Book Reviews and Concert Talk
Posted by Twilight_News - 11/08/08 at 09:08 pmOver the last few days several books reviews for Breaking Dawn have come out. Here is a list and be warned some contain spoilers and the opinions of the book greatly vary. There are also some articles about the concert tour.
Nerdworld Blog (Time Magazine)
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maybe because some people actually enjoyed twilight, and cannot believe the way it all went careening downhill in bd. does. that. help?
I’ve read may reviews and comments, and I can see truths in both sides. Maybe that’s because I had two different reactions myself. On my initial read, the first main twist had me going “Oh man! I can’t believe she went there!” I kept reading, and I did find a lot of things I did like; Jacobs POV, and Bella’s descriptions at the beginning of Bella II for instance.
Do I wish SM had taken a different path? Yes. But that came from me thinking certain things would happen in this book; I had expectations as it looks like a lot of other people did.
So, I didn’t like the book as much as I hoped I would, but I don’t think it’s the trashy mess so many made it out to be either. I do think that if you didn’t like the book, the harshness and anger is really not necessary. We all know SM had this in mind from the beginning, before New Moon and Eclipse. For whatever reason, that’s the way she wrote it, and if you didn’t like it I can certainly understand why; I just would have hoped people (on other sites, not just here) would have been a bit more civilized.
I also had a thought that the title “Breaking Dawn” was a clue to expect something different than the other books. All the other titles allude to some form of darkness. Dawn is always going to mean the start of something new.
i have read and reread breaking dawn like 10 times now i love the book i was waiting in line for my wrist band at like 630 in the morning and i was the 2 person there which was great and then i got my book at midnight
The EW Review was hilarious.
You didn’t have the Washington Post review on there though. I think you should add it— it was great for a few laughs. =]
<3
P.S. Times Magazine is utterly absurd and completely unreliable.
laluna, I could agree with that if the review was just trashing BD, but it is really trashing all the books. Apparently, you don’t hate all the books. so i would think you would dislike that review
Regardless of what people think about the EW review, I applaud you for providing the link. I think it is good to present a balanced perspective of what the general public is saying regardless of the particular stance on your site. Good to see you up and running again!
proud_twihard:
I have not read the WP review yet but I think you can still be a fan and be able to think critically about a book. Even literary masterpieces are criticized and analyzed from a million different angles. You can acknowledge the faults and still enjoy it.
Yeah, I can understand thinking about a book, and I agree that there are some problems in the books, as in all books. However, there is a difference between acknowledging faults, and completely trashing the book, and if you had read the review, I think you would agree it falls into the second catagory.
Is it just me or most of reviews linked here aren’t really much reviews but short descriptive article with the minimal amount of arguments? I mean, when they talk about BD at all.
LAist is about Twilight. Not Breaking Dawn.
Rolling Stone is about the tour. Not Breaking Dawn.
LA Time Sound Board is about the tour. Not Breaking Dawn.
Time Magazine is just one sentence long with no details. I hardly call that a review. I wonder if they read the book at all.
At least you put EW. Thanks.
I see all the Amazon people are on the lex now…
Just ignore them.
They clearly just enjoy stiring up trouble.
As for the reviews I think they have their points. There were some parts of the book that I didn’t understand at first, but looking back on the other books I think it makes sense. Maybe not in the way I thought it would end – However, seeing how she set up the rest of the characters around the main characters it seems to make sense to me.
I just wanted to say a few things about the awesome time I had at the LA signing.
1. Justin was great, I almost like the songs better acoustically now. I just about cried when he sang The Sound of Pulling Heaven Down.
2. Stephenie was fantastic, I love that she may one day post parts of Forever Dawn for us to compare to Breaking Dawn.
3. The fans rocked! One person made pins with Breaking Dawn quotes and sold them for a dollar. I got one of each. Thank you to whoever that was.
4. My husband went with and had a great time (which allowed us to get two books in our collection signed)
5. We got to meet LeVar Burton (of Reading Rainbow, Roots and Star Trek) and I got my husbands pic with him. He was there with his daughter who is a Twilight fan.
The only dark spot in the night was that the guy in front of us in the signing line was apparently going thru the line many times. Security stopped him and it almost got to a physical altercation, practically knocking my husband down in the process. All in all it was a great experience and I’m glad I got to meet Stephenie for a few seconds. While I was on the fence about Breaking Dawn at first, I have grown to love it and am starting the whole series again today
P.S.-Love the Lex, glad you’re back!!!
For the Renesmee´s fans here you have a blog about her:
http://renesmee.blogspot.com/
I happen to agree with the Nerdword review from Time. If you don’t that is fine but it is difficult to dismiss his credentials as easily as some would have you. He has an undergrad degree in English from Harvard. He has a Masters in comparative literature from Yale. He was named by the NY Times as one of “this country’s smartest amd most reliable critics.” The EW review was from someone who never liked any of the books. As I have read EW over the years it is very common for them to bring in a critic who has no use for a highly popular book or film. Controversy sells magazines. Anyway- I just started reading these books in June and enjoyed them all including Breaking Dawn.Oh – and just like the Time reviewer I have a degree in English. I guess we English majors are just a strange group.
Bravo, Ilu_una! I completely agree with you. I really can’t understand the necessity for all the harsh comments and criticism. I was shocked over and over again in Breaking Dawn by unexpected twists and turns, but wow, what a ride! It was the ultimate reading experience.
This book is second only to Twilight for me. I absolutely loved it and when it was over, as I was wiping away happiness-tears, I wished I could call or e-mail Stephenie and tell her thank you. I don’t WANT people to die. I want everyone to be happy. I don’t care if it’s not realistic. I get enough realism in my life, every day. We’re reading about vampires and werewolves, for crying out loud. So many other books have sad endings, or perhaps some happiness, but at a terrible price.
I wanted to see Jacob happy, and not mourning Bella his whole life–check.
I wanted Bella and Edward to be full of joy and love and fulfillment–check.
I wanted all the Cullens to be safe and well–check.
I wanted to see tons of romantic, deep Edward-and-Bella moments–more than check.
I wanted to see Bella’s life as a vampir and not have it end as soon as she turned–check.
I wanted Charlie to still be in her life–check.
I wanted to see Edward and Bella as a married couple all through the book, and not just ending with the wedding–check.
Thank you, Stephenie, for giving me everything I ever wanted to see in this series!!!
And thank you, hard-working Lexicon people: a terrible thing was done here and you are beyond awesome to rise above and get the site up and running again. I check here for news several times a day and I so appreciate you!!
“ ‘I think she’s a Fem-Nazi’
rather than name-calling, why don’t you explain what you mean by this? (or did you just pick that term up from listening to too much rush limbagh?)”
First of all, I thought I made the term up myself, but apparently I’m not the first and kudos to Rush for using it. It’s a very usable term in today’s day and age, and we’re given a perfect example of it with the WP article.
My reason for using the term “Fem-Nazi” is because the female author of the article on WP is obviously trying very hard to put down THE ENTIRE Twilight series and bashing SM for making Bella a fragile creature who is obsessed with a control-freak, “father figure” of a person (Edward), etc. etc. The article entirely REEKS of feminist agenda, not unlike how vampires apparently reek in a werewolf’s perspective
The author has serious angst with the series, and I’m surprised that any Twilight fan would enjoy reading that article – even if you had a problem with BD, the fact is that the author hates the entire series, and it’s plain as day to see, as she complains about each book separately. Even had I not enjoyed BD as much as I do, I would still take offense at the mindless b*tching that the author spawns for the earlier books, which are wonderful.
The whole article spewed hate. That was not a literary critique. There is a huge difference. Classics, when critiqued in relation to characters, tend to be critiqued in view of the character’s flaws or misdeeds, or exceptional behavior, i.e. “Mr. Darcy’s pride..blah blah blah” – they focus on analyzing, whereas here you simply see author bashing. Rather than doing that, why not try to step into SM’s world and see the actions and thoughts from the character’s perspective? Why they chose to react a certain way? Because, essentially, that’s how writers write; they consistently mention how characters get away from them and insist on doing certain things. One example of myself: I was shocked when Alice took off with Jasper. After I had time to think it through, I put myself in Alice’s place. I analyzed her possible reasons for leaving and decided that it was a very Alice-move. She saw something and she’s trying to help. I think if one is so inclined, you can enjoy a book much more by analyzing like this, rather than wondering why SM did things the way she did or “dropped the ball.”
Obviously, this WP author doesn’t understand the book or the series as a whole, and therefore her opinion is dead to me. One should only offer a literary critique when you’ve delved into the book and why’s and how’s. Too many opinions and reviews are offered up after only glossing over a book without getting the meat of it. And I’d love it if someone could prove me wrong, but for everyone that was disgusted with or hated BD, I bet they haven’t given it a second chance and reread it at a slower pace to fully absorb the book.
Their loss.
Devon061381, THANK YOU for your post! That’s such a true statement…
Over the past few days, I’ve been FORCING myself to read BOTH sides of the fence…and it was REALLY hard…this one review I read was basically a summary of the entire book, written in a way that was INTENTIONALLY bashing the book. She wrote the summary/review for her readers, not to provide a source of information. Like those of us who read this series for entertainment, she openly bashed the series—for entertainment.
What REALLY gets me upset though is when people read reviews, and don’t even bother to look into the book themselves… It’s always said to come up with your own answers, find your own conclusions about things…and sadly many people are reading these negative reviews and taking them literally…
The Twilight series isn’t THE BEST series out there… I can easily name many series that will take it’s place as “The Best” but it was still an entertaining read, and Breaking Dawn fulfilled the end the way that creator of the books wanted. Happily…
The writing isn’t perfect, but then again. Meyer is still a relatively new author is she not? There were things about the entire series that drove me nuts– the over description of how perfect Edward is, for instance. Has turned many people away from the books… But I stuck with it… I loved this series…and I’m re-reading the books for the 3rd or 4th time haha!
People who read books to intentionally bash them, need to seriously get a different hobby, and leave ours alone.
Devon061381 – thanks for a thoughtful response. frankly, i enjoy a good bit of snark, which is why i guess i wasn’t horribly offended by the article. i certainly don’t see any hidden feminist agenda in it, any more than i see a hidden religious agenda in breaking dawn. and honestly, i think she had some valid points (edward as father-figure, bella as weak).
but another part of my problem is the tard-fan (fan-wank, whatever you want to call it) response to bd (which, i will add, is *vastly* different from the way *you* responded). while many of the fan criticisms of the book have been based in literary analysis (character/plot development, etc.), i’ve also seen a lot of rebuttal to those critiques along the lines of “zomg! bd is teh awesome! i luv smeyer! squee!” where’s the thoughtful response there?
i know that personally, i don’t need to read bd multiple times over to know that it was a letdown for me on many levels. that said, i’m glad so many others loved it. surprised, but happy for them that they got the story they wanted. i just have always subscribed to the joss whedon theory of giving your audiences what they *need*, not what they *want*
Ilu_una, I commend you for your wonderful assessment of why there was no battle scene at the end. Very astute, and so correct! Brilliant! Ah, if only everyone could think like this.
I loved Breaking Dawn and was totally in agreement with the Time writer…
I liked it because it was NOT what we all expected. It was so true to the characters. Yes, it was out of the genre (11year olds should not be reading YOUNG ADULT fiction! — I think publishers are at fault here — the genre line is blury)
But honestly, who wants to read a book they could have written? The integrity of this book felt monumental, to me. I was stunned. Thank You Stephenie Meyer for being true to your story.
Haters, give it a second chance in like five years, I think it’ll grow on you.
Laluna, your statement does confuse me a bit…you say that Meyer gave the fans what we WANTED, but if she did, then why are they complaining still? It seems to me that many fans WANTED to see people die.
But we should have known from the beginning that Meyer didn’t have this planned… Remember last year, when she said that their story would be wrapped up in a neat little bow? How does that Spell “People are Going to Die?”
What happened in BD, though it wasn’t perfect, was a good example of surprise. I believe many fans are upset because they DIDN’T expect what happened in the book, and in my opinion, where’s the fun in that?
And think about it for a moment about the Washington Post review..(I read the last half of it) Bella IS weak. She’s a human. Edward is a Vampire.
And hasn’t Meyer suggested that’s Edward’s Character flaw? That he DOES over react? That he worries TOO Much?
And it’s not that Edward WANTS to be controlling, he only does so because Bella could die at any moment… She’s fragile in his eyes…and I think when she is finally turned we can see Edward relax a lot… and I thought that was awesome.
BD had a LOT of character growth in it, and frankly, I think a lot of fans wanted Bella and Edward and the rest to stay the same characters. But stories shouldn’t work that way… Characters NEED to mature in order for the story to end…
hat happened in BD, though it wasn’t perfect, was a good example of surprise. I believe many fans are upset because they DIDN’T expect what happened in the book, and in my opinion, where’s the fun in that?
- by this statement, I meant to say that when people can predict the outcome of the story, it’s no fun. When people expect how the story ends… Sorry for the confusion.
okay, just because some people don’t like/enjoy/care for the same things you do does *not* make them “haters,” so could we please stop with the labeling? funny, i haven’t seen many who disliked bd resort to name-calling those who loved the book.
Haha, Laluna how many reviews have you read then? Over the weekend I’ve read MANY reviews that called the fans names… it’s unfair. We like something, that doesn’t give anyone a license to make fun of it’s fans.
I think what happened to the Lexicon is a GOOD EXAMPLE of how hateful the people who disliked the book have become… It’s getting to the point where I almost want to hide from both sides. On one hand we have the over-obsessed Edward Cullen fans. To those who hate the book, and it’s fans because of all the hype.
ITs A BOOK Series…it’s not a way of life… I view myself as a moderate fan. I’m not liking it enough to go crazy…but I like it enough to stand up for the author and the book series that I thought was really a really good read.
@CKitsune – hope to clarify my whedon reference** here…
imo, much of the fanbase *wanted* a happy ending – bella and edward together, no harm, no foul (not really, in the end), but what they *needed* was a story that wasn’t so tidy, one that really followed the characters where, if they hadn’t done such an about-face, their actions and behaviors would have more realistically taken them (and i’m using the term “realistically” to refer to logical character development – i’m well aware this is a work of fantasy/sci/fiction). i believe that many readers were hoping for a real “hero’s journey,” with all of the loss and sacrifice that goes with it, in addition to the romance.
**see buffy, end of season 5
to add: @CKitsune, my “haters” comment was not in reference to you, but to Avehla. and you’re right, i think a lot of people need to take a giant step back and breathe. it’s just a book.
But that’s sO EXPECTED, Laluna…which is why I think so many fans are kind of upset and surprised.
I JUST KNEW someone important was going to die… the Volturi scene was intense, despite it not being violent at all… I loved the mind game. It was really interesting and Meyer hinted at it in a subtle way…
I understand that many people wanted to see someone die. But our favorite characters have gone through SO MUCH already! I thought they deserved a happy ending… but the cool thing is this may NOT be the ending. What if the story is told from Renesmee? What if the Volturi return? There are so many open ends that Meyer, should she decide to write more, could totally write…and I look forward to that.
What we got with this book was something unexpected…something that the fans kinda wrote about but never really expected to happen…
Ehh, not a Buffy fan, haha! Sorry.
Okay, I appologize for using the term “Haters” I didnt intentionally use it to be mean or rude. Please substitute with the word or phrase of your choice:
-people who were displeased
-people who were discusted
-disgruntled readers
-loathers, execraters, despisers, abhorers, detesters.
-dipleased readers
-mildly displeased
-owners of coppies they’d like to burn
-people who perhaps did not fully comprehend (or read too fast to fully comprehend) or were expecting a more disney-esque storyline, or do not apprecciate being shocked or mildley surprized, or…
Okay, sory, got a bit carried away there at the end. Youre entitled to your opinion, please dont take this personally. I in fact do not believe that you are a truly hatefull person.
(however passionate in your argumentatative loathing)
*cracking my mental knuckles*
I don’t think necessarily that SM gave the fans what they wanted, as we can obviously see there were two sides to that coin, Team Jacob and Team Edward. She gave the ending that played out with these characters. You can’t force something on your characters that they won’t allow to happen. Yes, it ended well for everyone involved, but the events along the way certainly did not make for an easy ride for our Bella and Edward and Jacob. I loved the unexpectedness of the story, now that I can look back on my first reading experience of BD. I didn’t go into it with a lot of preconceived notions; I simply hoped and trusted SM for essentially 3 items, which were Bella and Edward getting married, consummating their love (hey, I’m sucker for good romance
), and Bella vamping it up. I knew the Volturi would be involved somehow, at some point. I didn’t want to expect anything, as it ruins the experience for me. When you think you know how someone is going to do something, and they don’t, it ends up much like Bella with her magnets in Eclipse – nothing meshes, and it’s a bitter pill to swallow. So why play with the pill at all? Just enjoy it for the ride it was. Many are comparing to HP and the fabulous ending, but with people dying. It worked for that story, I’m sure, but this ISN’T HP. I tend to think death is overrated in book endings and can be too dramatic for its own good. Happy endings are happy endings, pure and simple. I was happy *for the characters* that things turned out well in the face of so many problems leading up to the HEA.
Secondly, I would much more respect a literary critique about the books if the writers were analyzing the characters’s flaws, yes, like Edward’s overprotectiveness, Bella’s weakness for Jacob in her life, etc. Even with those flaws analyzed, you can understand the characters enough that you perfectly understand WHY they are they way they are, much like Bella and Edward analyzing and understanding Cathy and Heathcliff, and no one complains or bashes Emily Bronte for writing such hideous characters. There is a reason for Edward’s overprotectiveness and overreaction, a reason, as we find out in BD, for Bella’s stubborn resistance for removing Jake from her life, etc.
I agree, CKitsune, that there was some major character growth in this book. When the 19-year-old sister of a close friend of mine challenged me as to why I loved BD, which she hated and mirrored the same sentiments of those who disliked the book, she complained that “the characters are different, even Alice.” I pointed out to her that the beginning of the series takes place in high school, first love, and the struggles to make it work that keep popping up in their faces. Finally, this is the resolution to the story and they get married, have an unexpected child, and Bella becomes what she has wanted to for so long: a vampire, able to be with the love of her existence for eternity. These are huge, major life events for her, and require a certain degree of maturity to deal with. So yes, the characters did change because Bella and Jacob, our narrators, changed and grew up as well, so the way they interacted with other characters changed. The characters are still essentially themselves; there’s just a more mature spin on everything.
It’s very frustrating to read trashy “reviews” – and I use that term very loosely – when these points are not considered carefully. Thus, the reason I suggest BD be reread.
lol you know, I’m enjoying commenting here. I think the threads were getting too crazy and I have stopped reading and commenting – I agree, again, CKitsune, I just want to hide. But I’m enjoying having this discussion here. So thanks everyone!
Devon061381:
Loved your post.
Twilight isn’t anything like Harry Potter. Completely different characters, completely different plot.
On another note, the criticism that Bella is too weak of a character is annoying. In the words of Stephenie Meyer, “When a human being is totally surrounded by creatures with supernatural strength, speed, senses, and various other uncanny powers, he or she is not going to be able to hold his or her own.”
There was also an uproar over Bella having a child, accusing Stephenie Meyer of saying that you have to be married and get lots of kids to be worth something.
Again, they are contridicting themselves.
Isn’t it the point of feminism that a woman can choose what makes her happy? Oh, unless, of course it has anything to do with loving one of those low, pathetic, overbearing creatures called a “man” or having children.
If you didn’t like Breaking Dawn, fine, right a review explaining why you didn’t in a reasonable manner. Okay.
But the majority of the reviews are over-anaylzing and try to cling onto any little point they can criticize.
Devon,
You make great points. I like how you are trying to keep things peaceful – so different from all the amazon stuff.
I think we can discuss things respectfully without all the drama.
Katy – well-said about the point of feminism. I had a post in one of the threads very similar to that. I can’t take all of the “feminist” reviews going on with BD or the series as a whole. The grass roots idea is women can CHOOSE – not that everyone is be a cookie cutter for either side, all homemakers with dinner on the table at 6 pm sharp, or all career women who disregard the ties of family and home. Who cares if Bella was wed at 18 and a baby right before her 19th? They were all HER choices to make as a character. It’s not a blueprint for every teen girl out there. Granted, most 18/19 yo’s are not mature enough for that, but “most” is the key word – some are. And their choice should not be diminished. When I spoke of the “feminist agenda” above, it is really surprising to hear such contradictory arguments coming from a side that preaches choice in all things…but it appears it only applies if you agree with them. “Choice” implies having a balance and not having the answer for every situation – it’s different for everyone, including Bella and Edward. The feminist reviewers are making too much out of a beautiful love story, and frankly it’s sad.
Ouch. That was harsh, Entertainment Weekly.
I enjoyed Breaking Dawn. It was a little different but in the end it all came together great. I think the people who are making negative comments about the story are taking the book too seriously and should relax and keep in mind that it is fiction. I give Stephenie Meyer a lot of credit for writing what she wanted to and not what she thought everyone would enjoy or expect.
Avehla, i love comment #79, just thought i’d let you know…. btw, I totally agree with everyone who says SM isn’t anti-femminist. She’s not. Look at Melanie.
I liked Breaking Dawn (A LOT)although i thought there was a slight lack of excitement. It annoyed me a little that she built up the excitement and suspense(first with the warewolves, then the Volturi) but then nothing happened. However other than this i Loved it. But i was quite confused at what exactly did Bella tell Charlie if anyone can help with this it would be much appreciated
She didn’t really tell him anything, he said that he prefered not to know.
I loved the book. Since Bella and Edwards story is finished I thought Breaking Dawn wraped it up nicely. Personally I am glad there was no death involving any of the main characters, if we were in the middle of the saga and more books were expected I could see death happening but since we were at the end…
There was one thing that bothered me, Jacob’s imprinting. I WANTED him to be happy and to imprint just not with Bella’s child. To me it makes all that Bella and Jacob went through seem like it didn’t matter at all. I was hoping Bella and Jacob would both end up happy in the end but still have that little soft spot left in their hearts for each other, the whole love that could never be sort of thing. I was sad to see once Bella turned all her more-than-friends feelings for Jacob vanished as did his when he imprinted. It is more natural to me to have some sort of small lingering feelings. Now if there ever is another book we will not get to revisit these feelings or even memories, neither one of them would feel comfortable thinking of their past love and closeness with Nessie right there!
After I finished the book I came to terms with Jacob and Nessie. It gave him the chance to be in love AND be happy, it also meant that he could stay in Bella’s life without all the heartache. So I am content.
i loved Breaking Dawn. thats all that there is to it in my oppinion. and if you didnt like it then that is your own personal choice. I was never too fond of Jacob, dont get me wrong, i didnt hate him but after reading his point of view i have realised that i liked him all along, it was just weird when he was making bella so confused about edward. i was really happy with how she ended this saga.
also for some of you who say you loved Twilight but hated BD, u do realise dat SM does sumtimes check these websites and think how you would feel if you had put about 5 years (please don’t kill me if im wrong) of your life writing something so personal as your dream and then feeling brave enough to allow other people to read your thoughts. I personally would feel very hurt, but as i said earlier, that is just my personal oppinion.
*sigh* and here i thought i was having an intelligent discussion about a book with some people, regardless of the fact that we obviously don’t agree, and i get a smart-ass comment from Avehla, apparently trying to clarify his/her “haters” statement. and you wonder why some people are tired of the smeyer sycophants (much like CarlaCullen above – seriously? any writer who puts him/herself out there runs the risk of criticism. i’m not about to feel bad for someone who’s delivered a poorly written, cliche-wrought conclusion of a story. maybe she shouldn’t be a writer if she gets her feelings hurt so easily.)
what i had a problem with in bd was the characterization and the contrivances. yes, marriage and pregnancy change you – that’s not what i’m talking about. i’m talking about renesmee being a big ol’deus ex machina, about bella not having any real newborn issues once she’s turned, about the imprinting on toddlers, which i don’t care how you try to spin it, is *creepy.*
i loved bd so much!!!!!!!!
but if some people don’t like it, thats fine. too bad for them!
hahahaha, I COMPLETELY agree with you, laluna. Seriously, it’s sad to read these crazy fans posts, trying to make excuses for Breaking Dawn. Sure, SM has a way with descriptions, but she also has a problem with building up to giant fight scenes, and then talk her way out of it. No matter what you say, like ‘but the Volturi aren’t crazy vampires hell bent on killing!’ It was insane to spend the WHOLE book, (except for a few weak shells of sex scenes) writing about how all kinds of vamps are going to die, to have no one even remotely important even recieve a scratch. (but vampires cant GET scratches!)
And Rosalie, what a witch. just saying, she bothered the crap out of me.
OH! and those of you that repeatedly say, “Chill out, its just a book!” get out of this commenting forum then. Why are you on this website if you’re going to repeatedly say, ‘its just a book’?
but, if you think about it, bella being a blood-crazed new-born would get old really fast. I don’t think I would be happy if a whole year passed in the book where all that happened was that bella was obbcessed with blood. And i really don’t see how loving some one is creepy. It’s not any more creepy that a 100+ year old marrying a 18 year old, in my oppinion. I agree though, if you’re a writer, you need to write for yourself, regardless of what other people think.
I believe it’s the super-animated, sarcastically hate-filled responses that get people up in arms with “chill out, it’s just a book” replies. That, and a majority of readers’ lack of ability to peacefully and maturely articulate their thoughts and either positive or negative points about the book, lack of analytical skills, reason, and overall grasp. At least, that’s what irritates me; I don’t mean to speak for everyone, so I apologize in advance.
As to the “why are you on this website if you’re going to repeatedly say ‘it’s just a book?’” comment, I answer you with another question: why are you on this website if you’re going to make comments like “…trying to make excuses for Breaking Dawn?” Obviously, everyone is entitled to their opinion; it’s the delivery that sets people apart. You will be much more respected for your views, be it a positive or a detracting one, if you can maturely articulate why. There is no need for derisively sarcastic comments. It’s very black and white – either you did like the book or you didn’t, and why/why not, and state it simply. Apparently, even adult reviewers, as we have seen in such “reviews” as the ones provided in EW and The Washington Post, have a problem doing this.
And whether you like it or not, it *is* just a book. It *is* just that simple. If you don’t like a book, any book, you move on. You look for a better one, a series you can get more out of then.
Irregardless of what we all think, I’m sure Stephenie is fine; she stated as much in recent interviews. She’s happy with the way things turned out in the series and she knows that you cannot please everyone; it would be a boring world if that were the case. I’m sure she’ll benefit from any criticisms, like any mature person would, and I can’t wait to see her writing taken to new heights in the coming years. But criticisms are one thing, and constructively given, whereas lashing out and sarcasm are unnecessary and everyone loses in the long run.
Laluna, it’s interesting that you think of the introduction of Renesmee as a deus ex machina. Personally, I don’t see it that way. Yes, a large majority of the story was wrapped around Bella’s pregnancy and the growth of Renesmee, but I don’t see her as the “central conflict” in this narrative. I don’t think that she was used to solve a major conflict; if anything, she’s inadvertently actually caused future problems with Jacob’s imprint (i.e. leaving the area and what Jacob will do, and his pack for that matter). True, it was slightly disturbing (for myself) to see Jacob imprinting on a baby…but the explanation of imprinting leaves me with no doubt that it isn’t a creepy sexual situation at this stage. It isn’t like the characters have control over who imprints on whom; if they did, Bella would be totally devoted to Jacob and human right now. I’m sure if Jake had a say in the matter, he wouldn’t have wanted to imprint on Renesmee. I think it’s all in the perspective you take on these matters; yes, superficially, everything has been tied up in a nice bow, but underneath it all, there are some problems waiting to happen, and I’m excited to see them play out in future books.
Sorry, I wanted to add one more thing. I also don’t feel that deus ex machina applies to Renesmee in that she solved the conflict of taking Jake’s feelings away about Bella; we knew from the start that that would happen when she became a vampire. Jacob would never see her the same way again once her heart stopped beating. To really tie things up neatly would have been to allow Jacob to fall in love. He hasn’t done that…yet. Looking back, there was enough foreshadowing throughout the series to indicate to me that Jacob was meant to be in Bella’s life in a permanent way. I just wasn’t expecting future son-in-law
They will be soulmates, and I think the potential for another wild ride of a story involving a fully grown Renesmee and probably-eternally-young Jacob will be an interesting addition to the Twi-verse.
Devon- Excellent comments and insight.
I wanted to comment on the new born issue. Bella is probably the most prepared new vamp ever created. One- there are constant references all the way back to Twilight discusssing her stubbornness. Two- she has had lessons and discussions with all the Cullens about what the first year is like and what to expect. Three- she observed a few new born vampires in Eclipse. If you put all that together it is easy to see how she can overcome the whole new born phase. It is still there- but in knowledge you have control. I always felt the foreshadowing on the new born issue and was not at all surprised to see its manifistation in Bella.
Devon061381: “I don’t mean to speak for everyone, so I apologize in advance.”
You can speak for me, in this instance. Very well-put, and thank you for your positivity. I stand behind your position about all the bad vibes and negativity with a similar statement of my own- this is a FANsite.
I’m sure there are alot of FORMERfansites, Disgruntled-Fan-Sites, Hate-Sites, Lets-Debate-about-it-till-we-turn-blue-sites, and Breaking-Dawn-Sucked-Sites popping up all over the internet after all of this BD controversy. If those are your interests, please go there.
I ask you this favor, not because we as a fandom are too passionately enamoured with this series to think straight and provide you with impartial arguments; for me, I’d like to simply be able to discuss this book with people in a mature, positive manner, without having to constantly fend off criticism that labels me as a dimwit because I liked(loved) the series finale.
I get it – you have valid arguments about why you disliked the book. Cool. Go somewhere else on the vast expanse of cyberspace to vent. The Lex has made it clear what does, and what doesn’t, belong on this site. It’s theirs to moderate.
What I don’t get is why anyone would stick around on a fansite when they are no longer a fan of the series. (The whole ‘TRUE FAN’ thing is a little elitist for me, so I’ll just stick to the basic label of fan). If you want to debate, the natural place for you to post on would be a debate thread/group. But posting passionately critical views on this site – a fan site – sounds alot like someone’s trying to pick a fight.
Which is just kind of…….lame.
Terri, I agree with your newborn assessment. Bella is unique in that she is probably the first to *decide* to become a vampire, and thus more prepared for its hardships. And you’re absolutely right – in knowledge is control, or power for that matter. I always had a funny feeling it would be this way once she became a vampire. It’s also not like she isn’t going to have ANY trouble; she started hunting the humans on her first hunt in the first place! She’s rivaling Edward for control – whereas he had 90 years of practice, Bella , because of her decision and preparedness, can fight the temptation as well. I didn’t find this a cop-out at all. I think the reader was prepared for this route.
I would also allow you to speak for me, Devon061381. Very respectable comment. I work for a book store which means I’m very familiar with the love and hate debate that accompanies books. I’ve learned to stay away from all that because , in the end, you should let yourself love and be entertained by what you enjoy without letting criticisms get you down. I’ve had people come into the bookstore explaining why Breaking Dawn was bad ’til they were out of breath. Just have to shrug and keep enjoying what you like. Entertainment is a cutthroat business, ya? Oh well, just wanted to say that i’ve seen a lot of respectable comments on this particular page. Nothing to brutal:)