I think it's safe to say that I'm Beliefnet's resident obsessionado of all-things Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight Series." And those of you who followed my posts leading up to the release of book four, "Breaking Dawn," I was, um, kind of excited about it. I attended the NYC launch of the "Breaking Dawn Concert Series" on August 1st, and I even wrote an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal about the teen (and Twilight Moms) response to the intensely erotic, romantic dimension of the "Twilight Series."
But I'd already made a big decision about when I'd satisfy my vampire cravings (so to speak). In a heroic effort, I stayed away from all online chatter about "Breaking Dawn" for a full week, so I could really, really, really enjoy my the novel on vacation (beginning on August 10) while floating in an innertube in the Caribbean. Which is exactly what I did.
The only thing I knew (unfortunately) before I left was that there was a BIG BACKLASH and that it was being covered in all the major magazines,newspapers, and blogs. My initial thoughts were: "Oh no! Team Edward suffers a horrible defeat. Bellaends up with Jacob and Team Jacob prevails," or possibly, "Gaahh! Bella doesn't become a vampire after all!"
When I actually read "Breaking Dawn," however, I was mystified by what fans were so upset about. And I didn't find out until I got back this week.
So...SPOILER ALERT...What in the world are people so upset about?
Granted, though I was elated that the wedding between Edward and Bella went off without a glitch right away, I was a little put-off by the scary-baby incident (though once I was into the story I saw it coming). By the time I was further into the story I also had a feeling that Jacob would imprint on her, solving Jacob's broken heart situation, so, though it is weird to think of Jacob destined to end up with a, um, baby as his soul-mate, I was ready for it when it happened.
But I was so happy that Bella and Edward got married!
That Bella became a vampire!
That Bella was a stellar new vampire--like the vampire world had never seen before!
That Bella turned out to be the strongest vampire of all and with the best super power!
That, in the end, everyone, but Bella and Edward got to live happily ever after!
Yay! I love a happy ending. Especially when this is the ending I wanted for the "Twilight Series" (perhaps minus the baby, but still, in the end I found it all interesting).
Call me sappy but: is this crazy backlash really justified? I mean, the most popular review on Amazon.com (which gives the book only one star) rails on Meyer for the ending being too happy! What?! And what's this not so subtle anger suddenly about Bella getting married at 18 and having her marriage turn out to be happy and fulfilling? Rage that Meyer has "glorified" this possibility? We all knew Bella was headed in this direction for ages--Meyer prepared fans for this well. I wonder if what people are really angry about is the fact that Stephenie Meyer's Mormonism (well known now by all) likely influenced her portrayal of early marriage and children, and fans are ultimately uncomfortable with Meyer's religious affiliation? Is that what people are really upset about deep down?
The vicious attacks Meyer is getting about delivering a happy ending that includes a happy marriage and family mystifies me. I mean, this is fun, fantasy fiction. Most of us wanted Edward and Bella together in the end. Meyer gave us this and more.
What's the problem then? Really? Is it, in the end, discomfort that Meyer's faith has influenced the series far more than fans can handle? I can't help but wonder...
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I'm the 46 year old father of a 13 year old girl and I hope to God that my daughter will never develop into anything remotely similar to Meyer's main character Bella. I read the first book in the series and found it profoundly cheesy and poorly written. But I was OK with my daughter reading it since the story seemed fairly harmless. I also felt that I should give her a few more years before I insist more firmly on her reading books of some substance. However, I began to fume after reading books 2 and 3 of the series, which little by little establish the most spineless, clueless, and codependent young female character I have ever experienced. And again I let it go because I didn't want her to see me as the censoring father. Well, after book 4 I had to have a serious and embarrassing talk with my daughter courtesy of S. Meyer - but mind you, not the dreaded "sex talk" - you know, the talk about abusive sex, sexual manipulation, pedophilia, wife swapping and threesomes. End of story, going forward I will not tolerate in my house anything written by S. Meyer.
Well,I think BD is very awesome.Even that Nessie is an unexpected and suprising character but she is so adorable.Besides,this is a gift 4 both Esme and Rose as well...i can't think of another ending better than this.Happy ending 4 everyone is the best.Besides after the thousand times edward told him that he loved bella....of course one change can't break that..and Nessie just strengthen the link between them...that's what i see..so...wonderful..BD
Well, I am a 47 year old father and quite frankly I am impressed by the entire series. Given the lack of what I'd call responsible fiction these days, I found the Meyer Twilight collection remarkably satisfying. I fall into the category of one who is not a prude, but appreciates the freshness of literature lacking overtly gratuitous sex and violence. I found these books particularly refreshing, and a good read for YA fiction. I am encouraging my 11 year old daughter to read them. She understands enough about human sexuality to appreciate the boudaries Bella and Edward live for themselves. I also found in Breaking Dawn a very responsible handling of the honeymoon material without it becoming anything more that PG rated. Applause is due Ms Meyer in her efforts. Bella may not be the PERFECTLY stong girl that many would have liked to have seen, but children need to know that variety is the spice of life. No one is particulary perfect in the female role or the male role that matter. Normal needs to be portrayed by far more expamples than Joan of Arc.
A little late, but...I love the way the series ended. I know Bella was only 18, but she'd always felt like she was older, he mother even joked that she was born 35 and just kept getting more middle aged:) She gave Edward his life back when they fell in love, they needed to be together. And i loved that they had a baby before she was turned, i can't think of a better way for it to have happened, than out of the pure necesity to save her life, really the only way Edward would have really wanted it to have happened. She not only gave him a child, but Renesme was a gift to all of them, a gift none of them could have gotten any other way. The baby brought hope to so many, and pulled others of their kind together with them to stand up to the Volturi. And i loved that Bella, who was weak, and clumsy as a human, was the most "special" of vampires; it's like she was meant for that life. I just really loved the series, so much that i read all 4 books in 6 days!! I love Edward and Bella as much as i do Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. I think it's a great love story, and i hope that when my daughter's older, she can read the books and fall in love with the caracters as I did!
I also thought that I was the only one who liked the book!! it has been the end I wanted
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