Twilight: Finally Going There

Since today is the day legions of Twilight fans have been waiting for, it seems appropriate for me to finally address the topic here.

A lot of people have asked what I think of the series, and I’ve voiced bits and pieces of my opinion in some places, but I think that’s led to some misconceptions.

First off, in full disclosure, I’m not a huge fan of the series.

That said:

I don’t hate the Twilight books.
Nor do I think people who love them are idiots (a sentiment I’ve heard from many Twilight haters). A lot of good friends of mine enjoy the books, including some who I respect as both writers and readers. Because of their recommendation, I fully expected to adore the series.

But I didn’t. I don’t think that makes me an idiot either. On one hand, I read the first book quicker than I read most. It was a fast read in that regard. But I didn’t love it, even though I wanted to.

There are lots of reasons for that. For starters, Edward isn’t my type of hero.

(Sorry; don’t throw eggs, please!)

I have a suspicion about why Edward is actually a turn-off for me. When I was in high school, my mother volunteered at a battered women’s shelter. More than once, she came home, sat us girls down, and explained in no uncertain terms what the red flags of an abuser were—and declared that we were never to date a guy like that.

Many of those common red flags aren’t violent, abusive, or angry behaviors. In fact, many feel romantic, charming, and lovey-dovey at the time, but are actually possessive, irrationally jealous, and controlling and spell trouble down the road.

Now obviously, Edward isn’t an abuser. Not even close. But he has nearly all the red flags of one. He controls Bella’s life, cuts her off from her friends and family, invades her space to the point that she really has no choice in the matter, and encourages her to go behind her father’s back. Among other things.

I immediately turned off. Ick. That’s not my type of guy. Get the heck away from me. I couldn’t understand Bella’s attraction. (Bella’s annoying character—and why would he be attracted to her beyond the tantalizing smell of her blood—is another issue altogether.)

Some of my concerns translate into real life. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a young woman sees that kind of behavior from a guy and then thinks he’s an Edward (which doesn’t exist!), when in reality, he’s a potential abuser. Or she might think, If he really loves me, he’ll never cross that line—because Edward never did. But how many hormonal young men have that kind of control, especially when the girl is pushing herself onto him, begging him to cross that line (but secretly thinking he won't if he loves her)?

I have a sixth-grade daughter. Some of her friends have read Twilight. I won’t let her yet; she’s too young. (Thankfully, she doesn't really want to.) If she asks to read it in a few years, we’ll talk about it then. The thing is, I’m not in favor of giving her something that’s been so obviously effective in evoking hormonal responses. It’s a series that’s better suited to adult women (at least, those with a grip on reality . . .).


I don’t hate Stephenie Meyer.
Not by a long shot. Actually, I’m in awe of what she’s accomplished. She hit a literary and cultural nerve, and holy cow, the results are astonishing. That’s totally awesome for her. (I think we were going through our English degrees at BYU at the same time—I’m betting we had a class or two together. Wild thought. Too bad we didn't become BFFs or something.)

For her sake, I wish she’d had a little rejection before her astounding success, like Rowling did. I think she’d enjoy and appreciate what she’s got if she’d ached and worked for publication before she got it. Just a guess.

I don’t think she had any intention of sending messages about dating and relationships to young girls. I think she set out to just tell a fun yarn—and in that regard, she did exactly what she set out to do.


I don’t think she’s a terrible writer.
But then, I also don’t think she’s the cat’s meow, either. She’s good, but she’s not amazing. Her style appeals to millions, though, so my opinion here obviously means little.

I feel like she could have used a better editor and could have rewritten a lot of sections to tighten them up so it’s not just lots and lots of talking with nothing happening for dozens of pages. I also think some of her books have major structural/plot problems. I won’t go into that here, because the discussion could be several posts on its own and this post is already too long.

But my critique group has heard me rant about the plotting problems. (“Such a cheap shot! You don’t DO that!”) They just smile and humor me.

Then there’s Breaking Dawn, which a lot of readers and die-hard fans were angry about, because the tone and direction of that book were so different from the first three. In my never-quiet opinion, Meyer shouldn’t have been surprised at the backlash. That’s what happens when you deliver one thing to your fans for three books and then give them something else in the final installment. It’s called bait-and-switch. If there hadn’t been the first three books, and BD was the first one, readers wouldn’t have reacted like that, because there was no previous series to compare it to.

On the other hand, I enjoyed The Host (and even got a bit teary toward the end). It, too, could have been tightened a bit—there were parts where sitting around thinking got a little redundant—but the heroine is proactive, intelligent, mature, and smart (the complete opposite of Bella), and the story is quite fascinating. Because of that book, I’m quite sure I’ll read whatever Meyer puts out next.


My real issue with the series is some readers’ unhealthy fanaticism.
I have a neighbor who admitted that when she’s angry at her husband, she rereads Twilight and imagines that she’s married to Edward.

I’ve read blog comments where women admit that the series is ruining their marriage because they expect their husband to be like Edward.

Sick and wrong, people. Sick and wrong.

I totally get that Meyer isn’t responsible for any of that. The women who get carried away with these fictional characters are. But the frenzy surrounding the books is just . . . creepy.

We think it’s cute when a three-year-old plays make believe, thinking she could grow-up to be Cinderella. That kind of fantasy life is not so cute in a grown woman. Let’s separate fantasy from reality, people.

The only other similar frenzy I’ve ever seen about a series surrounded Potterworld. But it had a big difference: that frenzy was family-friendly. Everyone from the fourth grader on up to Grandma and Grandma could read and enjoy the books, get excited about the cool world Rowling created, guess what was coming next, and discuss it as a family.

I didn’t see people losing themselves in that world to the detriment of their real relationships. Instead, the books enhanced relationships as parents and children shared the books together and talked about them.

And I don’t recall anyone foaming at the mouth over Harry or Ron.


My other issue is the sheer scope of the marketing machine.
This has nothing to do with Meyer or her books, per se. But trying to avoid seeing or reading something about Twilight is like trying to find a pair of shoes for my kindergartner without some Nick Jr. or Disney character on them: virtually impossible.

Frankly, I’m just tired of seeing it freaking everywhere. Sue at Navel Gazing said it best here.

As I mentioned awhile go, it was unnerving to see the books translated into Finnish on the other side of the planet. The power these marketing machines have is mind-boggling.

(For the record, it was equally unnerving to see a banner for High School Musical on a bus driving through Helsinki. I’m equal-opportunity when it comes to getting annoyed by U.S. marketing efforts. I got irritated with the Potter marketing as well, and I love those books.)


If you adore Twilight, fine. If you hate it, fine. I hope this makes some semblance of sense as to my position on it. I’m somewhere between those two extremes.

In summary:

• No, I don’t hate the books, but I don’t love them either.
• No, I don’t hate Stephanie Meyer; I actually respect her quite a bit.
• Yes, I think she’s a good writer, but I think she could use a good editor and some serious rewriting.
• Yes, I think what she’s done is amazing and laudable.
• And no, I just don’t get the attraction to Edward. I’ll take my flesh and blood husband any day.

I may turn comments off if I feel the need, because I'm an utter wimp.