Twilight is the first book in a series of chic-lit romance stories that have been enormously popular in the United States and many other countries. Concerning vampires, it can also be loosely categorized under the horror genre of literature, although there are very few scenes in it that one would recognize as actually being horrifying. The writing style is relatively simple and easy-to-read, but it is written in the first person by the protagonist—Isabella Swan, a high-school junior—and is therefore slightly emotive and slightly slang-ridden. Although it is difficult to define an exact comparison, this book reminded me a little of Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger,) in that it is written from the perspective of a teenager who is in the process of coming to terms with her transition from childhood to adulthood. The storyline is very easy to understand and there are no significant twists to complicate matters, and from that point of view I was left with the impression that it lacked something.
The parents of the protagonist, Isabella Swan (affectionately known as Bella,) are divorced, and Bella leaves her mother in Phoenix to go and live with her father in Forks; a small town that boasts the highest level of rainfall in the entire United States of America. She manages to settle down well at her new high school and makes several friends, but she is intrigued by a family of pale-skinned students who rarely mingle with the other students. A member of this family, Edward Cullen, shares some of Bella’s classes, but they don’t strike up a friendship until Edward saves Bella from a serious accident. From this moment on Bella becomes obsessed with the pale young Edward, and the two start up a relationship that switches between romance and fear, for Edward is not quite what he seems.
Although chick-lit and romance are not my usual preference in reading, I could easily recognize the fact that the book was well written and well balanced, and although I probably won’t read any more of the series, I am sure its popularity is very well deserved.
Twilight
Stephenie Meyer
ISBN: 978-1-904233-65-7
Tags: author, ブログ, ベルトン, クリストファー, Belton, blog, book, Christopher, Christopher Belton, fiction, review, Stephenie Meyer, Twilight, writer
I enjoyed your review of TWILIGHT from a male perspective. I read the book for the first time earlier in 2009 when it was recommended by a few of my female friends. Then I got hooked and read the rest of the series, watched the movies, and got the soundtracks. Fortunately since I live in Seattle I made the 5 hour road trip to Forks and La Push during the summer and it was a fun vacation.
When Twilight was big in 2008 I avoided it at first since I used to find vampires scary. I think I was scarred as a kid watching the “Lost Boys” movie. Then I heard that Twilight was more romance than horror as you mentioned so I felt comfortable reading it and definitely enjoyed it. I encourage you to read the rest of the series. New Moon was good, Eclipse was better, and I liked Breaking Dawn the best.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by beltonwriter: BTW, new book review on my blog; Twilight (Stephenie Meyer.) Please take a look. http://www.chrisbelton.com/blog/?p=26…