Twilight

I'm too lazy or I'd post a picture of the book jacket so those of you that don't know of the book will know what I'm talking about. Twilight is the book written by that BYU grad that has sold millions of copies. Have you read the book? I am in the process of reading it. My sister told me she loved them, along with many other people. I had heard that the book was selling as well or better than Harry Potter. What? So, I thought I better read the book. I really dislike it. I don't know if I will even finish it, which is almost unheard of for me unless it's a trashy book. I can't stand the cheesy and unrealistic dialogue. It's weird to me that some vampire that is hundreds of years old could fall in love with a 17 year old high school student. The girl acts and talks like she is much older than 17. Does the author know what 17 year olds talk like? The characters use words like "shall" all the time. I understand the vampire using those words if he is hundreds of years old but not the 17 year old. I also feel like the dialogue is forced and the joking between the two is totally unnatural. The other thing I dislike is the romance. I am all for a great romance. I just don't like cheese. I don't know, maybe I'm not romantic. It just seems so dramatic to me.

I'm sure there are thousands of women, including my teenage sister, that will be upset that I don't like the book. Maybe I'll finish it and it will get better. I'm more than halfway through and bored out of my mind and annoyed by it. I have heard it gets better at the end and the other books are better too. I just really don't see myself getting that far.

On another book topic, has anyone read Mansfield park? I really liked the movie but didn't like that book either.

Comments

Cali said…
I agree with you! I thought that the book was such a disappointment--it was painfully obvious that this was her first novel.

The second novel, brace yourself, is even WORSE. I refuse to read the third, I wasted more than enough time on the first two. The plot is under-developed, and the characters are unrealistic. Yes, it does get exciting at the end, but are the previous hundreds of pages worth the 20 pages of excitement you find at the end? (Which really aren't that exciting, either.)

Anyway--dumbest books I've ever read. And, I really can't understand why ANYBODY likes them. I hope nobody hunts me down after my commentary. But, trust me, don't waste your time. Unless, of course, you want even more to criticize! (The second book's dialogue is horrible. NOBODY thinks or behaves in such an irrational manner as she does in the second novel).

I didn't like Mansfield Park, either. But the movie was good? Perhaps we'll have to have a girls night while I'm in UT and check it out!
Pitcher Family said…
I just go the book at the library last week, but haven't started it. I am curious now, as I've had many people recommend the book. I have heard that you either love it or hate, so I'll let you know when I get to it.
Jess and Jason said…
If you don't like it, stop reading it. It is not going to change. It stays the same all the way through. And is not worth wasting your time on.

I loved it. But I love false perfect romance books where everything works out in the end. I love the sickly sweet love stories. I am actually am reading it to Jason now.
Rachel said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachel said…
Sorry - my previous comment got erased. Anyway. . . I've heard both sides of the Twilight books: those that LOVE the books and are a part of the "Edwards Fan Club," and those that think it's cheesy. I haven't read them because I am not one to read something because "everyone's reading it." Now I think I will definitely not read it. I had a friend who said she chucked it across the room because it was so cheesy. Sounds like others might feel the same. Also, it for sure hasn't sold as many copies as Harry Potter and probably no book will in a while.
Marcy said…
I am thoroughly entertained by all 3 Twilight books. I can handle my cheese. And Mansfield Park is one of my faves--I read it in a BYU class and have read it multiple times since. I own the movie edited--excellent!

Different personalities, I guess. I didn't like the Confessions of an Ugly Step-sister much at all. I know that's one of your favorites, right?
Cali, I'm glad you agree with me. After reading your comment I have decided not to finish it. I liked Mansfield Park in the movie but you should note that there is still the part where the two are caught together (unlike the book where it just shows that they ran away together).

Mandy, I would say get the book and read it and if you start feeling like me, stop reading! But who knows, maybe you will be like Jessica and love it.

Jessie, I'm glad you liked the book. You are among thousands of people who do.

Rachel, "Edwards Fan Club," that is ridiculous. I'm glad to hear it hasn't sold as well as Harry Potter. I'm interested to know why people love the book. Really, I'd like to hear what they like about it.

Marcy, we DO have different opinions about books. I like romance and even some cheese but the book just seems so unrealistic to me and so forced and so unncecessarily dramatic. You don't have to be so dramatic to have romance. I was thinking as I read the book that it was perfect for a 17 year old and I'm sure I would've liked it in high school. I hope you and Jessie don't take that the wrong way, I'm not saying you are like 17 year olds.

The "ugly" book I liked alot. I remember thinkig at first that it was weird and not sure if I liked it but at the end, I really liked it. I think I just really like books that have well developed characters. I think if I read a book with unrealistic dialogue it distracts from the story and it makes it all seem fake to me. I didn't feel that with Harry Potter even though the story is obviously fictious. Does that make sense? My issue with this book isn't all the cheese. It is just annoying to me.

Mansfield Park I didn't like because the love interest seemed like an idiot to me. I didn't think his character or the main character were very developed either. I couldn't get a feel for what they were really like. All the other characters were discussed so much more in the book that it was strange to me to not get a real feeling for the main characters. I also thought it was silly that he just suddenly went from being in love with someone else to her without a lot of explanation. The movie, which obviously took some liberties helped me like the two main characters much better and explained things for me better.

Anyway, it is interesting to hear different sides and to know we can all have our opinions. I am interested to know why you liked them both.
Marcy said…
I got this off a website:

"The Twilight Saga (meaning three books) has just knocked Harry Potter (meaning seven books) off the number one perch on the New York Times Bestseller list. No book other than Twilight has managed to do this so quickly.

Again, we mean no disrespect to JK Rowling and her series (Frankly we think you can enjoy both series,it’s not an either/or type of deal.), but this is quite an accomplishment."

It's good to share opinions. I wish I were more articulate or better at understanding why I like some books and not others. I can't always say why. But I know what I like when I finish a book!
Marcy said…
Oh, and the Mansfield Park movie adds in at least 2 other inappropriate nuances that aren't in the book. That's why I bought mine edited. I love the movie without those parts.

So, Cali and Adrianne, you can borrow my copy when you're out my way...
Hmmm, I think I remember one other inappropriate part. I didn't know they had an edited version. I would love to see that one. Cali, try and find that one.
Matt said…
Thank You! Everyone I know has been raving about this book. I seriously have 20-30 year old neighbors that have a crush on Edward. What? All I could think about was pedifile...a 100+ year old with a 17 year old? Gross. Anyway, I read the first two and decided not to read that last one. I felt like it was all just a little silly. I have no problem with others liking them. They just weren't for me.

Also, just wanted you to know I was praying for you after I read Mike's post. I really don't know how you do it. I really admire you and I think you are amazing. Hopefully someday you will look back on these memories and laugh...or at least not cry? :) I'm so glad Mike is back. I've been thinking about you a lot. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. You deserve it!
Matt said…
BTW, I hope Mike is getting you something REALLY good for Christmas!!
Papa Doc said…
I have to add my comments to this. I love to read. It's my favorite pasttime so when my daughters (Adrianne's sisters) were so nuts over this book, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I thought it was very poorly written. How many times can a girl describe the luminous skin of her lover/vampire? So who cares?! Of all the wonderful things to learn and read, this is NOT one of them, in my opinion. Of course, I would rather trash one of Anita Stansfield's books than look at them so I'm pretty particular about what I read.
I simply cannot believe that this book has replaced Harry Potter. The descriptions were unrealistic and I had a hard time visualizing some of what she was trying to describe - unlike so much of Harry Potter. I could visualize all of those books in my mind.
I wouldn't even use the word "cheesy" to describe. But I am more than happy to allow everybody their opinions. My other daughters loved it and that's perfectly fine with me. I started book 2 to see if it got any better. I read one chapter and put it down for good. I did not finish it.
Mom Clark.
First of all, I'm amazed at how quickly the comments poured in on this post. I have not read, or even heard very much at all about these books but after reading such strong feelings I feel obliged to find out for myself. Like Mandy, I'll try to let you know after I try it. I'm a reading addict and while years ago I couldn't have, can almost always say why a certain book really appeals to me or not. If your currently looking for authors who develop their characters very well, I feel that the following do a wonderful job: Robert Jordan, Dave Duncan, Terry Goodkind(a strong stomach needed), David Eddings, and Robin Hobb.
Jess and Jen said…
I read that first one and was totally disappointed in it, I stopped reading it for awhile, then picked it back up again. I can handle that it is not realistic in that there are vampires...but it was the unrealistic dialogue, emotions, etc that really drove me crazy. I agree that it was so poorly written...the typos drove me crazy...didn't they have an editor? Like your mom, I couldn't believe how many times they described his skin in the exact same way. I also couldn't understand why Bella liked Edward.

I did read the next two books because I had already started the story and just wanted to know what happened. I liked the second one much better. I don't really care for the character of Bella. By the end of the third book I did like Edward a lot more, but I think Jacob is my favorite character. I will read the next one when I comes out...I can't start a story and not finish it.
Jess and Jen said…
That last comment was my wife...not me. I was hoping Adrianne would post a new comment so I could be involved.

I've never read a book. I missed that part of education in Spanish Fork (did they include that in the curriculum?) --Jess
Steff, Thanks for the prayers. I think all the prayers were what made a difference. Now that it is over and we are in a warm house again it's like it never happened.

Andy, we read your Redwall book and a few of the series after and then stopped. We really enjoyed them.

Mom, I got my love of reading from you. I remember stealing your mystery books and reading them. Good memories.

Jen, what books are you reading now? I'm glad most people feel the same way as me about this book. I couldn't understand why she liked Edward either. It seemed like the only reason was that he was mysterious and cute.

Jess, I don't doubt you never read a book--that's probably why you don't know any big words. Actually, do you remember when you wrote that letter to Jennifer Newcomber and she was like, "He is being so rude. Why does he have to use such big words?" Not to knock Spanish Fork but I had to read books in 11th grade I was already required to read in 8th grade in Indiana.
Pitcher Family said…
I know it's been a while since this conversation ended, but I finally got and read the book. I have to say: I really like it. I read it in 2 days and the second one in three days. I'm getting the third from a friend tomorrow. I read to escape, not to learn or analyze or be enlightened, just to get away from the everyday. I need something simple and entertaining that keeps me interested. These books do that for me. Maybe that makes me simple, and that's ok!
Marcy said…
Amen to trashing Anita Stansfield's books.

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