Stephanie Meyer's Twilight: Hit or Miss?

@phyrre (2317)
United States
May 21, 2009 12:26am CST
I've been hearing a lot of flack about this series. My writing friends all seem to think it's a miss because A) none of them like the idea of sparkly vampires and B) they all hate SMeyer's writing style. I personally have not read the book and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should. My fiance (who LOVES vampire novels) began reading it and promptly set it down and refused to pick it up once he got the the sparkly part. He said the writing was mediocre as it was, but that just pushed it overboard, so it's a big miss for him. What do you think, though? Is the series a hit or miss and why?
4 people like this
15 responses
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
22 May 09
First off, let me say this; I'm a writer. I published my first book when I was a teenager, and it was about vampires. It's simulateously the worst and most beautiful thing I've ever written and probably ever will right (and I have a good excuse for that xD). I've grown and written several more books since then...and I like to think that my opinion on literature's just as good as other writers xD In trying to make her vampires unique, Ms. Meyer succeeded. I like unique takes on classical "monsters", especially on the monster concept itself, so therefore I like it. It enables me to ignore that the series is about a romance, which normally bothers me enough when reading books about vampires. There's only so many books where you can write vampires as allergic to garlic, burned by the sun who either mope about what they are but go around all hero-like and responsible, or who're flat out monsters who're trying to take over the world (or just one particular girl). It gets old. Flat. Uninteresting. Sure, some parts are a bit cliche (But come ON, it's a romance, it's supposed to have parts that're a bit cliche). There're a few errors in her writing style. But, to me, it makes it feel more real. It conveys emotion more easily. Besides that I think that too many writers forget that the english language and the use of it in fiction is an ever evolving artform. Sure, grammar is a science, but writing itself is an art. Our culture constantly modifies it and our "proper english" sooner or later conforms. If you're a purist and something of a perfectionist, sure, it's a big deal to you...but for the rest of us, seriously; what the heck? If it just annoys you, fine. But otherwise, her style is just that; HER style. It'll probably evolve as she goes into her writing career...which I say will be interesting to observe (because personally, I LIKE how well she can convey the feel and emotion of every piece in her books). And to end, a disclaimer; I'm not a fan of the series. I LIKE it. I don't love it. I like it. It can't even be considered one of my favorites, just something I read when I wanna get nostalgic over emotions, xD
1 person likes this
• United States
22 May 09
*winces* I should never mylot tired. *head-desk* To answer directly; I don't think it's to either extremes. It's decent reading...like a ton of other books. It's not awful and it's not awesome. But then, I feel that way about the Harry Potter series, and a few other popular works of fantasy, horror, and so on. I read Twilight before it was popular, or very mainstream, and I'm actually disappointed that it became popular and mainstream BECAUSE everyone's feeling like they gotta either gush or bash the books, xD
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
22 May 09
Yeah, that happens to a lot of good books that when they become main stream it kind of destroys how special they really are to those that read them before they were a big hit. Thanks for your opinion! It was very helpful. :) I understand the need for different writing styles (I even enjoy experimenting with different styles myself), but for some reason I, like many other readers, enjoy certain styles and dislike others. It happens, but I'm always willing to try new things and read new writing styles and novels. ^_^
• United States
22 May 09
^_^ I think we're all a bit particular, about the styles we enjoy and dislike when we encounter others' works. Especially us writers...and experimentation is always good, =) keeps us open minded and can sometimes lead to the best discoveries. I guess it just frustrates me that people seem to want to pick "hate or love" automatically when it becomes something everyone's talking about. I'm glad I was helpful, ^_^' like I said, I probably ahouldn't mylot tired, xD
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
21 May 09
For me... the plot is a hit... but the writing style of Stephenie Meyer is a miss... it is so obvious that she doesn't even know how to describe a good fight scene since she usually skips those parts... A lot of people are a sucker for a vampire-human love story... and since the Twilight novel has a happy ending for all of the main characters... it is a hit for a lot of readers... bur this will not be one of those classics that will endure the test of time...
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
21 May 09
Well, since it is a series... the writing style actually improved as the story progressed... it is quite important for you to read it for yourself in order to understand why this book is generating a lot of buzz right now...
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
21 May 09
Hmm...judging by that it would probably be a miss for me. I tend to be more of a writing sort of reader. I can stand a lousy plot as long as the writing keeps me intrigued and engaged, but I can't stand a story that has a good plot with bad writing for some reason (Harry Potter seems to be the one exception to that, though I cringed while reading it and towards the end of the series the plot, too, seemed to fall off a cliff, in my opinion).
1 person likes this
@eLsMarie (4346)
• Philippines
22 May 09
for me the scenes were really a hit since i wasn't able to read Stephanie Meyer's book, but my friends told me that the movie was so much different from the book (reading the book is much better according to them). however, i don't like reading books so i prefer watching the movie... :)
• United States
21 May 09
I actually enjoyed the book. For me I'm tired of the stereotype vampires have and therefore you kind of already know the plot line of any book you read and therefore when it jumped across the borders and went for something knew - and yes you kind of knew he guy would get the girl etc. - it was still something different that was constantly developing. It's a girls book but I know a few guys that have enjoyed it. The biggest part is you can't have expectations that this book is going to be like others and is going to be for a more mature mind - its a light read that you'll love some of the characters, and you'll hate others, and at times you'll be conflicted with what you want to happen in the book. I will say her last book - breaking down - is a big miss though. That book took me the longest to read because it was like she was down to the nitty gritty and just didn't know what to write about any longer. But I have also read her book The Host - and that one is quite interesting and is for a more mature mind set it seems - but still isn't deep and is a light enjoying read. The main plot behind that one is aliens are taking over planets and one they take over is Earth and they do it because of all the violence and so they place "souls" in people. And the souls are still in the body with the human and control the human but they know all the humans emotions, thoughts, life, etc. The big punchline of the story is that this soul can't make the human go away completely and there is this guy they both fall in love with that is human but they don't want to get him caught and so its this big issue of how can they save the guy and be with him, when in reality it can't really ever happen. It's just a crazy story and I was about to hate the book at the end but things always go for the better and its hard to side between which character in the body would like the most.
1 person likes this
@amybrezik (2118)
• United States
21 May 09
I have heard amazing things about the book. I will say that the movie was terrible. I fell asleep.
1 person likes this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
21 May 09
That would've been my next question...lol. Even though my fiance hated the book, he's wanting to give the movie a chance and is planning on renting it for us to watch.
• United States
21 May 09
I think the movie is sweet, but reading the book before hand really spoils it... Even reading it after spoiled it for me... I expected a lot more.
• United States
21 May 09
OMG! I have been waiting for an oppertunity to have my say about this particular subject... Here goes... As for the movie, for a pre-teen romance with a fantasy twist it was a sweet and dramatic movie with a few funny moments and even a few "awww, that's sweet" moments... but it is easy to see how a hard core vampire/horror fan would find the entire concept slightly revolting... The books are amateurishly written, the plot is laughable and it is obvious that there was no long term planning in the creation of these books. The depth that is hinted at in the first book/movie just isn't there and unfortunately there are more hokey b flick movie moments then ones that I genuinely enjoyed. I tip my hat that S. Meyer's books have become movies because it gives me hope that perhaps one day my writing might hit the big screen.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 09
I consider it a miss. Her writing is very mediocre, almost teen like. It reeks of teenage fairy-tale beliefs and the idea of vampires is very sugar coated. Now, I have read the entire series, but I was curious as to how she progressed her story over time. Her writing did get better, and then, for the final book, it just got worse. She's only popular because of the ideal of such prim and proper boys, being beautfiul that love and care for someone unconditionally. You throw in them being vampires (the bady boy) and she's instantly famous. She's just not a very good author. She tried to be J.K Rowling but she definitely did not make it.
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
21 May 09
Photo courtesy PDPhoto.org - Books that are seemingly cool, would you read them all or not.
I heard from some that Twilight this time wasn't as cool as her other series. That's what I heard. I do not really know whether she is a cool author, because I have not yet read her book, but I saw her on an interview the other day and she was quite alright. She is definitely an intelligent author and she knows what she's doing. Just doesn't strike me as the vampire type of author. But then, you never know with writers, their creative minds are awesome. Might get this book to read soon and find it out for myself.
@kissie34 (2294)
• Philippines
21 May 09
Well, for me I love Stephanie Meyer's writing particularly the Twilight episodes. Honestly, I don't read books. I hate reading because it makes me feel board and my head will really feel bad when everytime I read books. But when I watched the movies of twilight, I like it and it makes me more interested to know what many people hate the movie. So, I download free ebooks of twilight on net and read the first episode for less than 2 weeks. I really find it interesting and for me the story is really something new. A vampire falling in love with a human. Actually, for less than 2 months I had read all the 4 episodes of twilight. I don't know but for me the story is really great. I love it...
• United States
21 May 09
I have read the series and thought it was good. Its not a typical vampire story and I think that some people who are hard cord tradtional vampire story would not like it. I liked it because it was different. If you can get passed the sparky part I think its a pretty good story. I liked that it showed that eventhough these people have become vampires they did not want to become murderous monsters. They choose to live a different life. Its a good life lesson. We all have choices. Eventhougt we are born a certain way or have had diffcult circumstances in live, we can rise above and choose a different way to be. That is the message that I took away from the series, which is why I liked it so much. You can't judge the series by just the movie and the book twiligh, you should read the whole series and then you will better understand. The books do get better after twilight, especially eclispe which is the third book. Its my favorite of the series. But as always some people are going to love it, some hate it and some that just don't care either way.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
21 May 09
I have no desire to read anything about vampires but I know at least 4 people of different age groups that loved all 4 books. In fact to the point when they finished the last book they didn't want it to end. I know that its only 4 people but I think the sale of her books have been really good. I seriously think its a hit. Plus a movie is coming out titled "Twilight".
• Malta
21 May 09
I haven't read the books as yet even though I have them, so I cannot really comment on her writing style. I have watched the film though and, I was positively impressed. Before watching it, I had though that I will not like it, but it got me more intrigued. Yes I understand, that the sparkling vampire thing is not so exciting or stylish, but on the whole, I am eager to read the books now.
• Philippines
21 May 09
i read the first book because of a friends recommendation,it was a light read and pretty entertaining but if compared to other vampire novels it fails to bring the mystery, excitement that the usual vampire novels are able to deliver.:)
• Philippines
21 May 09
i'd say half-half. i liked how meyer deviated from the usual description of vampires. they're very different from anne rice's vampires. what i didn't like about it is the love story itself. it is so juvenile. okay, i can take it in book 1 but when i still kept on reading about how sweet edward's breath is until book 3, i just had to*excuse me**barf* . the ending is also a flop, i thought meyer was a non-conformist, but the pacifist ending of a retention of status quo is blah. it was much ado about nothing. the movie is even worse.
• United States
21 May 09
We all have different opinions on may writings out there. Myself I have not read the books yet. I have people I know that had to read the whole series becasue they liked it. Then others that said it wasn't their cup of tea. The Movie Twilight I like it. Most Vampire movies add a flare to the the idea of vampires, so depends on what you like, a thriller with gore and no more than that, or a bit more to it with the what you call sparkly to it. To me it depends on what the reader likes in the stories they read.