Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

[Harmony]

So I'm pretty sure everyone here has at least heard of the series, if not read them. I mean, how can you NOT have heard of them, with all the Breaking Dawn stuff and now the Midnight Sun leak?

So anyway, yes, I'm a Twilight fan. A HUGE Twilight fan, actually. Love it. Yes, it's not the best prose but whatever. I LOVE IT.

Team Switzerland all the way. Love Edward and Jacob equally.

New Moon is my favorite.

Breaking Dawn my least favorite, though I still did like it quite a bit.

So what are your thoughts? Like the series? Hate it? Team Edward or Jacob?

[anilee]

Not a fan, sorry. I used to be, but this summer when I reread them...I thought Twilight was entertaining; it was so ridiculously cheesy that I couldn't help but pretty much love it, even though it's still a pretty "meh" book. But New Moon and Eclipse? Didn't like them at all the second time around. And then Breaking Dawn...I liked reading from Jacob's point of view, but otherwise...I just wasn't into it. Mainly, it has to do with Stephenie Meyer's writing style. I don't like the first person narrative as much, and Bella just doesn't have a strong enough voice, in my opinion (why I liked reading from Jacob's point of view; he was angry and sarcastic and it worked for me). I also find Stephenie to be rather wordy, and I've discovered that I like simple syntax and diction.

And over-zealous fans and over-commercialization turn me away from things, and I find that Twilight has more than its fair share of both at the moment. I mean, I think that some of the "hatred" toward Stephenie Meyer has gotten out of hand, but that being said, there's something about a "Support Stephenie Meyer" quilt that sort of scares me. I know that writing is a very personal thing, but...is it that personal? Thoughts on that?

[livlovesbooks]

Yeah, I used to be a big fan when the whole series was relatively unknown, but now that it's gotten so much commercialization, the books have kind of lost their draw. Things are getting a teensy bit out control on both ends of the love/hate spectrum. Plus, in my opinion, Breaking Dawn was a seriously bad book. I like the other three but Breaking Dawn just didn't do it for me. I might have to reread the series before the movie comes out to see if my opinion has changed on them at all.
Also, I agree with Anilee that Bella's voice isn't strong enough. She's a weak female narrator and that doesn't really appeal to me. I want to read a book about a strong girl, not about someone who lets a guy run her life, whether it be Edward or Jacob. Like when Edward leaves in New Moon, Bella's in this huge slump until, ta-da, a new man shows up. That aspect bothers me a lot.
The movie is something I'm looking forward to a lot, though. Robert Pattinson is the perfect Edward so I'm excited to see him in it. I'm really hoping they don't skewer it. *crosses fingers*

[anilee]

I thought that the movie could be better than the book, but the trailers aren't wowing me. I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to see it or not. My birthday's five days after it comes out, so...I may decide to go see it to treat myself, but I'm not sure yet.

Well, and what bugs me about Bella and Jacob's relationship is that Bella really did use him all throughout. Like Jacob was like her best friend (and in love with her) and she like basically started hanging out with him because he could fix motorcycles, and she wanted to hear Edward's voice. Not that I've ever been dumped, but uh...there just seems like there's something wrong with pursuing danger just for moments of blissful insanity. The idea scares me.

Robert Pattinson as Edward scares me. Or maybe it's just Edward who scares me....

I guess it's just that once the books became popular and all "OMG!!!! EDWARD IS LIKE PERFECT!!!!", the whole thing just became a little bit frightening. I mean, books are majorly important to me and I have enough fictional crushes, but it's not like I'm in any seriousness about them, and the seriousness of some of these fangirls scare me.

And then it's like they try to tell the "Dark Side" (what the non-fans of Breaking Dawn and/or Stephenie Meyer are calling themselves) that it's like just a book, but to some people, it's a life.

And like I said, books are like pretty much everything to me. But when there's such devotion...there's something wrong in the world.

I mean, it's great to support your favorite author, but Stephenie Meyer's a celebrity author, and though I strongly disagree with criticizing her or insulting her as a person, to criticize the way she has been handling things is acceptable. And that people react to, "I think that Stephenie Meyer handled the Midnight Sun leak poorly," with, "Oh my gosh! Stop attacking her!" sort of scares me.

The first thing an author has to learn when she seeks publication is that she will receive criticism, whether of her book or of herself. And if that frightens her, she shouldn't seek publication. I mean, what do agents and editors and authors always say? "It's a rejection of your book, not you." And it's like the fans don't understand that.

It's just...personal attacks are wrong, but...

Sorry. I just have a lot of say on this because it's like just sort of baffling to me. And infuriating me. I don't care if you like or dislike the book, but can you discuss it rationally please?

I mean, I don't know if anyone here reads Squeetus (oinks.squeetus.com, Shannon Hale's blog), but she wrote about how it's 50%-50% author-reader responsibility for a book, which I agree with, but oh my gosh the comments. It like turned into a fight over like Breaking Dawn when Shannon had only used it for an example.

And there's just...something about the lack of respect or the total loyalty that a book can stir up that scares me. Words truly are powerful, but should a work of popular fiction hold such power to destroy?

Sorry again about the rant. (I'd say the same thing even if I liked Breaking Dawn, btw; I've been uncomfortable with some of my friends' reactions to negative reviews of Shannon Hale's books.)

[Steph]

I think the first book had a certain raw, inexperienced allure that -- despite the blatant faults -- attracted the masses. If it had not been for Twilight, I doubt the series would've been as successful. The longer Stephenie stays in the business, methinks, the less charming and magnetic I find her.

[Harmony]

See, I pretty much LOVE the series because it's so pointless. It's pure romance, for the most part and I love it. Yes, the writing isn't the best but then I HATE books that ramble on and on forever about stuff I don't care about.

Breaking Dawn was.....well, not what I expected. But I still loved it. Not nearly as much as the first three but definitely quite a bit. I thought some of it what stupid but then...eh, I was always Team Switzerland and I didn't get into the whole "OMG! If this doesn't happen, I'm going to hate the book!". I was just excited for the book. I wanted to find out what happened. And I did. Just because it didn't end like I expected, doesn't mean I hate it. I still like it.

As for the whole love/hate thing. Yes, that's gotten a little out of control. At this point, I'm like "WTF?" about some things. Like this whole "Return the books so Stephenie doesn't get money" thing. SO FREAKING STUPID AND PETTY. Seriously.

On the other side, people not speaking to their friends because they didn't like the book? That's a little overdramatic, too.

So I'm pretty neutral. I love the books. I love having a conversation about them with friends and getting all fangirly but on the other hand, I'm NOT going to get pissed at someone for not liking it. I'm not going to go on forever about why you should like it. Yes, maybe I'll debate it but you have your opinion and you have mine.

Am I making any sense?

And about Midnight Sun...

I support Stephenie on that decision. I think it was cruel of whoever did that to do it (it better have NOT been Robert P. like people are saying) but with the popularity of the books, it would bound to happen. I think Stephenie should have been a little more careful when giving out copies too, though.

But I know that if I were in her situation, I wouldn't have handled it better. Having a rough copy all over the internet is horrifying. She knew readers were going to read it anyone and it probably made her feel better to know she'd been allowing it.

Whew. LONG post. That's all I'm saying for now

[anilee]

You're making complete sense, Harmony, and I entirely agree. You have to be able to exit the world of fangirl-dom. But it seems like so many fans confuse that world with the real world and...well, virtual quilts and real quilts and support videos...is it just me or is that overboard?

I mean, if I were Stephenie Meyer, I'd be seriously freaked out by the fans.

And I agree that I think it's silly to return a book you've already read. You can't return a shirt you washed, can you? But I understand the wanting your fifteen dollars back to spend on something else. But it's just that it's not necessarily the most ethical thing to do.

Yeah...at first, I really didn't like the tone of her statement about the leak, but then I tried to write my own and it was HARD. Really really hard.

[*~Hobbit Authoress~*]

otahyoni.livejournal.com/130432.html

Read it. Even if you like Twilight, you'll probably laugh.

BTW, I have yet to read the books. I might this summer, just so I can say I did and I did or did not like them and for what reasons.