It's Like a Fandom Powder Keg

[anogete]

Mentioning the Twilight series seems to elicit strong responses. So many people love and/or hate the novels. So many other fandoms have been overrun with Twilight fans trying to convert unwilling people to the dark side. I went into Twilight with a bad impression, but with a determination to give the books a fair shake. Actually, part of me

Comments

[theredzebra1]

Okay, I skipped pieces of your cut portion because I'm still in New Moon. And as much as I loved Twilight--like in a worrisome, stalkerish way--New Moon has been a little like the end of the honeymoon for me. Still going to finish the series (no duh). But I'm a lot less sure about who is right for whom.

Side note: whenever Edward enters a scene, it feels like Steph Meyer's love for him bipasses Bella and onto the page. Is that crazy?

[anogete]

The beginning of New Moon killed me. I was so upset for Bella when Edward left. I don't think I really started having complaints about the novels until the third one. I liked New Moon quite a lot, but Eclipse brought up a lot of relationship issues, and I'm not sure if Meyer just brought them up for the hell of it or if she's actually going to do something about them. There are a couple spoiler-y bits behind the cut, so I don't advise reading until after you've finished Eclipse. And on a side-note - I sobbed while reading the last couple chapters of Eclipse. Just sobbed. I had to go get a box of tissues.

[subversa]

I think this is a very well thought-out and articulated argument. I nod my head and know you're right. I agree that obsessive relationships are unhealthy and that the men who encourage them are *not* heroes and that the woman almost always comes out broken in the end.

I also agree that Meyers' love for Edward dwarfs Bella's.

That said, I must also say this. I love reading stories like this. I know that in real life it is wrong and unhealthy, but when I read a story with a compelling hero, I have no problem with the heroine throwing away *everything* to be with him. And that unequal thing? I have a hard time *caring*. In life, I know better, but in fiction, I have no problem with it. I like reading it, especially in SSHG stories. I have no problem with it, but it's because I have complete faith in the heroic characteristics of the hero. I'm guilty of writing him that way, and I love reading it. I just do.

*sigh*

I am Politically Incorrect.

[anogete]

I appreciate where you're coming from because I can be like that as well. I guess it's just a bit different this time for me because it's a book geared toward teenage girls, and they've already got enough problems to deal with without having some book infer that giving up your loved ones for someone is romantic. Plus, I'm a Jacob/Bella 'shipper, so of course I'm going to be all boo! on Jacob/Edward. :-) My ulterior motives are showing.

[dreamy_dragon73]

You already know that I like Edward. That doesn't mean though that I think he's necessarily the best choice for Bella, but neither is Jacob. I think Meyer prevented that with the whole imprinting thing, since the whole series seems to be about finding "the one and only" and Jacob didn't imprint on Bella; it seems to be likely that Bella and Edward will end up together with the Cullens as Bella's surrogate family

[anogete]

Oh, the imprinting. That's my other beef with the books, but I'm trying not to kick up a huge fuss about it. It just comes across as half-assed and a ridiculous plot device to take away free will from characters - to make them do what she wants them to do without having to explain it. I tend to forget about it when making my argument because I can't seem to take it seriously. Meyer, why are you so good and so bad????

[rabite_rin]

So on pretty much everything, I agree

[anogete]

What a great story about how you found your very own Jacob. I've never been in a destructive or controlling relationship myself, but I was friends with my boyfriend for a couple years before we even considered anything romantic. Maybe that's why I have a soft spot for Jacob/Bella.