So, my excuse for reading this book is that my daughter wanted to read it and I was a little reluctant. My thoughts of vampires involved darkness, blood, violence. I just couldn't imagine how it could be suitable for a 9 year old (now 10!). That’s why we agreed I would read it first and then decide whether she could read it. Maybe a little over-protective, some might say - my privilege!!
The plot is pretty simple. When Bella Swann leaves her mother's home in Phoenix to move in with her father in the small town of Forks, she is a bit apprehensive. This only gets worse on her first day at school when she meets the incredibly handsome, but stand-offish, Edward Cullen. There are rumors about the Cullen Family and they are considered outsiders, but when Edward rescues Bella from a freak accident they start to form a relationship. Edward is in fact a vampire, and Bella doesn't realize home much danger she is putting herself and her family in by starting this relationship!
I have to admit that I wasn't immediately hooked to this book, finding it somewhat boring and the storyline just a little too predictable. Having said that, by the time I'd got about a third of the way through, there was no chance I was going to put it down. This is mainly to do with the fact that Stephenie Meyer's creation of Edward is so brilliant that there is little most can do not to fall in love with him from the first page he enters Twilight, but also because (although she will never win the man-booker for her writings) she still produces a book that leaves you feeling warm and satisfied from head to toe. It's not the best thing that I've ever read, nor is it necessarily all that well written (getting somewhat repetitive in places), but all the same it is definitely worth reading if you're looking for something simple to leave you feeling stupidly happy.
Going back to my pathetic excuse to read this YA novel, I’m not sure if I’m going to allow my daughter to read it. All in all, I think it might be better for her to start with a book on first love without the added complication of a vampire...
The plot is pretty simple. When Bella Swann leaves her mother's home in Phoenix to move in with her father in the small town of Forks, she is a bit apprehensive. This only gets worse on her first day at school when she meets the incredibly handsome, but stand-offish, Edward Cullen. There are rumors about the Cullen Family and they are considered outsiders, but when Edward rescues Bella from a freak accident they start to form a relationship. Edward is in fact a vampire, and Bella doesn't realize home much danger she is putting herself and her family in by starting this relationship!
I have to admit that I wasn't immediately hooked to this book, finding it somewhat boring and the storyline just a little too predictable. Having said that, by the time I'd got about a third of the way through, there was no chance I was going to put it down. This is mainly to do with the fact that Stephenie Meyer's creation of Edward is so brilliant that there is little most can do not to fall in love with him from the first page he enters Twilight, but also because (although she will never win the man-booker for her writings) she still produces a book that leaves you feeling warm and satisfied from head to toe. It's not the best thing that I've ever read, nor is it necessarily all that well written (getting somewhat repetitive in places), but all the same it is definitely worth reading if you're looking for something simple to leave you feeling stupidly happy.
Going back to my pathetic excuse to read this YA novel, I’m not sure if I’m going to allow my daughter to read it. All in all, I think it might be better for her to start with a book on first love without the added complication of a vampire...
14 comments:
I didn't think I would like Twilight and when I started reading it I got sucked in (yes, pun intended;-).
Sally's recently devoured all Stephanie Meyer's output, and at breakneck speed! I did wonder what all the fuss was about, but I haven't (yet) gone as far as you and read the books myself. My 'to read' pile is leaning over like the Tower of Pisa as it is!
From what I've heard of these books, I have no desire to read them. I love horror and especially vampires, but I like my vampires the deadly-yet-charming creatures they are meant to be, like the beautiful killer Lestat. I have plenty of better books to plow through!
Thanks for the review. I bought it (don't have a teenager to blame it on) and only read the first few pages ... I think I will carry on now...
Thnx for sharing, I have it on my desk, Im gonna give it a try now.
One Love,
Jowy
www.iseejanemary.blogspot.com
I ended up reading it too, because of my mommy friends. I thought it was great fun — 'Sweet Valley High' meets 'Dracula'. If there is one reason why you shouldn't allow your daughter to read it, it's not the vampire love story but the awful writing!
She'll read it anyway, so get it over and done with. So she can move on to more interesting topics.
And if you say no she won't read it? Really? :) If so, your Vic is a very good girl! ;) Hugs! Happy day!
thanks for the info - haven't read it yet - no time !
Many of my girl-students have read all Meyer's books and are fond of Edward. They are 14/19 year-old, so teenagers. I remember me reading "Little Women" , "Little Dorrit" or other more traditional classics when I was your daughter's age. What is the right reading for a girl that age nowadays? I can't help you but I agree with you that maybe she is too young for Twilight. But will she actually accept your "censorship"? What a lucky mum!!!
Ciao Antonella.
Enzo
I'll admit it. I bought them all and read them all with no excuse. They were for me! I would love a series on Carlisle,he was the character I fell in love with.
Did you enter my giveaway? It's international!
I enjoyed the book and read it on holiday last year. I gave th ebook to my then 17-year-old son's girlfriend and she read the whole series. I like Bella - fesity and independent. A good role model for young girls.
I have read the entire series. I had a reason to do so. Much different than that of most teenage girls. My friend's daughter was killed by a hit and run driver August 4, 2008. She was a sweet young woman with a promising future. She was in the grips of her first young love and was totally into the Twilight series books. She had bought Breaking Dawn, the last book in the series as SOON as it was released. She dove into the book and almost had it finished when she was killed. Her mother read the book to her daughter at the cemetary to finish it "with her." When Twilight came out November, 2009, the theater was packed with family and friends of hers. It was an emotional event. Since that night I bought the books one at a time and read them. I finished Breaking Dawn last month. I fell for each book--- hook, line and sinker. I love them. I had no problem with my daughter- who is 12- to read them. We will be going to see New Moon at the end of this month.
Everyone's interpretation of the book series is different. What you choose to do for your own child-- I respect that.
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