I finished reading the first Twilight book yesterday and I need to write a post to get it out of my head. So here goes.
I have to say I struggled a lot with Twilight. Not that the book was difficult to read or that I didn’t enjoy it, but it just didn’t “click” with me somehow. I have spent the last week agonising over what it is exactly that I didn’t like about it, and I think the problem lies with the character of Bella. I didn’t discover this until I read the first chapter of “Midnight Sun” with the first meeting between Edward and Bella being from Edward’s point of view. I absolutely adored it, which led me to believe it wasn’t Twilight I had a problem with – I just don’t relate well to Bella.
Pondering this idea I realised that although Bella is made out to be something special, with her unreadable mind and inability to show fear when she should, I found her to be no more interesting that the average teenager. Her thoughts were distinctly shallow and no more charitable towards her friends than their thoughts were towards her, and seeing what was in her head, I found her to be negative and quite unlikeable. Her regard for Edward is way beyond obsessive.
Edward on the other hand, I did like. He is a complex character who has come to terms with his vampire side, but shows obvious struggle when dealing with his new found human emotions. Ironically I found his family life much more “normal” than Bella’s. However, as georgous as Edward is made out to be, I probably would have liked him better without Bella’s sparkle goggles on.
I feel that Edward and Bella’s relationship progressed too fast with no basis other than than Edward’s extreme attraction to Bella’s blood and Bella’s physical attraction to Edward’s looks. Bella’s constant begging for Edward not to leave her (even when there was nothing wrong and she was going to be asleep anyway) and towards the end of the book, insisting Edward turn her into a vampire, was childish and in my opinion showed complete disregard for Edward’s suffering.
The appeal that Twilight really held for me was the Cullens. I found them extremely intriguing. I especially loved Alice and the mystery surrounding her transformation into a vampire. I would like to read a more detailed story about how Jasper and Alice came to meet and the circumstances surrounding their developing relationship. Carlisle’s story was truly inspirational – the lone hunter trying to find a balance between satiating his thirst for blood while maintaining a peaceful existance. His yearning for campanionship and the creation of his “family” was a sweet story owing awe and respect to his sacrifices. Esme is lovely as the gentle, caring mother of her adopted children and even the burly Emmett seems to have a soft side.
To simplify Twilight into Fruits Basket terms: Tohru (Bella) stumbles upon dark family secret (vampires) and as a trial is allowed to remain privy to this knowledge. However, where Tohru helps each member of the Sohma family, Bella just puts the Cullens way of life in peril. In that respect, Rosalie’s dislike of Bella I find truly justified.
I can easily picture the Cullen’s in all their beauty depicted as anime characters.
I really like the character of Edward. I picture him as having the looks of Loki from Matantei Loki Ragnarok in his true form, with the regal countenance of Yuki from Fruits Basket, the personality of Otani from Lovely Complex (when Edward laughs and smiles), and the fierce protectiveness of Inuyasha. Carlisle would be like a cross between the serious Hatori and relaxed Shigure from Fruits Basket (with the stunning good looks of both). Esme reminds me of Kasumi from Ranma 1/2. Rosalie I think of as tall, blond and self-obsessed like Jura from Vandread. Alice I image to be a small-statured, fiesty, best-friend sort of character, maybe like Selphie from Final Fantasy VIII.
I’ve had a quick look at the upcoming movie for Twilight. I have to admit that I don’t think the movie Edward is a good representation of the novel Edward. In the book he is described as being copper-haired with boyish features. Movie Edward looks almost Goth. From the trailer it looks as though the story has been re-written to include a confrontation between James and Edward which didn’t occur in the book. I understand this will include additional action which I believe is a positive change as without it, the movie would probably seem almost anti-climatic.
Because I am essentially still confused as to my exact opinion on Twilight, I think I will attempt to continue with the rest of the series after having a break reading some lighter material. I feel I need to alleviate some of the gloom I found surrounded Twilight first. I am sure my interest in the Cullens and their progressing story holds enough interest for me to overlook the annoyance I feel towards Bella. Perhaps she may even grow on me.
