Ugh, I Had To Do It: Breaking Dawn Discussion
Little Yuzu is Done Reading
Breaking Dawn
Stephenie Meyer
Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series is one of those things with which I have a love-hate relationship. I do not like vampire fiction, TV shows or movies (save for Bram Stoker's Dracula because I loved Keanu back in the day). At the beginning of the year, I gravitated toward the teen vampire books because I needed something to fill the void that Harry Potter left. I had a hard time making it through the first chapters of Twilight, but quickly finished it and the two subsequent novels in a matter of days.
Now we finally have the last installment in our hands. I waited a few days to start reading Breaking Dawn and remained miraculously unspoiled. Now that I'm finished, I'm posting some thoughts to see if anyone on my Flist cares to discuss the ending of the Twilight saga with me.
This was my reaction through most of the book:
Note to filmmakers: do not turn this book into a movie.
I numbered my points below so you can respond to them easily. Let's get the discussion going! I've been waiting to talking about this with people, but it's too overwhelming in the LJ comms.
What I didn't like about the book:
1. No Edward POV? At first I was peeved that Jacob had his story to tell, but it really helped us get a different view of the situation. I wish we got Edward's POV too. It would've been dazzling. =P
2. Fade-to-black sex scenes. I can understand that, because it's a young adult book, there can't be graphic descriptions of the sex. But, dang, I was kind'a hoping for more than just the afterglow moments. I'm not saying I want to read smut that bad paperback romances are made of; it's just that I desired more than 'ooh, they're gonna do it!' and then 'okay, they're done doing it'.
3. Bella's a masochist? While I delighted in the fact that the couple gets to have a physical relationship while Bella's still human, it's sickening that she would endure physical pain just to get some from Edward. Horny teenager. Also, let me throw in that she's stupid for not keeping track of how many days since her period. Yes, you're on your honeymoon and can have sex all you want, but be responsible about it! Damn.
4. Edward's crazy request of Jacob. Stud services? Uhh, no. Edward Cullen, you are insane. You want to give your wife puppies just to make her happy? That is crossing the line, mister. No, it's so far past the line, you can't even see it - the line is a dot to you!
5. Graphic, bloody birthing scene. Eww. I wanted that part of the book to be over and done with. I like that we get it from Jacob's POV, because he views the whole scene the same way I would've - with absolute disgust and mortification.
6. The Loch Ness Monster. Possibly the weirdest plot twist in this book. I'm still not sure how I feel about the addition of a child to the Cullen family. It's like when sitcoms introduce a cute, young kid to the mix because ratings are low. But, I probably like her more than dislike her (see #19 below).
7. Jacob imprints...on an infant. Ugh, just when I thought Jacob couldn't get anymore dislikable. He goes and imprints on Bella's child. WTF?! After accepting that fact, however, I understood that it's because he loves Bella so much, he'd do anything to make her happy. And by imprinting on Nessie, he's vowing to protect her life at all costs. So this is actually something I like/dislike about the book (told you I had a love-hate relationship with the series!).
8. No Jacob/Leah ship. I honestly thought Leah and Jacob would hook up after their connection in this book. They really get to know each other and understand what each is going through. And all the playful teasing and insults...I just thought it was a great setup to an eventual match. But, damn, I was wrong.
9. How quickly Bella adjusts to vampire life. Perhaps a good explanation as to why she's instantly able to live on a 'vegetarian' diet like the rest of the Cullens is because she's had a while to mentally prepare for immortal life. But, c'mon, she doesn't even pounce anyone to try and eat them! What a letdown.
10. Beautiful, stunning, gorgeous, etc. I swear, if I heard one more time how freakin' dazzling Bella becomes as a vampire or how dazzling Edward still is, I was gonna throw the book across the room. We get it already!
11. Charlie's acceptance of Bella's new life. If my daughter left me to marry a vampire and become one herself...and spawn a half-vampire baby, I'd be ticked off! I could not believe how accepting Charlie is. He should've at least yelled at her, made her feel really bad, and then forgive her. Maybe Renesmee's existence is what makes it so easy for Charlie.
12. Alice and Jasper leave. It's not as sad as the HP trio splitting up, but it was still disappointing when Alice and Jasper leave in an instant. I knew it was for a good reason, but gosh...to have a family member leave without warning is so sad.
13. Anti-climactic confrontation with the Volturi. I'm sure most people, like me, were expecting an epic battle scene where the Cullens and their allies fight to protect the miracle child Renesmee.
14. Edward and Jacob are friends. What? Jacob playfully punches Edward? Edward calls Jacob "brother" and "son"? Didn't they spend an eternity fighting over Bella, and now they're BFFs? A part of me was happy that their conflict is resolved because it seems the natural progression given the book's events, but another part of me wishes Jacob would keep hating Edward. =P I guess he can torment Edward later on when he marries his daughter...lol.
What I did like about the book:
15. Bella & Edward get married and have sex...finally. They both keep their ends of the bargain, and it's dazzling, breathtaking, magnificent 'n' all that. And after Bella is transformed, she and Edward have crazy sex all night long, since they never sleep. I like that Edward doesn't have to hold back anymore.
16. The honeymoon. It just felt surreal. If I ever go on a honeymoon, that's sort of how I picture it to be...staying in bed all day, unaware of the passage of time in the outside world. Minus the broken furniture and surprise pregnancy, of course. =P
17. Apparently Edward can procreate. I don't know much about vampires, but I didn't know they could sperminate humans. So I found it kind'a cool that he knocked up Bella, even though she is way too young and immature to be a mother. So many people hate the whole pregnancy aspect of this book. Unplanned pregnancies shock people, but then you come to terms with it and care about it. That's how I felt about Bella's pregnancy. Once I got used to the idea and accepted it, I had no problem with it...unlike millions of fans.
18. Jacob's POV. Even though I couldn't stand Jacob in Eclipse, I appreciated his perspective in this book. We really got to see the thoughts of the werewolves, not just what Edward reads in their minds and says aloud for Bella to hear. And we get an honest view of the Cullen family unit (they're still perfect as hell) that isn't clouded by Bella's "I love vampires" attitude. And also, he actually feels bad for what Edward's going through. Win!
19. Renesmee. Although the name sucks (Bella should go with 'Carlie' instead), I can't help but like the darn kid. She's talented, affectionate and caring. Plus, I love when she refers to Bella and Edward as 'Momma' and 'Daddy'. Cute. I guess I'm just old and love babies. If I was a teen who doesn't like kids, I'd probably hate Renesmee's character.
20. Bella's character progression. Don't get me wrong, I still don't like Bella too much. But at least she matures a bit. Some might complain that Bella (and everyone else) is so out of character in this novel, but isn't that what happens in books? Characters change (cue those "A Baby Changes Everything" TV commercials). While I was a bit surprised by Meyer's introduction of teen pregnancy into her novel, it was interesting to see how becoming a mother changes Bella into someone more responsible who takes action to protect her loved ones instead of being the one needing protection. Which brings me to...
21. Bella's talent as a vampire. I knew that the fact Bella's thoughts are unreadable to Edward and all other gifted vampires would come into play here. Even if her skill isn't an offensive one, it's nice that she's able to use her 'blocking' ability to shield her side during the Volturi confrontation. The whole 'projecting' thing was interesting (albeit a little cheesy and lame), but Bella's able to serve a purpose for once.
22. The neatly tied-up ending. I don't care what people say, I thought the ending was good. I like happy endings, for the most part. Sure, Bella doesn't end up giving up anything after all (I mean, she keeps her human family, her BFF, is a kick-ass vampire and gets to have lots of sex with her hot husband). But this is fiction! Things can work out perfectly for made-up characters even if they don't happen that way IRL.
I liked this book more than hated it. I probably dislike New Moon the most...or maybe even Twilight, because Bella is unbelievably annoying in that one, and I got so sick of her descriptions of Edward's liquid topaz eyes and his dazzle-ness (although that doesn't really stop in the later books either). What I like about Breaking Dawn is the character development. Willingness to sacrifice for the sake of love, discovery of special powers unmentioned in previous books and, most importantly, the strong family ties that are built and become indestructible by the novel's end. Even though I never liked Bella as a character, it was nice seeing our protagonist finally content, and those around her happy as well. I liked seeing Edward relieved, and not always worried and stressed out (plus he's cute as hell as a father). I liked that Jacob became a character I don't hate so much now. And also...I'm glad that Meyer was able to convey that Edward and Bella had mad, crazy sex without being explicit about it (leave that to the fanfic writers).
In Twilight, I didn't fall for the "irrevocable" love Bella and Edward suddenly have for one another. One minute they're strangers in a classroom, and the next, they're vowing their love. PLEASE. But, despite the nonsense of their love, I accepted it. After all, it's a book, and I can't take it too seriously. Once I accepted the fact that they're in love with each other, I rooted for them to be together forever. And that's what they get in Breaking Dawn. Meyer really had her hands tied with finishing up the series. She can't please everyone, but I am dismayed at the fans who say Meyer is dead to them, or this is not how the characters are supposed end up. She's their creator and can do whatever she wants with them.
Breaking Dawn may be classified as young adult fiction, but it feels different from the previous three books in that it deals more with adult subject matter. Getting married, consummating the marriage, carrying a baby to full term, becoming a parent, protecting your family...these aren't exactly issues that teens need to be concerned with, IMO. So I think fans who love Twilight might be disappointed in this final installment. But whatever, I'm an adult, so I thought it was okay.
And now I will leave you with a funny link I found. Since we never get Edward's POV in any of the books, check out this hilarious spoof that recaps the whole novel from Edward's perspective, complete with facial expressions from RPattz. Even if you just read the last sentence, it's worth it. Trust me. ;)