So in my blog travels the other day I happened across this. I want all of you Twilight readers (whether you liked the books or not) to read it in its entirety (when you have time, it's kind of long), including the comments, and tell me what you think. Has my tolerance turned to acceptance? Is there dog poop in my brownies?? Let's talk! All opinions welcome!
(Grandparents- the next blog entry will include pictures of the young ones, I promise!!)
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14 comments:
The discussion was very thought-provoking for me. I have to say that I completely agree with it. ESPECIALLY the part about the books being sneaky. Because the thing is, it started out so innocent...and by the time it changed I was completely absorbed and it was difficult for me to see the book for what it really was. It wasn't until I finished the book that I remembered a huge key point...this book was written for teenagers! It's one thing for a grown adult to read it and see it for what it is, and an entirely different thing when impressionable and emotional teenage girls are reading it and comparing their own experiences to this unrealistic and frightening representation of love.
One thing that did drive me nuts even while reading the book was that Bella would not move on with her life when Edward left. If I had read that as a teenager, I would have thought that level of depression was normal and acceptable...which was already a huge problem for me. It's not okay to be that messed up over something, for that long!
Yeah, I have a lot of opinions about this. I soooo wanted the books to be good and innocent and captivating, and they were. For a few minutes. And then it got horribly lost along the way. I could go on for days...sorry for the rampage!
Wow! I remember when I read the book I thought....this is a little more in depth than I thought she would go. Then I talked to my youngest sister who is 18 now and I felt weird when I asked her if she liked the book because all I could think about was all the sex stuff in it that she had just read. What did SHE think of all of that....I'm married so I understand things but she isn't so who knows where that train of thoughts lead her. I almost totally agree with that post you linked to. I say almost because I haven't thought about all of it since it was really long and I skimmed some of it (kids are screaming in the background). But I agree that Stephenie may have crossed some lines that I thought she wouldn't do because her other books had been so clean thus far. I'm a little embarrassed that I was sucked in and almost just said oh it's just a book. Very sneaky on her part. Stephenie Meyer TONE IT DOWN!!!!
Interesting! I've read the first 3. I really did like Twilight. Like she said, brought back the teenage angst feelings. Fun story. But in my opinion it could have ended there. I read 2 & 3 mostly because I was living in Rexburg at the Bachelor pad and had literally nothing else to do. I thought the plots kept getting more and more terrible, the writing was bad, and Bella just kept getting more and more whiny and I couldn't take it anymore. Once I finished the 3rd, I was glad it was over. Bleh! And I haven't even given the 4th a second thought. And now I'm happy I haven't! By the sounds of it, it sounds like a terrible book.
I'd have to say I agree with her. Her points were very valid. (even not having read the last one) I can totally see where she's coming from. I didn't read between the lines too much on the first 3 but I did get enough to think I didn't like where it was heading. And I certainly don't want my children, or little sister to read these books. Like she said, some people could read that and not be effected, but some could really be effected, both with physical reactions to the inuendos and to the point that rsheedy made. Having your happiness be so dependent on someone else. Depressive feelings. Sadness. Confusion. Etc. I know all teens have some feelings like that, and it's normal, but this book almost says it's ok to wallow in it instead of trying to be better. I'd rather read something that uplifts and makes me want to do better, and these books certainly didn't do that.
Thanks for the link. Now I really won't read the 4th (not like I was planning on it).
The post was a little extreme for me. I do believe the series is not for teenagers and more for bored, married women, who need a little spice in their lives. I wouldn't let my daughter read them.
The series is pretty much junk and purely for entertainment. I've read her unedited stuff and it's bad. She has good editors.
As for Stephenie, even BYU grads are as diverse as any other population. We don't know where she's at in her life and we have no right to judge. She's smart, a hard worker, has three boys, and is successful. That's what I see.
Besides that we don't know what kind of pressure she's under and it is very possible that she intended this book to be for an adult audience but the publishing company decided for a younger group.
I am mostly sad for people who don't know what their kids are reading and for women who keep reading or watching stuff when they have felt somethings not right.
I on the other hand enjoyed the series for what it is, cringed a little in some areas knowing teeny boppers are reading this, and am ready for more.
I like to balance out this stuff with other good books to make me a well rounded reader.
What do you think Ang?
Hmmm . . . I think the post you referred to was a little over the top. But I kind of agreed with it. There were parts in the book where I thought, "this is for teenagers?" But then I also thought it was fine for me to read because I'm married.
Also as a mom I understand why we protect our kids and why we don't want them to know about "the world". But as they get older, they need to learn what the world is like. I don't mean to say that they should experience everything but I don't think it's healthy to think we can avoid all that's bad. If I had a daughter and she really wanted to read these books (when she was at least a teenager) I would maybe read them with her and talk about what's real and what's not real. (Maybe it's naive of me to think a teenage daughter would listen to me, but I'm pretty sure that if I told her she couldn't read them, that she would sneak away and do it - that's what I would have done.)
As for the dog poop in the brownies, I have a hard time thinking of my life like that. When I do, I get overwhelmed and go crazy. So I try to do the best I can and if I feel uncomfortable doing something, I don't do it. I want to know what you thought.
I really liked that post. Not because I hate the Twilight books, (I read them all and enjoyed them), but because she brings up some very good points. Everyone who I have talked to that has read them, have been married women, who have their own relationships as experiences. They are not living through Edward and Bella and thinking that this is what love and a marriage is like, because they know. They are not appropriate for young teens.
I found myself wanting more details of their first night together and then being appalled with myself. She is definitely not helping out those girls who are trying to abstain by going on and on about how great sex is.
Thanks for the link, it has given me a lot to think about.
I'm so un-trendy I haven't read any of them...
but it was very interesting to read her opinion along with everyone else's.
Ang,
Thanks for asking my opinion! I am really bad at commenting on blogs (sorry), but when you specifically ask I would be cruel to ignore you. I love it when people ask me what I think, te he he.
So, I read the woman's post, but not her comments. I read all of your comments though. Stephanie Meyer is definitely not a very talented writer, she herself has admitted it, but somehow she has grabbed the attention of all us women, so I give her props for that.
Now, to answer your question, is there poop in your brownies? I would say no. I don't believe her books are pornography and I don't think they "titillate" our emotions or hormones in a sexual way. At least for me they didn't, wink wink.
As an adult, I think we can look at her characters and recognize them as unrealistic and one-dimensional representations of what love is. I agree with most of her concerns about the book, but I think if you can see it for what it is you are fine. A lot of fiction is poorly written, and when it is you can roll your eyes and mumble "Oh yeah right, like that ever happens..."
But, here is the BIG BUT, I would never ever let my daughter read this book. Are you kidding me? Impressionable young minds read these books and come out of it with seriously deluded ideas on love and life and what to look for in love and life. I don't look down on Meyer for making this error, because I believe her mistakes were erroneous and unintentional (again, if she were a better writer she would've portrayed the characters and relationships more honestly and realistically). But, I do think the series claims to be innocent, for teens and about teens, when actuality it is misleading and trashy. Maybe if it was marketed towards adults it'd be a "teeny" bit better. All in all I believe I wasted my time reading them, and don't plan on recommending them to anyone.
What do you think, Ang?
Hey Ang- it was so good to get caught up on your blog. I have missed A LOT! Thankfully, I am starting to feel like part of the living again...I appreciate you asking my opinion of the Twilight series although I do not know how much insight I can give. I enjoyed books one and two, cannot even remember book three (X was only a week old when it came out), and book four took me forever to read (I couldn't get into it). After reading the in depth analysis on Cami's site, I agree with a lot of what she said. Innocence and modesty are always more appealing than blatant sensationalism. I really felt that the story lines in Breaking Dawn were convoluted.
As a boy-crazy teenager, I think I would have loved every minute of these books. As a 30-something mom, I probably should have made better use of my time. I read all four books because I felt invested, and as I mentioned, I really did like the first two books.
The one thing that disappoints me in LDS pop culture is that so often when an LDS person is thrust into the Hollywood spotlight via television, music, or other media, I am cheering for them to faithfully (and accurately) represent gospel standards and somehow I am always shocked when something goes awry. Like Juliette Hough...clothes, anyone? I mean come on, must we leave nothing to the imagination?
I do not want to place every famous LDS person in this category because there are a lot of good members out there maintaining standards in the face of opposition...but it only takes a few to plant the seeds of immorality. Anyway, I don't think Stephenie Meyer meant any harm in her books and I would not categorize them as porn...or as something that could lead to an addiction of porn. I don't claim to know any of her reasoning behind the story or the pressure she had from her publishing company, etc. All I know is the imprinting, blood drinking, and anti-climatic fight scene with a zillion vampires was over the top. However, I am still planning to see the Twilight movie with my sisters. I will let you know if I am dumber for having watched it on November 22nd.
Ang--
I wrote my opinion all about this on the original post from "Cami" although I don't know her!
Thanks for the link. I kind of stumbled across your blog, then that link. Wow. Just go read my other comment on the original post.
Anyhow, we are all asking: what did you think??
Take care--
Ingrid S.
Here is Ingrid's opinion (hope you don't mind Ingrid!), that I felt deserved to be here too (although parts are referenced to the original post I linked to)! My opinion's coming soon, if anyone still cares... does anyone???
"Cami,
We don't know each other, I found your post linked from a friend's blog. Thank you so much for your comments. I almost never read popular fiction, but if I do, and there is something inappropriate, I put it down and am done with it. There is no draw there for me, it is not worth it for me to feel the way I feel after reading something trashy or even as "simple" or brief as cussing.
I did not see it coming. After reading the first 3 books and liking them (actually, after liking Twilight enough to hope I'd find more of the same in the others, and being disappointed), I sure was excited for Breaking Dawn. I plodded through it. It was boring. It was pathetic. Where was the style of Meyers' writing that was so engrossing at first? Where was the Bella we had all identified with so readily? Where was the PLOT?!?! (and "Renesmee" .... don't get me started!) I kept hoping it would get better. It didn't. When I read the sex parts, I'm sure I was blushing because my teens had already read it before me. Yikes! I was not pleased they had read it after I knew what it was like.
A friend of mine couldn't get thru the book, put it down after only reading a bit, said it was "unbearable." I trudged thru and finished it, but for what? It was awful. Boring. Trashy. And now that I've read your analysis, I see that it was dangerous. I guess it might have been my loyalty to an LDS author that got me thru it, but I was off target there. My loyalty should be to decency, and unfortunately this was not decent.
Your comments about the inaccurate ideas about sex are right on. And your comments about literature inciting certain feelings in young girls, that they will enjoy and seek more of, were also right on. I remember reading salacious things as a young teen. The books that were passed around under the desks in 6th grade with the note, "Read page 35." I am glad someone pointed out the dangers of that to me before I had developed a habit, or an addiction.
Thank you for being bold and standing for righteousness.
Thank you to "Elsie and Jeff" for your comments on this post-- right on!
Thank you to "Matt G" for yours as well. Especially the quote by GK Chesterson. It says a lot, and says it very well.
--Ingrid"
Yes we're definitely still interested in your opinion!
I loved your friends post. I think she nailed it. I read all four books. Loved the first book (although now I'm not so sure why). I hated the second book and will admit that from there on out I just read them so I could know how the story ended. I should have just read the synopsis on Wikipedia like my smart sister-in-law. I guess you could say I needed some "disappointing closure" to the story.
With that said... I get that some women liked the books and were totally okay with them. However, I came across a blog that was started by a childhood acquaintance that was set up specifically to discuss the several gospel principles that can be found in the Twilight books. THAT I don't get.
Your friends post just put into words exactly the discomfort that I have been feeling about these books.
-Jessica
Ang-
Thanks so much for the link. I have to warn you that I am not an eloquent writer and my comment may be disjointed!
It is so funny how my thoughts on the books have changed in the months since I read them. I remember being totally drawn in and captivated by the teenage characters in the first book, and just laughing or cringing at the high-school scenes (totally identified with the awkwardness!)
I do remember disapproving of the nights in Bella's room in the following books. Especially when I (finally) heard that these books were written for a YA audience.
And BD was even worse. I skipped over quite a bit of BD because I was bored or disgusted. That makes me laugh now that I have written that comment...why did I waste my time?! Why did I finish it?
I have to admit that I don't want Mimi to read these until she is at least in her late teens, if at all. And only then with lots of discussion before, during and after!
I agree that they are very sneaky, the "gateway drug" so to speak, for these young girls who are avidly reading and re-reading them.
And yes, Ang, we are all still waiting to read what you thought/think of Twilight series/BD.
B
yes - i still want to hear your opinion!
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