So I’ve been reading the Twilight book series by Stephanie Meyer. Too many of our teenagers were reading them for me not to know what the big deal was. Now I know. The books are good. And by good, I mean, they are well written, perfectly postured to the teenage mind (even more so toward the female mind in my opinion), thrilling, page turning, historical, legendary, romantic, and filled with real life family tension that any person can identify with.
My knee jerk is to say that the series isn’t much different than other mythical writing (The Mists of Avalon, The Lord of the Rings, Prince Caspian). Each brings it’s own villain and fantasy to the imagination. However, the Twilight series is so different from the normal fighting scenes of Lord of the Rings…there is a romantic element that may be far more powerful than the vampire subject.
How many girls wish for a type of relationship where you would sacrifice ANYTHING to be together? It’s a pretty strong premise. I’m thinking maybe it’s not vampires we should be worrying most about (since they don’t exist) but our daughter’s overwhelming need to feel deep and sacrificial love (hmmm…I wonder where they can get that?).
Parents ultimately need to make the choice about this series and their own children’s involvement reading it. I’m just curious as to how many other youth workers are having this conversation? I’m trying to picture how this discussion is going to look in the small group circle, guards down, Doritos and Oreos in hand.
If you’re a youth pastor or worker, or a parent of teenagers, pick up the first book and join the discussion. You’ll be glad to be prepared. (the movie comes out 12.12.08)
Ok. First of all, I am a teenager, so I thought that I should shed some light here, and give my opinion.
First of all, you have all the good stuff down. The book is well written, perfectly postured to the teenage mind (I would know) etc.
However, I think you are worrying about the romantic side of the book, for no reason at all. Stephenie Meyer has created a book, which every girl can relate to, and hope for, on some levels.
But I (as have my friens who have read the book) agree that we can connect with the main charcter, but wouldn’t do the same as her when it came to ‘sacraficial love’. The thing you need to remember is that tennage girls do dream, but we aren’t competely stupid. I – for example – WOULDN’T go and meet a serial killer vampire, and i think many girls would agree with me.
This is one of the points the book is about. Their love is so powerful, that she would gladly do that for the love of her life and her family. I don’t think I could ever find such a love (as I don’t know many people who have handsome vampire boyfriends – do you?)
As for worrying parents, my mother read the first book, and then went out and bought me the other two, so that she could get a good read of them, aswell. The other books are just as good, if not better, and help Bella’s love for Edward come across even more.
The book isn’t about ‘sacraficial love’, but the fact that two people in love, can conquer almost anything.
The reason I wanted to write this is because I feel I can relate to a lot of the books themes, and I wouldn’t like other people to be discouraged from souch a wonderful series of amzing novels. This is my all-time favourite novel, and anyone who has thought badly of it after reading the above post, think nothing of it. You will have fallen in love with the book by the time you have read the first chapter (but obviously there are some exeptions.)
You are asking if people should be worried about their daughters reading about unrealistic romantic relationships. The answer to that is no. Why would people need to worry if they are so unrealistic?
To anyone reading this comment (sorry that it is so long XD ), please, please, please do yourselves a favour and go out and read the series. And anyone who has already read the series… well, i can’t wait untill ‘Breaking Dawn’ comes out in September (luckily, my birthday is in Semptember!!) either.
Love to all!
xx
I just want to say that I am in total aggreement with feeowna. I am also a teenager who loves this series along with many others.
No matter what book a teenager is reading(if it’s good)
they will find some way no matter how small to relate with one of the characters. They can’t help it! I mean I’m reading a series that has to do with a group of cats that seperate themeselves into clans and live thier lives with events like murder wars peace mystery and love! Even though they are cats I relate to thier situations.
Some adults freak out over the strangest things :). It’s funny to watch them react to situations with paranoia planted in thier minds.
Love to the world
for generations!
I work with youth and I have to say that the teens who have commented so far are a good representation of their “kind.” Teens deserve more credit than adults are often willing to give them. They are not as ready to replicate what they see and read as many adults believe.
True, peer pressure exists, but that doesn’t mean that all teens are lemmings. If you think about it, you’ll see this makes a lot of sense considering the “rebellious” nature of teens. What makes teens seem rebellious is their ability to analyze and questions what is put before them – a skill that young children have not yet developed.
So, I wouldn’t sweat it too much. Besides, the best thing you can do for teens is allow them to have access to new ideas and information and then discuss it with them. Ignorance is not bliss and censorship cannot protect young minds forever.
I have read the first book of the series, and I think it was MARVELOUS! When all my friends where reading it I couldn’t get why? I mean it was about vampires it couldn’t be that intersting, so when I started reading it I was suprised that there were no dark scary houses, coffins, fangs, or black cloaks. I think it’s a great book for teens to read, it’s exciting and heart wrenching at times.
But be realistic. Do you see dashing vampire boys walking around on a cloudy day with the rest of his perfect, adopted family?
I mean give teens like me a little credit.
If your worried daughters will meet stumble across fate with a vampire boy and “sacraficial love” move somewhere sunny. π
I’m really loving all of the comments on this post. I never intended to discourage anyone from reading the series. I guess I was just raising some questions to get the conversation started. I’ve since read the rest of the books and loved them. We have a lot to learn from the stories an the perseverance of love. I’m excited to talk over the series with our girls.
ok im a teenager and i have read all of the twilight books and i agree with feeowna i love the books alot but i dont think they are a problem at all us teenage girls can dream, but the books i can relate to and well ther isnt a problem with them at all!!!!!!
yall rock!!!
I am a teenage girl who is reading the series but I mean how do we know if the do not exsit jus because you can not see them doesn’t mean that they are not real. Edward seems HOT though
I cannot believe that a church group is condoning Twilight. Vampires are not real but they symbolize what is not good. It is like a witch you have a good one and a bad one . Their power comes from the same sourse.
To reiterate what I thought I was saying. I believe that parents should make the decision together with their daughters. Each person should guard their own heart. I’m not condoning, just saying that yes, the books were fun to read and I am an adult who made that choice to read them. Above all else, guard your hearts.
I am a teen to, and I ADORE the Twilight series. I can also honestly say that i wish i could have my own “edward cullen”, but i know that vamps are not real, but i think that true love is. I believe that true love does exist, and i think the book is very inspirational if u look past the obvious fact that Bella is in love with a vampire and look at their love. Their love is deep, and it could be very realistic, (minus the mythical creatures-ha) I dont think it is dangerous for teens to read, and if anything it will have a positive impact.