That being said, I think this whole cult-like following that Stephenie Meyer is gathering has become rather ridiculous. I always poked harmless fun at Twilight, but respected it because it was literature. However, from everything I have read in reviews and discussions about the series, I can tell that the books are just not that good. I discovered yesterday that one of my favorite writers and connoisseur of the horror and thriller genre, Stephen King, stated his opinion on Meyer's writing publicly in an interview early this year. And he wasn't exactly supportive.
Here is something I just read.
Now, the article is fairly unbiased up until the last paragraph, so I will just take it as it is. Before I relay exactly what I think of Twilight and just why I think it is not quality literature, here is a comment I discovered posted on that article, which I have adequately titled "Twilight Fangirl Defense" (click the picture for the full comment):
First of all, "Edward Cullen Lover loser," when analyzing the entire vampire fiction genre, there is absolutely no conceivable way you can claim that the FICTIONAL (meaning you probably shouldn't be so attached to him) Edward Cullen is not a wimp. He was designed to be the perfect guy (at least for sweet lovin'). The original vampires of old were objects of terror and sex, intimidating creatures which gave the reader nightmares. Read any novel in this genre, for example, King's own Salem's Lot, and you will see the differences between Meyer's vampires and all of the rest. Or you should see it, anyway. I'm not going to promise that you will, because it seems like it might be something which would be hard for you to grasp. The dreams young girls have of vampires now are not exactly nightmares... but even without considering that, the only evidence you need is right here: Edward Cullen sparkles. That's right. He doesn't fry in the sunlight. He doesn't fear wooden stakes. He doesn't balk at the thought of garlic. The only similarity between Cullen and the classic vampire is this, ironically: The book written about him is absolutely dripping with sexual undertones. The reason this is ironic is because Stephenie Meyer is a devout Mormon. She is all for abstinence and absolutely against promoting sexual activity in teens. Way to go, Stephenie. You completely contradict your own beliefs. Now all the teen girls in the world are out searching for their own Edward so they can have their own awkward silences for hours on end with them, and your books definitely are making a lot of them want to engage in some naughty activity. Anyway, let's forget all that. The only thing really making Cullen a vampire, which apparently is a very loose term to Meyer, is the fact that he drinks blood, and it isn't even human blood that he goes after. There is absolutely nothing intimidating or sexy about Edward. He seemingly has no personality, he stalks the girl he is in love with (at least he's in love with the scent of her blood - I'm still trying to wrap my mind about that weird romance), and he is not at all dangerous. The only purpose his vampirism serves is to make him seem like the tough, hot hunk at high school. Really mature stuff you're writing, Meyer. Maybe you should grow up.
Next, "Lover loser," you clearly display your ignorance for the entire internet to see and laugh at. I'll try and forget the fact that you equate an author being a literary genius with having a movie made about his or her book. No, what really annoys me is your sheer and utter stupidity and lack of an argument. "Have they (I'll presume you mean Hollywood here) made a movie about this dude's books," you ask? I'm glad you asked, allow me to educate your primitive brain: There have been approximately 80 movies and TV mini series made about King's various works. Try and think about that for a second. The score is 80-1, honey. I think I know who my money's on here. And if you don't believe me, here is a list.
Your evident lack of observational skills is also present in this post. Meyer uses a LOT of sensual themes and subtext in her Twilight series. I guess it's your problem if you can't see it.
If Stephen King has a mental disorder, I definitely want to be the next person diagnosed with it. His ability to write in depth and with actual character development and plot is enviable. So I don't really know if you're wrong here, but I guess it doesn't matter much to me.
Also, I really don't care whether you liked vampire stories before Stephenie Meyer's or not. The point is that a lot of people did, and they feel like this new transition to emo, sensitive, unstable stalker idiots is really totally uncool. It's not trendy, it just sucks.
OK, I'm done picking apart your post, and I didn't even touch on the many errors in grammar you have made. It seemed unnecessary to me, maybe even overkill, although your writing skills are comparable to Meyer's, apparently.
To all the parents out there who are saying to themselves that "it's OK that all these errors exist in Meyer's books, at least my kid is reading!": No. No, no, and no. This is not real literary work. Many people have compared Stephenie Meyer's writing to fanfiction, and I believe this to be an accurate summation. Your kid shouldn't be reading this stuff. They aren't getting any of the values you are looking for out of it. In fact, it might even be harmful. Twilight teaches your little girl that it's okay to be a damsel in distress, to be a dependent immature moron for the rest of her life. After all, Edward came along and rescued Bella from a life of having to be independent and strong, so let's all envy her and want an Edward of our own! Cullen is a rare breed (at least in looks), and he is a condescending jerk to Bella throughout the series (he stalks her because he feels the need to protect her? Oh, please...). Feminists everywhere are already rallying. Why aren't you? Also, in terms of actual reading quality: Meyers is not a good writer. She reuses phrases constantly, has no character development (to you fangirls out there, a challenge: tell me why Edward and Bella love each other?), and writes like she is a preteen girl indulging in her own fantasies. Because that's all Twilight really is: one woman's wet dream. It's trash. Take your kid to the library, get them a real book.
My real point is this: maybe all of you fans of Twilight out there should try reading something else every now and then. And I don't mean J.K. Rowling, I don't mean Christopher Paolini, I don't mean Judy Blume. I mean some real literature. You might discover that reading isn't as stupid as you all thought.
Here's one last link you parents might find interesting before I go back to watching this whole fad go down with a raised eyebrow and an amused smile.
Excellent
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