Kari's review

New Moon (Twilight Series, Book 2)
by Stephenie Meyer

[close]

blog this review

Copy/paste the text below into your blog.

<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49041.New_Moon?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="New Moon (Twilight Series, Book 2)" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414jgcy2FAL._SL160_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49041.New_Moon?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">New Moon</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/941441.Stephenie_Meyer">Stephenie Meyer</a> 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9993917?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a>
 rating: 3 of 5 stars *** contains spoilers ***
 
 I just added one more star to this book series for being strangely addictive... this book is better than the fist, introducing the more likeable Jacob and getting Edward out of the picture for a while.
 
 From my teacherly perspective there are (at least) two questionable aspects of the madly popular Twilight series -
 
 First of all, it portrays Quileute Indians in a strange, potentially fetishist way. It's written by a White woman who transforms these Native American youth into werewolf heroes, they inherit this ancient ability to transform and become these protectors. However, the portrayal seems generally respectful, not everyone is White, and Myers still uses the perspective of Bella, the White heroine. I would like to hear some Quileute perspectives on this, and I can't find any on the web. Myers did say that she worked with the Quileute. Basically, despite intentions I have problems with the "animalistic" characterization. Admittedly the book objectifies everyone, but I consider it somewhat less harmful to objectify White people.
 
 The other strange thing about Twilight series is how Edward is over 100 years old and madly in love with an 18 year old girl. I didn't realize this when I bought the book for my young friend. After we both read it, she had to explain to me why that makes perfect sense: He was so depressed about being a vampire that he "didn't age mentally." Ok, so I definitely see why young people would think this was reasonable... but as an adult I find it creepy. After all, I wouldn't consider falling in love with an 18 year old and I'm nowhere near 100. 
 
 OK, I think my real problem with this age factor is that it emphasizes Edward's physical appearance over everything else. The author advances this assumption that because his body hasn't aged, it's completely reasonable to consider him 18 years old. Sometimes in the books this is very clear... like it doesn't matter at all that he's lived 100 years (or close to it). Because he LOOKS 18 he is. And I find that disgusting. I was sort of glad he was out of the picture in this book. I mean, he's also cold and bloodless - the kissing, it's gross. In general, Edward disgusts and repulses me, but this may add to his appeal. 
 
 I think the movie is out, or will be out soon. This book has so many fangirls - does it have fanboys?? - and I'm not sure what it gives of value except for being addictive and unusual (oh, and local for us northwesterners). Mostly, I think it's very superficial, with all its emphasis on the Cullens' superficial beauty. There's nothing to like about Edward as I've read it. Yeah, mostly I don't like the values in this book though I read it. I might have not shared it with my 12 year old friend if I read it first. Then again... it has brought her great pleasure, not everything must be so Substantial.
 
 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/662300?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>

Kari's review
rating:

*** contains spoilers ***

I just added one more star to this book series for being strangely addictive... this book is better than the fist, introducing the more likeable Jacob and getting Edward out of the picture for a while.

From my teacherly perspective there are (at least) two questionable aspects of the madly popular Twilight series -

First of all, it portrays Quileute Indians in a strange, potentially fetishist way. It's written by a White woman who transforms these Native American youth into werewolf heroes, they inherit this ancient ability to transform and become these protectors. However, the portrayal seems generally respectful, not everyone is White, and Myers still uses the perspective of Bella, the White heroine. I would like to hear some Quileute perspectives on this, and I can't find any on the web. Myers did say that she worked with the Quileute. Basically, despite intentions I have problems with the "animalistic" characterization. Admittedly the bo...more *** contains spoilers ***

I just added one more star to this book series for being strangely addictive... this book is better than the fist, introducing the more likeable Jacob and getting Edward out of the picture for a while.

From my teacherly perspective there are (at least) two questionable aspects of the madly popular Twilight series -

First of all, it portrays Quileute Indians in a strange, potentially fetishist way. It's written by a White woman who transforms these Native American youth into werewolf heroes, they inherit this ancient ability to transform and become these protectors. However, the portrayal seems generally respectful, not everyone is White, and Myers still uses the perspective of Bella, the White heroine. I would like to hear some Quileute perspectives on this, and I can't find any on the web. Myers did say that she worked with the Quileute. Basically, despite intentions I have problems with the "animalistic" characterization. Admittedly the book objectifies everyone, but I consider it somewhat less harmful to objectify White people.

The other strange thing about Twilight series is how Edward is over 100 years old and madly in love with an 18 year old girl. I didn't realize this when I bought the book for my young friend. After we both read it, she had to explain to me why that makes perfect sense: He was so depressed about being a vampire that he "didn't age mentally." Ok, so I definitely see why young people would think this was reasonable... but as an adult I find it creepy. After all, I wouldn't consider falling in love with an 18 year old and I'm nowhere near 100.

OK, I think my real problem with this age factor is that it emphasizes Edward's physical appearance over everything else. The author advances this assumption that because his body hasn't aged, it's completely reasonable to consider him 18 years old. Sometimes in the books this is very clear... like it doesn't matter at all that he's lived 100 years (or close to it). Because he LOOKS 18 he is. And I find that disgusting. I was sort of glad he was out of the picture in this book. I mean, he's also cold and bloodless - the kissing, it's gross. In general, Edward disgusts and repulses me, but this may add to his appeal.

I think the movie is out, or will be out soon. This book has so many fangirls - does it have fanboys?? - and I'm not sure what it gives of value except for being addictive and unusual (oh, and local for us northwesterners). Mostly, I think it's very superficial, with all its emphasis on the Cullens' superficial beauty. There's nothing to like about Edward as I've read it. Yeah, mostly I don't like the values in this book though I read it. I might have not shared it with my 12 year old friend if I read it first. Then again... it has brought her great pleasure, not everything must be so Substantial.

...less

Like this review? yes (7 people liked it) flag

comments (showing 1-3 of 3)

newest »

date

message 1: by Brandice

06/30/2008 11:12AM

This should have been marked as containing spoilers.