Let's go over the good points first before I rip this novel apart.
GOOD
I want to read the next book, New Moon. I can;t believe it either. I also want to watch the movie now. For some reason I want to know what happens next I think. I don;t know if it's a very good marketing program that has been drilling in my head that I NEED to read the next book to be cool. Or if I really do want to read more of Meyers' work. I am curious to see if the movie is anything like the book.
I can see why teens and pre-tees would want to read this. It has a pretty accurate mindset for a teenager. Kind of awkward, indecisive, easily emotional, etc. The general teenage mind. So I can see how teens can relate.
The author does do a good job of creating a very west coast atmosphere/feel. I felt coolder and gloomy throughout the whole book. I've never been to the Northwest of the country but I imagine this is how it would look.
Now, why do I hate this book and think it's over hyped ?
POOR
I think it could be better written to be so highly praised. Times best seller? Right. Skip the small spelling mistakes and the grammar/ occasional awkward sentence structure. The font is too big and the books could all be half the size they are. But those are small points. People will buy stuff for all kinds of reasons. Teens have heaps of disposable income. Hype usually begets more hype.
But the actual main characters aren't very interesting. Bella, the female lead is whiny, kind of flat, and too awe struck with infatuation to be realistic. Every other page she is swooning and sweating and going into chills at the mere thought of being near Edward, the male lead. She literally almost faints because he holds her.
This is a Victorian Era novel. It's hard to take a girl serious who can't breathe right everytime she sees, thinks, or hears the name of some kid...even before they speak.The chemistry between the leads seems unfounded. They're heavy, heavy, love for each other seems to come out of nowhere. They're talking about loving each other forever half way through the book. What? She can't be away from him? She's deeply depressed from the thought of being away from him for a night? What did she do before meeting him? What?
Edward is a little abusive....He seems bipolar. He'll yell at her one moment and be smirking the next. I'm sure tons of teen relationships (and adult ones) are a bit of a rollercoaster and can seem a bit rocky. But not every time they meet. He is flipping out on her every time they meet because she asks one thing or he can;t read her on some emotional thing and then he'll be grabbing her and throwing her into cars or something. That's a bit alarming.
I can;t believe that I'm being "that guy" and writing about this but it's been bugging me. I still have to read the epilogue and I guess watch the movie. But.....damn. The hype needs to relax. I was a little disappointed.
But at least the kids are reading right?
Even if they could do better.
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