Although I have previously reviewed the first "Twilight" book by Stephanie Meyer, commentating on the impact of this series is especially pertinent this week due to the release of the movie version of this installment later this week.
The success of this series continues to baffle me. Every "Twilight" fan over legal age I've ever met simply does not take this series seriously in the slightest, and considering that there are legions of fans that like "Twilight" for reasons other than being ironic, I don't get it. It only makes me nostalgic for the glory days of fantasy writing.
Remember when "Harry Potter" was popular? "Harry Potter," with J.K. Rowling's wealth of interesting and complex characters, plot twists and relationships that were more than just a girl pining away for a stoic vampire? Because folks are baffled and utterly at a loss for rational thought when kids these days get into book series, success like "Twilight" is always attributed to "Harry Potter" in some fashion.
Although tempting, I won't turn this column into a contrast of how "Twilight" is not "Harry Potter."
There's a part of me that adores "Twilight," nevermind the flaky writing, obnoxious characters and absurd story. But don't let that suggest that I see this as a valid collection of novels (in fact, I'm still surprised they got published). In all honesty, mediating the half of me that spent the series yearning for protagonist Bella to be transformed into a vampire and the half of me that can barely tolerate the rampant flaws present in this series is difficult, and doing so is only possible when I conclude that I wouldn't really care about this series if not for the more minor flaws. Were this a more original and well-written series, I'm sure I would just enjoy it and then move on. It is in the cliché characterization with absolutely no depth, pages upon pages of writing about how crazy hot Edward is and the awkward pacing of Edward and Bella's relationship that keep me thinking (and occasionally, laughing) about "Twilight."
Which is why I have a confession, gentle readers. I wouldn't miss the midnight premiere of the "Twilight" movie this week for anything. I have my suspicions that the theatre will consist of gasping and giggling 14-year-old girls minus my friends and I, but this is something I'm doing and I'm doing it for me.
On a more serious note, I need to acknowledge that while I and others I know who are "Twilight" readers approach the series from a realistic and experienced viewpoint, I am gravely concerned with the impact of these books on younger girls. The character of Bella has drastically lowered the bar for heroines in the "Young Adult" realm of novels, and many aspects of "Twilight" are anti-feminist. Bella fails as a strong character. She begins her adventure painfully shy with an excess of insecurity issues that she never really succeeds in overcoming: notably how she refuses to see herself as beautiful even though literally every boy, vampire and werewolf in town chases her at some point. She acts as a pseudo-maid for her distant father who doesn't really anticipate anything else from her. She spends the series being yanked around by Edward (who is in complete control of their relationship) and accepts any decision he makes regarding her silently and without question.
I also worry about how romantic relationships are portrayed here and what kind of expectations that might produce in young readers. There's this one-sided worship that is present in Bella's perspective of her relationship with Edward.
Also, there is no development of their pivotal relationship.
They meet and then a few chapters later they're madly in love with talk of getting married and turning Bella into a vampire. After meeting Edward he is the sole definition of Bella's identity, a sad fact emphasized by the blank pages used to communicate the months passing by during their brief breakup in the second installment.
In conclusion, I think "Twilight" is preposterous, but it's too juicy for me to stay away from. And the sparkly vampires certainly don't hurt.
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