Comments on: The Twilight Saga: A Boy’s Perspective

By: We Fly Spitfires

We Fly Spitfires — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:16:27 +0000

I think it would have been far more interesting if Edward had gone for a mature woman in her 40s or 50s
.-= We Fly Spitfires´s last blog ..Head Starts On Expansions? =-.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:29:35 +0000

I actually liked the movie better than the book. Without it being inside Bella’s head, I was able to at least objectively see the action without it being colored by her infatuation.

My wife makes fun of Robert Pattinson, too, but for quite the opposite reason. She says he’s believably unkempt and stupid looking in the movie based on the role. At least it’s in character in the film, as over the top as it is. What’s worse–and I agree with her–is that he dresses that way off the set, too, with his elegantly disheveled wolfman hair, ferocious eyebrows, and trademark scowl.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:06:17 +0000

To add to my first comment, the movies are whole heartedly geared towards female audiences too, more than even a traditional romance movie I’d say. I’ve yet to talk to one man that hasn’t been turned off by the dramatic amount of make-up they put on Edward. I get it, he’s a vampire, but, come on. Lip stick? Seriously? Even worse is I caught him on David Letterman a while ago… still wearing lipstick. My wife surprised me by commenting on it before I could.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:02:37 +0000

My wife was entranced with these novels. I couldn’t stand them. Thank you for elaborating on all of the things that I couldn’t articulate in my distaste for the series.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:31:37 +0000

Don’t worry, Jane. There are still going to be a couple normal posts interspersed between the Twilight ones. I just posted a Stargate Universe one, tomorrow or Monday should find an opera review of the Fall of the House of Usher, and later this week, there will likely be a Dark Tower one, too.

All between the lovely Twilight bashing.

By: jane

jane — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:34:23 +0000

I dunno Beej, spending a whole week writing about something you despise? Especially something that’s so easily despised? I’d rather read about something you *love*, something that takes wit and discernment to present, something that you can sink your teeth into.

I now officially hate Twilight, because it’s co-opted this blog for a week.

.-= jane´s last blog ..Briar Rose Learns to Read =-.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:46:35 +0000

“I don’t read these books to glorify the stupid choices made by all those concerned inside them. I read these because it re-affirms my ability to make better choices.”

If only more girls (and boys) could recognize this! Can you maybe become a professional speaker and travel the middle school/high school circuit and let people realize what the novels imply about adolescent relationships?

Also, I can understand no Stephen King. But no Ender? I’m shocked!

By: @valkyrierisen

@valkyrierisen — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:31:19 +0000

I loved the first three novels. Frankly, I stopped reading after that. But maybe I’m more sympathetic to the stupidity of girldom. I read it kind of like watching a train wreck in the movies. You know the disaster is coming. You watch it with sick fascinating. You see all these great minds fail, and you think to yourself “this is how they screwed up”.

I don’t read these books to glorify the stupid choices made by all those concerned inside them. I read these because it re-affirms my ability to make better choices. I wish people wouldn’t hate on the series, or the author, or the premises, and instead use them to discuss the implications of all the books communicate about girldom now, about relationships now, about silly fantasies versus reality, about where love becomes obsession.

If you can’t enjoy the story, that’s fine. I couldn’t read Stephen King. Or any of the Ender books.

By: Tesh

Tesh — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:24:35 +0000

Fair enough. Subversion really is more pernicious. .-= Tesh´s last blog ..Allods Online =-.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:26:08 +0000

But at least romance novels are marketed as sex fantasies; Twilight is not.

Readers don’t (or shouldn’t) expect romance novels to have any bearing on how real relationships actually exist, where Twilight portrays itself as containing a normal, functional, teen relationship except for the fact that he’s a vampire. Girls see that, expect that, and in turn, get in over their heads. Which is why I have no problem with Fabio-inspired covers on romance novels but really get irked at the subversion in Twilight.