BOOKS: Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

[yellowbird]

Thanks for asking her. I appreciate her opinion!

 

[mdr]

My daughter is reading the books by Stephanie Meyers. Does any one know anything about these? Are the okay for teens to be reading?

blaiseormary, I read the book after my 13yo daughter read it. She had borrowed it from a classmate without my having had the chance to check it out beforehand.

Since she was so interested, I have been reading the books along with her. They have provoked some interesting discussions between us, and she is pondering some good questions.

What I have found is that the Twilight series, while acknowledging that the characters experience desire, is a good example of restraint. There are practical limitations to what the protagonists can do: if a kiss grows too intense, the vampire must (and does) stop it before he loses control, because his superhuman strength could cause him to injure or even kill her unintentionally. They must content themselves with cuddling and nuzzling, plus a few kisses.

In a refreshing turnabout, their respective backgrounds make the young man the one seeking limits and restraint and the young woman (who turns 18 in the 2nd book) wanting to go further. Since the vampire boyfriend was reared in the early 1900’s, he is the one who insists that they wait until they are married before attempting to consummate their relationship and to transform the human girl into a vampire (a separate process). While he fears that his own soul was destroyed when he became a vampire, he will not compromise on damaging the intact soul of his beloved.

Another note about the vampires portrayed by this series: while vampires are mostly creatures of nightmare, the group to which the protagonist belongs survive on animal blood only, which requires enormous restraint of their instincts. Other vampires they encounter are surprised and puzzled by the “quaint” morality of the “vegetarians.”

It’s every parent’s decision to make for his or her own children, of course. I do try to read a book before I allow or forbid it, and I try to use an extremely light hand in forbidding books. I stood firm about Philip Pullman, of course, and explained just why I would not buy them nor give my children money for them, so that they would also know not to borrow them from a library or a friend. I always try to explain what my objections are, in ways that suit their understanding, and so far none seem to be rebelling or trying to sneak.

My opinion of the Twilight series is generally positive. In a world awash with voices insisting that teens cannot control their urges and so must be given condoms and pills and whatnot without their parents’ knowledge or consent, it is very refreshing to see popular fictional characters restraining themselves. I have discussed this aspect of popular culture with my DD a few times, especially when her science class covered the anatomy and physiology of reproduction. So far, she agrees that it is insulting to her intelligence and strength of will for society to assume that teens cannot restrain themselves. It’s nice to see a depiction of restraint in the face of intense desire.

Yes, the human girl does eventually decide to marry her beloved before they try to go farther than kissing. Before she is able to tell him so, he says that he will give in to her request not to wait, and she stops him and tells him she won’t let him jeopardize his soul: a good example of a couple being strong for one another.

While I’m not so thrilled by the sensuality (frankly, I find the protagonists’ attraction to one another’s scents - not perfume but personal scent - a more primal depiction of desire than more explicit material would be), it’s good IMO to acknowledge that these feelings can be so strong. I would not want my daughter to dismiss their potential power and one day be surprised and overwhelmed because she had never taken them seriously. I would rather she arm herself with the knowledge that human sexuality is a gift and a powerful force and must be treated with respect. If she can understand on an intellectual level that desire is a primal force, she will be better prepared to keep her wits about her when she eventually experiences it.

Sorry to be so long-winded-

Peace-
-mdr

 

[mdr]

True. However, he is willing to give up his virtue and hers at the end of book 3 regardless if that is all he has left.

She finally changes her mind to wait at the end of book 3. Redeeming on her part, yes.

I have to admit, it’s been awhile since I’ve read a book with vampires! And Meyer is really good inserting humor EVERYWHERE in her series.

Ah well, I just thought that was an example of a couple taking turns being the strong one. My husband and I have a rule that only one of us can fall apart at a time.

I’ve been reading these since my 13yo daughter borrowed the 1st one and got interested in them. Since I hadn’t pre-read it, I wanted to at least read them with her or almost at the same time.

It’s very refreshing to me to see popular fiction that illustrates both intense desire and restraint. There are so many voices telling teens that they can’t possibly control themselves so why bother trying. I’m glad that it acknowledges the power of the protagonists’ feelings as well as their restraint: forewarned is forearmed, and my dd so far is dismissive of her “boy-crazy” peers. I wouldn’t want her to underestimate the potential force of such feelings and one day be overwhelmed and unable to keep her wits about her.

Good point about the depression in the 2nd book.

-mdr

 

[blaiseormary]

Thank you so much for your wise words. This was actually part of my daughters argument for being allowed to read the books. She is a very disciplined girl and has a good sense of morality. May God bless your day and your beautiful relationship with your daughter.

 

[mdr]

Thank you so much for your kind response!

I do have an update and a caveat after finishing the fourth book.

(SPOILER ALERT)

Since the characters marry near the beginning of the book, and the narration is first-person and mostly from the bride’s perspective, there’s a lot more ink about physical encounters in this book. Meyer handles it discreetly, though, with the narration stopping at the serious kissing and resuming the morning after. My daughter found the honeymoonish parts boring, but a somewhat more aware teen might not. For example, sunrise found the characters in a pile of feathers because the bridegroom bit a couple of pillows to pieces during the wedding night.

There are frequent references to the intensity of their experiences, though again they are discreet enough for the younger teen either to classify as “blah, blah, blah” or to be grossed out by the lovey-doveyness. There is also good-humored though annoying ribbing from the brothers-in-law about the preoccupations of newlyweds and how long it had taken for the older couples to settle down from their honeymoon phases.

There is also an emergency childbirth scene that might be frightening or upsetting even to a teen, preceded by some desperate ideas about saving the life of the mother. That utter desperation leads a character to suggest a morally objectionable course of action, showing that he would do absolutely anything within his power to keep his beloved safe and happy. Fortunately, his suggestion is rejected by cooler heads.

On the plus side, the bride overcomes her fears and prejudices to find that she is thrilled to be married to her beloved. There is a good illustration of the mother-child bond, also, and a mother’s willingness to sacrifice herself that her child might live. Actually, a number of characters prove willing to sacrifice themselves either for a greater good, for right vs. wrong, or for the sake of their adopted brothers.

All this makes me urge parents even more strongly to read for themselves before making a decision yea or nay, since they’re the best judges of their children’s formation and maturity. The books are definitely not for everyone, though I did enjoy them and found them to be fine for my oldest.

God bless you and your family, whatever you decide. Hope I haven’t spoiled too much of the plot, should you decide to read them.

Peace-
-mdr

 

[cathgal]

There will be a movie on Twilight, coming out late in the year.

 

[AmyS]

I have read them and I am reading them with my 13 year old right now. I love the books. I think that they are actually pretty moral. I have used different parts of it to discuss relationships with my daughter. Overall, we focus on the fact that this is fantasy, but there is nothing wrong with having high expectations. I love the fact that they wait until marriage to have sex, and they explain why.

SPOLIER!

mdr - mentioned the mother child bond. Well, it was pretty pro-life to my daughter and I from the first moment Bella found out she was pregnant.

 

[AmyS]

Ah well, I just thought that was an example of a couple taking turns being the strong one. My husband and I have a rule that only one of us can fall apart at a time.

I’ve been reading these since my 13yo daughter borrowed the 1st one and got interested in them. Since I hadn’t pre-read it, I wanted to at least read them with her or almost at the same time.

It’s very refreshing to me to see popular fiction that illustrates both intense desire and restraint. There are so many voices telling teens that they can’t possibly control themselves so why bother trying. I’m glad that it acknowledges the power of the protagonists’ feelings as well as their restraint: forewarned is forearmed, and my dd so far is dismissive of her “boy-crazy” peers. I wouldn’t want her to underestimate the potential force of such feelings and one day be overwhelmed and unable to keep her wits about her.

Good point about the depression in the 2nd book.

-mdr

I couldn’t agree with you more, and, i have one of those not “boy-crazy” 13 year old daughters too. Thank you God! I have really enjoyed reading these books. I read the first three once, then read them outloud to my daughter. We have had some GREAT conversations because of these books, and I have been so moved by how much she really gets it.

In regards to the OP, the vampires in this book are not “vampires” in the traditional since (well there are a few of them). I loved the conversation Bella had with Carlise when he said he was living his life in a way that if there was a chance his soul could get to heaven God would look at the way he lived the life he had. Wow, I thought, how great it is to be delt a harsh blow, and try to be a better person, well vampire in their case.

In regards, to the pre-marital sex… Well, when you do choose to wait, it is a strugle. There are human urges, and you have to stop yourself. Now, Edwards urge is a least as strong because his urge is to kill her.

Okay, one more thing, with the depression… I can relate a little. First of all, what she felt and what she does is not entirely the same. I think the majority of people have been that down before. When she jumps off the cliff, dying was not her intention, that is even addressed in the book. She was trying to live, but, not always making the best decisions in the process. When I broke up with my first boyfriend I stopped eating. Not because I wanted to die, but, because I was heartbroken (and not hungry). I lost so much weight that my mother took me to the doctor. The thing is it was a point where I began to wake up. In New Moon, you see Bella doing this too. That is how grieveing works. It isn’t one day I am sad, the next day I am happy, it is a process. And, it hurts like heck a lot of the time. Soooo, it all needs to be kept in perspective.

Stephenie Meyer is a great writter with morals and values. I am glad that even in a FANTASY she keeps morals a part of her books.

 

[Baptista]

If anyone wants to see what teens and pre-teens think of these books go to the Charlie Bone Forum and then the sub forums of “The Kings Room”, next sub forum is “Ingledew’s Bookshop”. There is a thread dealing with these books. Something I naturally did not know, not having read them, is that jealousy plays a big part in the relationship, and some of the kids have a problem with this, as in it’s a sign of a possibly abusive relationship. Others it doesn’t bother. But if you are concerned, I would check it out here.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to post a link here, so if you type in

www.charlie-bone.com/forum/index.php

it will take you to the home page. Ok, seems the link does work. Just click on it, and go to the sub-forum I mentioned.

 

[AmyS]

If anyone wants to see what teens and pre-teens think of these books go to the Charlie Bone Forum and then the sub forums of “The Kings Room”, next sub forum is “Ingledew’s Bookshop”. There is a thread dealing with these books. Something I naturally did not know, not having read them, is that jealousy plays a big part in the relationship, and some of the kids have a problem with this, as in it’s a sign of a possibly abusive relationship. Others it doesn’t bother. But if you are concerned, I would check it out here.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to post a link here, so if you type in

www.charlie-bone.com/forum/index.php

it will take you to the home page. Ok, seems the link does work. Just click on it, and go to the sub-forum I mentioned.

I won’t read the thread yet, because I haven’t finished the 4th book, and I don’t want to see any spoilers. But, I think it is good that they are discussing the issues. I work with victims of crime, there wasn’t an abusive relationship in the book. The relationships were filled with emotions. Yes there is jealousy. Yes there is mistakes that people make. Yes there are times when people act on their emotons in the book instead with their brains. That is actuallity a bit of reality, in a fictional book.

My friend she told me yesterday that she was afraid to start reading the books because she heard the fans are now like a cult. All I could think was, don’t be ridicolus.

 

[child_of_God85]

I first heard of the series when the teaser trailer for the movie came out. I was not going to even bother reading them because I figured they were just silly teen books.
I finally caved and borrowed the first book from the library. I enjoy vampire books, so i got curious. I’m still reading it, but am surpiresed that I actually like it. While it’s not great literature, it is much better written than I would have thought for a young adult book.
I’m 23 by the way, and very grounded in my faith.

 

[mdr]

I couldn’t agree with you more, and, i have one of those not “boy-crazy” 13 year old daughters too. Thank you God! I have really enjoyed reading these books. I read the first three once, then read them outloud to my daughter. We have had some GREAT conversations because of these books, and I have been so moved by how much she really gets it.

In regards to the OP, the vampires in this book are not “vampires” in the traditional since (well there are a few of them). I loved the conversation Bella had with Carlise when he said he was living his life in a way that if there was a chance his soul could get to heaven God would look at the way he lived the life he had. Wow, I thought, how great it is to be delt a harsh blow, and try to be a better person, well vampire in their case.

In regards, to the pre-marital sex… Well, when you do choose to wait, it is a strugle. There are human urges, and you have to stop yourself. Now, Edwards urge is a least as strong because his urge is to kill her.

Okay, one more thing, with the depression… I can relate a little. First of all, what she felt and what she does is not entirely the same. I think the majority of people have been that down before. When she jumps off the cliff, dying was not her intention, that is even addressed in the book. She was trying to live, but, not always making the best decisions in the process. When I broke up with my first boyfriend I stopped eating. Not because I wanted to die, but, because I was heartbroken (and not hungry). I lost so much weight that my mother took me to the doctor. The thing is it was a point where I began to wake up. In New Moon, you see Bella doing this too. That is how grieveing works. It isn’t one day I am sad, the next day I am happy, it is a process. And, it hurts like heck a lot of the time. Soooo, it all needs to be kept in perspective.

Stephenie Meyer is a great writter with morals and values. I am glad that even in a FANTASY she keeps morals a part of her books.

I’m fine with the emotional realism in the books, too. I had just wanted to point out that what’s suitable for one teen will be problematic for another, and that parents should check it out for themselves before deciding. They know what their kids can and cannot handle.

It’s a great relief to have a non-boy-crazy daughter! Not that she hasn’t had a crush now and then, just that the extent of her crushes is daydreaming and pretend-casual phone calls, all undeclared. We’re blessed that she seems to be developing decent judgment and sense. Hope the younger ones do the same!

Yeah, I’ll probably take her to see the movie, and I’m sure we’ll enjoy it.

It’s so hard with the oldest child, gauging where to draw the lines, where to let go, where to push a little, where to rein in. Poor girl, she’s seeing her 11yo sister reap the benefits that she wished she could have had! Guess that’s how it always is, though.

Peace-
-mdr

 

[AmberDale]

Breaking Dawn (last book) was GREAT! I loved it

These books may be in the YA section, but Stephenie Meyer herself said she didn’t set out to write books for Young Adult people. She wrote it for herself formost. And she’s in her 30’s

 

[Baptista]

I won’t read the thread yet, because I haven’t finished the 4th book, and I don’t want to see any spoilers. But, I think it is good that they are discussing the issues. I work with victims of crime, there wasn’t an abusive relationship in the book. The relationships were filled with emotions. Yes there is jealousy. Yes there is mistakes that people make. Yes there are times when people act on their emotons in the book instead with their brains. That is actuallity a bit of reality, in a fictional book.

As I said, I myself have not read these books. I may one day. I posted the link for anyone who was concerned and wanted to see what the kids are saying. I did not say there were elements of an abusive relationship. It was what the thread was about. The ‘unhealthy relationship’ between the human girl and the vampire boy. And his jealousy. One person said that they’re taught that jealousy is one of the first signs of a possibly abusive relationship. And that is correct. I don’t know how far the books take it. I’m only posting this as information to help anyone who’s interested.

 

[AmyS]

As I said, I myself have not read these books. I may one day. I posted the link for anyone who was concerned and wanted to see what the kids are saying. I did not say there were elements of an abusive relationship. It was what the thread was about. The ‘unhealthy relationship’ between the human girl and the vampire boy. And his jealousy. One person said that they’re taught that jealousy is one of the first signs of a possibly abusive relationship. And that is correct. I don’t know how far the books take it. I’m only posting this as information to help anyone who’s interested.

It was just me giving my opinion, I really didn’t mean any offense. I did say I thought it was good that they were discussing those things. But, it is not what you think it is… He is not abusive. Just really stupid sometimes. I just love the books. They have really moved me.

 

[Baptista]

It was just me giving my opinion, I really didn’t mean any offense. I did say I thought it was good that they were discussing those things. But, it is not what you think it is… He is not abusive. Just really stupid sometimes. I just love the books. They have really moved me.

I didn’t take offense, Amy. In fact, I posted that clarification because I thought I might have offended you, and it was not my intention to offend anyone. Words can really have a life of their own on the internet, without the inflection of our voices.

As I said, I may read these books myself one day. That Amazon review sounded a mite too sexy for young kids, but I’ll give it a chance. And what age does it say these books are for? Or doesn’t it say?

I still have a problem with the “erotic tension” when it comes to teens reading it. I’m not a prude, honest. I just remember, (yes, even after ALL these years LOL) what it was like to be a teen with those hormones popping all over the place.

 

[amorgan528]

I am a Catholic teenager and have read these books. I think if you are a teenager, these books are perfectly fine to read. The most they do in the first three books are kiss, even with that Stephenie Meyer doesn’t go into much detail. Since Stephenie Meyer herself doesn’t believe in sex before marriage, her characters won’t either.

 

[yellowbird]

I have read the first and 1/4 of the 2nd so far.

Does anyone think that Edward was sort of a jerk - or is it is me? I thought he was condescending to Bella (maybe because he has been around for a loooooooong time?) but even still, I found his personality sooooo unlikable. And Bella - I found her to be such a strong person - except when it came to him. I sort of felt like she let him decide everything. And he was so dismissive of HER feelings… (driving fast even though it freaked her out… just one example)

My teenager totally disagrees with me… but what else is new?

Just wondered what ya’ll thought?

 

[AmberDale]

yellowbird: So you will be Team Jacob then lol

I didn’t necessarily feel that way, but yes I can see where you say that. I really think Edward was doing what he thought (as a 108 year old vampire) was best (at the time) for Bella. Then in New Moon, in is quite said (I’m not giving spoilers)…

Me. I was Team Neutral, I would have been happy if she picked either boy.

 

[yellowbird]

yellowbird: So you will be Team Jacob then lol

I didn’t necessarily feel that way, but yes I can see where you say that. I really think Edward was doing what he thought (as a 108 year old vampire) was best (at the time) for Bella. Then in New Moon, in is quite said (I’m not giving spoilers)…

Me. I was Team Neutral, I would have been happy if she picked either boy.

Team Jacob - lol! I’m a bit farther into the 2nd book and I adore Jacob. I think he’s so sweet! When I told my daughter that she threatened to take the book from me. She really likes Edward and she said I was a “traitor!”