Anyone NOT like Twilight? (no spoilers)

UBMyBaby

I just finished it, finally.  Normally I race through a book but I just couldn't get past the writing.  Seriously, if I had to read one more "smoldering" eye or "incredulous" glance description, I was going to heave the book into the snowbank out my door. 

I really think I'm alone in this though.  I get that the story is appealing, but when I finished it, I was really wondering what it is that made this book so popular.  It didn't read like a high school level book to me, either...more like 7th or 8th grade.  Anyone else?

DevonPow

I was obsessed but thought they were atrociously written, and I hid them on the subway when I read them - lol.

The 4th book blew.

DandelionMom

The hissing and snarling was what got to me. ?I roll my eyes a lot while reading them (but I still lurve them). ?

UGAbride

I don't think they are written on a high school *reading* level...just supposed to APPEAL to them   I certaintly read more high-brow stuff at that age, but the book definitely hits on all that first love emotion that most of us go through in high school...god, I feel old!!

But no, can't agree with you on not liking Twilight, I am obsessed

millerbabe

I'm addicted... on the third book now, but I do have to agree with you on the writing.

*Scuzzlebutt*

I did enjoy the books but I didn't for a minute think they were anything but teen lit.  I don't think they'll replace Shakespeare one day or anything

UBMyBaby

Glad I wasn't the only one that hid it!  I didn't take it to a dr's office because I was embarrassed!   

 

cristiana

UGAbride:

I don't think they are written on a high school *reading* level...just supposed to APPEAL to them   I certaintly read more high-brow stuff at that age, but the book definitely hits on all that first love emotion that most of us go through in high school...god, I feel old!!

But no, can't agree with you on not liking Twilight, I am obsessed

 

Ditto. Including the obsessed part. 

TheNextWest

I haven't read the books or seen the movie and have no interest in doing so. I don't know- just doesn't appeal to me at all.

magnoliablossom

Yes.  I didn't like the way it was written and some of the characters. 

It was fun to read, but not a good read.  I haven't missed it since I finished. 

I really don't get the fascination that some people have towards it and the characters.  I in fact, love what Roger Ebert wrote about it and it made a ton of sense. This is from his movie review:

Should a woman fall in love with a man because he desires her so much? Men seem to think so. It's not about the woman, it's about the man's desire. We all know there is no such thing as a vampire. Come on now, what is "Twilight" really about? It's about a teenage boy trying to practice abstinence, and how, in the heat of the moment, it's really, really hard. And about a girl who wants to go all the way with him, and doesn't care what might happen. He's so beautiful she would do anything for him. She is the embodiment of the sentiment, "I'd die for you." She is, like many adolescents, a thanatophile.

If there were no vampires in "Twilight," it would be a thin-blooded teenage romance, about two good-looking kids who want each other so much because they want each other so much. Sometimes that's all it's about, isn't it? They're in love with being in love. In "Twilight," however, they have a seductive disagreement about whether he should kill her. She's like, I don't especially want to die, but if that's what it takes, count me in. She is touched by his devotion. Think what a sacrifice he is making on her behalf.

EliseB0323

I have kind of mixed thoughts on them. I thought they were pretty badly written overall, and horribly edited, but I was still entertained for the most part. The big action scenes in each book were pretty good and there were a couple of scenes in the series that I thought were exceptionally well done as far as character development.

I had some real problems on the messages these books send to teenagers though as far as things like suicide and self worth. I can understand why the books are so popular with teens, but honestly don't get the obsession by older women.

eclaires

Well I loved them all.  Like LOVED.

But, while I will read biographies of Supreme Court justices and other much more high brow books, like say, Anna Karenina, I also adore smutty romance novels.  Danielle Steel, bring it on.  Judith McNaught, oh yes.

I do think they were pretty poorly written, but I enjoyed the story enough regardless. 

I have to say, as much as I think they were poorly written, the actual vampire stuff of the book is pretty imaginative - I have to give props to SM for that.  New twist on an old theme (first love and all that).

eclaires

EliseB0323:

I have kind of mixed thoughts on them. I thought they were pretty badly written overall, and horribly edited, but I was still entertained for the most part. The big action scenes in each book were pretty good and there were a couple of scenes in the series that I thought were exceptionally well done as far as character development.

I had some real problems on the messages these books send to teenagers though as far as things like suicide and self worth. I can understand why the books are so popular with teens, but honestly don't get the obsession by older women.

For me, personally, since I read a lot of romance novels, the theme is pretty similar to most of those, which is why I initially read it.  As far as obsession, it's "my brand of heroin."  LOL LOL LOL!  I crack myself up...

Seriously, I can't believe I am admitting this, but I love these books like I love some of my favorite romance authors' books/couples.  Plus like I stated before, I thought the story was pretty imaginative.  It's not much different for me than when I read Paradise by Judith McNaught.  The obsession is easier though, because there's movies, too.

pincushions

eclaires:

Well I loved them all.  Like LOVED.

I do think they were pretty poorly written, but I enjoyed the story enough regardless. 

I have to say, as much as I think they were poorly written, the actual vampire stuff of the book is pretty imaginative - I have to give props to SM for that.  New twist on an old theme (first love and all that).

okay so what if I waited for ever to read BD.. I finished it in one day. Now I am complete.

eclaires

YAY pin!

Did you like it?  I actually did.   

UBMyBaby

Yes, I think the poor editing and writing distracted me from enjoying the book.  I knew they were for young readers but I really expected something spectacular from the way that adults were talking about them. 

Kids typically read up by two grades, so really, if this was aimed to entertain a high school audience, it was below par I think.  I can see how middle schoolers would love it.  

I can read smut and beachy chic lit, but this one just wasn't for me.  I'm still surprised that they got so big despite the writing.  Oh well..on to something else!

cristiana

It's kind of like The Da Vinci Code...I felt it was poorly written, but the storyline was so fascinating, that it didn't bother me. I can ignore the writing in favor of enjoying the plot.

leiann2003

TheNextWest:

I haven't read the books or seen the movie and have no interest in doing so. I don't know- just doesn't appeal to me at all.

 

Ditto.

pincushions

It's kind of like The Da Vinci Code...I felt it was poorly written, but the storyline was so fascinating, that it didn't bother me. I can ignore the writing in favor of enjoying the plot.

 

yet another reason I love you cristiana!

eclaires

cristiana:

It's kind of like The Da Vinci Code...I felt it was poorly written, but the storyline was so fascinating, that it didn't bother me. I can ignore the writing in favor of enjoying the plot.

Exactly.  I've come to the realization that I can ignore a lot of bad writing if I'm interested in the storyline.

And well, throw a little romance in, and I'm sunk.

I've been reading these thriller books by Steve Berry, and while I am not convinced the writing is great, I thoroughly enjoy the storyline.  I think that's why I liked Twilight so much - I enjoyed the romance plus the twist of the whole vampire thing.  Usually vampires are so not my thing.  I hate fantasy type books most of the time.

cristiana

pincushions:

It's kind of like The Da Vinci Code...I felt it was poorly written, but the storyline was so fascinating, that it didn't bother me. I can ignore the writing in favor of enjoying the plot.

 

yet another reason I love you cristiana!

 

Muah!

Chrisy-Wyobride

I made it through but barely...I did not like it at all, in fact I said almost everyday to my DH that I just didn't get why so many people liked it--the writing was bad & I thought the story was mediocre at best...I am not in tune w/ pop culture I guess.