by 2 people |
Confessions of a new Twilight fan
It can be embarrassing, sometimes, to be 29 years old and snatching books off the shelf in the "teens" section of Barnes and Noble. Add to that fact that I'm most of my way through a Ph.D. in English and yet I prefer well-written page turners to the venerable bore-me-to-tears classics (I'm looking at you, Moby Dick) and it's almost enough to make me want to sneak around the store for fear of running into a professor.
But online, at least, I can set all that aside and stand tall (err, as much as one can "stand"--or sit, for that matter--in virtual text) as I declare my new-found passion for Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. I haven't read the whole series yet--I'm writing this in the flush of having finished the first book--but below you'll find a review of that book, plus lots of links to great Twilight stuff.
The review is aimed at those who haven't yet read Twilight and are trying to figure out if they want to. All the other links are for those who are already fans of Twilight and want to vote, chat, or expand their fan-dom.
But online, at least, I can set all that aside and stand tall (err, as much as one can "stand"--or sit, for that matter--in virtual text) as I declare my new-found passion for Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. I haven't read the whole series yet--I'm writing this in the flush of having finished the first book--but below you'll find a review of that book, plus lots of links to great Twilight stuff.
The review is aimed at those who haven't yet read Twilight and are trying to figure out if they want to. All the other links are for those who are already fans of Twilight and want to vote, chat, or expand their fan-dom.
Spoiler-free Twilight Review
Is Twilight for you?
I came across Twilight as a result of my other "teen" faves--namely, the Harry Potter and Eragon books. I happened to read another blogger who referenced the Twilight saga along with those series, and my interest was piqued. To be honest, if I'd realized then that the book she was referring to was the same as the cheesy movie trailers I'd been seeing on TV I might have shied away. But by the time I'd realized that I was already curled up in my favorite comfy chair in Barnes and Noble, with Twilight on my lap, and I figured "what the heck, can't hurt to crack it open."
I'll admit that the short Preface almost put me off--it's a smidge on the melodramatic side--but it was brief enough not to keep me from the opening sentences of the first "real" chapter, and they drew me in:
"My mother drove me to the airport with the windows rolled down. It was seventy-five degrees in Phoenix, the sky a perfect cloudless blue. I was wearing my favorite shirt--sleeveless, white eyelet lace; I was wearing it as a farewell gesture. My carry-on item was a parka."
Obviously, nothing earth-shattering here. Sure, no brilliant strokes of literary language--but nothing melodramatic, either. Just a slight prickling of curiosity: where is she going? why would she go somewhere that requires parkas if she obviously loves warm sunlight?
I appreciated, in other words, the mildness. Not that it was so mild as to be boring, mind you; no drawn-out tortuous descriptions (again, I'm looking at you Melville, or you, Dickens). But neither did it seem to be the kind of book that is so plot-driven as to be painful to read from the very start--instead there seemed a promise of actual characters, not just cardboard cut-outs to be moved around according to marketing research about what readers want (and now I'm thinking not of Melville or Dickens but modern book demigods who have been known to descend into hackery: John Grisham, Danielle Steele, etc.)
Of course, the pacing of the plot picks up significantly as the book goes on--I won't get any more specific than that, because I hate spoilers. Suffice it to say, however, that by the time you absolutely can't put the book down because you must know what happens next at least some of that compulsion comes from an investment in the characters themselves rather than just morbid curiosity as to whether anyone will die.
So (if you're still undecided) how to decide if the book is for you? Here are a few things that might indicate a "yes":
1) You like the Harry Potter or Eragon books.
2) You enjoy stories with fantastical elements, or straight-out fantasy.
3) You never quite fit in while in high-school (then again, does anybody?).
4) You prefer books with a good blend of character development and intriguing-but-not-overdone plot twists.
5) You don't care if a book has been shelved in "Teens" or has been made into an uber-Hollywood-ized movie (actually I haven't seen the movie so that's somewhat unfair--I just don't like the previews)
6) You have a secret (or not-so-secret) mild thing for vampires.
7) You're still reading my review--seriously, if you're still here, you might as well order the book now (you can get it from here, right now, via Amazon) rather than continuing to torture yourself with wondering :)
I'll admit that the short Preface almost put me off--it's a smidge on the melodramatic side--but it was brief enough not to keep me from the opening sentences of the first "real" chapter, and they drew me in:
"My mother drove me to the airport with the windows rolled down. It was seventy-five degrees in Phoenix, the sky a perfect cloudless blue. I was wearing my favorite shirt--sleeveless, white eyelet lace; I was wearing it as a farewell gesture. My carry-on item was a parka."
Obviously, nothing earth-shattering here. Sure, no brilliant strokes of literary language--but nothing melodramatic, either. Just a slight prickling of curiosity: where is she going? why would she go somewhere that requires parkas if she obviously loves warm sunlight?
I appreciated, in other words, the mildness. Not that it was so mild as to be boring, mind you; no drawn-out tortuous descriptions (again, I'm looking at you Melville, or you, Dickens). But neither did it seem to be the kind of book that is so plot-driven as to be painful to read from the very start--instead there seemed a promise of actual characters, not just cardboard cut-outs to be moved around according to marketing research about what readers want (and now I'm thinking not of Melville or Dickens but modern book demigods who have been known to descend into hackery: John Grisham, Danielle Steele, etc.)
Of course, the pacing of the plot picks up significantly as the book goes on--I won't get any more specific than that, because I hate spoilers. Suffice it to say, however, that by the time you absolutely can't put the book down because you must know what happens next at least some of that compulsion comes from an investment in the characters themselves rather than just morbid curiosity as to whether anyone will die.
So (if you're still undecided) how to decide if the book is for you? Here are a few things that might indicate a "yes":
1) You like the Harry Potter or Eragon books.
2) You enjoy stories with fantastical elements, or straight-out fantasy.
3) You never quite fit in while in high-school (then again, does anybody?).
4) You prefer books with a good blend of character development and intriguing-but-not-overdone plot twists.
5) You don't care if a book has been shelved in "Teens" or has been made into an uber-Hollywood-ized movie (actually I haven't seen the movie so that's somewhat unfair--I just don't like the previews)
6) You have a secret (or not-so-secret) mild thing for vampires.
7) You're still reading my review--seriously, if you're still here, you might as well order the book now (you can get it from here, right now, via Amazon) rather than continuing to torture yourself with wondering :)
Twilight Saga Books: Vote and/or buy
Twilight Collector's Edition (The Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer
About three things I was absolutely positive:First more...0 points
New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) by Stephenie Meyer
Legions of readers entranced by Twilight are hungr more...0 points
Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) by Stephenie Meyer
Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will e more...0 points
Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) by Stephenie Meyer
When you loved the one who was killing you, it lef more...0 points
The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer
Fans of the #1 New York Times bestselling Twilight more...0 points
The Twilight Saga: Slipcased by Stephenie Meyer
This stunning set, complete with all four hardcove more...0 points
Stephenie Meyer: Twilight/New Moon/Eclipse/Breaking Dawn CD Ppk (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer
Stephenie Meyer holds you spellbound with her incr more...0 points
Twilight themed gifts and goodies
A few things on Cafepress to feed your Twilight obsession.
It's a Twilight Thing. You wo Women's Long Sleeve
Price: 31.99 
Pick your favorite "teen" series
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Twilight Stuff on eBay
More ways to feed your Twilight obsession
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Travel to Forks, WA
For the truly dedicated fan...
Let me know you were here
Thoughts? Suggestions? Reactions? Go for it!
I always try to visit and comment back on everyone who leaves non-spammy comments here. Irrelevant comments, however, will be deleted.
submit
-
Reply
- KathyMcGraw KathyMcGraw Dec 4, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
- Hi, I enjoyed your lens and have lensrolled it to Forks, Washington Home of "Twilight" Vampires
by Rya
Reader, writer, artist, student, and apparently a teenager (given my love of "teen" books) who never grew up...oh wait, did I type that out loud? :) C... (more)
