"Twilight",
and why I said "no".
I had no qualms when it came to Harry Potter (movies or literature) because I knew nothing of it. I watched the movies as they came out in theaters and enjoyed this "magical" world because, even though I am ten years their senior, I was able to watch these kids grow into adults from movie to movie. Nothing but time has been the reason why I haven't dived into the reading yet. That's going to take quite a bit of commitment! My youngest sister did just finish reading all the books and gave me her reviews too. They sound amazing! Still, I have no time to dedicate myself to such a lengthy series!
When Twilight hit the theaters I made a promise to myself to not get caught up in that "trend". Harry Potter never came across to me as "the new hip thing". Rather, Potter revealed an entirely unknown world and exciting discoveries. Twilight......it's vampires and werewolves. Too typical to me. I was the girl who grew up with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" on television. I watched all seven seasons from beginning to end. She was my hero in so many ways. She was much more than the stake wielding blond in high school. I read Dracula by Bram Stoker. I read and reread The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.
You would think that vampires would be my thing, right?
Twilight spares the reader from provoking literary intellectualism and, rather, shoves "I want" and "I need" into the laps of those paying attention.
To get right down to it...read Dracula and then tell me I have no right saying that the literature in the Twilight series sucked. I couldn't even get past the halfway point in the second book. If I tried anymore, I thought I was going to jump off of a bridge. I get it. Bella was NOTHING with out her true love, the vampire. (This is NOT a moral point...and I wouldn't want that idea expressed to my daughter from chapter to chapter to chapter...etc...). My sister read and reread the entire series. She loved it. She explained to me why she loved it. My rebuttals were too many to try to connect with her on this topic...plus, she did not have Vlad the Impaler constantly standing within sight, in the back of her mind, while she was watching a love story unfold between a mortal and non mortal...meaning, this was her first visit to vampire land.
Maybe I've too much history with the legend though, too much respect, to be able to fall head over heals in love with the Twilight series. I finally did watch all of the movies...last year. I will say this...between the Hunger Games and Twilight and which I would and would not allow my own kid to read...I would nix Twilight in a heart beat. Maybe not nix it. But I definitely wouldn't recommend it. I'm a history buff, I would instead say "try out The Historian. It's an entire history lesson on Vlad himself!" Or, "you must read Dracula first before you can read Twilight"...just so that the basis of the subject is met and understood before a visit to "never never land" (Twilight Saga ;) is made.
Twilight is a whimsical idea given by an author I do not respect. I respect literary work from those who make the reader learn with out them even knowing at first. I like to finish a novel and reflect on the theme of the story as a whole. I want to get as in depth in the thought or idea that is suppose to be the reason for the book's existence.
What was the theme of the Twilight series?
What is the reason for it's "being"?
It's a darn Vampire/high school/soap opera.
I'm so sorry to fans I may have offended but I would think it to be a greater offence to not fully explain myself while I voice an unfavorable opinion on a matter.
Thanks for the read!
8 comments:
I saw the first movie, parts of the others and still haven't seen the finale. I haven't even attempted to read any of the books.
I was completely turned off by the idea that her vampires 'sparkled' in sunlight. It just seems so wrong.
Maybe I'd feel differently if I was a teenager and these were the first vampire books I'd read.
I guess that's what it comes down to...this was a huge hit with a generation I was older than. Still...vampires DO NOT sparkle and they never will...lol!
I loved Potter, did not get involved in Twilight either. Too teen-agey, drama, stupid. But that's just me. :-)
from The Dugout
My mom read the Twilight series. Her complaints coincided with mine. She thought the different ideas of vampires were interesting...but nothing to brag about. Just ANOTHER twist on the legend itself. An over done idea.
I read the first Twilight, but never had the desire to read anymore than that. Same with the movie. One was enough (maybe too much). I thoroughly enjoyed Dracula.. that was a GREAT book!
Twilight is no literary classic its like any novel of its time a one time read and nothing more. Where as Bram Stokers Dracula is a classic example of literature that with age like wine will only gain flavor even after Twilight is long gone and forgotten
I heard that the Twilight saga is very good. I have a problem with remembering long story lines. I like the son "Love you for a thousand years".
I got as far as "I read and reread The Historian" when I decided that you and I are going to be good friends. ;) I loved that book!!
It also scared the crap out of me. Perhaps reading it while camping wasn't the best idea I've ever had.
Jo
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