Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga

wyndslash · 03-29-2011, 11:33 PM

should i read it? I've been reading reviews on it on goodreads, and even before that I've already decided I didn't like it, but my sister liked it, and I figured that I might be more credible in my own opinion if I read it through and see what was all the hype about.

That said, I wouldn't necessarily be going into it looking for mistakes. I like romance (well enough, i guess) even cheesy plots.

But what do you think? Is it worth the time? My university library has it, apparently.

Nyssa · 03-29-2011, 11:48 PM

I read them after my closest friend mentioned how pleasantly surprised she was by the series.

I will admit that I tolerated the first two books, (the first one especially) but I was determined to get through the whole thing. Bella's teen angst, naivete, and all around immaturity are what irritated me the most. Plus, I really was not impressed by the shiny vampires - Vampires do not sparkle! However, I really enjoyed the the 3rd and 4th books; I felt it was all worth it in the end...

phenomshel · 03-30-2011, 01:17 AM

Read them. I'm not a huge fan, myself, but my daughter adored them. I read the first one, and got halfway through the second before getting distracted and I haven't yet managed to pick it back up. I do intend to, though - I want to find out what happened and how.

gmw · 03-30-2011, 03:33 AM

You like romance and cheesy? Go for it.

More seriously: I really enjoyed it, the whole thing. I am certainly not "YA" and I don't tend to read modern romance novels (and the series is romance more than anything else), but my wife really liked them so I started. For me it was the humour that Meyer uses throughout the books that made them work. Much of the criticism you see here and elsewhere has at least some basis is truth: it is cheesy, there are significant holes, some bits are a bit creepy*, the writing is not perfect ... but while I was reading the books none of that mattered, I simply enjoyed the ride.

I suggest you try the first one, if it works for you then great, you'll probably like at least the next two**. If the first book doesn't grab you then find a synopsis somewhere to get the rest of the story (because, while the writing does improve as the books progress, the difference is not so big that it's likely to make much difference to you).

I also tried her science fiction novel "Host" ... but that didn't work for me. Not enough humour I think, I got bored.

* In the unhealthy/obsessive relationship kind of way - but, hey, like Romeo and Juliet were good role models.

** Book four seems to get mixed reviews even among "serious" fans - I liked it, Meyer tried to get a bit more adventurous and I think she did very well. She almost made the mistake of trying to justify her vampires scientifically, but thankfully glossed over it.

wyndslash · 03-30-2011, 04:13 AM

my sister read the first book, i think, and relayed to me that she thought Meyer was "good at writing about nothing" (not an insult; "nothing" in the sense that nothing really happens, i guess @_@ can't explain it)

our uni library has it. might check it out once the copy has been returned.

WilliamVitka · 03-30-2011, 04:16 AM

I've been curious about this as well. My favorite authors are Richard Matheson, Philip Dick, Harlan Ellison, Stephen King and HP Lovecraft to give you an idea about my habits. I am very open to vampire fiction, but I'm hesitant to invest time in Twilight. Would someone like me enjoy it?

wyndslash · 03-30-2011, 04:43 AM

i did like Anne Rice's vampire books, but mostly because i was rooting for lestat/louis

i'm not very good at recommending stuff for others, so i'll pass you on to the next commenter here

pdurrant · 03-30-2011, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyndslash

i did like Anne Rice's vampire books, but mostly because i was rooting for lestat/louis

Well, they are the 'heros' of the story. I recommend avoiding her 'Christian' fiction.

Xoanon · 03-30-2011, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyndslash

should i read it?

Just say NO. Twilight destroys lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFG9l...feature=relmfu

If you haven't read it already, you should give Let the Right One In a try. Like the reviews say, it's everything Twilight wants to be.

wyndslash · 03-30-2011, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Well, they are the 'heros' of the story. I recommend avoiding her 'Christian' fiction.

oh yeah, i did hear about her going into Christianity, but then I read something recent saying that she left the religion or something.

@xoanan: ooh i'll look at it

edit: oh yeah, i heard of this book! it was made into a movie. hmmm....

gmw · 03-30-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyndslash

my sister read the first book, i think, and relayed to me that she thought Meyer was "good at writing about nothing" (not an insult; "nothing" in the sense that nothing really happens, i guess @_@ can't explain it)

our uni library has it. might check it out once the copy has been returned.

I think "writing about nothing" actually puts it very well. In the first book the "action" sequence (approx' the last third of the book) feels almost tacked on, as if Meyer thought the book needed some other excuse to exist ... but despite this lack of substance I found myself just enjoying the ride. And isn't that what we read novels for, the journey not the destination?

DiapDealer · 03-30-2011, 07:38 AM

Quote:

And isn't that what we read novels for, the journey not the destination?

The journey and not only the destination. They're still both very important for my reading enjoyment.

wyndslash · 03-30-2011, 07:54 AM

i have the strangest mannerisms when i read. i get all smiley and stuff.

Hamlet53 · 03-30-2011, 08:30 AM

This is quite the coincidence. I have been thinking that I should try reading at least the first in this series of novels. I have in the past been dismissive of these books due to guilt by association. The primary fan base is teenage girls, not a good sign for reading material suitable for a 57 year old man. I assumed the primary draw for the young ladies was the presence of a fantasy I believe all girls of that age hold; the myth of the good bad-boy.

I really should at least give the first book a try. Books about nothing can be good; especially since it would be almost impossible to truly write about nothing. On the other hand there is a movie isn't there? Can Twilight be read in under four hours?

Penforhire · 03-30-2011, 01:56 PM

Lots of women I know recommended the series to me so I gritted my teeth and read 'em. I must not be a fan of romance. My take was mediocre, call it 3 out of 5 stars. I was unhappy with the author in many places but she strung together a decent tale. Sparkly vampires? Ugh. Girl who can't make up her mind? Ugh.

03-29-2011, 11:33 PM	#1
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga should i read it? I've been reading reviews on it on goodreads, and even before that I've already decided I didn't like it, but my sister liked it, and I figured that I might be more credible in my own opinion if I read it through and see what was all the hype about. That said, I wouldn't necessarily be going into it looking for mistakes. I like romance (well enough, i guess) even cheesy plots. But what do you think? Is it worth the time? My university library has it, apparently. Last edited by wyndslash; 03-30-2011 at 12:01 AM.

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03-29-2011, 11:48 PM	#2
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	I read them after my closest friend mentioned how pleasantly surprised she was by the series. I will admit that I tolerated the first two books, (the first one especially) but I was determined to get through the whole thing. Bella's teen angst, naivete, and all around immaturity are what irritated me the most. Plus, I really was not impressed by the shiny vampires - Vampires do not sparkle! However, I really enjoyed the the 3rd and 4th books; I felt it was all worth it in the end...

03-30-2011, 01:17 AM	#3
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	Read them. I'm not a huge fan, myself, but my daughter adored them. I read the first one, and got halfway through the second before getting distracted and I haven't yet managed to pick it back up. I do intend to, though - I want to find out what happened and how.

03-30-2011, 03:33 AM	#4
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	You like romance and cheesy? Go for it. More seriously: I really enjoyed it, the whole thing. I am certainly not "YA" and I don't tend to read modern romance novels (and the series is romance more than anything else), but my wife really liked them so I started. For me it was the humour that Meyer uses throughout the books that made them work. Much of the criticism you see here and elsewhere has at least some basis is truth: it is cheesy, there are significant holes, some bits are a bit creepy, the writing is not perfect ... but while I was reading the books none of that mattered, I simply enjoyed the ride. I suggest you try the first one, if it works for you then great, you'll probably like at least the next two. If the first book doesn't grab you then find a synopsis somewhere to get the rest of the story (because, while the writing does improve as the books progress, the difference is not so big that it's likely to make much difference to you). I also tried her science fiction novel "Host" ... but that didn't work for me. Not enough humour I think, I got bored. In the unhealthy/obsessive relationship kind of way - but, hey, like Romeo and Juliet were good role models. ** Book four seems to get mixed reviews even among "serious" fans - I liked it, Meyer tried to get a bit more adventurous and I think she did very well. She almost made the mistake of trying to justify her vampires scientifically, but thankfully glossed over it.

03-30-2011, 04:13 AM	#5
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	my sister read the first book, i think, and relayed to me that she thought Meyer was "good at writing about nothing" (not an insult; "nothing" in the sense that nothing really happens, i guess @_@ can't explain it) our uni library has it. might check it out once the copy has been returned.

03-30-2011, 04:16 AM	#6
WilliamVitka Word Puncher Posts: 35 Karma: 40001 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New York City Device: Sony eReader, Kindle	I've been curious about this as well. My favorite authors are Richard Matheson, Philip Dick, Harlan Ellison, Stephen King and HP Lovecraft to give you an idea about my habits. I am very open to vampire fiction, but I'm hesitant to invest time in Twilight. Would someone like me enjoy it?

03-30-2011, 04:43 AM	#7
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	i did like Anne Rice's vampire books, but mostly because i was rooting for lestat/louis i'm not very good at recommending stuff for others, so i'll pass you on to the next commenter here

03-30-2011, 07:54 AM	#13
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	i have the strangest mannerisms when i read. i get all smiley and stuff.

03-30-2011, 08:30 AM	#14
Hamlet53 Nameless Being	This is quite the coincidence. I have been thinking that I should try reading at least the first in this series of novels. I have in the past been dismissive of these books due to guilt by association. The primary fan base is teenage girls, not a good sign for reading material suitable for a 57 year old man. I assumed the primary draw for the young ladies was the presence of a fantasy I believe all girls of that age hold; the myth of the good bad-boy. I really should at least give the first book a try. Books about nothing can be good; especially since it would be almost impossible to truly write about nothing. On the other hand there is a movie isn't there? Can Twilight be read in under four hours?

03-30-2011, 01:56 PM	#15
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Lots of women I know recommended the series to me so I gritted my teeth and read 'em. I must not be a fan of romance. My take was mediocre, call it 3 out of 5 stars. I was unhappy with the author in many places but she strung together a decent tale. Sparkly vampires? Ugh. Girl who can't make up her mind? Ugh.

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