TWILIGHT..... What's the big deal?! [ Edited ]

[NenetRN]

Okay, i'm posting this because i'm seeing a lot of new people raving about how great the Twilight saga was, and how nothing could ever top it.

I too read all 4 books, and i realy did fall in love with the story. I think Stephanie Meyer came out with the right books at the right time.

However, the more i read other series, and other authors in the paranormal genre, i wonder what WAS the big deal about them? Maybe i'm just forgeting, i did finish them last year.

So.... what do you guys think, maybe i need to read them again.

Message Edited by NenetRN on 02-11-2009 09:04 PM

[Chomp]

I think the phenomenon is big because it demonstrates that teenagers can indeed be excited by something like books. I mean, how cool is that? How can that not be positive? I personally enjoyed the books, and can vouch for the fact that, contrary to what the media hype would like you to believe, it is not only girls (and their mothers) who enjoy these books. My all-male high school students also love them.

Carol

[paulgoatallen]

It's a good YA series – not great, in my opinion. Good. It's been completely over-hyped but Carol touched on the real significance here – how many millions of young adults are now reading because of these books? Bravo, Stephenie Meyer, bravo.

Paul

p.s. And let's not forget here – just because a book (or music cd or movie...) is phenomenally popular doesn't mean it's necessarily good.  

[Chomp]

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paulgoatallen wrote:

It's a good YA series – not great, in my opinion. Good. It's been completely over-hyped but Carol touched on the real significance here – how many millions of young adults are now reading because of these books? Bravo, Stephenie Meyer, bravo.

Paul

p.s. And let's not forget here – just because a book (or music cd or movie...) is phenomenally popular doesn't mean it's necessarily good.  

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True -- but just because something is phenomenally popular doesn't mean it's bad, either. I think it is sad that sometimes people lose sight of that, and denigrate things for the sole reason that they are popular.

Carol

[LordRuthven]

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paulgoatallen wrote:

p.s. And let's not forget here – just because a book (or music cd or movie...) is phenomenally popular doesn't mean it's necessarily good.  

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You could not be more correct, especially in regards to music.

As for "Twilight": I am trying to keep a "rising tide lifts all boats" attitude, but I am tired of looking for new vampire (or werewolf!) books or items on eBay or the internet, and having to wade through a pile of "Team Edward"/"Team Jacob" merchandise. And no doubt we'll see the rise of self-styled vampire "know-it-alls" who base their entire knowledge on Meyers' books.

But hey, new readers.

[NenetRN]

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Chomp wrote:

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paulgoatallen wrote:

It's a good YA series – not great, in my opinion. Good. It's been completely over-hyped but Carol touched on the real significance here – how many millions of young adults are now reading because of these books? Bravo, Stephenie Meyer, bravo.

Paul

p.s. And let's not forget here – just because a book (or music cd or movie...) is phenomenally popular doesn't mean it's necessarily good.  

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True -- but just because something is phenomenally popular doesn't mean it's bad, either. I think it is sad that sometimes people lose sight of that, and denigrate things for the sole reason that they are popular.

Carol

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Paul, like you said, maybe more people are reading... that's kinda what i meant by right kind of book, right time....

and Carol, no one has said they were bad, that statement would be untrue.... but the hype, you have to admit there's just way too much of it!

Message Edited by NenetRN on 02-11-2009 10:07 PM

[BendTheDark]

I loved the series, though I know there is better out there. Breaking Dawn was a bit, unexpected. I really wanted a fight scene! But, sadly, I was a bit disappointed. Still, it's one of those series that will stick to you.

Message Edited by BendTheDark on 02-11-2009 11:55 PM

[DarkHeart]

I get what you're asking because I fully admit that they're what got me back into the genre.  I accept that it isn't the greatest series out there, but there was something about it.  They were incredibly addictive; books that I just couldn't put down.  I have series that I love much more than them, but that didn't necessarily have the same affect on me.  I honestly don't know what it was, but maybe it was just a matter of me being sucked back into the paranormal world and the excitement that I felt at that.  For that reason alone, they remain some of my favorite books.

[Chomp]

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NenetRN wrote:

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Chomp wrote:

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paulgoatallen wrote:

It's a good YA series – not great, in my opinion. Good. It's been completely over-hyped but Carol touched on the real significance here – how many millions of young adults are now reading because of these books? Bravo, Stephenie Meyer, bravo.

Paul

p.s. And let's not forget here – just because a book (or music cd or movie...) is phenomenally popular doesn't mean it's necessarily good.  

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True -- but just because something is phenomenally popular doesn't mean it's bad, either. I think it is sad that sometimes people lose sight of that, and denigrate things for the sole reason that they are popular.

Carol

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Paul, like you said, maybe more people are reading... that's kinda what i meant by right kind of book, right time....

and Carol, no one has said they were bad, that statement would be untrue.... but the hype, you have to admit there's just way too much of it!

Message Edited by NenetRN on 02-11-2009 10:07 PM

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Well, unfortunately some do say the books are bad (though not in this thread). I agree, the hype can be a bit much. However, how cool is it that all of this hype surrounds books? Any pop-culture phenomenon that surrounds books/the printed word is okay by me.

On a related note, the DaVinci Code/Angels and Demons hype was pretty big, and even though I do not care for Brown's style, I found it highly gratifying that all the frenzy resulted from many people reading for pleasure who had not done so before.

Carol

[avidreader2]

Okay, being a teenager and an avid reader, I must say that Twilight was unique when it comes to the PLOT. The writing style of Stephanie Meyer leaves much to be desired in my opinion. I liked how well she was able to incorporate sarcasm (being a sarcastic person, this made me extravagantly happy), but she lacked a certain descriptive quality that I enjoy. 

I believe that this appealed to the general teenage public. It's an easy read. No big words or deep metaphors that need to be dissected, just a great story being told. Nothing hard about it, it doesn't take any brain power to figure out or read.

don't get me wrong, I loved Twilight. They're some of my favorites (although, I am known for being really really easy to please when it comes to books), but they are not one of those "timeless classics" or "ageless pieces of literature", they are just a really good story being told. 

[NenetRN]

Avid reader,

i totally see what you mean about it beeing easy to read. It's what i call "Brainless Reading"  , and that's  why so many people that never read anything, or picked up a book in their lives before, are now reading.

And definetely not an "ageless classic" as far as the literature itself.... but the Twilight phenomenon as a whole.... i don't know... it's like, creating cults!  

[NenetRN]

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Well, unfortunately some do say the books are bad (though not in this thread). I agree, the hype can be a bit much. However, how cool is it that all of this hype surrounds books? Any pop-culture phenomenon that surrounds books/the printed word is okay by me.

Carol

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I have heard people say that Twilight "sucks" or something like that. But you know what i find, it's always guys. Overall i think this series appealed way more to women than men.

You mentioned earlier that teenage boys were reading Twilight too..... i have yet to come across a male that's actualy read it.... and fell in love with it like most people, or just liked it.   Hmm...

[jeanninew2]

I don't see what the attraction is in the Twilight series I think mostly because I'm not a teenager anymore. My 15 and 20 year old daughters loved the series though (hated the movie), of course I don't see the attraction of Harry Potter either. (gasp)

My daughters loved that series also (they still read it). I have made a deal with them that if the will read The Dreseden Files then I will read the Harry Potter series and then we could argue about who's the best wizard (Dresden). They still resist my efforts but I have managed to turn my 14 year old son out of Potters corner into the Dresden corner. 

[avidreader2]

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NenetRN wrote:

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Well, unfortunately some do say the books are bad (though not in this thread). I agree, the hype can be a bit much. However, how cool is it that all of this hype surrounds books? Any pop-culture phenomenon that surrounds books/the printed word is okay by me.

Carol

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I have heard people say that Twilight "sucks" or something like that. But you know what i find, it's always guys. Overall i think this series appealed way more to women than men.

You mentioned earlier that teenage boys were reading Twilight too..... i have yet to come across a male that's actualy read it.... and fell in love with it like most people, or just liked it.   Hmm...

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The guys of the planet are just jealous of Edward's amazingness. Hahahaha. Twilight has (and I quote from my brother) "set impossible standards" for guys. I whole heartedly agree, though I wish I didn't have to. Guys are going to have to step up to the plate now that Twilight has taken over the universe. So, for all you teenage guys out there, I am rooting for you, but study up, Edward is basically perfect (minus the "I want to suck your blood" issue) and this is what you will be commonly compared to, even though he is a fictional character... and never has and never will exist.

Good Luck, guys! 

[lordfeyr]

HAHAHA Thats why this is part of the "fantasy" world.  There just are not many Edwards out there who utterly devote themselves to a woman like he does.

I must admit that I have never read the books, and do not plan to.  It seems like every woman I know has read them though and I think that the way Edward acts and the interraction between him and Bella is what sets it off.  Women want their own Edward.

[NenetRN]

LOL ...!

You are so right Carol... i've heard that as well- Impossibley high standards.

But the girls forget, Ed is like that cuz he's been around a couple hundred years... he's a gentleman, and has had time to work at this..... A kid who is realy 17, would NEVER be that way! --

 Like lordfeyr said.... fantasy people!...and it does not surprise me that you have not and do not plan to read the books.

[-Mac-]

I agree with you that there are not many infact not any real Edwards out there. I have read the books and I liked them but I do think they are more of a chick flick type book than a guy book, so I don't blame you for not reading them. I think it is silly how many girls are out there wishing and comparing every guy they see and meet to Edward or Jacob. I think that the books are slightly unfair to the guys, raising the standards so high. Now it makes it much harder to please a girl who has read the Twilight series because they are so set on the charcters. Sigh. Eventually it will pass and the girls may stop comparing every guy to Edward and Jacob, but for now guys will just have to bear through it.

[avidreader2]

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-Mac- wrote:
I agree with you that there are not many infact not any real Edwards out there. I have read the books and I liked them but I do think they are more of a chick flick type book than a guy book, so I don't blame you for not reading them. I think it is silly how many girls are out there wishing and comparing every guy they see and meet to Edward or Jacob. I think that the books are slightly unfair to the guys, raising the standards so high. Now it makes it much harder to please a girl who has read the Twilight series because they are so set on the charcters. Sigh. Eventually it will pass and the girls may stop comparing every guy to Edward and Jacob, but for now guys will just have to bear through it.

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It is terribly unfair. I think it is the fact that we are entering into an age of obsessed "unexperienced readers". If these girls would read some other books... like basically ANYTHING besides Twilight, they would come across equally romantic characters everywhere. Then they would realize that they are reading FICTION, therefore, there are no "Edwards" on the planet. Maybe someone will come close. Be a gentleman. Be respectful. Appreciate a girl for who she is. But a girl WILL NEVER find a real Edward. If they would just read more literature, they would realize this... but I think it will take a few years for the girls of America and EVERYWHERE  ELSE to come to that conclusion. It's unfortunate, but true.

[Paula717]

I tend to keep my posts on the light/lighter side but I feel the need to be serious for a moment. We need to remember that every one of us is born unique in different ways, outlooks, attitudes, likes, dislikes, opinions, and perspectives. We should realize and put in our hearts that we should respect eachothers ways, outlooks, attitudes, likes, dislikes, opinions and perspectives.

If we all had the same likes and dislikes, how very boring our world would be. How crappy the selection at the library and bookstores would be. So much for variety...

[NenetRN]

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Paula717 wrote:

I tend to keep my posts on the light/lighter side but I feel the need to be serious for a moment. We need to remember that every one of us is born unique in different ways, outlooks, attitudes, likes, dislikes, opinions, and perspectives. We should realize and put in our hearts that we should respect eachothers ways, outlooks, attitudes, likes, dislikes, opinions and perspectives.

If we all had the same likes and dislikes, how very boring our world would be. How crappy the selection at the library and bookstores would be. So much for variety...

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I'm .... confused....you're right, this is waaay too serious!