If you read the review of Twilight, you probably noticed our main reviewer, Olivia, hadn’t read the Twilight books. She’s more a spectator in this whole discussion, looking on from the side and voicing her opinion, but choosing not to directly immerse herself in the books. She brought up some good points. However, it’s also great to get some opinions from people who have read the books.
I read Twilight after the first wave of crazed teens died down. I only read it because I was judging the book based on hear-say, rather than actual knowledge.
The short version of my assessment is that the book was decently written – not spectacular, but definitely written in a way that made you want to keep reading. The general storyline was kind-of intriguing; immortal, gorgeous guy falls for average, plain girl. And of course, what young teenage gal doesn’t dream of that? But the highschool hormones that played out in the book were a little much. I actually thought Twilight itself wasn’t all that “terrible,” but each book I read in the series after it got progressively worse, especially in the steamy love scenes that young girls skim to find. Not to mention that the main character, Bella, pursues this actually dangerous relationship quite recklessly and definitely lacking wisdom; lying to her father, letting the guy in her room every night after her dad is asleep, etc. And then there’s the fact that the very presence of vampires in the spotlight brings up a whole realm of controversy that I won’t get into.
I wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t mention that there are a few decent aspects of the books as well. Especially the fact that Edward is “old-fashioned” in certain ways that he treats girls, Bella in particular – ways that girls would love to see more in guys these days. He loves her despite the fact that she sees herself as plain and clumsy. Also, he is very protective of her, however, this is also a fault of his as well since he can, at times, be rather over-protective.
I need to mention that girls should not be looking at Edward as a standard for guys to live up to in looks and behavior. First of all, he’s a fictional character, and the authoress can make him exactly just the right sort of “person” to pluck at your heart-strings. The fact is, he’s actually not that great of a standard. For example: if a guy really loved you and cared about guarding your heart, he wouldn’t put you and himself purposefully in a situation as tempting as staying in your room every night.
In summary: Even though it’s not as terrible as I was expecting, I could never recommend the series to anyone. There’s a lot of standards that we should have based on scripture that are violated in these books .and the author makes that violation seem okay, or even desirable.
-Tai Sopiah
The issue with Twilight, for me at least, is the negative lessons to teenage girls. The actual vampire stuff does not bother me, because it has no relation to the occult. Most vampire stuff on tv does not. Americans are more interested in folklore and a fun mythology than some concrete evil tradition.
-Timothy Stone
It has become crack for teenage girls. The books and the movie are fiction, but teenage girls around the world are consumed with and obsessed with Edward Cullen.
It is and has become a god to many, many women. In both the books and movie, Stephanie Meyer knew how to capture the hearts of ladies young and old. Twilight has become not just a movie or some books, but an obsession, and women around the world are addicted to emotional pornography because of it.
-Hannah Braboy
I haven’t read Twighlight, but from what I’ve heard of it- it doesn’t sound like an edifying piece of literature. We can’t ignore it however- it is definitely a huge part of American culture today and there will be repercussions down the road…
Books shouldn’t merely be judged by the words on the page- they need to be evaluated in light of the thoughts, words, and deeds they inspire in people. (In this case, young girls.)
When young people are fed lustful trash the consequences are sinister.
I agree with you, Natalie. Very well said!
I read the first in the Twilight series and was fairly disgusted with it. Not only is it a poor example to young women on a moral level (and serves as emotional porn in many cases), but frankly, I found it to be poorly written and just plain sappy. The story line is new and intriguing to most teenage girls, which is why they read it, but apart from the new vampire premise, it is no better in any way than trashy romance novels that line supermarket checkout aisles.
I read the Twilight series last year. I serve with the Middle School girls at my church, and all of them went crazy over it. Because it had become such a part of their lives, I felt it would be good to familiarize myself with the series, so that I could identify the bad (and the underlying lies told to girls), and counter it with the good – the Truth of God’s Word.
For the first…let’s say, three books, I didn’t hate the series. I can’t say that I really liked them, but I wasn’t strongly opposed to them. There were, however, some very inappropriate situations between Bella and Edward that I did not approve of, and the thought that my Middle School girls were reading it was rather unsettling. However, when I read the fourth and final book, any good opinion of the series went down the drain. It was so horrible, and filled with all sorts of lusty scenes, that it ruined the potential of the entire series for me.
I am glad I read it for the sake of my girls, but I would not under any circumstances recommend the series to anyone. If you’re in a leadership position that deals with girls who are obsessed with Twilight, then maybe you should read it. But if not, don’t waste your time.
I have read the first 2 books and can see why they are so popular with young girls. They are engaging, well written, and you can feel with the characters. They definitely are the negative aspects of Edward and Bella’s relationship… Bella’s lying to her father (all time time!!)…
Personally, I can’t stand Edward. I think he isn’t much of a man…. Come to think of it he really isn’t =P