Monday, December 22, 2008

Realizations afer reading Twilight


It's been a while since I've gone to the movies since the "ber" months ushered in, so when Twilight made it to the silver screen a few weeks ago, I didn't have a hard time to ask DH to go with me. I've heard about Twilight several months before and got curious what the hype was all about. I wouldn't rate the movie "A" but decided to read the book version to answer some of my questions about the plot. After reading the 4 books in the Twilight saga, I realize that....

1. ...the theme of "love" is universal. Stephenie Meyer wrote it to cater the the young juvenile but clearly, the age of the characters were not an issue for the older and more mature audience. Reading the book at my age, felt like experiencing first love in high school all over again. I guess the appeal extended beyond the teenage years because it was reminiscent of how young love was. (sigh)


2. ...I don't buy the "you can love 2 people at the same time" idea. With regard to this issue, I'm no "Switzerland", either you're on Team Edward or Team Jacob, not somewhere in between. For me, trying to hold onto the 2 loves in the story made the female protagonist Bella look selfish and greedy.


3. ...I'm terribly old fashioned; or else, I wouldn't find Edward's lines such as
"Charlie, I realize that I’ve gone about this out of order. Traditionally, I should have asked you first. I mean no disrespect, but since Bella has already said yes and I don’t want to diminish her choice in the matter, instead of asking you for her hand, I’m asking for your blessing. We’re getting married, Charlie. I love her more than anything in the world, more than my own life, and – by some miracle – she loves me that way, too. Will you give us your blessing?" chivalrous and romantic. If I didn't enjoy or appreciate gadgets and technology so much, I'm inclined to think I'm an old soul.

4. ...that I should have stopped reading at book 3 - Eclipse. I was more than a bit disappointed with Breaking Dawn. The main characters were quite inconsistent with how Meyer built them up in the first 3 Twilight books. Its as if a different writer finished the last sequel to the saga. By the ending chapters of the book, I even found myself wishing Meyer wouldn't finish it with a happy ending that everyone was waiting for- which was very unlikely of me. The plot just got crazier and crazier it was getting really hard to imagine. Instead of being able to enjoying the book, I found myself spending time questioning and trying to fill up holes in the plot.

5. ...that I miss reading fiction. For a while, the materials I've been reading are mostly under the non-fiction category like biographies, inspirational essays and journals. I've almost forgotten how fun it is to get lost in a book and let my imagination lead the way.

There's a lot of contradicted opinion on Twilight, some call it trash yet others are obsessed with it. All in all, I think it was good book. It delivered well its purpose which was to entertain and I was. So, if you're piqued at how a vampire/human love story would go, go ahead and read it. Only, take my advice and stop at Eclipse. :-)

6 comments:

Jhari said...

Hi, I'm so inlove with Edward and Bella's story - but when i read this entry, somehow it made me feel like not wanting to read the book at all. Can you just spoil something for me here like, Edward or Bella's going to die or what? Please tell me, kasi sumisikip dibdib ko eh, hehehe!

Pin Thoughts said...

hi jhari, I'd still recommend you to read twilight, new moon and eclipse. I enjoyed the books and I'm sure you will, too. If you like happy endings, you won't be disappointed as well. Not to spoil Twilight for other readers, but since you asked what happened to Edward and Bella, I'll indulge you with with some details-they got married and lived happily ever after :-)

Jhari said...

Really? Wow! But is true that Bella will have a baby from Jacob and for that she choose to live a normal life instead of being an immortal. This one makes me sad. But yes, I'll just read the 3books then and will end it there since I don't like Edward and Bella to be separated in my dreams, hahaha!

Anonymous said...

hi jhari, more spoilers - Bella will have a baby by Edward and yes, she's become immortal right after having the baby. Don't worry, as I told you, Bella and Edward's story is practically a fairy tale. Happy ending all the way :-)

Jhari said...

Alrighty then... satisfied na po ako. When you said HAPPY ENDING, okay. I thought kasi sad ending eh. I can sleep now and not feeling disappointed with the story. Thanks for the spoilers - not just 1 but 2 pa, hehe! Mwah!

Anonymous said...

Hi Pin.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I have been obsessed with Twilight series ever since I started reading the first book. Actually, I just finished reading Twilight (the first book) for the third time. :)

I agree with you on point number one. I think the reason I enjoyed Twilight so much is that it brings me back to that experience of first love. Even though I'm also in my forties now, it's fun to reminisce. :)