Post-Twilight
I'm not proud, but I will admit that I stayed up later than I intended on both Saturday and Sunday just to finish Twilight. I am proud to say, however, that I made it through the ending without a single tear--but I was left fighting a terrible urge to put my coat on and head out in the middle of the night to buy the next book. (You'll be pleased to know that I didn't do that, but I am adding it to my Christmas list).
To be completely honest, I'm surprised at how much I liked the book. There was something about the simultaneous strength and vulnerability of the characters that made all of them--even the vampires--strikingly human. Obviously the story requires some imaginative liberty and a reader willing to bridge the gap between improbable and impossible in their own mind.But for me, it was a great read and a great little weekend adventure. I'm curious though as to what guys who've read the book think about it (when I hinted that werewolves could be involved, Robb became interested) simply because so much of the book is Bella gushing about Edward's dazzling eyes and radiant skin and ice-cold embrace, etc., etc. How do the guy readers react to that, or does it not matter?
This weekend I'm going to see a matinee showing of the movie (what? The book was good, but I'm not dropping $8+ on the movie), and we'll see if it can live up to the book. Will this Robert Pattinson fellow, who everyone seems to be going ga-ga over, live up to the mystique that is Edward Cullen? I've found that movies rarely outdo the books, but I'm going to remain hopeful. I'll let you know how it goes.
4 Comments:
I quite enjoyed the Twilight series. And, being a guy, I've been doomed to suffer from the occasional gay joke ever since. But, regardless, it really is a great story. I'm a fan of vampires and werewolves anyway, so that spiced up the story for me. And as for the mushy parts... Well, I say parts, but I guess the whole series is one big mushy part, with an action break here and there. But honestly, that didn't really dull down the story for me at all. I guess it works out like this - Girls want to find an Edward of their own, and guys want to be him. He is, after all, the epitome of suave and mystery.
My mom, an English teacher, told me the whole plot during dinner. She said that way too much time was devoted to Bella and Edwards creeper stalker relationship. (like gushing over eyes) and not enough story substance, or other charecters for that matter.
Mom also hated how the 17 year knew she wanted to be with some dude whose been around for 100 years, for eternity (I sure know a lot of high school promise rings that were broken)and that the vampires sparkle in the light. (An inside joke with my family now.)
I havn't read the books, but I do know that Edward watches Bella sleep. I don't care how much control that takes, it's just plan creepy.
To me as a 19 year old dude, I'm not interested. For a 14-17 year old girl, I can see why it appeals to them.
With that said, what if Edward had a slightly difformed ear, or had slightly crooked teeth, or even maybe was a tiny bit chubby, would he still be the great romance guy he is? That's the problem I have with "chick flicks/books" is the dude seems real stalkerish and obsessive, but he gets the girl. That doesn't work in real life, unless of course you look like Heath Ledger. Just something that has bothered me because I'm not some dude who looks great with his shirt off. So I guess I'm saying that it feels kinda sexist towards guys almost putting them as this obtainable object. Not going against Twilight perse, but the whole hunky guy mentality.
I'm a girl, but I really haven't enjoyed Twilight so far. The dialogue strikes me as awkward and unnatural. I mean, I have trouble envisioning any realistic exchange that mirrors the following:
"You're doing it again," I muttered.
His eyes opened wide with surprise. "What?"
"Dazzling me," I admitted, trying to concentrate as I looked back at him.
Plus, Meyer has a tendency to tell rather than show. She's constantly having Bella talk about how clumsy she is, but I'm not really seeing her clumsiness so much as reading about it.
Overall, it reads kind of like mediocre fan fiction. At least that's my opinion so far; I still need to finish it. I promise to come back and delete this comment if I change my mind.
The movie, however, isn't half bad. Then again, that might have a lot more to do with Robert Pattinson than with the movie itself.
I read three pages of "Twilight" and would rather read some teen girl's livejournal than waste my time on something that resembles my high school diaries.
Stephanie Meyers is no Charlaine Harris
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