BOOK CLUB FOR Twilight series - Page 4

[Leilamus]

Originally Posted by AlmostAPpropriate

I have only the last book to go - woohoo. My mental obsession will finally end.

I agree that they are addictive, in fact, I was "jonesing' so bad for the 4th I had to go online and read a spoiler just so I wouldnt drop everything obsess about the book instead of family this week.

Cant wait to get the emotion of the book though!!

: BD comes into the library for me tomorrow and I can't wait! but i'm also a little sad for it to be all over too.






SPOILERS!










Ok, I see why people think Edward is controlling but I think Jake is the worse choice for Bella. I understand that she could "see" her life with Jake, but I took that as the way anyone can picture their life with someone else than the person they are with. My issue with Jake is that he was constantly forcing himself on Bella and yes she was sending mixed signals but still, the forced kisses and the mind games he played on her seemed really extreme to me. Yes Edward left her, but to protect her and when he realized how badly it had changed Bella he came back and swore not to leave again. I think Bella used Jacob and sent him mixed signals throughout the story (I've got Book 4 to go) and Jacob knew that and tried to use her guilt to his advantage.

Edward wanted to protect her and keep her from going places where she could get hurt but he never tried to convince her to love him, she always did and knew it. Jacob is sore loser who doesn't play fair IMO. Also, I always thought that Bella truly loved Edward. Though she loved Jacob it wasn't the same type of love at all and to compare them just didn't make sense to me.

What about the imprinting? I hate to admit it, but I'd be seriously worried about that. Imagine if Bella had chosen Jacob and then he imprinted on someone else? (which I believe he does in the 4th book right?) So she'd have this life with him and then he'd be in love with someone else the way that she was in love with Edward.

[elizaveta]

I just got to the Bella view point of Breaking Dawn. I read the first three books in four days or so, but I've been on this last one for about four days. I don't want it to end, as silly as that sounds!

I didn't like the viewpoint of Jacob much. It was necessary, I think, for the imprinting scene and to understand him, but she wasted a lot of good book with his point of view. I would have enjoyed an Edward point of view.

[JTA Mom]

Originally Posted by AlmostAPpropriate

I dont have a problem with the "negative role model" part of the book. As I see it, this is a FANTASY romance series. It's not just Edward who is more than human, their love is supernatural. To bind it with all the usual expectations lessens it.

I doubt that the majority of teenage girls will tolerate "vampire" characteristics in their boyfriends any more than I would start looking for a UPS guy to blow after watching Samantha do it in Sex in the City. And those who do, inlcluding women who are trapped in those situations, have many deeper reasons for it than a paranormal romance novel.

His controlling behavior and constant 'I'm trying not to hurt you physically even though I want to' is not a vampire only trait. I was looking at it more generally, the whole 'a man is so in love with me that even though he wants to hurt me, it's ok'. Remember that annoying 'he only hits you because he likes you' crap people tell little girls?

As for Samantha, ummm, no she isn't 'making' women do anything. It's more the general attitude & glorification of having lots of random unprotected (rarely a condom wrapper in sight) sex that's the problem.

Again, I don't think people are going to be hooked on specific actions, but the general intent behind them. And yes, I do think that having a constant supply of general themes (lots of random sex is good, men who control me want to protect me, if a man wants to hurt me it's because he loves me so much, etc) has an impact. I think the current popular culture of vapid status symbols, lots of sex/glorification of porn, materialism, consumerism is constantly coming through various media forms which 'normalizes' it. I'm tired of hearing & reading general story lines where a guy is controlling of his female significant other to 'protect' her. Am I making any sense?

Ami

[AngieB]

Originally Posted by JTA Mom

His controlling behavior and constant 'I'm trying not to hurt you physically even though I want to' is not a vampire only trait. I was looking at it more generally, the whole 'a man is so in love with me that even though he wants to hurt me, it's ok'.

I never saw Edward as the abusive boyfriend type. I think it is completely different. With an abusive boyfriend it is about anger and control. For Bella and Edward I think Meyers was trying to say that at any moment edward could kill Bella, that it was (for him as a vampire) the most natural and easy thing in the world to do, but because of the over powering love he felt for her he could resist his most basic needs.

[Oriole]

I guess I never saw it as a problem because well...

* Edward has no control over the fact that he is in fact a vampire, and the truth of the matter is - vampires need blood to survive. An abusive partner has all of the control in the relationship.

* Edward tries to distance himself from Bella, because she'd be "safer" without him around. An abusive partner simply doesn't consider such things, it is all about their own needs, and never about the needs of the other person.

* Bella has a very clear possibility to leave Edward. He always tells her "I'll be here as long as YOU want me". I doubt abusive partners are ever this generous with their victims.

I can't really place their relationship into "abusive" category. I know we won't agree on this , I just wanna defend Edward...

[Leilamus]

Originally Posted by Oriole

I guess I never saw it as a problem because well...

* Edward has no control over the fact that he is in fact a vampire, and the truth of the matter is - vampires need blood to survive. An abusive partner has all of the control in the relationship.

* Edward tries to distance himself from Bella, because she'd be "safer" without him around. An abusive partner simply doesn't consider such things, it is all about their own needs, and never about the needs of the other person.

* Bella has a very clear possibility to leave Edward. He always tells her "I'll be here as long as YOU want me". I doubt abusive partners are ever this generous with their victims.

I can't really place their relationship into "abusive" category. I know we won't agree on this , I just wanna defend Edward...

: Well said Oriole, that's exactly how I feel but you articulated it much better!

[AlmostAPpropriate]

I finished Breakind Dawn. Yay!... and boohooooo.

On the imprinting can someone clarify why it creeps you out? I guess to me it just fits in with the whole feel of the series - supernatural. Like Bella & Edward - they were fated to be together, what else could overcome such numerous and violent obstacles.

Imprinting to me seems just like fate - you just dont have to wonder "is it, isnt it". You know. Breaking Dawn gives more insight into what its like for the female half of the imprinted pair and that may make it more clear for you.

As to "what if Bella had chosen Jacob?", she didnt, she couldnt because she was fated to be with Edward.

[Oriole]

Originally Posted by AlmostAPpropriate

I finished Breakind Dawn. Yay!... and boohooooo.

On the imprinting can someone clarify why it creeps you out? I guess to me it just fits in with the whole feel of the series - supernatural. Like Bella & Edward - they were fated to be together, what else could overcome such numerous and violent obstacles.

Imprinting to me seems just like fate - you just dont have to wonder "is it, isnt it". You know. Breaking Dawn gives more insight into what its like for the female half of the imprinted pair and that may make it more clear for you.

As to "what if Bella had chosen Jacob?", she didnt, she couldnt because she was fated to be with Edward.

Yes, yes, and yes to everything you said. That's exactly how I read and understood BD.

[AlmostAPpropriate]

Who needs Breaking Dawn? I will give you my copy - with smudges from eating while reading - for cost of shipping....

[AlmostAPpropriate]

Ooh, have any of you read Christine Feehan novels? carpathian vampire series? They also have an imprinting type thing except only the males know it. without true love they lose the ability to see color. when they see their soul mate they regain the ability. there is also an "imprinting" episode in one of the novels where a carpathian desperate for a mate (without one he will become evil) manipulates a fetus and "makes" her his one true mate. THAT is icky.

[Stayseeliz]

Oh man I'm like a teenage girl with this series. I'm so in love with Edward. I've finished the first two books and the online Edward manuscript and I'm a few chapters into the third book. And I'm going to see the movie for a second time Saturday even though it's nowhere near as good as the book. I'm so silly..

[davidsmama]

Stacey... if only I lived in SC! I'd go with you for a 2nd time!!
Then go home and promptly pick up the book with where I left off

[Stayseeliz]

Originally Posted by davidsmama

Stacey... if only I lived in SC! I'd go with you for a 2nd time!!
Then go home and promptly pick up the book with where I left off

I'd love that! My SIL is going with me this Sat and it will be her third time! But her first time since reading the book. I seriously considered going to see it this week by myself then going Saturday too but I figured DH would make fun of me too much!! I'm SUCH a nerd!!

[davidsmama]

My DH would probably tease me, too! Nerd's unite

Has anyone had conversations with their kids regarding the books? My DS who is 7 has been asking really good questions about the stories and we have had some great conversations about the options we are given in our lives and the choices that we make (What makes Edward a good vampire?)! I never thought that it would bring up free will!!! Nothing like homeschooling your 7 yr old son with Twilight!

If only my kids were old enough to read the books with me!

[Stayseeliz]

Originally Posted by davidsmama

My DH would probably tease me, too! Nerd's unite

Has anyone had conversations with their kids regarding the books? My DS who is 7 has been asking really good questions about the stories and we have had some great conversations about the options we are given in our lives and the choices that we make (What makes Edward a good vampire?)! I never thought that it would bring up free will!!! Nothing like homeschooling your 7 yr old son with Twilight!

If only my kids were old enough to read the books with me!

LOL! My kids don't know too much about it except for the clip they've seen of the movie on yahoo movies and that I'm reading them. But self-control and free will are SUCH important topics for kids. How many times do we hear "She MADE me such and such" or "It's all HIS fault!!" I wish my kids were old enough to read the books too!

[SleepyMamaBear]

love the books. and the movie. and the online Midnight Sun.
guess i am a Twilighter afterall
on a OT note, DH and i are watching Heroes on Netflix online, and last night i saw Emmett!!! he was playing the love interest of Claire 5 years in the future.
he is so adorable!
oh, and i am team Edward all the way!

[davidsmama]

Originally Posted by Stayseeliz

LOL! My kids don't know too much about it except for the clip they've seen of the movie on yahoo movies and that I'm reading them. But self-control and free will are SUCH important topics for kids. How many times do we hear "She MADE me such and such" or "It's all HIS fault!!" I wish my kids were old enough to read the books too!

I have had talks with my mom and friends about the books and suddenly he started asking the questions! Its amazing how much they pick up...


I think the use of self-control and free will is what appeals to me about Edward vs Jacob. Yes... Edward could force himself on Bella but he doesn't (whereas Jacob does on many occasions). I have given a lot of thought about the "unheathliness" comments about Edward and Bella's relationship and I keep coming back to that point. I would venture to say that we all have had times where we could cause our loved ones harm, the difference is whether we do or not!

I luv me a dazzling man

[davidsmama]

BTW... has anyone read the outtakes on Stephenies Meyers website? There are some under both Twilight and New Moon! Just more reads... My girlfriend has my last two books so I am seeking out more...

I really have to get help

[kimiij]

I saw the movie twice already. I am seriously considering going for a third time. I loved the story..I loved that it was a love story that was different and I loved how strong the love was between Bella and Edward.

After I saw it twice I went out and bought all four books. They were so good! The writing wasn't spectacular but the story was.

The imprinting with babies freaked me out a bit. Imprinting with adult women doesn't. I'm kind of mad that Jacob ends up with Bella's daughter, especially after his behavior with forcing kisses on Bella. But, oh well.

[Stayseeliz]

I saw the movie again. I enjoyed it better the second time knowing what to expect! Robert Pattinson is VERY nice to look at!! There are just a couple of scenes I would've changed or done without. And RP did a good job with the American accent. It did sound a little off sometimes but I think he was an acceptable Edward. I'm looking forward to seeing it again!