Title: Twilight
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Paperback: 498 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publish Date: 2005
ISBN: 9780316015844
“It’s not only your company I crave! Never forget that. Never forget I am more dangerous to you than I am to anyone else.”
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer is the ultimate good-girl-falls-for-bad-boy story. Bella, daughter of the local police chief, fall for the mysterious Edward Cullen… whom she discovers is a vampire. It is everything I remember from being a teenager, some of it wonderfully nostalgic and some of it painfully annoying. While there were parts that dragged, and I honestly could have stopped at the hospital scene at the end… about 50 pages less than the final 498 pages, for the most part it was fun, arousing, and quite a page turner.
I definitely want to linger on the point of arousal. Twilightfull of the kind of sexual sensations I remember from being a teenager. The flutters of the attraction, new and exciting feelings, and the lingering over the first moments, uncertain and inexperienced about what comes next. The long lasting moments spent staring, lightly touching and feeling the skin of the object of one’s affection. All this innocent (or mostly innocent) pleasure before the actual end-run of sex becomes common and mechanical, losing all the magic it once held. I really enjoyed this aspect of Twilight.
“So what you’re saying is, I’m your brand of heroin?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
He smiled swiftly, seeming to appreciate my effort. “Yes, you are exactly my brand of heroin.”
“Does that happen often?” I asked.
“Never.”
While Twilightis definitely no literary classic, for me there were aspects of other stories that are classics. I couldn’t help but see that obvious Romeo and Julietaspect of it. The fated lovers, separated by their identity (Capulet v. Montague, Human v. Vampire), brought together by their love. I also saw a parallel of Pride and Prejudice: Edward as a Darcy of sorts, loving Bella against all his better judgment, and Bella as an Elizabeth Bennett, opinionated, headstrong, and impossible for Edward (Darcy) to read.
It is definitely a YA fiction, but there is a lot in it for an adult to love, as well. I can, however see how it could seriously grate on a reader’s everlasting nerves. There is a soppy-sweetness to it that is, at times, indigestible. It’s a bit aggravating that Bella tends to be a bit dippy and put herself in dangerous situations… again and again. She could also stand to grow a spine, as she hooks up her potential suitors with her girlfriends instead of saying “No.” Damsels in Distress annoy me. But I couldn’t help loving Edward all the more for rescuing her. I couldn’t help, at thirty-four, imagining myself in the role of Bella.
He rolled his eyes and set his lips. “Bella, we’re not having this discussion anymore. I refuse to damn you to an eternity of night and that’s the end of it.”
“If you think that’s the end, then you don’t know me very well,” I warned him. “You’re not the only vampire I know”
With the end of Twilight, Meyer’s sets up New Moon with the possibility that Bella may get her way and become a vampire with Edward. This question is left hanging, and I have my suspicions it with remain so until Breaking Dawn. A new American Gothic, Twilight is a fun, fast read that will leave you thirsty for more. 😀 4 out of 5 stars.
Filed under: Book Reviews | Tagged: Bella Swan, Darcy, Edward Cullen, Elizabeth Bennett, gothic, love, Pride and Prejudice, rescuer, romance, Romeo and Juliet, savior, Twilight, Vampire |
In the Shadow of Mt. TBR 
I really like the review you wrote for Twilight. To me, you captured some of the things I love about the books: ridiculous or not, we all had similar experiences and emotions as teenagers. I like the comparison you made to P&P; it’s one I hadn’t made myself, but it makes sense.
Great review. I, too, love the first love moments in this book and felt the tingles right along with Bella. Part of me is in love with Edward, too. I think you’ll enjoy the rest of the books. I just finished Breaking Dawn and enjoyed it, although it was a little different than the other three.
I love your review. Twilight (and Breaking Dawn – which I am 150 pages shy of finishing) are both strong reads. The other two are slower, but worth reading just to find out what happens.
If I could say one word about this book, it would be SUPER-CALI-FRAGILISTIC-EXPI-ALLY-DOCIOUS! Since that word doesn’t necisarily mean anything, I used it. I used this word, that doesnt mean anything, because you cannot put this 498 pages of words into one word. No wonder its so long!
If I could ask Stephanie Meyer to write somthing, I would ask her to finish Midnight Sun. I read it when i found it posted on her websight by her and it was so amazing to see Edward’s point of veiw. It was beautiful. Since that is somthing she truly doesnt not wish to do any more, i would ask her to write the medow scene in Twilight, maybe the scene that is before we first meet the Vulturi (I didnt want to spoil it for readers!) in the second book, and the end of Breaking dawn (last chapter.)
Being packed to the ears with homework, I don’t usually have time to read reviews but I have to say you give a great outlook on the romantic similarities between Twilight and Romeo & Juliet. This might not seem like that special a compliment but in my opinion, it is very difficult to be able to compare books to that type of historical literature and I think you have great insight and you’ve pulled it off with real grit.
Right now I am in grade 9 and most likely don’t know enough to have the right to make comments on your work but I speak completely honestly as a fan of the series.
Also, I just wanted to add that I am currently seeking the aid of a proffessional publisher to help me with three novels I’m writing so I can fund my college education in the distant future and potentially save up for repairs on the typewriter. I was wondering if there was anyone around that could point me in the right direction since pretty soon I’ll either have to come up with a miracle or stop writing and sell the typewriter. (Sorry to sound so dramatic) anyway, I might have someone who can look at what I’ve got so far for a manuscript but they aren’t liking the fact that I’m still in school. Thanks alot anyways :C,