They are to Twilight, lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by soundofmusic
For what Twilight is, it's okay. The thing that really bugs me though is that some people don't read anything else.
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They are to Twilight, lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by soundofmusic
For what Twilight is, it's okay. The thing that really bugs me though is that some people don't read anything else.
First off, I'm not some highly-paid literary scholar attacking a poorly written series of books. I'm a 16 year old kid who thought they were crap. And, for the record, Harry Potter wasn't all that bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by JuniperWoolf
And, I'm not attacking YOUR taste in books, just the books in general. But if you choose to take my derogatory comments on a series and misinterpret that as me attacking you, who am I to stop you?
I don't know how to quote multiple users, so, for the person who is hold enough to be my grandmother, I read the entire Twilight series because it was a Christmas gift, and the uncle who bought me them was an English teacher. How that is significant: every time he'd swing by to hang around with the family, he'd ask how i like the books (once every 2 or so weeks). He'd tell if I was BS'ing.
I don't want to insult him by wasting money on the books.
Reading some of theses posts, shows that Meyer has a way to pull the reader in and give her readers the idea that these characters are real people. She makes you go through and feel what her character is going through and feeling. I've read all of her books, including "The Host" and have liked all of them. I'm available for discussing the books with anyone who wants to, so pm me.
I completely agree with your closing statement. Once every five years or so, it seems that there is a trendy series that comes along. First it was "A Series of Unfortunate Events" then along came "Harry Potter" Finally we wind up with "The Twilight Saga." All of these are good books; however, that is all most people want to read. People want to follow that trend. However, there is more to Literature than these trendy books. How many people actually take the time to read and interpret a classic, or for that matter, how many people actually interpreted "Twilight" and the meaning behind it and how Meyers beliefs and what not were put into the novels? People just read it because it is popular.Quote:
Originally Posted by kelby_lake
I marvel at how they have the patience to get through 4 bricks but they can't finish pretty short classics.
I know right?Quote:
Originally Posted by kelby_lake
My experience with Twilight: I remember being in the bookstore and constantly seeing this particular book everywhere. It had the most elegant cover of two hands holding out an apple. I would be standing at one section, and I would hear people talking about it at some stand and how great it was. Eventually I came to the decision that I must figure out what this is. So I picked up a copy one day, entranced by the wonderful front cover which was quite sublte. As opposed to a huge logo of the book's title, there was just a subtle "twilight" as well as the authors name. I was quite impressed and wondered eagerly what this book was about. Once I opened the pages, I could not believe what dribble I found! Urgghh! Wtf is this? "I wasn't interesting. And he was. Interesting...and brilliant...and mysterious...and perfect...and beautiful...and possibly able to lift full-sized vans with one hand." and this? " 'It would be more...prudent for you not to be my friend,' he explained. 'But I'm tired of trying to stay away from you, Bella.' "
How about putting the name of whoever designed the title cover on the front instead of Stephine Meyers and giving her all of that money, because the front cover is really the only thing of any value.
:lol: Okay, Kelby, Shakespeare may impress me; but it doesn't give me that warm, fuzzy, wish I was young and at the soda shop with some hot vampire feel;)Quote:
Originally Posted by kelby_lake
:bawling: I must apologize to IceM publicly; to read the entire Twilight series because they were a gift shows a great deal of kindness and character. Most young people would stick them on the shelf or file 13 them and read the synopsis.Quote:
Originally Posted by IceM
I don't read the novels because they are trendy; I read them because they bring out "my inner child". I'm old, I deal with death all the time and I like to come home to something that is not profound, that doesn't make me think.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottyOhara
I actually liked several of the Series of Unfortunate, the author was very witty; I just got a little stuck when the kids plight didn't alter.
Actually, I read 2 bricks, a few chapters here and there. :idea: What do people who only read profound literature do when they run out of Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Nabacov....Quote:
Originally Posted by kelby_lake
You're right, Daniel, the covers are wonderful. I dont Know, Daniel, when I read about Edward (always imagining him as Robert Pattinson) hanging out by my bed, adoring me while I sleep and a big, fluffy wolf man outside in the rain; well...:brow:Quote:
Originally Posted by DanielBenoit
im not a big fan o twilight
Watch films :D I'm in love with Powell and Pressburger colour films.Quote:
Originally Posted by soundofmusic
AGAIN. This is back AGAIN.
It wont die until all the movies have been done... bit like Harry Potter. can be garunteed that will be revived with the next movie...
Honestly, I don't like Twilight. I don't know why teens my age are so head-over-heels addicted to it. I really don't see the point of the story at all. I'm always discussing this to my friends, but they will always find a lame comeback and say I'm weird for not liking it. What? So, does that mean that I'm an alien or something? Twilight has become so popular worldwide that it's scary.
Each to their own...
Someone mentioned A Series of Unfortunate Events before - i loved that series.
I would not read, if every book i read required me to decipher the 'values' of the author. I read for enjoyment. Entertainment.
i want to enjoy and indulge in as much books as i can - from good literature to absolute trash. People like Twilight for the story - they find it entertaining, some may like the supernatural side to it, others the love story because they themselves are seeking a similar thing. If it fulfills people and makes them happy - why should it matter?
People limit themselves too much. When i get home and i'm really tired but can't sleep - i read some 'trash', harry potter, weird sci fis, lemony snicket - because i like the story. I find them exciting.
Most 'trash' novels are page turners, and do a much better job at engaging me than say.. shakespeare, or steinbeck ever could.
There are better page turners than Twilight. I couldn't put down No Country for Old Men. It was somewhat deep, but nothing that required an annotated text with a scholarly introduction. It was a good page turner and it WASN'T trash. There's plenty out there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremydav
There are MUCH better page turners than Twilight, in both yours and MY view. But you spoke for yourself, and i can speak for only myself. If someone were to say to me, "In my experience, there are no better page turners than Twilight" who am i to say their opinion is wrong and contradict THEIR experience??
Point is, you can say whatever you like about books, look down your nose at some and praise others but our views and opinions and experiences with books are all individual. You can't be selfish about it. Let people enjoy what they enjoy, you can argue all day that it's 'wrong' but it is what it is.
Shakespeare can be a very engaging read, once you get used to the language, and far more interesting than 'trash' novels, which on the whole I find vapid and ridiculous. The idea that because something is intellectual it is inherently boring is a total myth.Quote:
Originally Posted by limajean
I don't care that people read and enjoy Twilight; it's their life after all. What I do care about is the fact that we should be promoting a variety of books and not just trash.
I'd be happy when that happens. :nod:Quote:
Originally Posted by kelby_lake
Hi, I'm Rebecca. This is my first post but I really need your help. I'm making a research about the Twilight phenomenon for my final exam and I ask myself: Why Twilight is so popular and Why does it like to so many people?
I need above all personal justification and opinion, and I hope you'll find some time to write me an answer. Thanks a lot
Hello and welcome, I am actually very fond of the twilight series.
I am an old lady; not typical of the 14 - 22 year old fans the series usually attracts. I like it because I am a romantic and am rather fond of the concept of self sacrifice for love (which is throughout the book). I also have always been a great fan of vampires; but this new vampire that only eats animals and is happy to stay around with his girlfriend is very appealing.
When I first read the book, I thought Stephanie Meyer was a bit of an egoist and it seemed to come out in the later books; but I have since changed my opinion. I do think that the later books are not quite as well written as the first two.
I love Twilight series because of the story. For me the books were real page-turners that I didn't want to put down until I was finished. There is something magical about the world described in the books and I also like the fact that the characters have some "old-fashioned" values.
Twilight? ......What's Twilight? Isn't that a book about some cannibal guy named Hannibal? I think it's called... Twilight of the Lambs, or something like that.;)
To me it's the relationship in the book that wins people over. Twilight is not very well written, but the connection between Bella and Edward is so perfect for any romantic. Let's be honest, it's super cheesy, almost like a "I would do anything to be with you" kind of thing. I don't even think the author paints amazing descriptive pictures of Forks; I just think she does an amazing job of drawing in hopeless romantics with the Bella/Edward relationship.
It's teenage hokum, but if you are lucky you'll grow out of it.
In my studies of creative writing at uni, we see Twilight as one of the worst series plaguing mainstream readers. I agree with sugarcash56, the books are horribly written.
But I think people like that idea of the perfect man. It's why Mills + Boon sells so well. Romance is best when it is that heavenly-like attraction to a heavenly-like person. So unlike reality, the romantics of which are mostly seldom and would depress us. That's my opinion of why it's a phenomenon. I believe though that it has nowhere near the shelf life of the Harry Potter series, and is more like a fad than anything else.
Another problem I found with the books is the role-model Bella puts out to girls. She acts like an absolute pain in the behind to everyone - whiny, complaining, arrogant. She palms aside the Michael character in the first book who is trying to be nice to her and friendly, trying to settle her into school. She refers to him as an annoying Golden Retriever.
No, instead, Bella goes for a person who gets visibly angry (seemingly at her) and leaves the room, as soon as she enters it. Completely silly. And Bella's attitude to guys is I believe a bad attitude to put forth to young girls. She seems to (and this might be a little extreme of a distinction) have quite a bit in common with Patrick Bateman of American Psycho actually, and I don't mean homicidal tendencies. I mean those same sociopathic judgements of people that comes across in her narration.
So yeah, as you can see I have a lot of misgivings about the 'Twilight' series.
Note:- I am sorry if we have already a thread on the series. I searched for it but couldn't find it.
I recently picked up twilight from the book shop, partly due to past recommendations and partly due to my hunger to read something, anything.
I read Twilight and New Moon and I cant wait to read Eclipse. Also, I can't wait to discuss the first two books. And what better place than my favourite online spot, Litnet. ;)
Firstly, it's a great change to read fantasy fiction that explores a world beyond dwarfs and elves.
Now, to be completely honest, I was terribly disappointed with the first novel. Firstly, I thought there was a lot of love story in it. Had I been a girl, I think it would have fascinated me. But love stories, I don't think is a 'guy thing'. But that opinion may be purely subjective. :D
Or well, maybe I might like other love stories but Twilight definitely did not do it for me. Firstly, I don't think the first book was a complete love story in itself. The majority of the book only explored Edward's hesitancy and Bella's determination towards her fearless love. And in the rest of the book, we just learn how beautiful Edwards was and so many pages were wasted describing their 'incomplete kisses'.
Well, really the real book for me began with the entry of the hunter 'James' and the hunt for Bella. I usually pic a fantasy fic for such sort of things and not to get bored on such a repetitive love story. Now, even the 'hunt' wasn't given much scope. The thrills and the suspense were scarce. It did not intrigue me the way I had expected.
All in all, I felt the first part was a huge disappointment. What are your views on the first part?
Nonetheless, I read 'New Moon', partly because I had a lot of time left and well, I had already bought it. :p
I really liked the second book for a number of reasons and there were a few points that I did not like at all. I'll be covering them one by one.
I guess my favourite character in the 'Twilight' series is Jake Black. I liked him immensely. I could connect with him so easily (No, I'm not a werewolf :D, but for entirely different reasons). I really liked the way the friendship between Jake and Bella developed. Surprisingly, I also liked the bit of the love angle in it. ;)
I felt the story was going perfect till Edward returned. From there on, I have a few very serious complaints. Again, as in the first book, the thrills were scarce. The suspense is built but it never reaches the peak. When you spend so many pages searching for Victoria, the reader expects that by the end we'd have some definite conclusions regarding Victoria. I thought the entry of the Volturi was very sudden and abrupt. It came into the book from nowhere. Basically, as far as the suspense factor goes, I think New Moon is incomplete. Maybe, the author planned it to be so and plans to complete these ends in the rest of the novels. I haven't read Eclipse and Breaking Dawn yet, so I can't be sure.
There's one thing I did not like about Bella at all. Can you be so blind in love so as to give your best friend such little appreciation? As a reader, I would have been much happier if she had maintained a better balance between love and friendship.
Also, in the end, I think it's very uncharacteristic of Jake to reveal Bella's motorcycle secret.
But anyways, I am really very interested to see how the relationship between Bella and Jake turns out. That's the main reason I'm so keyed up to read Eclipse.
The following two lines that I read in some review echoes my complaints with both the books exactly:-
a lot of build-up and little action.
"unwavering passion for Edward" and having no other goals
lol. I agree. Hey Nikhar, have you read her latest book, "the second short life of Bree Tanner"? I just picked it up from the store, and I pretty excited to read it...although I never heard about it. I think It'll be interesting, but unlike her previous books, this one is very short...I wonder if that will be a problem...
Despite its popularity, its the most hated book series of the previous decade and a favorite target of snark.
Because it is so popular.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.lucifer
No, I havent read the second short life of Bree Tanner yet. Don't get me wrong but I don't think I'm going to read it either. I'm not even going to read breaking dawn. I have heard that Bella turns vampire in the fourth novel. And that sort of takes away the whole point of reading the book. As I said, the character of Jake made it possible for me to complete the third book. Reading the fourth book seems pointless to me.
So far, I've read the beginning, and believe it or not, it's not like any of the other Twilight books. Actually, I think Bree was the girl who was terminated by the Volturi. But this grop is different. They actually burn in the sun, not twinkle and sparkle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikhar
Yes, Bella turns vampy, and I lost interest in the Twilight series. I bought this book without knowing this was part of the Series, and it was cheap, being first print and all.
So you know what happens with Jacob at the end?
And to be completely honest, I didn't expect the end to be all happily ever after and crap. All the problems were easy peasy to solve.
Despite its popularity and seemingly good potentials Twilight turned out to be a disaster. The movies were entertaining granted and sometimes you do read interested to find out what happens next but on the whole does Twilight strike you?
To me it doesn't. It just gropes around teenage hormones and creates an unbelievable romance between two people (I cannot insult the term "individual")who utterly possess not a microscopic touch of romance. It's vampire Mills and Boon as a male friend put it - you read, get entertained for a bit and then throw it out.
Many people give these lame argument that as it is fiction it does not need to be true. Ummm fiction is somewhat based on reality and if a relationship is based on hormones, immaturity, looks and bodily odours then we cannot even define it as romance; it is what is popularly called a fling - in this case it's even a badly computed sexual one, a chemical cross that fails to breed any sympathy, empathy or even sensuous excitement unless you are a hardcore sadomasochist. But, even if you are you might get numbed by the lack of diversity.
Bella does nothing but worships Edward and he, in turn, like some pompous oarasite, drinks of her blood in the spiritual sense. It's like this: I don't bite into your neck but I bite into your soul because drying your innermost intelligence and personality feeds me. After all, dominating you physically can begin and end so quickly that I won't enjoy the meal and as you are a one of a kind meal I'm gonna dry you up so bad that you'll be my food for eternity.
Yup - cannibalism course anyone?
Bella is not beautiful. She is dumb and not because she was given bad hands to play by the Fates. Her mind's poverty is an insult to a declared class of people in the States who can afford an education and good living standards. In fact, she is the worst kind of stupid. The proclaiming academic one - she read so many books but other than that what else does she do? If she were a literature student she would be punched - I mean analysis is the name of the game but she's too stupid that she reads as though she will digest intelligence only for egotistical sustenance. Never eating for ATP.
The only good sort of Twilight book was it recently released one with that Bree Tanner person. I actually wanted to read it and read the subsequent events. Bree looked like someone you could care about. But then again I don't know. I tried reading Twilight and despite some momentary satisfactions words and sentences like "my forehead dewed with sweat" made by the so-called intellectual Bella Swan made me laugh out hard.
Well, please tell me your reactions to this book.
That trash literature has made millions of dollars so somebody obviously doesn't agree with you.
How many of us here have written anything that has made millions of dollars?
Maybe I'll write a campy zombie love story between a zombie dude and a alive chick. In the end the chick will cut out her own brain to save the zombie dudes life.
Does a zombie have a life?
I think this might turn out to be the best love story of all time.
I cannot stand the books or the movies. I loathe the creature who authored them, and think the she will meet a horrible life in any world that is after this one(if there is any).
There is the sentence structure for one thing; they bounce back and forth from short and choppy, to long and verbose, and to me, this is very uncomfortable to read. Not to mention all the adverbs, her sentence structure is weak, and once again not an enjoyable read for anyone whose reading level is over "Pat the Dog".
I dislike the excuse that it is children's literature, and that's the reason it can be so slipshod. For one thing, I won't/will never let any child of mine read such drivel, not only does it showcase very dangerous habits (Edward stalking Bella, Edward emotionally abusing Bella, I could really go on forever), it also takes the worst kind of person as Astromaxis said and allows this creature to be held up as role model for young girls. It flirts with pedophilia, and in general takes the worse kind of behaviors in young adults, and says, "Do this and you will live happily ever after". This book is hardly childrens' lit, and even less young adult.
The other thing that bothers me to no end about the excuse of it being childrens' lit; is the fact that great works of fiction have come from childrens' literature, and even young adult lit. I have a very old copy of a book called "Tiger Eyes" which is considered young adult, and in it the female protaganist witnesses her father's death in a brutal manner, and has to cope with it. The timing is nice, the content while mature, is nothing that all young girls at her age aren't going through. Of course it's writen by Judy Blume, who is awesome at young adult fiction.
Maybe Twilight is a reflection of our times. Where once upon a time we demanded children and young adults think, and take responsiblity for their actions, we now just spoon feed them some trite romance, and tell them that if they whine like a baby for months on end they'll get what they want, no matter if it's healthy for them or not. Of course that's just my opinion; I could be wrong...
Man finally someone speaking the truth. Twilight is God awful and for reasons inexplicable to me no one on this forum seemed to say anything about it.
Of course not. It's a literature forum. However, what is literature is still being debated... :p
There is a difference between producing good literature and producing mainstream trash that teenage girls will adore. Twilight is successful because it touches the hearts of millions of stupid teenagers that wants to sleep with Edward. It doesn't have to be good to sell, because the audience obviously has no judgemental power when it comes to literature. Does the average 13 years old girl notice if what she is reading is bad literature or not? No. Therefore the Twilight series sells to people that are oblivious that the crappy **** that they are reading, really is crappy ****.Quote:
Originally Posted by spookymulder93
If you consider that the most genious writers of all time have not at all been appriciated before after their death, it becomes obvious that if we reverse this fact, writers that are popular during their lifetime, may not be great writers at all. This is the case for Stephenie Meyer.
The thing that throws me off is the adults reading it. Are they just reading it because of the spank bank material that the cast of the movie has provided, or do they truly think this is the next best thing since, "War and Peace"? I dunno it bothers me to think that grown people can be that illiterate to think this is a good book...
I wonder, would the writers among you write a Twilightesque (speaking of quality and audience) series if you could? I most definitely would, although I would do it under a pen name so no one in my daily life would recognise it as my work. Alas, I could not write it even such a story even if I tried. Somehow it is beyond me.
I have to say I did get quite wrapped up in the first two novels, even though I think you're constantly aware of how terrible the quality of writing is. I don't know how many times she described Edward or his features as 'perfect' or 'marble like' or some other such thing. And how he feels frequent need to lift Bella off the floor and carry her from the car to the door, from the door to the car. Yes, it is immensely stupid, but I cannot deny I liked it. But when you get to the third novel, I don't know whether the drug wore off or the quality got worse, but I didn't care anymore and it got quite boring. I can see why people enjoy the books, but I think they are only enjoyable when you are, as I say, totally into it, because as soon as you step away the entire thing just seems absurd. It's just like eating junk food really, because it tastes good but it doesn't really offer you anything and you're hungry right after.
Wise Words. Only a few writers have been popular during their lifetimes. Meyers is just wasting time. She has potential. So, she should write better stuff. In the opening of her book Host she said that her mother has said that the best stories or thing of life (sth like that) was love. Host started better but I heard it's the same Twilighty thing only with UFOs Or in this USBs (Unidentified Switching bodies) the concept was great! She made it stink I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dekarto