is described as a normal person. she is not being degraded in any way. and the cullen women are described as all vampires are in the story. strikingly beautiful, strong and fast. so unless you think that is being negetive towards women, i see no problem in that. i just think of you as a very VERY close minded person. and i think every Twihard fan would think the same seeing as i am one of those. no doubt the most devoted and loyal of them would probably want to gauge your eyes out and smash your computer. which admitedly i was pretty close to doing that as i was reading this lame and horribly written article that makes no sense what so ever. if you didnt like the first twilight book, i dont even know why you bothered reading the other three. that was just a waste of money and the waste of a perfectly good amazingly written series. which i think just goes to show that you have nothing else better to do that to bash on books which you think are “giving us teenage girls a bad message.” LAMEEEE. as for all you other people who agree with this article, i feel exactly the same way about you. close minded, rude and stupid. but as those are your opinions i cant do anything about it. but i do suggest that you do go get lives of your own and leave Meyer and her work ALONE. now as for speaking like a truely devoted Twilighter. after twilight, there are three movies yet to come. and midnight sun. so the supposed “pathetic mayhem” is not over yet. not even cloooseee. if youve opened up your eyes and even taken them off your computer screen for two seconds youll see how big this has become in a short amount of time. so meaning there are ALOTTT more people who disagree with you more than those who agree. so id like to see what other stupid and pointless things you have to write about them when they come out. and ill just laaaaaugh laugh laugh laaaaugh. LMAO. thats what ill do. yet i still dont know why i even bothered wasting my time reading this. one reply that annoyed me was from some chick named claudia who said that they have an unheatly realationship and there are people out there who have that type of edward/bella relationship. THEY ARE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS YOU DUMBASSES. there are not under any circumstances any relationships out there where a guy is a vampire and falls in love with the new human girl. sure they dont have a NORMAL relationship but its not unhealthly. bella still wants to have her human experiences and so does edward but the fact of him being a vampire is the only barrier. so i dont see any “unheathlyness” in that. there is SOOOOOOOOOOO much more that i want to say, belive me. but im not wasting all my time and energy on something as stupid as this. even if i am a hardcore twilight fan. but i will say that you are a hipocrite. if supossedly the twilight series is “horribly written” [when it clearly isnt] you should relook at your article cuz its not much better. so i dont know what you were on when you wrote this but it clearly shows that you were on something. it REEKS stupidity and its written all over the place. including most of the reviews. so next time you want to know what is the deal with all the hysteria going on around you about either a book or a movie…dont read it or go see it cuz i can tell you most likey wont like and will pull another “sexist” card out. which will lead to another repeat of this. and youll just be a waste of space. so hasta la vista writter. and good luck cuz youll DEFFINETLY need it :] especially if the rest of the twilight fans get a hold of this. they will most likey make sure yoll never write something like this again. and i speak for all of them when i write this. even though im not cussing every other word and writng in all caps i was about after reading this, but im exercising self control no this and again i dont think i need to be wasting all my energy or someones lame opinion that clearly doesnt matter what so ever. thank you for your time :] so peace outttt.
That reminds me: has anyone answered why Bella loves Edward? I’ve seen the word “love” thrown around a lot since Yuki asked, but I didn’t notice if anyone answered.
How is fiction fact?
You skipped your psychology course. Do you know that even adults will bow to the will of those “superior” than themselves? Do you know that tests have been made and applied and found true, that children will copy acts of aggression? Did you know that adults cave under peer pressure?
I am not saying that all people will go “OMG, I MUST FIND AN EDWARD”, I am saying that the morals applied in these books, behind the vampirism, behind the twu wuv, are utterly sickening. It’s fine that Edward is “protective” and restrains Bella from going anywhere – because she wants to see Jacob. Go look on loveisnotabuse.com . It’s fine because males aren’t supposed to be able to cook and fend for themselves. It’s fine to be so utterly, painfully hurt that your “soul mate” leaves you. It’s fine that as long as someone is hot, then it’s perfectly FINE to love them at the cost of your life and safety. Go onto Yahoo Answers. Argue with me that they represent the bottom of society – but they’re still there. There are still women and girls who cry about their boyfriend’s abuse, asking not what to do to stop it, but HOW TO GET THEM BACK. How to subject themselves to MORE abuse. Society already sucks, do you think I’m happy hearing that it’s going to suck more? Do you not realize that NO female in that book is really dominant? Do you not realize that the ONLY think Bella has done so far is to run into Edward’s arms? Do you not realize that Rosalie and Alice both have unreliable gifts, unlike Jasper and Edward? What is Esme, exactly, but a prop to be a “mom” ? Where is Renee? Where is the strong female, where is the person who knows what is good for her and can go after it? Why doesn’t Meyer explain immortality better? If humans are SO insignificant, why the hell do the vampires care if they feed on them or not? Read the first chapter of Midnight Sun – Edward’s thoughts simple reek of CONTEMPT for humans. There is a conflict of logic and morals here, and Meyer doesn’t bother to expound on it!
And my God, the faerie eating thing is a joke about Zelda. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, don’t assume something stupid.
Exuse me but,twilight sags are the best books in the world!!!!
I can’t even look at any other book besides The Twilight Saga!!!!!
This article is stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:^)
Knows somebody why the people fall in love? Bella loves Edward and Edward loves Bella, its simple.
The writer of this article needs to get a life. Seriously. This book has given joy to many young woman across the world including myself! So what if it’s a twist on a normal teenage relationship that could be seen as unhealthy to some idionic feminist bullshitters. It gets young girls away from stuffing their noses in magazines and focusing on sex and unhealthy self-image personas. Twlight gives hope and joy to girls all over so get off our backs and let us enjoy our books. If you dont like it then don’t fuckin read it!!!
And no one has answered my question, don’t forget.
I am not interfering with their enjoyment of the book, that is an unintended side effect. I am trying to point out the fact that this book is not necessarily the utter best thing since sliced bread. I am trying to say that they could, after all, open their eyes and think for a moment. I am trying to say that there are other, better books out there, and that being satisfied with this pointless crap is very, very sad.
It is, after all, my choice to speak. They can simply stop talking to me, but I choose to speak my values.
Thanks for this review. It was well-done and fairly spot-on addressing the problems inherent in this series of books.
The reviews from the professionals have been fairly scathing of this book, and I thank you for laying out plainly why it’s been receiving such criticism.
One more question on the sexist topic, because that really peeved me, in Breaking Dawn, they had Kate, Bella, Alice, Renesmee, Jane, Zafrina, the girl that could changed how you felt about people, and the girl that was ALWAYS protecting THE GUY by the name of Aro. How many did the guys have? Aro, Edward, Jasper, Benjamin, Marcus, Eleazar, and Alec. Almost THE SAME, in fact, the girls had one more, so… how is that making women to look completely defenseless? It isn’t. I once again rest my case on that topic.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
First, I just want to clarify my previous comment. My statement about Ms. Meyer’s religion influencing her work was actually a genuine question and not, as it may have seemed, a condemnation of the religion or its values. I did not place that question in the correct place.
Second, I notice that many of those who are commenting in attempts to refute the allegation that Ms. Meyer’s writing is atrocious cannot spell, punctuate, or correctly form a basic English sentence. This particular phrase amused me:
“Who really suck in not a good way is Kellen Rice. You really don’t know write articles…this article is just a shitt.”.
I would be willing to read an informed defense of the books, but I will not read anything that is not legible. Also, please stop shouting (writing in all caps), it’s not polite. Finally, I don’t understand why people are attacking the writer of the article. This is her opinion. You can respectfully disagree with someone’s opinion without disparaging their character.
Grr…can i answer in Spanish?
MIREN, CREPUSCULO ES LA MEJOR SERIE DE LIBROS QUE HE LEIDO ULTIMAMENTE, OBVIAMENTE DESPUES DE HARRY POTTER, PERO ENTIENDAN, NO HAY NADA MALO DETRAS DE LA HISTORIA ENTRE BELLA Y EDWARD, BELLA ES UNA MUJER PERFECTA, AUTOSUFICIENTE, Y TOTALMENTE NORMAL, SOLO QUE ESTA RODEADA POR COSAS QUE LA SUPERAN, COSAS SOBRENATURALES, Y ESO LA HACE INDEFENZA, TAMBIEN ES CIERTO QUE BELLA SE MUERE SI EDWARD LA ABANDONA, PERO TAMBIEN ES AL REVÉS, EDWARD NO AGUANTA SIN BELLA, ES RECIPROCO, ES UN AMOR PERFECTO. SOLO ESO.
Ahh, i fell better now, again.
I am 23 and a mom of 2 and l Loved the series ‘Twilight’ and will see the movie in Nov. I am not as obsesses over it like many young girls out there right now.
Thats just it thou, they are young girls. Thats what they do, they obsess over something for a period of time and then eventually get over it. I am positive EVERYBODY has when they were younger.
I don’t think it was right to write an article like this when many of the fans are young girls, who are you to break their spirit.
Because it’s peeving me that you don’t bother answering my single question.
And that I’ve said over and over that I haven’t read anything past New moon, because all the fangirls are stealing the books. So no, I can’t answer your question.
And because, you know, I really care enough about spanish that I’m going to bother translating and answering that. I’m assuming it’s more insults.
Yuki, Yuki, Yuki, I will dismiss the bashing as you said ruinging it was an unintended side effect, I do not believe it myself, but I cannot prove it wrong. BUT on the case of Edward stopping Bella from seeing Jacob, you say restraining like he grabs her by the arms and yanks her back, AND he did it to try to protect her. Emily Young is the perfect example why. And you know what? I think that might be her purpose in the book, to show it IS dangerous and he IS doing it to protect her, NOT to be possesive. And I’m sorry I wasn’t aware that protecting someone from being mauled was bring in an abusive replationship, I guess I was misenformed.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
For the person who asked why Bella loved Edward…
Because he is a mysterious greek god that MUST be super intelligent and just generally know A LOT after 108 years in the world. You wouldn’t know that for sure, though, since they don’t have any type of conversation other than discussing who loves who more and how Bella’s in danger in the current situation.
Who am I to care if you are a mother? What credentials does that give you? You’re an adult, so you’re right? When does Bella ever listen to Charlie? Shouldn’t I get a better say in this because I am, after all, in the intended age group?
I am a young girl whose spirit is going to be broken by the sheer idiocy of the world. Clearly, you have little opinion of your children – they’re just kids, they’ll get over it. Have fun when they’re teens.
CWKC, People are attacking the attacker. We are only retuaning the favor she so graciously bestowed upon Stephenie Meyer.
Spelling error again
*returning*
OMG It’s a review!!!! Get OVER IT!!!!!!!111!!! If you don’t like it, don’t REAED IT OMG! GET A LIFE YOU LOOSERS!!!2221one! UR just bitter because ur minddelsess fanz of mindeless garbage! D:
Yeah, that’s what half of you sound like. Really.
Loads of pretention like woah!
The books are shit.
Kellen didn’t like them.
Deal with it.
Shut the fuck up.
Weirdos.
Very nice, the condescending attitude. Perhaps Meyer could use you as a model for Edward?
No, I am more concerned about the fact that he takes the engine out of her truck, etc. Do you honestly think Meyer was ever going to let anything happen to special Bella? Her brainchild? Had Edward not been there, Jacob would not have been nearly so angry – and don’t forget, Sam lost it because he was alone, without a pack. Jacob, of course, because he can’t possibly HURT someone, has a safety net.
Whereas Edward could just kill her. Oh wait, twu wuv. I forget.
And Yuki, as of your response to the mother, I AM in the age group that it was intended to be read by also, so, how can you dismiss MY ACTUAL facts and reasoning, when I in fact actually ddidn’t twist waiting until marriage until it was a bad thing. That is twisting my morals, and I do not respect or appreciate ANYONE who EVER tries to do that, and I am starting to consider you under that group. I am trying to respect your opinion as much as I can at this point, but, I have my limits.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
Haha, well, not at all, ha ha, ok Yuki, read what you want to read, i love Roald Dahl´s books, if you want, and that is an adult writter. Its awesome!
Good luck!
P.S. Nunca quise ofenderte….es mas, en el fondo, me estas cayendo bien, tienes mi direccion de correo si quieres conversar tanto en ingles como en español, espero que algun dia podamos hacerlo, en serio, realmente me reí mucho con la discusión que armaste!
Paige: ‘And Arietta, those “claims from the books to back them up,” as you said, did you even read them? How is a guy waiting until marriage a bad thing?’
Huh? I never claimed it was a bad thing and I haven’t seen any posts claiming that, though I skimmed most of the earlier ones since there were so many.
‘How is your life having a happy ending a bad book? I rest my case.’
It doesn’t mean a book will be bad, though overall whether an ending is happy or depressing means absolutely nothing. It’s the content that matters, and in the case of Breaking Dawn everything ended up too perfect. Choosing Edward over Jacob should have had some consequences for Bella, but it didn’t. She shouldn’t have been able to have a child, but she did. She skipped over the newborn vampire stage and was able to control herself around humans. Nessie grows up quickly, so Bella and Edward don’t have to go through all of the painful stages of raising a child. No one dies because Bella uses her shield to protect others. Oh, and she becomes super hot, which takes away one of the very few “flaws” she actually had.
A happier ending might have fit had it been done better, but in the case of Breaking Dawn something obviously went wrong, especially when considering the reactions of some of the fans.
@ Jennifer: I don’t see how your point has any bearing in this context…who says Bella is the only character looking for love? Obviously Edward is as well, and he says as much when he tells her that she saved him from a pointless existence. She may not have physically rescued him, but she certainly did emotionally and mentally.
And I saw pseudo-intellectual because you’re obviously not taking everything into account. You’re picking and choosing what you want to believe.
Yuki i TOTALLY agree with you. i would have written that in my last post but i had clearly already written waayyyy too much. so thank you for speaking for the rest of us :]
creds to you.
you adults automatically assume your right just cuz your the elders and you have kids and what not. but whn it comes to something like this, we can honestly say your NOT right.
and FYI, this generation is completely different from when you guys were teenagers.
meaning we understand more than you.
so good luck to you all when your kid has a massive obsession with twilight and you completely disagree.
see what happens then.
P.S. to all the very poor typists and apparent 5 year olds posting comments to this piece:
Criticism of literary work is not direct criticism of the author, but rather a critique of their body of work. “Your book sucked a fat one” is not equivalent to “You’re an awful fatty and I hate you”. This is one of the things you learn in college English classes– criticism is absolutely required for any writer to become good at what they do, and those to seek avoid it become bad writers.
Professional authors and reviewers alike have found things amiss and lacking in ‘Breaking Dawn’. That’s not being mean, that’s being observant. You may like the book and lot and you may have found it enjoyable, but that in no way negates the fact that it is a flawed and poorly structured book. If it makes you feel any better, I loved James Clavell’s novel ‘Shogun’ which was a very well-selling novel in the 70’s, but was widely panned and today gets regularly ripped apart. And yet, amazingly, I don’t flip out and get butthurt when people critique it. And neither does James Clavell.
Remember: Literary critique /=/ personal insult.
Thank you.
Yuki, Meyer let her have a child that almost killed her, Emily didn’t die, so yes, I believe it could have happened if it would have proven a point (Which it WOULD have) for the book.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
I would like to comment that you didn’t read my thoughts on that one.
I never said that waiting until marriage is a bad thing. I said that the only reason Bella wants to get married is because Edward would then turn her into a vampire. And, while I haven’t read Eclipse or Breaking Dawn, again, I don’t think they had much of a sex drive throughout the storyline, so I don’t see how this matters. I’m waiting until marriage, so what’s your point? Your morals? My morals are being attacked here, by this story, and you complain about yours. Very nice hypocrisy.
Why not let her complain to me herself?
Under the group of people you don’t respect or appreciate. Shocking? Not so much. I could really care less about your groups, I’m more concerned about the morals being ranted on about. I’m holding back plenty, too, but of course, *threat threat* I have my limits.
This is a wonderful article, but the title needs some work. I think you’ve made some pretty good points here, actually, even though I’m a Twilight fan.
But then again, I only read the books because they’re so mind-blowing cheesy and predictable. It’s like the literary equivalent of a chick flick!
*reads review, growls*
Oh please. I love Twilight! And get a life, stop being such a jerk to Stephenie Meyer, sheesh! These aren’t Anne Rice books people.
And just because you think most girls are crazy for Edward and Jacob doesn’t mean that we ALL are.
I know this is just your opinion of the book, but still. Go pick on a book your small brain capacity can handle, and not Twilight, an fasinating love story between a vampire and a mortal by a new fiction author.
If Twilight doesn’t satisfy you, why don’t you go read The Host? A lot of people I know are reading that and loving it, and I’m one of them.
….And then proceeds, Paige, to allow her to completely skip over the newborn-vampire stage, etc. What purpose does Nessie serve, exactly? To be the “child” for the family? Never mind the confusing biological and psychological implications for the child, what is she there for?
So Bella ends up almost dying, and of course Edward bites her and she gets healed.
And once again, I haven’t read the book, but this just seems like another pathos-inducing plot device.
Yuki, you are defending the article that said it was bad that Edward didn’t do what Bella wanted and Bella should have gotten more respect… which if I translate how you and the author of the article have been, rougly translates to “your defending people haveing sex as soon as one partner says they should” If you want me to word the facts how you and the author do, then I will. If not, then don’t twist things around. And, wording it how you two fabulous *sarcasm* writers do, that would be saying that you do NOT have that as a moral. Lying, or Twisting words? You are doing either one oer the other, or possibly both, so please, inform me as to which one it is.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter.
OK. First off, This book may be setting feminism back but there ARE relationships like that where the WOMAN is the one that wants to have sex and the MAN has to say no. You have no right saying that is not true. It makes you just as much a sexist as anyone else.
As for Bella not caring that Edward is a vampire she doesn’t care that your precious Jacob is a Werewolf. And if it weren’t for Edward there wouldn’t be a Bella/Jacob relationship at all.
Also, you bring up a valid point about Bella losing her mind when Edward left. However, if you have ever been in love, truely in love like Meyers portrays this couple, you would know that that is how you feel. Any person that has lost someone close to them knows that pain.
Finally, in the last book the birth of Bella’s baby is a creative and new way of relating the love between Bella and Edward. In the book Edward is willing for Bella to have Jacobs baby if it keeps her safe. There is nothing wrong with that.
And people that spend this much time hating on a book have some really huge problems that they need to take care of.
Having a child that the entire end of the plot is about is a “pathos-ENducing plot device?” Wow, like I said, I will start wording how you do if you keep it up.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
Yes, Bella should have gotten more respect. But once again, I did not say she should be having sex. Hell, I wish she didn’t, because I loathe and detest her character and don’t really want to know what her daughter is like. Otherwise – what about going to prom? The birthday fiasco? Him leaving (which just makes things utterly angsty)? Him not allowing her to see the werewolves – not even on neutral ground, where they can be at relative peace?
I’m actually a huge twilight fan, but i agree with a lot of your points. I love the books because i don’t scrutinize or look too hard at the content. I am a “surface” twilight reader. When you really begin to disect the message Twilight sends…it’s not so great.
“And get a life, stop being such a jerk to Stephenie Meyer, sheesh!”
I REPEAT: CRITICISM OF A LITERARY WORK IS NOT CRITICISM OF THE PERSON WHO WROTE IT. “YOUR BOOKS SUCKS” DOES NOT EQUAL “YOU ARE A BAD PERSON AND YOU FAIL AT LIFE AND I HATE YOU”.
You can love a book all you want and love to read it, but that does not make it a great book or even a good book. Criticism of how a book is constructed is VITAL for writers to learn where they are making mistakes. I bet you lot would be an absolute joy in any writing class. “Hey, your story is OOC here and your plot is kind of weak, and you need more action here. Also, a few of your characters aren’t very believeable.” “OMG Y RU OPRESIN ME U R A JERK GROW UP LOLZ”
CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL, AMIRITE
I’m so so so sorry to dut this debate short Yuki, but I will admit that you have your points, and you must be blind to not see I definately have mine too, I must go, I have to get in the shower, because I DO have a life, and I have school in the morning. Good luck to all of the Die Hard Twilight Fans! Don’t let anyone crush what you believe, as much as I hate to say it, that same goes for you critics, Goodnight everyone.
Paige,
Dedicated Twilighter
Spelling Error
*dut should be cut*
Night everyone!
Have a nice day tomarrow!
….Okay, what? enducing is not a word, Paige. I wrote induce.
What kind of cattiness is this? Aren’t you the one twisting words around now?
And oh my aching ovaries, I could care less about either Edward and Jacob. And so it’s fine that the baby, who is half-vampire and killable, is given to Jacob when Bella was so clearly protected.
And goodness, I don’t care about how she reacted either, other than to say that she completely overreacted to what amounts to a lustful obsession. Why does she love Edward? No one at ALL has answered my question.
pauli-
“these books are FICTIONAL. meaning NOT REALLLL.”
Yes, most of us realize that. But just because a book is “fictional” doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be logical, consistent or well-researched. In fact “fictional” books need just that because otherwise we can’t relate to them. I hate the “it’s fiction” argument as a rationale for bad writing.
“this is something that isn’t infested with sex, drugs, alchohol etc. like everything else is these days.”
You mean like those crazy Harry Potter books? Oh yeah, those were absolutely filled with filth.
“as for bella falling apart when edward leaves her, that shows how much she loved him. he is her first real love. how could you not expect someone to fall apart like that when theyre in that situation?!”
Erm…most girls don’t turn into living zombies when they break up with their boyfriends. I hope not, anyway. I hope most girls are complete women on their own, strong enough to live after a couple days of ice cream and chick flicks and wallowing.
“he did all this because he loves her and wants he to have a normal human life. ”
Clearly he doesn’t mean it because he came back with her and stayed. Remember Angel? Yeah, he loved Buffy, and that was real love. He loved her so much he left so she COULD have all those stupid human things like having a soul and growing old and going to college and having children.
“THEY ARE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS YOU DUMBASSES. there are not under any circumstances any relationships out there where a guy is a vampire and falls in love with the new human girl.”
YOU’RE NOT GETTING THE POINT. Nobody said there are vampires in real life. The point is that there are mentally abusive and controlling relationships in real life.
“especially if the rest of the twilight fans get a hold of this. they will most likey make sure yoll never write something like this again. and i speak for all of them when i write this. ”
I’m…not sure how the “rest of the twilight fans” will make sure of this. Do they control the Internets?
Ironic that you were bashing the reviewer for reading something and spending time on something she didn’t enjoy, when you just did the exact same thing with this review.
I leave you with the iconic words of the Washington Post review of Breaking Dawn:
Reader, I hurled.
Oy vey. Well, that was a great warm – up for writing my essay.
I think people are just avoiding the question now. No one’s answered it, so very soon I shall pronounce it a fact that Bella and Edward are just a couple of obsessed kids.
I’m…not sure how the “rest of the twilight fans” will make sure of this. Do they control the Internets?—Quoteth the Cookie
Yes. Yes they do. They still weren’t able to prevent your post that’s full of win though. There is hope for us all.
Well hi. I’m a 16 year old girl. I don’t like being labeled “impressionable” . I happen to love the twilght series, simply because its enjoyable to read. But its fiction.I know that. And it’s not fair to generalize the entire twilight fanbase as a bunch of crazed teenage girls willing to model their lives after the twilight saga, especially Bella. Of course Bella’s not going to be my role model just because I read the book.
I love twilight for what it is, but I understand and respect that some people don’t. And I’m not bashing them for what they like and don’t like. >.<
I think so many people enjoy these books, especially younger audiences, is because Bella is feeling the way most teenage girls feel. We’ve all felt at some point “not good enough” or “plain” or even “unattractive.” Also, how many teenager girls do you know have a distorted self-image? So maybe they relate to Bella just a tiny little bit. And many teenager girls would love to have the best looking guy at school fall in love with her and then she finds out he is a good person on top of it all…even if, in this case, he is a vampire.
And it is a book of fantasy…I think to read a book about vampires, you have to know that not everything is going to go straight along the lines of what you learned in health class, wouldn’t you agree? I mean, when do you draw the line of what is fantasy and what is just too far? Vampires and werewolves..ok, vampires procreating with a human, gasp! How dare she go that far!
And maybe I read the books differently, but you could obviously tell that there was tension between Bella and Edward when he was being crazy obsessive in Eclipse. In fact, doesn’t he admit to it in the book because it is coming between them? So, he apologizes and wants her to know he is ok with her seeing Jacob. And then he doesn’t even get angry when she asks Jacob to kiss her.
Another quick note, yes it is geared more towards teenage girls. I noticed, you were very quick to attack sections of the book you thought were unhealthy for young girls to be reading, but didn’t even bother to commend others. Like the fact that Edward wanted to wait until marriage for sex, or the fact that Bella did fight for her right to give birth to her child…after all, I am sure you are pro-choice, correct? Seems slightly hypocritical to me.
So I guess what I would say..if you hated Twilight…don’t continue to read the rest of the series. You won’t like the other books so don’t waste your time. However, many loved the books and I am definitely one of them. So give the millions of fans and Stephenie Meyer a little credit. Let us enjoy Twilight without tainting it.
This is only his point of veiw even though there is a big hype about is book is you haveve to be into it, not down grade it, and think of it on a high level and think about every little detail. It’s just a fun fantasy book for who ever wants to read it just because it got famous doesnt mean anyone has the right to put down an authors work. I say if you havent yet read it pick it up and see how you like it if you dont then oh well move on with your life instead of making fun of good work and people who enjoy it.
If young girls are looking to books for their role models in life (and love), then they are stupid. Twilight is a fun and exciting read, what a book should be, in my opinion. On another note, yes they do have an unhealthy relationship if you are playing by our rules. However, he is a vampire, hence a different world then ours. I’ve always viewed their love as stronger than something we can feel, that is why Bella is so dependent.
And on a side note, I think that anything that gets young people reading is a plus. Anybody who is old enough to read this book is old enough to think for themselves and form educated conclusions.
Also a Dedicated Twilighter.
Here comes the second wave. Please refer back to the previous arguments, I’m off doing homework and do not feel like wasting any more time trying to convince you people that the choice may be correct, but the circumstances surrounding them aren’t exactly ideal. Night-night.
First, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! I do agree with you on many of the points, and think that Meye could have changed alot of the elements in these books and used a lot more subtle wording in some places. I do agree that her writting wilts under the works of many other fiction writters, but despite these facts I did enjoy the books somewhat. They were a mindless pleasure, and I don’t plan to base my life on the themes abd attitudes in these books. But unfortunately, not all young minds are so formed. Meyer should be more careful with what she is distrubuting to some of her readers, because I know quite a few that are rather young.
It’s just a fun fantasy book for who ever wants to read it just because it got famous doesnt mean anyone has the right to put down an authors work.–Katharine
Actually, people do have the right to put down someone’s work.
Your grammar sucks.
If you read the book and then just completely bash it thats not fair.
Also do you really think i care about my grammer im not an english major here.
Ah I shouldn’t have read any comments!
This is just for Yuki in response to why Bella loves Edward.
You are entitled to your opinion, but I thought I’d answer your question anyway. She was entrigued by him by his looks in the beginning. She got to know him because he cared enough to want to keep her safe. She grew to love him because he was a good person (or vampire) who didn’t want to harm people. He would rather endure pain (the “thirst”) than harm a human being. She says he is self-less, giving and caring. Out of everything in the world, he wants her to be happy and safe.
Anyway, most of that is from what she’s said in the book. I believe it was in Eclipse when she explained why she loved him to Jacob. Some of it was just what I noticed while reading. I have no idea where that conversation started, but I thought I’d just answer the question.
intrigued not entrigued!
It seems you’ve put a lot of time in this essay-esque written piece, but I must say that I completely disagree.
Your arguements lack real meaning & evidence when it comes to the feminist ideas in these books & the obsession of their love and passion for eachother.
If you believe that these books set a bad precident for teenagers who read them, then why should us teenagers be forced to read just about anything written by Shakespeare, etc…? His ideas and story themes are less than stellar, and when compared to Stephenie Meyer’s pieces seem a bit more rash to say the least.
Everyone is free to have their own opinion, including the author. She didn’t force anyone to read her book, and if you disagree with her story, then that’s your virtue. But to insult the fans is passe. If you’re unhappy with the way females are being protrayed in this modern era, why not actually get up and do something about it rather than trashing a book? If you think you have better ideas for story plots, then why not write a book? I think to put your time into writing this piece was a waste, and could be better spent.
But then again, that’s just my opinion.
Yuki – If I remember correctly, she is in love with him because of his ‘godlike’ good looks. Whereas he is in love with her because she smells good.
Yep! Sounds like true love to me!
If only the creepy obsessed fans could see how wrong this series, or at least Breaking Dawn is.
Have any of you ever heard of reading between the lines? Or finding the implicit meanings behind sentences and phrases? Rather than just reading the explicit and forming ignorant responses and opinions.
I disagree with you completely on this. I for one loved the Twilight saga.
My God people, here we go again with putting down books. Remember the whole instance with Harry Potter about it being against religions and crap.
Just leave them alone. If you don’t like it, then sorry you don’t but others love them.
These books are just fiction and gives people something to escape to so it has nothing to do with feminism and shit.
I for one think you people are going WAY overboard with this.
Just leave your rude remarks and opinions to yourself.
-Heather-
If you read the book and then just completely bash it thats not fair.– Katharine
How is it not fair? Kellen didn’t like the books. She is allowed to state why she didn’t like the books. On her own forum.
You are the visitor her bashing her opinion, not the other way around.
Also do you really think i care about my grammer im not an english major here.– Katharine
Only if you want to be taken seriously. Right now, it’s impossible to take you remotely seriously.
“If young girls are looking to books for their role models in life (and love), then they are stupid. Twilight is a fun and exciting read, what a book should be, in my opinion. On another note, yes they do have an unhealthy relationship if you are playing by our rules. However, he is a vampire, hence a different world then ours. I’ve always viewed their love as stronger than something we can feel, that is why Bella is so dependent.”
Edward being a vampire shouldn’t change the nature of a healthy relationship, though. Just as Harry Potter being a wizard didn’t change his basic human nature.
“I think to read a book about vampires, you have to know that not everything is going to go straight along the lines of what you learned in health class, wouldn’t you agree? I mean, when do you draw the line of what is fantasy and what is just too far? Vampires and werewolves..ok, vampires procreating with a human, gasp! How dare she go that far!”
No, but you have to follow the rules you create for your own world and be logical within those rules. Stephenie Meyer created rules for her own world and then violated them. Worse, when asked to explain, she skated over the question every time because she clearly hadn’t thought it out. She even claimed she was misquoted — by her biggest fans! Didn’t that piss off the writers of the Lexicon?
As an example, referring back to Angel, in that world a vampire also sired a child to a human mother (Angel and Darla). But there wasn’t some huge outcry (well, except from people who hated Conner) about how Joss violated the rules of his world. Joss deliberately flaunted the rules in his world, which is why his fantasy stories made sense.
cookie-
ok so basically, i just laughed when i read your comment. like literally. you clearly sound like some uptight mother who is constantly breathing down her kids necks watchng their every move. yes i know these are fictional characters. so that means that mostly everything else in the story is fictional. so its kinda stupid how theyre bashing on bellas pregnancy and the way she had the baby and what not. its clearly something you people dont understand.
and i not even gonna reply to the rest of your comments. cuz theyre just stupid.
but as for the bash on harry potter. that is also a touchy subject for me because i am also a major harry potter fan. it was my first obession but now twilight is right along there with it.
where at all, in any seven of those books does is theer any reference to sex drugs or alchohol?
id like to see you find one. then say something like to me that those “crazy” harry potter books are full of filth.
and as for me spending time on this when i didnt enjoy it when this dumass writter did the same thing.
i didnt read for entire books, THEN write somestupid review on it.
this is something that actually interested me because i wanted to see what they had to say. despite the fact that i didnt like it. loathed it more like it.
but the writter just wanted to basically get a good laugh and critise them cuz they had nothing better to do.
so how about all of you critise somethingthat your abnormally small brains can handle. something within your league.
and i noticed how most of you that review this are adults. and you are the ones that have all this negetive shit to say. so thats basically saying STAY AWAY FROM THESE BOOKS. because its about a TEENAGE romance. and FIRST LOVE. that ship has CLEARLY sailed for you guys so i sugest you go and do something better with yourselves than go crazy over something thats supposedly sending us teenage girls bad message. and i really dont get where your getting all this abusive relationship bullshit from. he is neither mentally nor physically abusing her in any way what so ever. seeing as i was just reading a certain passge from eclipse last night, it was the part where bella is “kidnapped” to spend the weekend with alice while edward is out hunting. sure shes mad at first. but the minute she sees him she forgets about it. and he even said he was “prepared for the wrath that would put grizzly’s to shame.” she didnt even lash out on him one bit. and if you have noticed even one it, he lightens up a bit towards the middle of ecplise. he doesnt mind if bella spends time with jacob. as long as he knows what shes doing or where she is he doesnt really care, as along as he knows that shes SAFE. which she is. its called being protective fyi. so the day that this is considered “being abused” weather its mentally or physically is the day osama bin laden will be u.s president. [SIKE!!]
As an example, referring back to Angel, in that world a vampire also sired a child to a human mother (Angel and Darla). But there wasn’t some huge outcry (well, except from people who hated Conner) about how Joss violated the rules of his world. Joss deliberately flaunted the rules in his world, which is why his fantasy stories made sense.—Cookie
Don’t forget that it was stated in canon that it was impossible for two vampires to concieve. It was then explained as a mystical pregnancy through prophecy. That higher beings were involved. Conner was merely a vessel to help facilitate the birth of Jasmine.
Smeyer gave absolutely no logical explaination within her own canon to the existance of Renesmee.
This is why her world is an epic failure compared to that of Joss’s.
First off, let me just say to you, I am so sorry that you have obviously not experienced true love. Although, i have to admit, you might be lucky because heartbreak is a dreadful thing and can actually last for a while- hence the term ‘true love.’
Second off, I’m all for feminism, but just because a girl allows a man to take care of her doesn’t mean she’s going against the progress women have made over the years. If a guy takes care of a girl, he’s not some over-baring, over-protective monster that has no respect for the female race, as you seem to be implying Edward is. He could, in fact, just be something called a gentleman. I know, I know, they’re rare…but they exist! I’ve seen them! Shocking, I know, but true none the less. And did it ever occur to you that part of feminism is the right a woman has to decide weather she lets a man take care of her or not? Because that’s part of it, my friend.
Third off you, the individual that wrote this article, need to get your facts straight. There are numerous things that you miss-stated, there-by giving the wrong impression of the saga. Do you honestly think it is fair for those who are to daft to think for themselves- those lazy people that will only take your word for it and not discover their own opinion? My point is, say what you’d like because we do have free speech but at the very least, get your facts straight. I mean, did you even reference the books or just your warped memory bank?
Fourth, and my final comment for now, (I know, you’re glad I’m done but you didn’t have to read everything I wrote, so don’t get pissed at me cause you’re reading what I wrote. Nobody’s forcing you to continue.) if you wonder over to your local book store and look at the section where Twilight is, obviously it’s in the young adult’s section, but if you look at the sub-section, it’s under FANTASY! That implies that the people and events in the book are not only fiction but that said events and people could never happen or exist. I leave you with a stunningly loud…DUH!
Dani appears to be under the impression that “young adults” are nimrods who couldn’t possibly desire or appreciate well-written books that, while based in fantasy, hold some sort of relateable Earthbound logic.
I’m a fan of the books, but I also agree with you. Mostly because I just take it for what it is; fluffy vampire books that don’t take me a few hours to read like most do. I will admit that it took me a few read throughs to realize what the other fans weren’t realizing; the books weren’t great because of the relationship where Edward pretty much praises the ground Bella walks on, but disgusting because Bella never stands up for herself. Luckly, I’m old enough to know better than to idolize Bella.
I think that the hard-core fans who are so ignorant to what you are saying are simply blinded by the relationship they think is (1) possible and (2) healthy. All the 13 year olds want that now.
I agree 100% with Dani.
It’s true that some fans of the series take their apreciation to other levels that seem quite bizare. But people who don’t like the books are expressing their hate in equally bizare ways.
It is infact, just a fictional book. Nothing has to be scientific about it, nothing has to make sense, & nothing needs to be judged as harshly as people are taking it.
& I’ll leave you with the fact that either ways, Stephenie Meyer is popular, and she’s getting both sides talking about her books. Either ways, she wins.
“Don’t give yourselves brain hemorages.”
To Dani,
i agree with everything you just said :] 100%
you are one of the few who are actually making sense around here. kudos to you my friend.
TWILIGHT FOREVER!!!
“like literally. you clearly sound like some uptight mother who is constantly breathing down her kids necks watchng their every move.”
Yep, you got it in one. I chain my kid into his room and don’t let him leave. Ever.
“and i not even gonna reply to the rest of your comments. cuz theyre just stupid”
Wow, that’s mature. So instead of having a reasonable debate you’ll just insult me and be done with it.
“i didnt read for entire books, THEN write somestupid review on it.”
No, you just read an entire review and then wrote a stupid review on it. And you’re continuing to write about it. Big difference, right?
“so thats basically saying STAY AWAY FROM THESE BOOKS. because its about a TEENAGE romance. ”
Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware there were rules about what books we were allowed to read. I’ll keep that in mind in the future.
“and if you have noticed even one it, he lightens up a bit towards the middle of ecplise. he doesnt mind if bella spends time with jacob. ”
Wow, that’s so nice of him to give Bella permission to see her friend! That Edward, so gracious and gentlemanly with the breaking of the car. I wish I had a boyfriend just like him.
Pah. Comment as I take a break from my essay:
We’re forced to analyze the Shakespeare plays. We have to go through them, discuss why something happens, why it’s wrong, etc. We learn about ideas of basic human failings and such – hell, there’s the theory that Romeo and Juliet was not a true romance but rather a satire on “young love”. We’re clearly not doing this for Twilight, and I hope whichever teacher assigns that book takes a devil’s advocate stance on it. It might makes some people think, for once.
As for the rest of it, as I said, quit saying the same thing and go check back. I would love to give suggestions to young readers – they just never ask for them, and when I say something like “Ender’s Game” or “On a Pale Horse”, they yawn and say “Boring, no romance. I don’t want to read it.” So don’t bug me for not trying.
And what else…hmm. Oh yes, the gentleman issue. Love is not impossible. I am, in fact, an advocate of love…just not the love that’s without meaning, that’s portrayed in Meyer’s series. Goodness, he hates her at first. I guess this is where Pride and Prejudice come in….but instead of finding out facts about him and coming to the realization that he’s a decent person, she just BAM falls in love. WTF? I can’t imagine suddenly loving someone who practically snubbed me. It’s not particularly realistic, but if you want it to be that way, good luck to you.
And more P&P essay.
TWILIGHT FOREVER!!!—Pauli
Or until another weird Mormon housewife writes another weird series.
Oh, just as a footnote: I’m not even going to go into the abusive part of the relationship. I’m tired of explaining mental and emotional abuse, and besides – to you he can do no wrong. So I’ll leave that to Cookie, who seems to be competent in fending off the RFGs.
Oh, just a little factoid here since everyone is being so anal, Edward never took the entire engine out of Bella’s truck. Page 62 of Eclipse states that he was twirling a black object around in his hands. That’s not an entire engine.
Ok, everyone resume their bitching.
And Moomoo is amusing.
Bah, the point is the same – he essentially cripples her.
HAVE YOU WOMEN EVER BEEN IN LOVE? OBVIOUSLY NOT. BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN LOVE, YOU WOULD SHUT YOUR MOUTHS ABOUT THE TWILIGHT SAGA. HAVE YOU EVER MET A GUY WHO SPUN YOUR WORLD AND SWEPT YOU OFF YOUR FEET? HAVE YOU EVER MET A GUY WHO COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT? HAVE YOU MET YOUR SOULMATE? HAVE YOU MET YOUR SOUL’S TRUE HALF? OBVIOUSLY NOT! BECAUSE THIS SERIES IS CENTERED AROUND ROMANCE. IT’S ABOUT A GIRL WHO HAD FOUND TRUE LOVE AND HAS COMPLETELY LOST HERSELF BECAUSE SHE FOUND THE MAN OF HER DREAMS. SO OBVIOUSLY WITH ALL YOUR OPINIONS, I GATHER THAT YOU DON’T WANT WOMEN TO FALL IN LOVE. BECAUSE IT’S ANTI-FEMINIST…..RIGHT?
To the people really upset that this review is negative on a series they love, get over it.
Real life is not a walk in the park – there will be hardships, there will be negativity, and *gasp* there will be people with different opinions than yours.
When you meet someone with a different opinion, you cannot be rude and tell them to “die” or that “they suck” or are “immature” and things like that. If you want to get your point across in a manner that people will actually listen to you, you need to be civil about it and not threaten people. The way many of you are defending the series is just disgusting and makes me more cynical of the human race than I already am. Just because you love something does not mean everyone else has to, also – and vice versa.
Chill out, this writer did not like the series. Is it that big of a deal? When you are an author such as Meyer, you have to expect people to like your books and others not to. You will get praise and criticism. That is how the world works and if you cannot get that, than I pity you.
Throwing incoherent insults are not productive and will not change anyone’s opinion. And guess what, people are entitled to their own opinions.
In conclusion, if someone has a different view than yours…please refrain from bashing, more like flaming, them. If you have a decent argument and want to discuss your views, do it in a mature manner. There is no need for:
OMGZZz!!11! Ur such a bitch cuz u dun like dis book!11!!
When you type like that, people assume you are like that in real life and that you are not very intelligent.
Yes Ashely, we are bunch of dried-up bitter hags who’ve never been in love. We write our vitriol from our old Macs in our trailers surrounded by 150 cats just to ruin your day.
And we cannot appreciate the depth of the capslock. Thanks for enlightening us.
ok seriously like what is there to debate about this?
its a book series about a TEENAGE ROMANCE where a human girl just so happens to fall in in love with a vampire. and yes there actually is a difference between reading a measley little 5 paragraph review vs. reading 4 entire novels if you havent noticed. and did bella have to actually ASK permission to see him? NO. she knew he wouldnt like it, but he even said it was because of his prejudice towards the wolves. and did he get over it? YES. does he trust jacob enough to watch over bella? YES.
so youd actually notice that if your abysmally small minds actually paid attention to the finer details of the books instead of critqing him and fussing over how its being sexist towards women and it being an abusive relationship. so please do us all a favor and get your facts striaght.
kthnx.
Yes, yes I have. I have found an amazing man who I don’t think I could live without, who I am incredibly happy with even over a year later, who is really the only one who can calm me down at time. Who’s the only one who can, ah, start me up. If I was to be so cliche as to call him my soul mate and other half, that’s fine, I will. He is what I am not – patient, kind, concerned about others…but he is also much softer than me. He doesn’t have the same will power that I do. He can be far too nice – in fact, you’d rather want to deal with him.
The fact is, I am too strong, or stubborn, if you will, to simply lose myself just because of one other person. I will, and have, changed because of him, but I will not reconsider fulfilling my life – I want to go to college, to land a good job, and to do what I want to…with him.
So yes, that makes sense, Ashley. I don’t want women to fall in love…or rather, over-obsessed lust.
Oh my God, they tell me first to see the big picture, then to look at the minuscule details. Why don’t you just go to the site that’s been listed three or four times and read the arguments so we don’t have to bother about you?
Actually, you know what? I’m going to quit responding to repeated tripe – if there’s something new, I’ll bother, I guess. I’m bored anyway.
To Lauren,
thank you for saying that actually.
i just refered back to that page and its true. thats exactly what it says :] so for all of you uptight idiots that are being so annal about this…the fact is right there on page 62 in black and white. so how about you all make sure your right about something before you open your mouths [or in this case touch your fingers to the keyboard] BEFORE you start fussing over that ONE LITTLE DEATIL.
Annal. Hm. We are being like books? The annals of the city, the records of the city? Oh, the irony.
I’ll go away now, I’ve complained enough. That was just too full of win not to comment to, though.
Dear Writer,
I think that you underestimate the teenagers today, I see them under a different light.
Teenagers today are well read, travel, they work, get involved in so many activities, music, art, they are independent and know what they want.
I had the opportunity to live abroad: China, Korea, Mexico, Thailand, Japan, USA. I can say that this bright young women and men are not uninformed nor uneducated. (I want to mention that I read the twilight Saga in other languages too)
Do they know the difference between a fictional character from a book with vampires and werewolf from a real life situation?….. let me think.
I dare to say yes, a positive yes. you will always come across some exceptions, not the rule, but that can be applied to adults too.
Are teenagers inexperience, awkward, undecide, odd, overbearing, overexcited, trying to find their place?… yes
But who is not? I have seen tons of teens with a lot of common sense and more maturity than some adults.
Am I impressed by all these young women and men today.. YOU BET!
I am worried about the twilight Saga influence on the teenagers today? A definitely, clear, NO!
I do not underestimate them for a second
Wait, wait, wait…First the critics are thinking about the book in too much depth and then they need to go back and look at the details?
Debate: You’re doing it wrong.
i read all 4 books and i loved them. a person cannot please everyone in life. everyone is entitled to their own opinions and i respect what people have to say. just wanted to put that out there.
YOU SUCK… and not in a good way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just cause you’re some harry potter obsessed FREAK doesn’t mean that you can go around sayin that anything that’s better than HP is bad. Just cause you’re all jealous that you can’t get a man even half as decent, kind, caring, smart, sensitive, compassionate, strong, handsome…… (you get my point) to even LOOK at you; doesn’t mean you can go around dissing the books. They’re AMAZING and Stephenie Meyer’s writing is briliant. You try writing something near as good and tell me how that works out for you. I’ve read the series multiple times and I’m still not bored of them. On top of that’ they’re all bestsellers. How Bout That?!?!?!?!?! so you can take that review and shove it up your ass. HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To A Zuniga,
you are my hero. seriously. you actually understand that we are teenagers are different these days. wether its a good different or a bad different. but a lto of kids have gotten into reading more now. and i know a good handful of people who said that THIS saga is what got them into reading more. you understand us more than half the people in here who are blowing this completely out of proportion and think if this series as a negetive influence to society and the minds of teengers. WHICH ITS NOT!
so i admire you for saying that :]
i truely do.
kudos to you :]
Thank you for an insightful review. I completely agree.
Why is everyone so negative? You say that us twilighters swarm if you insult Twilight, yet you do so… so completely lightly.
Stephenie Meyer did nothing wrong, stop insulting her! She’s a great author! She accomplished so much, and for you to just dumb her and her writing down like that… thats just plain rude. And wow, yeah, I get that you all have your own opinions, and I respect that. It doesnt mean I have to like it. As you can tell from my name, I am completely and happily Twilight Obsessed. I love the books, like completely loved them. Edward is a great guy, and he’s not abusive. Is it so bad to want whats best for the person you love most? At the most his behavior is overprotective. Is that so wrong? He really really cares about and loves her. As for those of you who complain about little action, try reading all the books… I’ve talked to people who liked the second or third books better, and you may just find the series good.
And how did Edward mentally abuse her? He only wants whats best for her! He loves her, and she wants to be with him. She CHOOSES him. So stop complaining.
In my opinion, I thought that the Twilight books were pretty good. I personally love all of the books that she has written (including The Host). Not the type of books to go looking into if you want a lesson on grammer, but none the less they are better then some of the other books out there on the shelves. These books are fiction and are really only ment for the reader’s enjoyment – not something that you should take seriously, and apply to or wrap your life around. Some of the things people have to say on here are absolutely ridiculous and quite mind boggling. I’d love to see them try what Stephenie Meyer has accomplished…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh wait, was that inappropriate? Well, inappropriate Yuki is inappropriate.
Anyway, I do love how you assume we all love HP. I actually like the HP series, but they’re not my favorite. The Dark Tower books, now, those are GOOD. Better than ANY crap Meyer can come up with, and the vampires there are real vampires. Eddie-poo doesn’t come close.
Oh jeez, we can go around dissing the books, because it’s called free speech. That’s why you can diss us. However, I’d like to make the comment that Edward is fictional, and if he’s the one we’re measuring to, I can easily find hundreds who are better than him…because he’s FICTIONAL. He’s not really funny or worth talking to, for one, and I don’t see where smart even comes into play. He never displays smart except when Meyer says “Oh, by the way, Edward is smart.” Sensitive? Yes, he leaves Bella to die for *blank* months, and he’s sensitive. He’s moodswingy. And decent, I dunno. He’s a big bundle of contradictions.
Anyway. How’s your imaginary boyfriend doing? My real, flesh and blood boyfriend is at work right now, while I’ve done my homework and am laughing at you. He’s kind, caring, smart, sensitive, compassionate, strong, handsome, funny, amazing, mature, patient, loving, etc, etc, etc. He doesn’t sparkle in the sunlight, but he’ll make do.
And um…so were the HP books. What’s your point?
Briana, Pauli, and Zuniga…the Holy Triumvirate of all that is wrong with the Twilight fandom.
It was only a duo but the sheer wackiness of Briana has made me reconsider and make it a trio.
Every evil team needs a bimbo.
“yes there actually is a difference between reading a measley little 5 paragraph review vs. reading 4 entire novels if you havent noticed. ”
The principle is the same. You are still reading and discussing something you hate, the exact same thing you accuse others of doing.
He broke one part of her car, he broke the whole engine…what difference does it make? The fact remains he made it so she couldn’t drive to see Jacob.
“does he trust jacob enough to watch over bella? YES.”
Do you even read what you type? Do you realize how infantile this makes Bella sound? She needs someone to “watch over” her? Argh. This is why this series and its fans make me so angry.
“Just cause you’re all jealous that you can’t get a man even half as decent, kind, caring, smart, sensitive, compassionate, strong, handsome…… (you get my point) to even LOOK at you; doesn’t mean you can go around dissing the books. ”
Oooh, yeah, I’m so jealous of a fictional character and her fictional car-breaking boyfriend. My real non car-breaking husband just can’t match up. But you know what? I CAN STILL DISS THE BOOKS. And thus I have a will to live.
I think the reason girls 12-17 years of age haven’t realized what’s wrong with these books is the fact that they’re more interested in the romance than the way it’s written. They really just don’t care about anything else when they’re reading about a perfect boy.
HappilyTwilightObsessed: Criticizing the books is not insulting Stephenie Meyer. Even if there are a few people who are, most of the comments focus on the books themselves. Stephenie Meyer wrote a bestselling novel, as so many fans point out, which means that the books are in the public eye. Of course they’re going to attract the attention of people who don’t like them.
Dear writer,
I do not agree with your opinion piece, we (my teens and I), really had a great time with the twilight Saga, If we want good exmples or role models, then we will go and look at the institution of our choice or the individual for a role model. We won’t be looking in fictional vampire,werewolf book.
After Harry Potter, none got on their brooms or practice witchcraft
I have to start out by saying that I’m a romantic. I readily accept this, despite the fact I find it a rather pathetic aspect of my personality.
However, a man deciding what is “best” for you and basically stalking you constantly is not romantic what-so-ever. What ever happened to trust is the foundation of a healthy relationship? I just don’t think that Meyer should give the notion to tweens and teens that that type of relationship is normal or romantic (as it is seen in Bella’s eyes).
Nor is it okay for the author to encourage complete mental breakdowns just because the boy you’re “In love with” just left. I am fifteen and I can tell you that a majority my peers do not have any concept about what love is because they’re all “in love with” the Jonas Brothers -aka a bunch of guys they’ve never met. I’m pretty sure that if I told a girl who has read the Twilight series and “loves” the Jonas Brothers that none of them would ever date her, she would have a hissy fit and attempt to go all catatonic like Bella did. (However, I don’t believe that they would be able to last as long in a zombie state because they tend to be like crows attracted to shiny objects.) Just because kids our age are impressionable. No one can deny it.
Anyway, I just think that teen girls would be better off reading the Women’s Mystique before they get their hands on a copy of Twilight.
It really was a spot on review and I thank you for putting your ideas out there.
Why is it so wrong to dislike this series?
Are people not entitled to their own opinions anymore?
Is there really a need to say people who do not buy into the books are anti-love?
Is it necessary to gain up on people because they do not think like you?
Have teenagers really changed that much if most of the posts are by teenagers are completely immature?
Anyone care to answer these? :]
first things first
EOPle WANT TO KILL HARRY POTTER the end and off the right the next BORING book.
hi i am 17 years olf i started reading twilight when i was 16 and ever since i breathed the first line of twilight i could put the books down. Yes i agree with some of the statistic you have placed but NO BODY CARES you are reading way too much into this book if anything i think you are a little jealous because your little article that got you 25 seconds of fame will be collecting webs in the back of your personal library will meyer is making mega millions. secondly have you ever heard of the term FANTISY because that what this book is it about fantisy getting lost in a romance filled with mystical characters. I cant belive your really going to sit here and type rubbish about this book you might as well go ahead and pee on WALT DISNEY GRAVE FOR CREATING ALL THOSE CLASSICAL MOVIES THAT MAKE QUITE THE IMPRESION ON AGES 5 AND OTHER THAT FARYTAILS ARE REAL AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FIND A CASTLE SIT IN IT AND PRINCE CHARMING WILL FIND YOU AND YOULL HAVE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER QUESS WHAT I GREW UP ON that and i loved it and still to this day are you going to tell me that all those master pieces should be boycotted becasue of the horriable SEXIST MESSAGE OH GIVE ME A FRIGGIN BREAK if anything you should be kissing the feet of meyers for putting ur teens into grown up books so they wont be ditsy fools. SO mabye its because i am young you say well i have learnt morve vocabulary words reading these books that i have learnt during all my years of school .this book isw not trying to hit the bases of real life its trying to take you into an adventure an oddessy leave your norm and take you out of were you dont want to be. Now you have oped my eyes to the things that i didnt see i wont disgard that but you people are reading away to but into it why do you always have to crtisize the one thing the us teens hold dear not someone said the reason they are commenting bad on the book is because their a bad message and it is the best seller but let me ask you what audience has made it the best seller TEENS YOU OLD BITTYS this book was not designed for you if it was then you can wirte you crude review but this book was said to be the best seeler of teen novels better thann harry potter and to tell you the truth why would you rather have your teens reading about a nerdy little kid that practices witchcraft at least twilight has romance i swear that book has no surpises or the movies i could predict the movie right now
look lady i wrote all of that to say this why are you being a buzz kill if you dont like the book stop reading it dont go to see the movie and dont be mad at stephine because she has a husdand that inspires all her love and romance in the book and your stuck with your VIBRATOR
Peaacce
Signed Twilightfan
first things first
EOPle WANT TO KILL HARRY POTTER they dont someone saves him one person dies the end and off the right the next BORING book.
hi i am 17 years olf i started reading twilight when i was 16 and ever since i breathed the first line of twilight i could put the books down. Yes i agree with some of the statistic you have placed but NO BODY CARES you are reading way too much into this book if anything i think you are a little jealous because your little article that got you 25 seconds of fame will be collecting webs in the back of your personal library will meyer is making mega millions. secondly have you ever heard of the term FANTISY because that what this book is it about fantisy getting lost in a romance filled with mystical characters. I cant belive your really going to sit here and type rubbish about this book you might as well go ahead and pee on WALT DISNEY GRAVE FOR CREATING ALL THOSE CLASSICAL MOVIES THAT MAKE QUITE THE IMPRESION ON AGES 5 AND OTHER THAT FARYTAILS ARE REAL AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FIND A CASTLE SIT IN IT AND PRINCE CHARMING WILL FIND YOU AND YOULL HAVE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER QUESS WHAT I GREW UP ON that and i loved it and still to this day are you going to tell me that all those master pieces should be boycotted becasue of the horriable SEXIST MESSAGE OH GIVE ME A FRIGGIN BREAK if anything you should be kissing the feet of meyers for putting ur teens into grown up books so they wont be ditsy fools. SO mabye its because i am young you say well i have learnt morve vocabulary words reading these books that i have learnt during all my years of school .this book isw not trying to hit the bases of real life its trying to take you into an adventure an oddessy leave your norm and take you out of were you dont want to be. Now you have oped my eyes to the things that i didnt see i wont disgard that but you people are reading away to but into it why do you always have to crtisize the one thing the us teens hold dear not someone said the reason they are commenting bad on the book is because their a bad message and it is the best seller but let me ask you what audience has made it the best seller TEENS YOU OLD BITTYS this book was not designed for you if it was then you can wirte you crude review but this book was said to be the best seeler of teen novels better thann harry potter and to tell you the truth why would you rather have your teens reading about a nerdy little kid that practices witchcraft at least twilight has romance i swear that book has no surpises or the movies i could predict the movie right now
look lady i wrote all of that to say this why are you being a buzz kill if you dont like the book stop reading it dont go to see the movie and dont be mad at stephine because she has a husdand that inspires all her love and romance in the book and your stuck with your VIBRATOR
Peaacce
Signed Twilightfan
Oh, forget it. Even adults are utterly stupid. I’m seventeen – so I guess that makes me an abnormality in this world.
You’ve written that already. And we’ve all replied to how a piece of work affects you no matter what you say. It doesn’t matter if you say OMG I WANT TO BE LIKE BELLA or she’s just a character, the BOOK affects you.
YOU SUCK… and not in a good way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just cause you’re some harry potter obsessed FREAK doesn’t mean that you can go around sayin that anything that’s better than HP is bad, even though you’re all jealous that you can’t get a man even half as decent, kind, caring, smart, sensitive, compassionate, strong, handsome…… (you get my point) to even LOOK at you; doesn’t mean you should go around dissing the books.
This series is AMAZING and Stephenie Meyer’s writing is briliant. You try writing something near as good and tell me how that works out for you. I’ve read the series multiple times and I’m still not bored of them. On top of that’ they’re all bestsellers. How Bout That?!?!?!?!?! HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bella is the hero who saves just about everyone in Breaking Dawn. She also saves Edward in New Moon. So I see no sexism in these books. It’s pretty clear that you skimmed from the knowledge you have.
Obviously you don’t understand the concept of true love…… actually love stronger then that. At least it’s not a perfect relationship. It’s more realistic that he left.
I do agree with you that Jacob Black is a complete pervert. He has problems….. no wait…. he is a problem. He freakin makes out with Bella when she’s engaged. I mean who would go to such lengths as to threaten with suicide for a kiss. He just hurts her more. (proof that Edward loves her the most)
The rest of your “views” on this series are completely wrong…… a result of jealousy no doubt. I am very sorry that your mental problems have driven you to such heights as to write a bad “review” about this series.
TWILIGHT NOW… AND FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 : p
YOU SUCK… and not in a good way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just cause you’re some harry potter obsessed FREAK doesn’t mean that you can go around sayin that anything that’s better than HP is bad, even though you’re all jealous that you can’t get a man even half as decent, kind, caring, smart, sensitive, compassionate, strong, handsome…… (you get my point) to even LOOK at you; doesn’t mean you should go around dissing the books.
This series is AMAZING and Stephenie Meyer’s writing is briliant. You try writing something near as good and tell me how that works out for you. I’ve read the series multiple times and I’m still not bored of them. On top of that’ they’re all bestsellers. How Bout That?!?!?!?!?! HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bella is the hero who saves just about everyone in Breaking Dawn. She also saves Edward in New Moon. So I see no sexism in these books. It’s pretty clear that you skimmed from the knowledge you have.
Obviously you don’t understand the concept of true love…… actually love stronger then that. At least it’s not a perfect relationship. It’s more realistic that he left.
I do agree with you that Jacob Black is a complete pervert. He has problems….. no wait…. he is a problem. He freakin makes out with Bella when she’s engaged. I mean who would go to such lengths as to threaten with suicide for a kiss. He just hurts her more. (proof that Edward loves her the most)
The rest of your “views” on this series are completely wrong…… a result of jealousy no doubt. I am very sorry that your mental problems have driven you to such heights as to write a bad “review” about this series.
TWILIGHT NOW… AND FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : p
Also, kodos to Dani
I agree 100%
Woah. Batten down the hatches, eh?
So I decided to wade through all these mewling idiots and their hilarious (yet extremely depressing) statements so that I could comment.
But really, does no one understand what feminism is? We tried, Gloria Steinem, we REALLY tried.
Great review! Granted, I eat negative reviews of Twilight up like party favours, but usually I find they mainly focus upon the dreadful writing (which I fully endorse), but you’ve covered so much more than that. You’ve cited pretty much everything that makes this series so horrific.
I find it interesting when people compare this series to Harry Potter, or even laud it as being far superior. JK Rowling is not the greatest writer to walk the earth. That being said, she is a master of characterization and plot. Stephenie Meyer, in thousands of pages, manages to create two main characters that are devoid of personality (although you see some promise in secondary characters like Jacob or Alice), while JK Rowling can flesh out a character’s nature in a paragraph. Rowling weaves intricate, complex, imaginative plots and thus doesn’t particularly NEED to be an excellent writer. “Twilight,” on top of the atrocious writing, consists of chapter upon chapter of Edward-lovin’, and then a smattering of conflict at the end. Even though both are “fantasy,” there is a world of difference between them.
I’ll wrap up my rant into a neat little package: Thank you for this review. THANK YOU.
p.s. Fun internet tip: All you Twilighters… lay off the goddamn excessive punctuation, you aren’t helping your case.
Why is it so wrong to dislike this series?
Because the fangirls hate it when you break their daydreams of EDWARD. They think this was the best thing ever because they want their own shining knight on a white horse. So when you start complaining about the morals and the characters, they automatically start screaming because you are pushing their buttons labeled – Love, Obsession, Escapist Fantasy
Are people not entitled to their own opinions anymore?
Not by what they’re screaming. They don’t have the patience or the courtesy to read what you have to say and debate it – instead, they must be right, so you’re wrong and a horrible baby-eater rapist. Or something.
Is there really a need to say people who do not buy into the books are anti-love?
Read above – you are ruining their “love”, so you are anti-love. Isn’t this wonderful?
Is it necessary to gain up on people because they do not think like you?
Gain up? Oh, gang up? Yes, because most Twilighter’s arguments are incoherent screams of rage about minuscule and irritating details. Or else how we miss the whole point. One or the other.
Have teenagers really changed that much if most of the posts are by teenagers are completely immature?
God, I hope not. I’m seventeen, and I fear for my life that the way things are going, we’re all going to hell in a handbasket. You can look up my posts for a breath of sanity, if you’d like, but if you’re for Twilight, I don’t need more angst.
Joni.marie (twilight lover): Your own words can apply to you as well. If you don’t like this review then why did you spend so much time attacking the author and Harry Potter?
You can have and post your opinion, but I don’t think it is fair to bash other people, such as fans, and the author. Stephenie Meyer never planned to be a big time writer, her books started with a dream. So, she started writing, for herself. Then she was encouraged to publish it and share it with others. Her main focus wasn’t to make this perfectly written series that teaches people good morals. She simply had a story in her head, and she wrote it down. She is a true story teller. For me, I could read the books and escape to another world of love, drama, and conflict, which is, in my opinion, something only a good book could do. Again, every book is going to have those who do not enjoy it, even hate it. However, I do not think it’s fair to call the creator, or their creation, names.
And as for the subject of how the books portray sexist ideas, I disagree. Humans are not perfect, and neither are the human characters in Steph’s book. The book is in Bella’s perspective, and just like many other girls, she explains herself as what she sees herself as: clumsy and ordinary. Aren’t we all our hardest critic? And her insecurities do not make her any less of a person, neither does benefitting from the strength and care of the Cullen family. What about the other female characters? If Meyer was trying to make females look weak and only depend on men, wouldn’t all females in the book be portayed that way? Rosalie is female, but she showed just as much strength as the rest of the men, right? We did not get to hear much from Esme as I would have liked, but that was what her character in Stephanie’s head was: motherly and caring. I think the whole “sexist” idea was construed. The real differences were shown between human, werewolves, and vampires, not between men and women.
And remember, this book is fictional, so why need to focus on the facts such as how Bella could conceive a child with Edward? Does it really matter how it happened? Of course, it would be interesting to know.. but that small fact should not take away the experience of the book.
There are books made for the story, and books that are made to initiate greater thinking. There are people who like one more than the other, or enjoy both. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think it is incredibly rude to explain what they feel in the way a lot of people have about the Twilight Saga.. People can say they feel the books teach bad morals to young readers, but the books also teach good ones too, right? I think any book you can find something wrong with, but let us all be reasonable and not try to blow things out of proportion.
Wow. That’s the first thing I have to say. Twilight is one of my favorite books. I have a question for you: Do you honestly think that Stephenie Meyer’s intentions were to make the book for any girl to go out and try to find a vampire boyfriend…or a werewolf secret lover….I DON’T THINK SO!!!! Some people do make a point in saying that some things were wrong like how Bella fell for Jacob while being madly in love with Edward. But I want to let you know that, that’s what makes the Twilight Saga, The Twilight Saga. Everyone wants something to just one day take them into a fantasy world where they KNOW that is fiction, but they just want to escape the hectic life of today. I mean Stephenie Meyer loves her books, she’s proud of them, and people have NO RIGHT to put her and her books down because they don’t like them! I don’t give a shit if you don’t like them, and I don’t give a shit if you do like them. But I know that I like them, and that they take me away into a world where I can escape (even if for only 2 chapters). The Twilight Saga is something that Stephenie Meyer created for herself, and for the people who want to escape into the Twilight world with her. So you have your opinion and I have mine. Twilighters do need to know that if your boyfriend breaks up with you, then there is no reason to commit suicide. The world is different today, the world is not perfect, and girls and women know how to stand up for themselves. You can bash Twilight all you want, and you should stand up for Twilight all you can, but Twilight was NOT meant to have girls create a fantasy world for themselves, that they can’t live in. I do love the Twilight Saga, but I can also keep a reality check. Bella found her love (Edward…duh!), and she found another guy who makes her oh so happy, but she know that her love is stronger for Edward. If you say that you’ve never been in that serious, I bet you have had at least one relationship where you loved the guy so deeply that you would be willing to do anything for him. Who gives a crap if Jacob KISSED HER TWICE UNWILLINGLY! It’s what made the book the book. She kissed him right back, and it developed more draw to the book. I am sure that everyone has been in some situation like that, and if not, then you probably will be.
Okay, enough with the freaking lecture. I just think that Stephenie Meyer wrote this knowing that not everybody’s going to like it. But she did write it for the people who do want to read it.
-Twilight/Reality Check
(I am Cecilia’s cousin who commented b4. Read her comment that was placed around 9am August 19 for some true Twi-Hard commenting)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s to make up for the lack of exclamation points in my comment !
I read Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. They are not great writing by any standard, but they have a certain quality that made me demand more and more. But eventually that quality was not enough to make me love the books, flaws and all. It’s a series that has gone downhill with each book, and the news regarding Breaking Dawn suggests that the fourth book was the final slip into the crevasse for the series.
I agree with your review, and I am sorry that, like so many others who “dare” to give criticism on the series, you are being swarmed by die-hard devotees who seem unable to recognise that opinions can go both ways.
And to Joni.marie. Again kudos
…Reading these comments makes me weep for humanity D=
OKAY, PEOPLE, LET’S GET SOME THINGS STRAIGHT:
A book being fantasy does not make it okay for abusive relationships to be portrayed as ~tru wub~.
Nobody is ‘reading too much into it’. Analyzing the message a book sends isn’t a bad thing.
And being able to spell, use grammar, and capitalize correctly would probably help your arguments, guys. I’m thirteen years old and I’m more coherent than you.
“I mean Stephenie Meyer loves her books, she’s proud of them, and people have NO RIGHT to put her and her books down because they don’t like them! ”
I can put her books down all I want. I can criticize them all I want. CAN YOU STOP ME? I think not.
Joni.marie,
You complained about how predictable the HP series were when the Twilight Saga is much worse.
I predicted pretty much everything that happened in every book, even the stupid pregnancy which doesn’t even make sense at all.
If you’ve even read the HP books you would know that there is a lot more substance to the characters and a PLOT in one book than the entire Twilight series.
Well, if anything, this book has made me turn femenist. And this is from a guy who holds a rather traditional point of view on the female role in society.
Everything is good in moderation.
Arietta ,
i see what you are saying giving me a “doce of my own medicine”
but the real reason i decided to comment was not beacsue i was searching for people who didnt like the book so i could write a killer come back line NO. i was looking for more updats at some FAN sites and it just so happend that this review was on a FAN site. i dont think it was right for the writer to shove that in the FANS faces.
and by the way I am not talking to anyone except the writer of the article everyone has their own opinion if you don’t like twilight it’s ok but don’t go around posting it everywhere like nobody is going to see it because you know you want people to read it . I personally think that is immature of the writer if you have an opinions write it in a respectful manner and hopefully you will get respectful feedback. I see myself as a mature 17 and I believe I have responded in a respectful manner more than I intoned since I was rather POED at the article. I hold nothing against people with opinions.
GO LDK!
Anyway.
Bella is a Mary Sue. Go look that up, put her through some litmus tests, and guess what? She is a prime example of bad characterization. And in BD, she ends up losing any flaws she had, so she becomes Super Sue.
The world is coming to an end.
Joni.marie: It’s “dose of my own medicine” and nevermind that punctuation and capital letters are weeping.
This review appears to be on a magazine, not a FAN site as you so eloquently put. Calm your horses.
Joni.marie-
“I see myself as a mature 17 and I believe I have responded in a respectful manner more than I intoned since I was rather POED at the article. ”
Yeah, I’d describe this passage as “mature” and “respectful”:
“look lady i wrote all of that to say this why are you being a buzz kill if you dont like the book stop reading it dont go to see the movie and dont be mad at stephine because she has a husdand that inspires all her love and romance in the book and your stuck with your VIBRATOR”
LMFAO. ok so basically whatever you are saying is making no sense. nor do i care. but i still find it pretty funny.
Joni.marie.
you read my mind :] im on the same boat as you.
the whole disney thing made me laugh cuz its true.fairtales like that arent real and neither is this, yet people decide to bash on this because its again “supposedly” being sexist towrds women.
which even after reading it a million times stillmakes me laugh.
basicaly all you think this is just giving us false hope that there are guys EXACTLYA LIKE HIM OUT THERE. but it might surprise you to know that there ARE gentlemen out there…*gasp!* shocking i know..but its true believe it or not. yea they dont sparkle, they dont have super strength or run impossibly fast and dont have marble hard bodies.
sure im 15 and just like any other girl wishing that they had a BF like him. but it doesnt mean that we’re gonna necessarily sprinkle glitter on our boyfriends, make them stand out in the cold all day or put amber colored contacts in their eyes.
the rest of you are just being complete killjoys.
id LOVE to see you come up with something as phenomenal as this a sell 1.3 million books in one day. what goes through your minds and makes you all think of things as stupid as this and agree with this writter, i will never know nor do i care in the least.
and yes people are still entitled to their own opinions but there is a dfference between just not liking a book or something because it either didnt interest you and making some lame assumptions that arent even true. that doesnt necessarily mean you need to right a stupid blog about how much you hated it and it wanted to make you hurl or what not. [infact i hope half the people in here puke their guts out and die.]
and another thing, dont bring harry potter into these even though i am a huuuuge fan. it was my first obession but now twilight is right along there with it.
but it has nothing to do with this. although i still dont get how someone can think that they are “filth” and they think that theyre infested with drugs, sex and alchohol. even though i have TONZZ more to say on this matter, i will argue no further. because unfortunetly i have school in the morning. so all of you haters can just go choke and die. and i will forever be laughing at the sheer idiocy and ignorance of some people in here. your all so close minded basically. thats i i have to say for the time being.
so peace out bitches :]
Joni.marie,
Oh, alright then. Then I’d appreciate you not posting everywhere about how much you love Twilight, since you shouldn’t be shoving it in our faces! How dare you force us to see a differing opinion from our own? So rude. I mean, it’s like, totally okay if you like Twilight, as long as I don’t have to see it.
I love this article.
Fuck all the crazy, Twatlighters. Everyone here is talking about how everyone has a right to their own opinion but fuck that. These books sucked. Bella is a horrible human being and should be ashamed of herself, Edward is an obsessive freak with bi-polar disorder and SMeyers can’t write for her life.
Shut up. I’m not going to argue. All your crazy Twilight kids are wrong and I really hope you realize one day that you’re an embarrassment to the female gender.
Your stupid you idiot.
To Yuki:
You make me smile.
At least there are still some teens out there who do not have to define their lives around making everyone miserable who does not share their views.
No, I do not like Twilight – the sage terrifies me. It glorifies abuse, suicide, being dependant, and all that great stuff. And it scares me that people cannot accept that not everyone is going to love a book that they love and flip when someone criticizes it.
Thank you for being mature, at least. And thanks for pointing out my typo, I forgot to change that. :]
pauli,
“that doesnt necessarily mean you need to right a stupid blog about how much you hated it and it wanted to make you hurl or what not. [infact i hope half the people in here puke their guts out and die.]”
So…You’re entitled to state your opinions, but the author of the article isn’t? Okay then, thanks for clearing that up.
Yuki what in the would are you blabberin about i everybody that i kn ow who has read this book doesnt even like bella we love the story line of hedr lust for danger but who seriously looks up to bella no one so stop putting that stupid little cliche out there that just because you like the book you have to love every single aspect of it and that every girl that reads it is going to go searching worldwide for a vampire that will abuse her. when i read that book i would not even have thought about that crap : abuse sexual harrasment ppfft.
what i saw was a guy or vampire that would do anything to keep his love safe and he reaslized he was the danger all along ure he took some extreme tips like the engine but he didnt know jacob hes a werewolfe duh? edwards not gona want her to go to him there natural enimes but wait dont i remember in the book endward making amature decision to still let bella see him on yea.. bring on the critisizim edward out of control . i admit breaking dawn was kind of a flop but dont tell me that ever single piece of tge other books are bad try telling that to millions of other readers
Jodie: which one of us?
Pauli, I would like to point out that stalking your girlfriend is not something a gentelman would do.
Also gentlemen do not like to date girls that tell people to choke and die. They prefer women who can formulate a real comeback that actually has a valid point to it.
“when i read that book i would not even have thought about that crap : abuse sexual harrasment ppfft.”
That’s because you obviously don’t get what exactly abuse is. Controlling every aspect of somebody’s life, going so far as to have your sister kidnap her and keep her from seeing one of her friends? Bad. Watching somebody sleep every night before you’ve even really ever spoken to them? Yeah, that’s creepy. Oh, and co-dependency, ie., going catatonic when your highschool boyfriend leaves you? That’s bad too.
Joni.marie you said:
“what i saw was a guy or vampire that would do anything to keep his love safe and he reaslized he was the danger all along ure he took some extreme tips like the engine but he didnt know jacob hes a werewolfe duh? edwards not gona want her to go to him there natural enimes…”
First of all, Edward knows that she is just as safe with the wolves as she is with his family. Both of them in reality pose a threat, but never would actually hurt Bella.
Secondly, vampires are humans natural enemies and werewolves are there to protect people from them. So that’s just proving that Edward is a hypocrite by putting his family around Bella.
Gah! I meant “saga”.
Anyways, to pauli:
How is Edward a gentleman?
And you can sell as many books as you want and still be a terrible writer. Find a topic that sells well and you can have people eating out of your hands.
LDK: Codependency isn’t ALL that bad, but you know. Everything in moderation.
Hell, as somebody who exclusively dates for the sake of finding a mate I frankly find Bella and Edward’s relationship a disgusting twisted abomination of everything such a relationship could and can be.
Kris:
First off, I don’t think I mentioned hating Stephenie, but it is true that woman knows how to piss me off. Not just because of her writing, but because of the patronizing way she likes to treat her fans. “Rob Effect” anyone? Meyer’s views in life seem to be clearly reflected in her books, she’s not the kind of author that can detach herself from that. She interrupts the questions she receives, she dances around giving answers, and then she promotes her new guide book out this winter. As an author, I can’t respect her. As a person, she just plainly annoys me.
I don’t think it’s fair to say I can hate the book but can’t bash the fans, because you don’t know where I’m coming from. I get a lot of hate from the fans on a daily basis for things I made yet never forced them to look at. They still find themselves compelled to go out of their way and repeat the nonsense in many of the above posts. So at this stage in my Twilight-hating, I do feel that I can bash the fans, as the fans have bashed me. Human nature, so sue me. “It’s stupid that haters like you automatically “hate” stephenie because she made a book that you don’t like.. ” Know what else is stupid? That you’e making random assumptions. When did I say, “Gah I hate this book, THEREFORE I HATE THE AUTHOR WITH A PASSION!” Hm? No, it’s not a good reason to hate someone, and it isn’t mine, so why are we discussing this? Right, because you’re jumping to conclusions.
We don’t care about what the fans have to say, honestly. We like giving our opinion, and then guess what? Things happen exactly the way they have for this article. The fangirls come screaming in their opinion, and I’d listen to them if it was devoid of ad hominem attacks, but for a good majority of the time, it’s not. Why, WHY do you guys think that we stand there, tell ourselves, “I HATE THESE BOOKS, I AM GOING TO START READING THEM NOW!” Many of us read them and THEN hated them. I for one, refused to get past BD after I saw the first two chapters. I was told to read it, even though I already hated the series, for laughs, but even then it was hard to laugh at something so ridiculous. Think about it, and stop having this idea that we’re all malicious harpies with the intent of causing people to get angry over what we say. Clearly you have a biased view.
Yes, and so what? The writer is also getting attention for people who believe the same thing. I’m not actually saying that Stephenie Meyer and the writer’s success are equal, but I’m currently wondering why you chose to ignore all that I said about Breaking Dawn’s failure.
“And anyone who hates her or any author for that matter is seriously just an immature person who finds a reason to hate anyone just because they did something that they didn’t like.” And there go your biased views again. Fantastic. It’s funny, yet again to me, that the haters tend to be more tolerant of differing opinions than the lovers. We say you need to grow up, because most of you fans, unlike us haters, can only jump into a conversation with “FUCK YOU BITCH I LOVE EDWARD!” Or did you not notice how juvenile those defending the books have been?
Leaving this article alone is what you should have done the minute you set eyes on it, if you weren’t prepared to defend your books in a mature, unbiased way. So thank you for leaving. Ta-ta!
cookie-
lmfao yaa what i should of said is i was being respectful until that part i am not ashamed of writing that thats how i feel and it was pretty fun getting it off my chest so ya ive wasted enough time on here twlight rules!!! haterz fall back Peacce!!
These books are mindless and Bella is nothing more than an Mary-Sue. Go read a GOOD book, not this icing covered turd.
God.
Everyone keeps on saying “WHY ARE YOU BEING SO MEAN TO STEPHENIE MEYER????????????????”
She is not being mean to Stephanie Meyer, she is talking about the FICTIONAL world that she has created and the FICTIONAL characters. So please consider that everyone who says this is “JUST FICTION.”
Criticizing a novel does not equate to insulting the author. And since Smeyer writes for herself and writes “her story, her way”, then quite honestly, she shouldn’t care what anyone else thinks.
Really, we’re not calling her a “Fat cow and shitty writer,” we’re saying that this particular piece was not to our taste.
Testmoose:
I mostly meant the whole going catatonic thing. She acted like she had absolutely nothing to live for before she started hanging out with Jacob.
LDK: point made, my apologies. There’s a vague hope in me that eventually the tweens that take these books to heart will attempt to emulate the characters and end up decreasing the gene pool in some interesting way. The Darwin awards need more entries. Trufax(c).
Right on MC!
It’s rare that someone who doesn’t like Twilight will start Stephenie Meyer as AN INDIVIDUAL.
Her writing style and ability, but we don’t attack her as a person.
go shave your armpits and vaginas. stop trying to push your so-called ‘feminist’, hypocritical views when most of you are slowly setting back women millions of years yourselves, just by opening your mouth’s thinking you have a correct view about how women or girls are poorly represented. stop crying about the lack of a strong female represenintation in FICTIONAL, FANTASY novel.
i can safely say these books were put out to ENTERTAIN, not inspire.
The most interesting thing is your critique would fit any number of romance books being published for adults as we speak.
I’m still not sure of the appeal of the Billionaire Greek Adonis who blackmails some woman into marry him, but it sells very well. *shrugs* Apparently so does a vampire who sparkles and another TSTL heroine.
I can’t say I’m overly shocked.
Oh, as for the spanish- Apparently IsmA believes that Bella and Edward are true lovers and that the reason she is seen as weak is because she is surrounded by the supernatural. In other words, the same argument we’ve all heard before.
Also, to whomever she was referring it to, she really likes you and hopes that you two can write to each other because you really made her laugh.
Just translatin’ for your benefit.
I’m going to admit, up front, to having enjoyed the first book. It was like crack, or a really poorly written, poorly acted, underfunded Lifetime movie on a Saturday afternoon when I was putting off my homework. I mean, no one was developed as a character, the plot shows up at the very end, and on top of that it a story about Twu Luv. What kind of girl doesn’t need a fluff piece at the end of a bad day?
But on top of all this, people need to take a step back and remember, Twilight is Not a Religion. That is to say, people are allowed to disagree (especially if you’re going to disagree in a such a well written and thought out article. Total kudos to you for sharing a valid opinion. I enjoyed reading it and will share it with my friends if only to make good conversation–I am friends with some Twihards and it’s fun watching them string together an agrument that consists of more than “because they love eachother!”)
Writing is objective: true. I can’t stand Hemmingway or Dun or the elder Bronte sister. But that’s in context of style and diction and phrase. When I say Meyers is a bad writer, I mean it in that there are a lot of errors in her writing and it would have helped her to edit more carefully. On top of that, I think her prose can rightly be called purple and her use of adjectives leaves much to be desired (after four books “Adonis” and “dazzling” stop looking like words). I feel that Meyers hurt her own story because while human girl loves vampire isn’t the most original it’s always interesting to people (hell, works so well Buffy did it twice). But Meyer shot her own story in the foot by breaking two very important rules of story telling.
1. Show not tell.
Bella and Edward are constantly saying how much they love eachother, how they’ve waiting their entire lives for the other, how they are One True Loves. But why? Meyers never shows the readers why they should love eachother. Edward is drawn to Bella because she smells tasty (like flowers, no less). Bella likes Edward because he’s easy on the eyes. And sparkles. And looks seventeen but acts like her father. Or something. Even Lifetime Movies give me more ( tell me how she takes her omlets Edward without coming off as a stalker and maybe with can talk. But not before we have a length conversation about that particular habit. Because watching someone sleep night after night? Only cool is you’re in a hospital and one of you is terminally ill. And if you yourself need sleep. Just saying).
2. Know Why Things Happen.
Let me tell you a story. I wrote a short story once for a program I was in. The assignment was to write a very short story that still managed to tell a completel story. I wrote one and it ended in off screen character death. In feed back the teacher asked me how the now dead character died. I replied “I’m not sure.” and he went off about how it’s important to a story that the person writing it knows what’s going down even off screen. Meyers herself has said that she isn’t always sure how things to down inside her ‘verse (see: Werewolve paternity drama). I think this kind of shrug of the shoulder attidude she has about her writing definately shows in the novels.
Now, onto the subject of Bella.
As a character, the girl is a complete Mary Sue. Women in Twilight are basically cardboard cut outs (not that the guys should get too proud since, everyone in Twilight is pretty much a cut out). But what got me going ‘huh’ in regards to the Feminist argument was women’s behavior in BD. Everyone, from Bella to Rose to Esme, loses their nut at the possibility of a baby. The Baby Craze in BD is pretty disturbing because its such an obvious risk to Bella’s health. It would not have been too much to have at least had Alice (who is oddly mute on a the baby subject) step up and say “Maybe babymaking isn’t the end all.”
And yes as a mole model, Bella is the last one girls should have. Bella is selfish, self-involved, misleading, and deluded. Meyers tries so hard to sell her as a plain nobody but all the guys in town want her and it seems like every evil thing wants to munch on her. Her klutziness is meant to make her real but it really just plays up her Mary Sueness. It makes you wonder how Bella could ever have been trusted to walk outside alone if the girl can’t take two steps without causing some kind of life threatening choas (not to say that klutziness shouldn’t and can’t be used as a character trait. Not to bring Harry Potter into this but Nymphadora Tonks is a woman who isn’t always graceful, true, but she holds her own in conflicts).
Bella’s personal traits aside, the manner in which she lets other character treat her like a infant seriously brings to question her abilities to look after herself. Edward is constantly telling Bella what to do when her life’s in danger and never does Bella actually really get a say in how things happen. Bella constantly complains about how Edward has Alice babysit her while he’s away but she never really does anything to stop that. Why didn’t she just hang out with nondescript friends from school or just tell Charlie that no, she’s not sleeping over at the Cullens this weekend. Jacob, who starts off as a great kid, funny and snarky and cool, turns into a jerk who basically sexually harasses Bella. Because that’s what it is when someone forces a kiss on you after you clearly say no (and the fact that there’s even ground to defend Jacob on shows another Bella trait that I praticularly hated: she leads Jacob on time and again, because it hurts her too much to let him go in peace). Bella’s more than happy letting other people make decisions for her and than angsting about them.
Now that brings me to the thing that gets me the most. The Romance.
It’s not healthy people. It’s just not. You don’t need to be Dr. Phil to get that Edward/Bella Sparkly Love is just not cool. The complete obsessive nature of it, the self inflicted angst, the sickening self flattery (Bella is constantly going on about how amazed she is that Edward could ever love and Edward pretty much does the same).
Is it too much to ask that at least one person, if not Bella herself, at least once in all four books, just stopped and went : “Um, maybe you and Edward aren’t that great together” without some other motive other than get Bella out an unheathly relationship. Because after all the times she got injured, no one ever did pull her aside and ask “is someone hurting you?”
“To claim this is unhealthy is to claim that books such as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Romeo and Juliet, where in that case the two lovers committed suicide, should not be read by teenagers either for fear that they get the “wrong” message. ”
Yeah, none of those relationships are healthy. Healthcliff and Cathy are terrible, they destory eachother because they’re both too greedy to want anything outside their own happiness (not even happiness for eachother, just themselves). Mr. Rodchester locked his first wife up in his attic in total isolation, and then treats Jane like dirt and then lies to her about the first wife. The best thing Jane ever did was leave (of course she goes back because Rodchester goes blind and true love and blah, but still, FIRST WIFE IN ATTIC). As to Romeo and Juliet, well, I few them as a warning tale to what unthoughtout rushed decisions can lead to.
I’ve read those books on my own and in class and that’s pretty much all I can say about them. I read them all pretty young on my own and reached my decisions about where I stood on the relationships presented. Which was great because in class, my teacher was going on about how Heathcliff and Cathy were raw elementals and yeah, they were raw, but it doesn’t make their actions forgiveable.
So yes, Meyers has written popular books, but that doesn’t mean everyone has to like them. And one should ever be so disrespected by “true fans” for having a dissenting opinion.
Marie,
Wow very mature, I have a question how are we setting back women “millions of years?” We are expressing our opinions, something that women have fought for for ages.
Yes, books are meant to entertain, but they also have underlying themes. Although you may not realize it subliminal messages tend to be the strongest. And what a bunch of girls are reading is that they have to wait for their knight in sparkling armor to come around and save them and make every descision for them.
How’s that for sending women back “millions of years?”
Oh. My. God. I love you–you have just renewed my faith in humanity. Words right out of my mouth, you said everything I ever wanted to say about the series
Jesus Christ, this made my day
Marie, how are expressing views setting back women? We are not saying that one way of thinking is right, we want people to give coherent arguments and discussions yet, sadly, the opposition has been weak and immature.
Is that the only argument you have? That it is fictional and fantasy?
Also, yes it is meant for entertainment but does that mean that it does not have an affect on people? Why do you think there are “Do Not Attempt” warnings on commercials that seem to be common sense? Because people are easily affect by what they read, see, and hear.
hi……i think you just need a good lay and shut the fuck up already. save your neo-nazi feminist bullshit for your fucked up spawn. your quite disturbed no matter WHAT free speech you may have to write such a horse shit review. its a fuckin book series get over it, and forget you read it. wow! what a concept. i jus solved your problem you ass-clown. shove it =)
Amen, Rigby!
Ruin, way to have a vaild argument.
Free speech gives us the right to express our concerns and dislike for something as does it give us the right to express our like for something.
Kellen Rice is allowed to dislike something and tell why. She brings up points that I think more people should be worried about – glorifying suicidal tendencies over a break up, hinting that emotionally/mentally abusive boyfriends are romantics, showing that women cannot be anything other than what their man is.
Why is she not allowed to critic something? You can express your enjoyment over the series, why cannot others have a different view?
Personally, I could careless that people like Twilight…I am just concerned that young, teenage girls are reading these and, whether they will admit it or not, are being affected by the subcontext.
lyk, zomg!!11!!1! hw dure u show ur opinon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its so mean to stephanie!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thes book r just for FUN nd lyk, ur thinkin 2 much about dem!!!!!!!!!!! bela and edwurd r in tru luv and if u disagreee u hat luv!!!!!!!!!! how dure u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dn’t go an anylaze dese books, their FANTAISY u ideots, FANTAIASY. duh, that meens their not REAL nd stuf. so lyk, they dont have lyk a mesage cuz theyr FANTAIAIASY. nd just cuz evry1 lubs bela doeznt make her bad, its not hur falt!!!!!!!!!!!!!! u meenies, stephanie mite reed dis and cry and how wuld u fell den?????!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!??!?!?!?!?!?????????? u dunt no whut ur talkin about, nuthin culd evur be rong wit Twilight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! u meenies need to go dii, meenies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow, i leave for almost two hours, & this is still going on.
two words: explicit & implicit.
look them up & apply it.
people have opinions, & now its time to get over that.
move on, it’s just a book !
DUUUUUUUUUDE this post is awesome, spot on.
F*ck the mindless fangirlzzzzz btw.
Twilight sucks donkeys testicles
its all just a matter of opinion. i don’t find anything seriously wrong about Meyers books ‘cept maybe the writing. it feels like fan-fiction sometimes but thats fine. i’m reading it for the story and the characters anyway. it’s a fun read. i think people wont enjoy it as much if they keep comparing it to other books. its best to just appreciate it for what it is. there are younger readers who think these books are gold but don’t worry about that they’ll grow out of it. As for the feminist argument i personally don’t find anything anti-feminist about it. i actually think Bella is a very strong character maybe not physically but emotionally and mentally. i dont see Bella to be intended as a role model. people like her because she is very relate-able and normal in her way of thinking. insecurities and all. girls can identify with that. you’ve made some valid points though i personally don’t agree with them. its totally fine. you can’t really expect everyone to like it. we are all different after all.
Well, aren’t you special? Who made you the Literary God? I guess if you are LOOKING for something to bitch about, then, sure you can find controversy in just about anything. But gimme a break….these books are just for fun. If you think all the Twilight fans have been so soiled by enjoying these books and are going to run amok looking for vampire boyfriends of their own, you might as well start hunting the tree for yer lynch party, Aunt Bee.
First of all, great review. I really loved it, a little rude, but i’ll live with it. It is true, that very few people realized it was a poor written novel. Excuse me, novels. I also completely agree with Bella’s pothetic “damsel in distress” act being insulting. I, myself, read the saga, but i must admit, i loved the books. I cannot deny anything you said, because it is true. So i have simply come to the conclusion that stephenie meyer is a magician, and she put a spell on the books. Great theory, is it not?
Thank You For Reading,
Angelica Hernandez
What about Lois Lane and all the other females that are rescued by superheros? Why are they accepted in storylines? Why aren’t you picking on that? That isn’t insulting in the least…
While I understand the feeling behind this article, I have to politely disagree with a few points.
To begin with, the whole fan-base aspect of the books disgust me as well. Things like that are why I am particularly proud that I’ve never read a single Harry Potter… just to be someone who HASN’T. The entire screaming-girl “target” audience of these books has put me off of reading them for years, it was just this spring that I picked the first one up.
Having said that, I enjoyed the book itself enough to buy the rest of them as well and do not have the disdain you seem to for the entire plot line. While it is shallow at points, it has its realism to it (as real as anything with vampires and ‘werewolves’/shapeshifters). I can’t comment off your gender or age here, but as someone who was a girl Bella’s age not THAT long ago (I’m 21 now) I can say that the emotions are pretty genuine while things happen. Just because it’s not your IDEAL reaction from females, calling it anti-feminist is way, way over the top. Maybe Meyer wasn’t trying to make a point or encourage things this way or that. Maybe she was just describing how it tends to feel?
If you’d read how Twilight began, it was just a random dream Meyer had.. she wasn’t TRYING to influence the entire young female population with this.. just following her own subconscious story line. I’ll give you that, after it got so huge, she could have “used her powers for good” but I think a sudden change in Bella’s personality would have been less true to storywriting than her so-called, according to you, bad writing would to begin with.
I had a boyfriend all through high school.. I still love him to this day the way Bella does Edward (or vice versa, in your feminist rant, you never seem to mention that Edward’s character is exactly the same in his clinging love, despite personality differences) even though every drama that could have happened did happen (cheating, jail, heroin, affairs, friendships, near-marriages, love triangles and rectantangles) and we haven’t been together for quite a while. But Bella’s reaction when Edward left- it was real. I can’t remember what filled my time or feeling more than numb & nothing & all that for a good 6 months after the relationship ended, when I was 17 as well, myself. It’s just a reaction. Sure, it’s BAD, but Meyer depicted it really well to be honest. Blank. Zombie-like. Etc etc. Also, when Edward removed her engine.. you’ll notice later that she got herself down to see Jacob anyway so she must have some sense of independence and self.
In general, while your article does point out that the whole population isn’t Twilight crazed, and the fans can be pretty blind – just like any obsession, it’s not necessary to be so down-grading to a new author who has done so well. She dreamed a story and wrote it. That’s it. And a lot of people enjoy it because of the emotions in it, for most readers it requires you to fill in part of those emotions by “being in the story” almost. It’s interesting to try to describe. But starting a feminist revolution over the book is completely ridiculous and was not worth such a long babble of downgrading, low quality words that seem better apt to rile twilight-ers than actually get a point across. “Reader, I hurled” Puh-lease..
Haha, SMeyer’s Defense Brigade steps in with no trepidation!!! (I bet they had to go look up “trepidation” in the dictionary) “Leave Stephen1e al0ne zomg!!!”
Seriously, this is a great article but in all honesty I don’t care much about the obvious anti-feminist undertones of the series, even though I do realize they’re pretty serious. Bottomline is, these books are nothing but shoddy storytelling, from a strictly literary point of view (socio-cultural implications aside, that is), they’re trash. Meyer can’t write to save her life. Twilight doesn’t deserve a tenth of the attention it gets. And now they made a friggin MOVIE for chrissakes. I can already see the queues of screaming-fit-to-faint fangurlz outside the threatres, reaching out to the horizon. “Edward Cullen is so hawt!!!” Gimme a break. I’ve seen the trailers by the way, the film-making is almost as stiff and devoid of soul as the writing in the books, woo-de-woop!!!
It’s okay if people enjoy these books for what they are (we all have a soft spot for junk somewhere in our saccharine-hungry hearts) but to claim this is some of the best literature ever produced is BLASPHEMY. I’m sick of hearing this Meyer chick being compared with JK Rowling too. It’s ridiculous.
Eh well, I guess something had to fill the mindless-garbage-lite-teenybopper-fiction open in the market. Too bad the hype sucks some of the more intelligent readers in as well. These things work in funny ways you see, it’s like watching a train wreck…you know its awful and you should look away, but you can’t, and you almost secretly enjoy it too. “This book is so bad [turns page] I wonder if it can get worse [turns page] Oh what d’you know, it just did, now I wonder if she can keep up this level till the end [turns page] Holy sheeet she just sunk even lower [applauds]”
Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is….thanks for pointing out Twilight sucks, I agree.
Lauren you hit it right on the nail!
I saw somebody compared “Twilight” to “Romeo and Juliet:”. That was utterly stupid and irrelevant. The setting of the stories are totally two different things. First basic thing, were Edward and Bella forbidden to see each other due to their family conflicts?! Nope, they were free to see each other. I bet even if Bella’s family knew about Edward’s secret, they could have done nothing to prevent the two from eloping with each other (anihoo, Edwards can always squish them like bugs if he wants to lol *cough*). So in Romeo and Juliet’s case, their desperation is fairly rational and understandable (sounds funny, doesn’t it lolz). However, the book doesn’t dwell on their suicidal act but insists on a fact that hatred never does anything good for anyone. As far as I comprehend, the whole thing is a tragic romance, not some chick lit’s love story in which you throw away your family for a guy you barely know.
I was really disturbed when Bella said something along the line “I have my own life to live” towards the issue whether she should be vamped or not. Anyone who has a bit of moral thought just don’t ditch your parents without a second thought for some dashing guys. Bella’s answer came out so fast and careless that it disgusted me. The thing between Bella and Edwards is not love like many people have praised, it’s infatuation.
Feminist or not, I think Twilight is a really poor piece with shallow characters. And sorry if you think my English is choppy. My first language isn’t English, but I read enough to tell a good book from a bad one.
um, dude, if you dont like the book..dont read it
everyone has there own opinion..so calm yourself…
and read a different book…
I respectfully disagree with you.
The character of Bella is not at all always a damsel in distress . In Twilight the first book Bella falls in love and is swept away in it , But is that all you see? She also chooses to move in with her distant father in a whole new town just so her mother is not inconvenienced. Not to mention her willingness to give up her own life – which happens in all four books. She is unselfish and in love.
Many of the best and most acclaimed novels tend to follow Similar story lines in which love claims all,such as romeo and juliet and their tragic ending , Is that not good literature?
The Reason many readers love this book is manly because this story gives them an escape. It is true, not all relationships are like this, however it is Fiction and therefore an escape from reality.
Goodness gracious, to those of you defending Twilight with no sense of vocabulary at ALL, you are obviously in no position to be arguing with the article’s poster. It’s no wonder people with such poor grammar enjoy reading Meyer’s books. Birds of the same feather..
Now I’m not saying I’m defending the article, per se (although I do agree with most of these points), but if you’re going to stick up for Meyer/Twilight/Edward/Bella, at least make good representatives of yourselves.
Obviously people will have different opinions. What is a book without controversy? The point is to stir ideas and questions, getting the audience to think. But frankly, if your going to write an article about the Twilight saga be prepared to face the consequences. There are legions of twilight fans (like myself) that are ready and willing to debate our beloved book series. If you don’t like the books, don’t waste your time reading them. Re-read Harry Potter again. Or wait until November for the next movie- oopps sorry that must hurt. I mean wait until July. But in the mean time why don’t you rag on a series with a smaller and less devoted fan base. And also, stop picking on Stephanie Meyer. She is a household mom that decided to start writing. She’s obviously doing something right. Kellan.. sorry dear, but I don’t think your writing has yet to reach her level of success. But keep trying!
Honestly, I stopped reading Twilight after Edward’s and Bella’s first conversation, when he was all like, “You hide it well, BUT YOU’RE SUFFERING THE MOST OF ANYONE, AREN’T YOU?”
…yes. Moving to a small town where it rains a lot. TRUE SUFFERING, THAT.
Oh, and Twilight fans? Chill the fuck out, will you. I know it’s shocking, but out in the real world, there are lots of people! And they have lots of different opinions! And some of them may even not agree with you! Yelling at them all CAPS-LIKE WITH LOTS OF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111111one isn’t going to change their opinion. It will, however, make you look like idiots.
this “article” sucks…AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY”
hey it’s my opinion right?
first of all, stephenie meyer did not write to became the next “Jk rowling” twilght was her first dang book, she had no experience and it wasn’t even meant to be published.
i didn’t need to read the rest to see that this article was a piece of shit.
but why didn’t you stop reading from book 1kellen? (
you could’ve saved some time, don’t you think?
but i guess you have nothing else to entertain youself with.
anyway, my point is, if you didn’t like the book(s) just say didn’t , WE DON’T CARE WHY!
i happen not to like the harry potter, but i won’t right and essay and waste my time!
all of you children should know it’s FICTION and it’s meant entertain.
DO NOT BOTHER TO RIGHT ME BACK, CUZ I WILL NOT WASTE MY VALUABLE TIME TO READ WHAT YOU THINK.
okay, first of all i LOVE the twilight saga. They are the absolute best books i have ever read in my entire life!!!! second, I understand what you mean by all this sexism stuff, but Stephenie Meyer doen’t make Bella seem weak… to me, Bella was strong! and in truth, humans are clumsy compared to these vampires that have lived for so long. They have experience and a lot more maturity. Third, I agree that Jacob did turn into an asshole in New Moon, but he only did this because he was frustrated with the fact that he couldn’t tell his best friend that he was a warewolf. I mean, wouldn’t you be frustrated if you couldn’t tell YOUR best friend something very important that happened in your life?!?!? Forth, i agree that Jacob forcefully kissing bella was freakin dumb, but think about it, he’s a teenager. Look at most teenagers in the world. If there’s a girl they like, and she’s taken, they would sometimes try to get the girl for themselves. Also, he loves Bella too. And get over that because he eventually fall in love w/ her baby!!! I know, i was mad when that happened too, but they’re warewolves, imprinting is something they can’t control. Fifth, from my point of view, i was happy when Bella and Edward finally had sex. I mean i was so happy, that they decided to do that after they got married, i’m all for that. And that one part of your article where you mention that edward and bella have “sickly-sweet self-indulgance”… i got so mad because think about it, most people who are get married and are virgins want to have sex, i mean its only natural. so why are you calling it that? i thought it was sweet.
also, edward is overprotective on bella because he loves her so much. he even says that if she dies, then there would be no reason for him to be in this world. He even almost goes through w/ it in New Moon. i dont know about you, but i think that that is true love. i mean its only natural that you would want to protect the one you love right?
also, in twilight when bella gets lost and those guys from the bar try to hurt her, Edward saves her!. i know your think well that just characterises her as the damsel in distress, but in mean people in our would get raped. and they night have been in the same situation as bella. so before you go critisizing this AMAZING saga, think about how much of it is based of things that can actually happen in the real world. Also think about the situation these characters are in. I just think that you didnt think this all the way through. You just started insulting this saga before taking it in. I recommend you watch interviews w/ Stephenie Meyer and look at these book from her perspective.
To sum this whole thing up:
I DONT AGREE W/ YOUR ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I THINK THAT YOU ARE DEAD WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so think about what i just wrote.
I see your point, but I still love the books. I disagree with some of the points, too. I’m sorry if this sound foolish but, as one of the -how did you phrase it?- “tragically impressionable 12-17 year old girls”, I’d like to speak my opinion.
First and foremost, I’d like to defend my fellow teenagers. I am thirteen years old, and I’m proud to say that I am not “tragically impressionable”. I may be impressionable in some subjects, but I’m not going to take some fiction book to heart. Despite what most adults seem to think, we’re not ALL idiots. We don’t always make the same mistakes that the former generation did, so please, back off.
I think that this whole issue is a matter of perspective. Some people insist on seeing the the good in things, while others insist on seeing the bad. For instance, when Edward was overly protective, I saw it as extremely annoying, but nonetheless what he thought was right. Of course, you ignored the fact that, later, he stops trying to keep Bella away and just tries to make her both happy and safe.
Maybe it’s just me, but those are two of the top things I like to be.
Anyway, next point. I really wish that you’d notice that, even though Bella gets saved a lot, in the end, she saves EVERYONE. She had the strength and self control to do what needed to be done. I’m pretty sure there’s some sort of saying like, “You don’t know how strong a woman is until she’s put in a horrible circumstance.” Well, Bella shows how powerful she can be. Quite encouraging to impressionable teenagers, no?
And I suppose that, from a certain point of view, this book is anti-feminist. Maybe. But…it’s Bella’s choice (really SM’s, but you get my point). And isn’t being a feminist all about pro-choice? You can’t be so one-sided with that kind of thing. You can’t say, “You’re pro-choice as long as you choose this way.”
That would defeat the whole purpose of pro-choice.
Oh, and your sarcasm at the beginning about Bella’s “plainness”?
Well, that’s how Bella sees herself. It’s from Bella’s point of view, so you’ll always hear what SHE thinks about other people or herself. She says that Edward Cullen is “Adonis-like”, but that’s her own opinion. Perhaps you’d say that Bella’s show of low self-esteem is a bad example for young girls. Well, perhaps, but really, what girl has never felt that way about herself? It always happens at one point or another. And then you grow confidence, and then it happens again. In my limited experience and oh-so-short life, I have never met a girl that hasn’t -at some point- had a problem with self-esteem or seeing themselves clearly. So Bella is rather average, really, if not quieter or less athletic than other girls. She really can’t help it if she’s clumsy.
This whole controversy is so frustrating to see, because, in the end, it all comes down to how people perceive things. Opinions are always good, but there’s always another side, another opinion. It’s sad, because a lot of people refuse to see both sides. And that never helps with anything.
Oh. One last thing, and this isn’t related to the article itself. I just wanted to say, another title might be better. It’s not a bad title really, but it’s overused and the pun is getting really old. They’ve already used it for the exact opposite, “Twilight Suck – In All The Right Ways”.
I know that was your point, but I still think you should consider changing it.
Thank you! Your review is helping me recover my faith in humanity. More specifically the female gender. Seriously, what went wrong? How could we have raised a whole generation of brain dead girls whose main goal in life is to obsess over an abusive man?
with all due respect, I disagree. This offends lots of twilighters, and i guess i’m one of them. AND i came across a comment on here, that i just had to laugh. OKay, thanks to stephANIE who totally voiced my opinion. rofl. andd this other comment that made me laugh. by amanda :
um, dude, if you dont like the book..dont read it
everyone has there own opinion..so calm yourself…
and read a different book…
HAHA. and more quotes that i laughed at.
this “article” Sucks and not in a good way… HAHA. wow. stephANIE, your amazing. okay, i hate people that make fun of twilighters. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN OPINIONS. and another quote from stephANIE that I will use here.
DO NOT BOTHER TO RIGHT ME BACK, CUZ I WILL NOT WASTE MY VALUABLE TIME TO READ WHAT YOU THINK.
okay, and this is ridiculous. the fact that this KELLEN RICE person read ALL FOUR BOOKS . HAHAHA. It makes me laugh. honestly, i’m don’t blame her. TWILIGHT is amazing. And maybe she was forced to write this. (ROFL, jk jk) but why would you read all four books? this article makes me laugh, knowing that there is only a fraction A TINY fraction that agrees. HAH. honestly woman, look at the ratios of twilighters vs non twilighters before u go ahead and write this stuff. LOOK IT UP ON GOOGLE if you have to. cus right now. out of all the ppl that have read twilight so far, the TINIEST fraction hates the series. SO HAH! read ur ratios, and compare. and be prepared to make enimies and lose fans if you decide to totally disgrace Twilighters, twihards and fanpires. right now, i’m not mad anymore. just really amused.
Gah. I’m terrible. Sorry for taking up three posts. Just one last thing.
All of the reactions or actions that you’ve commented on….They’re human. There are really two ways that an impression could be left on us teenagers. One, we can see it like you yourself saw it, extremely anti-feminist and beyond sexist, or two, we could look at this, say that this is how most humans react, and try to avoid it. Really, we can’t avoid being human, and these type of things will happen to me or anyone else eventually, but that’s okay. This book also shows that you can pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and be ready for something else that comes your way. This book isn’t offensive at all, in my opinion. It shows that, even though life can be a royal pain in the ass, you can still survive – even without being superhuman.
I agree with Caitlin Completely
Also, why waste your time writing an article if you don’t care about the book, or in this case want to bash it.
Its seems most adults think were all completely stupid,everyone has their own Opinion so you shouldn’t write articles that is all about bashing a book that a million people love
o and to make one point clear, i might have misspelled some words and thats only because i was so mad while writing my comment!!!!!!!!!
so ppl who think that the ppl that are defending twilight have bad grammar, sorry to tell you this but SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!!!!!!!
I GET STRAIGHT A’S, GET HIGH TEST SCORES, I’M IN G.A.T.E., AND I HAVE HONORS CLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
these books haven’t done anything to lower my GPA or to make me stop telling the difference between reality and fantisy.
so stop steriotyping that all twilight readers are dumbasses!!!!!!!!!!
look at yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM DISGUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >=[
Arunken. Stop trying to speak for all of us. I hate, just HATE, when someone tries to group everyone together like we’re ALL affected like that.
Oh, and I have to agree with BD as well. Caps aren’t needed for everything, even if you are a Twilight fan like myself. It makes you look pretty idiotic. I know I used caps for two of the words in here, but that’s because I want to put emphasis on them. Unfortunately there’s no italics for commenting, or else I would have used those. Sigh.
Well, I think this is very well written. I think that it is your opinion and nothing more. You made great point about why in your opinion this series didn’t meet the standards you thought they should. It was a good piece and I respect your opinions.
However, I’ve read all four of the books. I agree with the fact that SM is a beginner, and her book is not as thorough, deep, or perfected (grammar or context) as it could have been. But I personally believe that it was an enjoyable stories. I read them and adore the series. It might not be the best but I loved every one of the books. I mean it’s an abnormal story of a Vampire, A Human, And A Werewolf (or Shape Shifter). It’s really not meant to be a map of how Preteens or Teenagers should expect their romantic relationships. I am 18 years old and I wouldn’t want to copy a relationship like this. It’s meant to entertain the mind and nothing more. I was personally enamored by the idea of Edward, his old style quality and his overprotective nature. At times in the books he did go completely overboard but I think that was part of his “charm”. I think he was supposed to seem obsessive about Bella. It was meant to be an outlandish and hardly believable romance. It was meant to be a romance that could not exist in real life (I mean, considering there are no vampires, or werewolves running around in real life). SM made many errors in the books and as with most literature there could have been much improvement. But overall I believe these books are a fantasy that I enjoyed while it lasted. I plan to read Midnight Sun, I liked the chapter she released.
I don’t think that the series is beyond reproach but I do think that it’s a good read and personally it put a smile on my face.
Okay, I loved your review, first of all. I think you hit the nail on the head with it.
And just before some crazy Twilight fans come screaming at me. I actually like Twilight. New Moon’s alright and Eclipse sort of sucks. I haven’t read Breaking Dawn, so I won’t comment on that.
Yes, there are many horrible books out there. I must say though, if you want to compare it to others: Yes, the writing does quite suck. But that didn’t stop me from reading it, did it?
Yes, I know, its FICTION, but Twilight lovers, do YOU realize its FICTION? All I ever hear is Edward is so hot, I wis Edward was mine, I wish I had someone like Edward. You do realize he does not EXIST and he NEVER will.
Now that I’m done that little point: From what I’ve read, all Twilighters get very upset when you bash something they like. I’m sorry, but I don’t feel the same way about your book. That’s my opinion; and you’re allowed to have yours. But don’t bash someone’s review or article saying that it sucks because it voices their OPINION of something YOU happen to like and they don’t. Because then you are doing the exact thing that you don’t want the review to do. Now really, what of you think of that?
*stands up and cheers loudly* I think this is the best article in the entire world. And also, written much better than any of the Twilight books.
Twilighter4Life, do you think we’re impressed just because you start ranting on about how oh-so smart you are? Your actions don’t match your claims. So what if you’re in honors? I’m in college at a great university, you don’t see me trying to tell people that because of this I’m smart. You do have terrible grammar and constant spelling mistakes and that does reflect on your intelligence whether you like it or not. I can be furious and still manage a coherent sentence, so that’s not an excuse either. Do you think you’re getting your point across by typing out a million exclamation points per comment? All it does is make us feel annoyed with you. In other words: Rebuttals, ur doin’ it rong.
Ugh. Okay, I can’t stand it anymore. All you Twilight fans looking at this? Listen up. When you all do those idiotic posts where you’re trying to prove a point, but decide it’s not necessary to use proper spelling or grammar? Yeah, those.
Well stop.
Frankly, it’s embarrassing. You’re proving the point that us “fangirls” are all mindless idiots that will follow any story as long as it has a hot hero that swoops in and saves the heroin. Thanks a lot. That’s why we get so stereotyped, see? It doesn’t help to use such disgusting speech when trying to prove a point. At all.
Not meant to offend. I’m a Twilight fan myself. But really, stop. Now.
anyone who thinks that twilight is quote “cheesy” needs a life they have no taist in the artistic ability of stephany and unless you can come up with a story over 7 thousand pages that never end in suspence i sugest you keep your ugly trap shut becuse as a writer i cant tell you how dificult it is to write and if anyone who is 1 not a teenager who ever had a life 2 has no taist in good liturature and 3 cant understand the love between two people needs to get a grip if the book was as bad as you all think why did it sell so well and is now being made into a movie and is antisapated by thousands of thousands of people and no its not just girls or teenagers its fathers and mothers grandpairents and good friends so please nexed time you want to bite the hand that feeds you think nexed time and you might get that promotion you always wanted for one telling the truth and not something a demorcrat would do
I chortle in your general direction.
So what if the story doesn’t set good examples for young girls?!
Look at the mighty Shakespeare and some of his story lines! Murder, jelousy, hate, treason, lies, tyrany, horror, gore, suicide, and even allusion of drug use… It’s much, much worse!
And yet , nearly every high shool in America teachers his texts to their children. Ok, so his plays have a varying degree of morality , but when it comes down to it they are mostly horrific – look at Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth ect… HOW ARE THOSE OK?
Meyer tells of dream, a dream which subconsciously manifested into a much loved tale. It may not be he pinacle of childrens literature, but if it helps to encourage them to pick up a book, and broaded their imaginations -open up to the exploratory world of the fantastic – then how can you justify squandering such progress. They love it beause its irrational and its fantasy, it doesnt need to be justifie and made sense of morality wise. It, like many great shakespearean plays embodies the wonders of fantasy, whether realism remains prominant or not – its effectve and entracing. Such a comparison may not be right in terms of quality of prose, but in terms of the beatuiful and inifinate nature of fantasy, it is one of a kind.
I love you for writing this Yuki! Very well thought out argument.
Just reading these comments solidified my belief that Twilight fans are bat-shit INSANE. Meyer has truly created an army of brainwashed fangirls. All the more reason to speak out against these books. The fans don’t even let you have your own opinion! On your OWN BLOG! Since when did Twilight become the Holy Bible?!
oh and arunken Edward isent abusive
you would know that if you read the book
dum ass
Laura: Hahaha, I must agree on what you said especially the part about Twilight becoming the Holy Bible.
kindra: I don’t mean to be rude, but since you’re going to call some a “dum ass” – learn how to spell, it’s dumb, not dum.
Ah, Kesslyn, thank you. You made me giggle. Not…in the bad way. In that sort of relieving way that reminds me that, in the end, this whole thing won’t affect my opinion. Thank you so much. The whole Shakespeare thing is a good point.
But apparently Shakespeare’s writing itself saves it from all storyline criticism or how it affects impressionable teenagers.
Though I do love reading Shakespeare. Taming of the Shrew is my favorite.
Steph, you obviously have only see one side of the Twilight fandom. I do wish that Edward was real, it’d be cool, but I’ve never freaked out like that. Some of us are quite intelligent and like Twilight. You might not think that’s possible…but behold! Perfect spelling and -I’m pretty sure- perfect grammar in every one of my posts. Tah-dah!
Kindra, “as a writer”? What, like, on fanfiction.net or something? Considering the way your typed your comment (by the way, I don’t think your beloved author’s name has a “y” in it…) you don’t come off as a writer to me. Also, as I’ve said to many fangirls before you, quantity does not equal quality. The rest of your comment is utter nonsense, so I won’t even bother.
Hahaha…Twilight Holy Bible….I’ve heard that one before. Again, we’re not all insane, but thanks for acknowledging the small percentage that’s perfectly sane and still in love with the books. Thanks so much.
On another subject…I kind of like hanging around here, responding to any post that strikes my fancy. I like hearing other people’s opinions, even though I disagree with a lot of them here. I like stating my opinion on points I disagree with. It gives me something to do with my thoughts.
Laura,
i have to disagree w/ you on this. i am personally a twilight fan. and i for sure can tell you that i’m not insane. also, i dont believe that Twilight has become the Holy Bible. i mean, i’m Catholic and well trying to say that a fictional book has taken the place of the Bible is well, in your own words “bat-shit INSANE”. Twilight fans are not ignorant enough to actually believe that this is real. They just want to get away from this hecktic world of ours and go to a happy place. This romance is a very happy place and, even though he’s not real, the tought that an author can come up with a perfect person like Edward is, well, great!
“Look at the mighty Shakespeare and some of his story lines! Murder, jelousy, hate, treason, lies, tyrany, horror, gore, suicide, and even allusion of drug use… It’s much, much worse!”
The difference is that Shakespeare could write. And write well. And he was excellent at plot, and dialogue. And he wrote about murder and jealousy and lies but those are very HUMAN themes. And his writing felt so real that hundreds of years later his works still resonate, and we use his phrases in everyday life. Stephenie Meyer is none of those things, and her works are none of those things.
Please let’s never compare Stephenie Meyer and Shakespeare again.
Caitlyn: I have no doubt that you’re intelligent, I have read quite alot of your posts -and you’re right, not a single word mispelled and your grammar is perfect. And, actually, I have seen a different side to the fandom. One that are not as annoying and let people have their own opinions – like you, Caitlyn, and thank you for not screaming at me and saying that I shouldn’t have my own opinion.
I know people who are on both sides of the fandom – and some of them are very intelligent. It just bothers me that some fans don’t let people who are not fans have opinions.
Thank you so much for putting these thoughts down so concicely. I am really excited to send this to my friends who have read the books, especially those who identify Bella as their *hero*.
It’s impossible to believe that Stephenie Meyer, as a woman and mother, could write such blatantly misogynistic storylines that her own daughters could read and be influenced by. Later I realized she has boys and probably couldn’t care less.
it doesent mater whether you have perfect gramer or not (thats what narraters are for) anyways i dident see a large sighn that said if you want to get your point a crost that you had to be the perfect speller honestly i read the books and loved it stephany is an awsome writer with a creative and amasing mind that i could never compare to so if you want to diss the books or stephany think is this arguing going anyware we get it all girls boys pairents students grandparents who like twilight are the stupidest people on the planet ya ya ya bla bla bla unless you have prof of this acusation and are willing to apologise to my great grandmother i sugest you just end this before it gets even more nasy
sorry “NASTY”
UNLESS YOU KNOW STEPHANY MEYER PERSONALY, DONT JUDE HER, OR HER FAIMLY. WHAT HAS HER BOOKS DONE TO HARM ANYONE?
kindra: I’m not suggesting that Twilight fans are the stupidest people in the world. That’s reserved for people who think others can’t have opinions if it clashes with their own. No, you don’t have to have perfect grammar or spelling, but if you’re going to insult someone, don’t be afraid to be insulted back.
It’s just opinions.
Oh yay! I’m glad you know people from both sides. It just seems like everyone here that doesn’t like Twilight only pays attention to the…less…um…intelligent…fans. It’s like we on the other side have to hop up and down while screaming to be noticed, but we’re still trying to be polite.
Difficult thing to pull off. Hehehe…
And no problem about the screaming thing. You know, about a year ago, I probably would have done that. Amazing, how much humans can change. Anyway, I learned proper internet etiquette, and I’m much better for it.
Cookie: As much as some of you “haters” would scream at me for this, New Moon is, in fact, loosely related to Romeo And Juliet. The ending, at least. One refuses to live without the other, etc. So one is supposedly dead, and the other tries to kill themselves, but in this version, the person that was supposedly dead gets to the other one in time. I hope that made sense. Please don’t beat me.
Caitlyn: I think its eaier to pay attention to the less intelligent ones because they make very easy targets by putting every other word in capital letters and using ten thousand exclamation points. I don’t care if you love it, hate it, or don’t give a damn – I just want to have my opinion out there.
I just realized I spelled your name wrong: very sorry about that.
Roxana you dont know me or my writing what if im a poet or a short story novlest you pay people to fix your mistakes but sometimes i get so angry at the posts writen telling me im a crased bible cursing girl upsessed with a boy who doesent exsist that i dont have time to go back and put in commas or little dots that tell you when to stop you would think people could figure that out for themselfs so please dont juge me or my writing in fact three of my short horrar storys are being published right now so suck on that
Liz: I don’t really understand how Twilight and its sequels are misogynistic. As far as I know, the definition of misogynistic is as follows: “Having or showing a hatred or distrust of women.”
I don’t believe Stephenie ever expresses that in the Twilight Saga. Perhaps you mean that she makes women seem weak, like Bella, but that’s a bit unfair. In the end, she saves literally everyone from being completely massacred. Plus she has the strength to go through all of this mythical creature insanity and survive. Please, tell me how that shows Bella is portrayed as completely weak.
Wow, real mature people.
Steph: I see your point. I have to agree with that one. They certainly are eyesores.
And no problem about the name, it’s happened a million times, and much more grotesquely than simply replacing an “i” with a “y”.
Um, kindra, you seem to be under the impression you’re scaring anyone.
My point on your grammar is that clearly you were trying to show us your supposed credentials because you’re a “writer” yet you don’t make me believe that with the way you write. No, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but I can’t understand half of what you wrote. It may make sense in your mind, but to me it’s hardly coherent. Also, don’t bring personal nonsense into this, I really don’t care about your grandmother and whether or not she likes the books. The people who hate these books are also mothers and grandmother’s and father’s and so on, so again, your point doesn’t really do much for me.
Get as nasty as you want, anything you say won’t phase me unless you’re mature about what you’re saying. I’ve been out in the real world, I can handle the heat, and I’ve heard all the bashing that you rabid fangirls can do. It all ends up as “bla bla bla” in the end. So if you want to try and intimidate me, then go ahead, give me your best shot.
I can die happy now. My last comment got quoted on fandom_wank.
@Kesslyn
See, Shakespeare could actually write. As someone who has taught Romeo and Juliet before, I can tell you it is completely different. When those characters made bad decisions, there were consequences. You cannot say the same for Bella. I sincerely hope that Meyer’s readers go on to read great, or even just good, literature so they can look back on their time with Meyer’s books with a sharper mind and realize that it is pure tripe that never should have been published.
The fact that Meyer constantly compares her books and her characters’ situations to those of great literature is an embarrassment. The author is not supposed to make the comparisons for goodness’s sake! That’s supposed to be left up to the readers and the critics. In that case, many readers have chosen to compare it to bad fan fiction. Just because Catherine, Heathcliff, Romeo, and Juliet are mentioned in the books, does not mean she’s even close to the same level. If that were so, as someone at f_w said, Bella and Edward would be dead.
The only thing that makes me cry more than Twilight is how stupid and brainwashed Twilight fans are. Jesus, grow some gonads and/or a spine, ladies, unless of course you WANT to be like Miss Bella and never make any decision for yourselves and be completely controlled by a man.
Bella is nothing more than a brainless piece of meat that men fight over, and you think that’s ROMANTIC? You have a messed-up understanding of romance. It’s like boyfriends who hit women “because they love them.” It’s abuse and to portray it as love is nothing short of sick.
Your great-grandmothers who picketed for the vote are rolling in their graves.
kindra, I don’t really care about your stories. Publish them, good for you. I don’t care. I feel great in knowing that I’m at least marginally more mature on you just because I don’t say, “suck on that” after showing pride in my accomplishments.
The “I’m angry so I wont bother with punctuation” excuse is getting old. I get angry too, not now really, but in various other moments, and my writing doesn’t go off the wall with mistakes. No, people won’t be able to understand what you’re saying BECAUSE you’re making mistakes. We can’t all read your mind, you know. And I didn’t ask you to be a poet, I was merely suggesting that I can’t take you seriously when you’re claiming to be a writer yet you can’t complete a sentence without some error or another.
I may not like these books much, but I can say one thing: at least they got people to read. A bunch of my friends who only read when they have to know pick up these books because of the hype. I’m not saying that its th best book to pick up, but hey, if it gets you reading, I’m kinda happy.
wow, its a FICTIONAL BOOK.
i cant fucking imagine a NORMAL
teenage girl or anyone for that matter reading a
“feminist book about normal relationships with realistic guys
in an average world.” without probably killing herself
after the first chapter from boredom. who would read that?!
and after somehow reading all of your article,
it totally proves how much you DONT understand
any of the characters in the twilight series no matter
how much your pompous self thinks it does.
to start, guys are intrigued by bella because shes
something new to the town, not beautiful.
and teenage girls dont LIVE by this book, and we
dont expect guys to be like or anywhere close to edward.
havent you ever heard of “a girl can dream”?
and if anyone does live by it, then they were clearly
messed up BEFORE twilight ever came out.
im a 15 year old girl, and i admit that im a totally
obsessed twilight fan. but i also know that i have
a life and friends and BOYFRIENDS and i dont
expect any of them to be like edward or jacob.
some girls may be impressionable, but worry
about gossip girl or the real world before you worry
about a FICTIONAL BOOK ABOUT FUCKING MYTHICAL
CREATURES. we know they aren’t real. we know we
aren’t bella swan. we’re not stupid, so stop trying
to shelter us.
-rachael:)
unless we are willing to tell this face to face (dout it) we should all learn to be accepting of opinions some hate the book thats fine but dont go off on telling those who do like it that they should get lifes and find real men (or woman) and not to love a fictional caricter as for those who like the book lets all try to see there point before judgeing them we can speak as adults and honestly its just a book (this goes for everone) if we are woryed about what people are reading we realy need to re think things for look at TV and not to mention three year olds can look up porno on the computer with no problem obviously we all need to re think things
Twilight Hater: Your great-grandmothers who picketed for the vote are rolling in their graves.
Best line ever.
“Cookie: As much as some of you “haters” would scream at me for this, New Moon is, in fact, loosely related to Romeo And Juliet. The ending, at least. One refuses to live without the other, etc. So one is supposedly dead, and the other tries to kill themselves, but in this version, the person that was supposedly dead gets to the other one in time. I hope that made sense. Please don’t beat me.”
I won’t beat you. I’ll just point out how stupid this plotline was. Edward was going to commit suicide by sparkling all over the place. At a street festival. Now, tell me what you would think if you saw a person sparkling all over the place at a festival. Would you think “OH MY GOD IT’S A VAMPIRE RUN FOR YOUR LIFE,” or would you think, “Hey, look, someone overdid it on the body glitter. Let’s buy cannolis!”
I imagine the Volturi would have the same thought process and would let Edward make a fool of himself without creating a fuss.
It’s not that hard to copy a Romeo and Juliet plot — hell, it’s only been done a trillion billion times. I just wish Stephenie Meyer would stop comparing her characters and her stories to better characters and stories. Like I read an interview where she compared Edward to Rochester and Romeo and Blythe. Bitch, please.
Rachael: I don’t know if part of that was directed at me or not (the worrying about a character because I mentioned that in an earlier post), but I know not everyone believes they are real and yes, a girl can dream. I just said that because I’ve met quite a few people, who were saying things like “I love Edward” and “Edward belongs to me” and that really creeped me out. Sorry if I offended you.
“Edward was going to commit suicide by sparkling all over the place. At a street festival. Now, tell me what you would think if you saw a person sparkling all over the place at a festival. Would you think “OH MY GOD IT’S A VAMPIRE RUN FOR YOUR LIFE,” or would you think, “Hey, look, someone overdid it on the body glitter. Let’s buy cannolis!” ”
Cookie: You crack me up!
Oh, and yes, I DO think all crazy Twilight fans are dumbasses. I like the term “Twitards” or “Twitwits,” myself. I love pointing and laughing at their assertions that Twilight is somehow worth the paper it’s printed on. Trees died for this, people, that’s sad.
…and why are you even here? Go make your man a sammich and get to work popping out babies for him, if you’re so anti-feminist. Oh, and take off those shoes too, and get in the kitchen. Women aren’t supposed to have opinions of their own, they’re supposed to believe whatever their man says! Know your place, wenches!
LOL, this is the funniest thing ever. I can’t believe people take it seriously.
Besides, Spike would whoop Eddiepuss’ butt in a heartbeat.
Kindra. PLEASE stop now. You’re embarassing me, a twilight fan. Nobody can take you seriously with what you say and how you present it.. spelling and punctuation show that you are some-what intelligent.
Cookie: Yeah, alright, whatever. He was going to die, the Volturri were going to take him out. That’s the only reason two of them showed up/
But I’m not going to get into a book debate with you.
Kindra: Yes, please, stop. You may not care about proper spelling, or grammar, or even acting like a real writer, but I care. It’s embarrassing. Honestly, did every fan just ignore my post earlier?
You all acting so ridiculous isn’t helping us prove a point, it’s proving that we’re all oh-so-idiotic. Please stop.
try reading……… those dots never are real puntuation fine dont take me seriously
but i know that when i sleap tonight that i can sleap peacfully knowing that i put my opinion in this twilight hater post
i never tryed to get angry but after all the bashing we all need to relise something WHAT IS ALL THIS ARGUING GOING TO LEAD TO? AND I AM AN INTELIGENT GIRL PLEASE DONT JUGE ME BY SOME LITTLE POST I DONT DO IT TO YOU
Twilight Hater, would you at least be polite? It’s not that hard, you know. And thanks for calling me brainwashed and stupid for liking a book. Really, really nice of you.
Anyway, I think you’re looking at the book in the wrong light. Bella is not brainless and I’ve never perceived the relationship as being abusive, for reasons that I stated in my very first post here, which is basically an essay.
I realize that this will never stop the argument, but really? If everyone could just let everyone else have their own damn opinions, maybe you wouldn’t have to argue and judge others.
we all need lifes if we are on this bord arguing about a silly book
at 11:00 at night =)
it just makes me smile
bite me: You’re right (it’s actually 2:00 AM where I am). But I think its funny to read all these posts.
I completely agree with this review. This people who are saying “this book is fiction!” are also the ones spending hours discussing how it’s possible that vampire sperm works and dreaming of Edward Cullen. I think it’s awful that she thinks the perfect man has no flaws – isn’t that what true love is? Loving someone despite their flaws? Ugh… I could write 1000 pages about how Twilight shouldn’t even be considered literature, but it’s all been said here.
Oh, but that’s impossible Steph, because if it were, this whole thing wouldn’t exist. The essay against the Twilight Saga wouldn’t have been posted. We’d all go about our merrily polite ways, rarely speaking so as to not offend each other.
It’s never going to happen as long as people refuse to see the numerous sides of the situation.
Oh well. It is kind of fun here, though. It’s just one huge debate between people with strong opinions. It’s like when an unstoppable force meets and unmovable object. No one’s ever going to budge.
look some one understood what i was saying =)
Im going to bed
i have a life in the morning
mabie we all should do the same
you dont have to
im not your mother
but it would be more mature
(this is kindra if you dident know)
good night
“i cant fucking imagine a NORMAL
teenage girl or anyone for that matter reading a
“feminist book about normal relationships with realistic guys
in an average world.” without probably killing herself
after the first chapter from boredom. who would read that?!”
Um… have you never read any Jane Austen?
Yeah, I guess I know that, Caitlin (hey, I gout your name right this time). And I am having a very good time arguing. No one should ever budge on their opinions. But they should be acceptable of others opinions. Not just be “you’re wrong”. And that goes for both sides, because YOUR opinion cannot be wrong.
Jessi: Edward Cullen is a man with no flaws in Bella’s mind. She loves him enough to not even acknowledge his flaws. However, from the view of the reader, you can obviously point out he has flaws just like everybody else. If you have read the first chapter of Midnight Sun you might know that.
Agreed.
I’ve been a fan of Twiligt for some time now, but even I can admit that the series is nothing more than pure self indulgence. And by playing on the erotic fantasies of millions of teenage girls it became the literary equivalent to well, crack.
There was no lesson taught. There was no moral to the story.
Yet we ate it up like candy. And even though we all knew in the back of our minds that it was unhealthy…we still felt that it was worth the cavities.
Now I’m not so sure about that.
42 things that will make your parents go crazy
1. Follow them around the house everywhere…
2. Moo when they say your name…
3. Run into walls…
4. Say that wearing clothes is against your religion…
5. Stand over them at four in the morning with a huge grin on your
face and say, good morning sunshine…
6. Pluck someone’s hair out and yell, ‘DNA’…
7. Wear a sticker that says, ‘I’m a retard’…
8. Have 20 imaginary friends that you talk to all the time…
9. In public yell, ‘No Mom/Dad, I will not make out with you!!’…
Someone at fandom_wank is taking shots for everytime someone exclaims “It’s just fiction!” Please, for their liver’s sake, stop.
I’d hate to see some of these Twihards in a college literature class. All that analysis and thinking!
Fine, you don’t want to think? Go read about sparkles and dazzling and leave the thinking to those of us who weren’t dazzled.
Thanks for writing the article by the way.
It is TRUFAX!
Hallelujah. Thank you. I’ve seen the light. *really isn’t being sarcastic*
Your opinion can’t be wrong. No one’s opinion can ever be wrong. That’s why it’s an opinion. Thanks for saying that. Maybe someone will pay attention to it other than me. I hope they do.
On that note, I’m going to bed. I need to sleep before my head explodes from too much debating. I think I’ll look at this site often now, though. It’s been awfully fun.
G’night, Steph, and thanks for being the only sensible person in here, and for getting my name right.
10. read twilight
I loved how in the last book of twilight, bella grew up and became a woman at last
mabie thats a moral of the story
grow up
Thanks, Caitlin, for telling me I’m sensible and for being the only one to talk to me and not screaming at me when I didn’t share everyone’s views. And thank you for being the other sensible person to talk to.
Night everybody.
Thank you so much for this! Somebody had to point out that it’s more than ridiculously bad… It’s a misogynistic, dangerous, painful load of bull.
What the HELL? YOU ARE FUCKING CRAZY. WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THESE BOOKS THAT ITS WRONG? THE BOOKS ARE ABOUT LOVE…. HONEY YOU MUST NOT HAVE ALOT OF LOVE IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU HAD TO TELL THEM TO PRETTY MUCH GIVE UP ON ALL ROMANCE? WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT YET FOUND LOVE? GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS? WE READ THESE BOOKS TO FILL OUR LIFE WITH THE HAPPINESS THAT EDWARD AND BELLA SHARE. YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE TWILIGHTERS! YOU MA HATE TWILIGHT BUT PEOPLE WILL HATE YOU! AND IF YOU CAN LIVE WITH THAT FINE BUT NEVER MAKE ANYONE WHO LIKES OR LOVES SOMETHING FEEL BAD FOR IT! YOU ARE JUST A BITCH! SO FUCK YOU!
Okay everybody, it’s been a great debate, now let’s all get together for a group hug-
Nah, I’m just fucking with ya, I’m off to sleep guys. I will say one last thing though: You’ve all put a smile on my face.
Hmmm.. Kellen Rice wrote this STUPID article right?I only have two words for you.. FUCK OFF! I mean, why read the whole Twilight Saga if you don’t like it at all?you could have just stopped at the end of the first book if you had been horrified by just opening the book itself?But instead, you read it for the benefit of insulting the writer and fans of the book!.If you don’t like the book, then just SHUT UP!
And also, the book falls into the genre of love and romance. What do you expect? that there are no “THINGS” like that?SHEESH!Get a life dude!
I totally agree with this article. Oh, and I hope that all of the children of Twilight Moms are jumping out of windows as I write this. Then maybe they will have something better to do with their time.
This whole comment chain seems to have gone in a vastly different direction than when I posted earlier, which was mainly due to boredom at work. As someone who enjoys the stories but isn’t a die-hard, blind, deaf, and dumb to literature, a lot of these screaming caps lock fans who clearly have keyboard problems (Guys, your exclamation point button is sticking a lot.. you should get that fixed) are truly embarassing me for it. It goes back to my first statement here of really hating fan-bases.
I appreciate the intelligent people here debating on BOTH sides though. It’s nice that there can be a genuine exchange of ideas but it all truly seems off topic almost to me. Not because it isn’t the idea of the article, but the article itself has faded into the background now. For the best though. I respect the opinions of those here who don’t like Twilight and are discussing it maturely, expressing valid points without being crude and obnoxious like Kellen Rice here. Vulgar, insulting language will get no one anywhere on either end of the spectrum.
I almost think the ‘author’ here just wanted to spark the less restrained fans for fun so they could get their kicks out of the occasional (I hope just occasional and not frequent) idiotic “screaming” responses. But really, the tone of this article was no better than any of those- It was just as low-grade but with moderately better grammar.
Kudos to the more mature here but it looks like some are getting quite personal and too serious…
i am a twilight fan. you are right that the books indeed a lack of writing quality but meyer is aware that she is not the best writer but a very good storyteller. i also agree with the jacob part. he assaulted her and that’s what she does- accewpt the kiss.
at the same time, it’s not that bella is a degrading factor of feminism. just because she is madly in love and all her actions confirm it doesn’t mean that she can’t stand her ground. sometimes, pride in being who you are is shown through the love that you can give. there is nothing is wrong with that.
Hi. A shout out to the people over at Fandom Wank.
You guys make me laugh. Thank you thank you thank you. And I must agree, some of the Twilight fans are absolutely beyond ridiculous. So I don’t talk to those ones. I do like the books, and I’m sure some of you will think me completely stupid for just that reason, but whatever. I’m so happy we could provide you all with some fun-filled family entertainment. Hahaha…
Good night.
If you want to see how horable of a writer stephany is, dont read “the host”. that might start up a new argument page, with more swearing, and fighting. yay =)
And also.. EDWARD CULLEN serves as an inspiration, not an “OBSESSION” to all the young girls out there. Maybe YOU didn’t get the chance to fall in love at all and that’s why you’re critizicing the fans and the book itself?
lets be nice Joan, there