The Twilight Saga — A Report
by Editor ~ November 21st, 2008.The Twilight Saga (in four volumes)
by Stephenie Meyer
Published 2005-2008
This is a report, not a review!
The Twilight Saga is in the news today because the movie for the first volume is now out. The books and movie have created quite a sensation. Some people are comparing its popularity level to Harry Potter, but actually it doesn’t come close. It’s appealing to females only, as far as I can tell. So it might be more like the following for the movie Titanic.
Many people call Twilight a fantasy series, but it doesn’t fall within what I am looking for–books that appeal to my 16-year-old sons. It’s not my intention to read the Twilight books, so I am just going to pass on a little info about them today.
The Twilight Saga is a fantasy series about a girl, Bella, who falls in love with a vampire. The erotic vampire Edward has super-human strength and immortality. He proves irresistible to her. He’s got great self-control and doesn’t do vampirish things to Bella, resulting in a heroic feat of self-denial for the sake of love–a tried and true chick-lit theme.
It’s my impression that the resulting story doesn’t have much depth. But then, neither did the love story in Titanic. It doesn’t take a lot of depth to draw the bow across the heartstrings.
I asked E., a Christian, age 16, what she thought of it. “I think it’s a great role model for love,” she said. “They don’t have premarital sex. They are really committed to each other.”
Here’s a blog post about it from a girl who doesn’t like it: http://anoxfordcomma.livejournal.com/2491.html
And from a woman who does like it: http://faithwebbin.net/teenz/?p=169 She compares the “star-crossed” lovers to Romeo and Juliet.
And from a Catholic Christian who doesn’t like it: http://spesunica.wordpress.com/2008/11/16/the-twilight-saga-a-critique/
–Phyllis Wheeler
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:52 am
Just a note, Phyllis. Author Stephanie Meyer is a Mormon, and I think her worldview definitely colored her story.
Becky
February 18th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Hey guys check out this article on Twilight on bustedhalo.com.Some might say the book is equivalent to soft porn. The article deals with how Christians grapple with the messages in this teen generation’s defining book. Here is the link: http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/twilight-zone/
April 1st, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I have to say I think it would be hard to write a report/review when you actually admit that you have no interest in reading the books. I am the mother of a 12 year old girl and I recently finished the entire Twilight series. Just to be clear, we are a devout Southern Baptist family and I at all times try to follow God’s will for my life. I started reading the books because I teach a mmiddle school girls’ sunday school class and felt like I needed to know what the hype was. That being said, the Twilight series, especially the last, is the best book I have read in a long time. I have allowed my daughter to read the first two, and she and I have discussed them openly. I don’t know where the soft porn comes in at, because I certainly didn’t see anything to suggest that. As long as you understand that this is FICTION. I have discussed it with other mothers in the church, as for the most part, all of the girls have been allowed to read it AFTER their mothers have first read them. I am extremely strict on what my daughter watches, where she goes and what she reads, but I encourage you to have an open mind and not just take Phyllis’ word about these books. I’m not at all saying these have any biblical/Christian references. If you’re not sure about your daughter reading them, try them out yourself first. You will be pleasantly surprised.
April 20th, 2009 at 4:01 am
I think that a Christian has every right to read Twilight. I
think that it was a good example for Christians because it does
have some Christian views in it. For example, Carlisle was born
into a church going home and he became a pastor after his father.
Also, when he learned what he was, he decided to go the Straight
and Narrow path by not giving in to human blood. So that proves
that walking the Straight and Narrow is better and to not give in
to sin.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Twilight is a thousand times better than Harry Potter. I really love this movie, it is the best movie i have ever watched.
July 26th, 2009 at 11:24 am
i love the chemistry between Kirsten Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Twlight will always be one of the best vampire-love story movies.
August 16th, 2009 at 6:00 am
I think Twilight is a great book. First of all, we should look at the good doctor Carlisle Cullen, who states that nothing had ever made him challenge his belief in God even after he became a vampire.I have to admit Breaking Dawn does have some scenes that might not be suitable for younger children to read. Another thing I would like to point out is that Bella decides to keep her baby and not abort it, even when she knows she could die. Also Bella says that she believes that the Cullens do have souls and that’s one reason why she wasn’t so worried about that aspect of being a vampire. I have heard from other blogs that having a vampire boyfriend could be dangerous, but I don’t really feel that’s an issue because the book is FICTION and vampires aren’t real. Also, the books never said that the characters, even Edward, are perfect and will make mistakes. The character Carlisle are opposed to murder. One more thing that people have to consider when
discussing Twiligt is that the book is meant for entertainment and not as a social message.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
interesting post. I watched the movie; it was clean (even violence was at a min.)
I appreciate the comments above; i was curious what others thought about it.
and I agree after i watched it i was intrigued b/c it was a compelling story.
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:28 am
I have to say that I am completely shocked after having read the posts about the Twilight series. They are about VAMPIRES people. How on earth can any Christian say that a book or movie glorifying VAMPIRISM is a good thing? You all need to get out your bibles and read what it says about associating with such things. It’s evil. You all are buying into satans lies.
October 18th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Twilight is simply the best movie and i am so much addicted to it. Kirsten Stewart is very pretty and Robery Pattinson is so handsome.