Vacation Time... Book #1 - TWILIGHT

In January, during our You Fill in the __________ series, we took one night to talk about entertainment. Students could text in questions. One of the questions we received was, "Is the Twilight Series bad?" I knew the movie had come out in November '08, and knew it was a pretty popular book among teenage gals, but had no further exposure or awareness. I pleaded ignorance to the question and simply said I couldn't give any educated thoughts or opinions.

During the Walt Mueller seminar at the end of March, one of the parents asked a question about the books. Walt had read the first book and was in the process of finishing up the second. While he shared some thoughts, I noticed 5 of the Senior High gals who were helping serve snacks come out of the kitchen. They stood in the back of the room and seemed extremely anxious toward his every word. After some further discussion, I found out that that books and the movie had become extremely popular among the gals in our youth group over this past year.

So, I turned in my man card, picked up the first book in the series and read it during the first half of our vacation (I got some "kodak moment" looks from teenage girls around the pool as I read). It was 500 pages that I flew through - not because I just couldn't put the book down. It's just a really easy read.

I went in asking three major questions. Below are those questions, as well as my post-reading theories/opinions.

What's with the hype?
Upon a little more talking around, I realized this series has a following and devotion among some at the same level of the "Harry Potter" series. Why is that? I believe Stephenie Meyer has done a few things brilliantly to cause this frenzy among teen and tween gals.

• First, I think she's captured the emotional thoughts of a teenage girl extremely well. A few of the gals in our ministry have confirmed this theory when questioned. It's written in the first person by Bella, a teenage gal. I'm guessing that as a teen or tween (or even adult for that matter) gal is reading, she puts herself in Bella's clumsy shoes. As one gal told me, "By the third book, I was like, 'Okay that's freaky how much I think like that.'"
• Second, the vampire genre is a hot, and she's created a "safe" feel to it. So many of the vampire movies, books, etc. are gory, gruesome, highly sexual, and obsessed with blood sucking. It's all there, but much more tame than the 90's Anne Rice world. The real focus is on Bella (the mortal) and Edward Cullen(the vampire) figuring out how to "love" each other in the midst of this difference.
• Third, it hits a teenage girls romantic fantasy right in the bullseye. Edward is this mysterious, noble, protective, caring man who will do anything and everything to care for someone he "loves"... yet, he can't deny himself to the point of his "love" for her.
• Fourth, Meyer is a very good story teller. As any author who's going to create a buzz through pop lit (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Golden Compass, Left Behind, you name it), she's created likable characters, revealing some of their back stories, and leaving the reader wanting to know more.
  

Are they "bad"?
This is the common question I've been asked by both parents and students. I think the main focus in the question is because the series is about vampires, and aren't vampires demonic? I'm only one book in, and I've heard they get a little darker as they go... but I would say the first book was far from dark in the sense any satanic imagery or witchcraft. I would not put a heavy concern on the first book over the vampire angle.
Instead, my concern is very much on the romantic side. Much of Bella's thoughts toward Edward are the antithesis of what we desire to promote with the gals in our ministry when it comes to dating, sexuality, and romance. I think the book presents love as emotion and self-medicating (more lust, I'd say). Bella (from a broken home , currently living with a caring but distant dad) believes she's found the man she needs in order to be complete. It's the old Jerry Macguire "You Complete Me" mentality. There's just one slight problem with that mentality... it's wrong.
Janelle and I watched the movie this past weekend (talk about bad... bad acting, bad special effect, bad adaptation... it was terrible). One of the major critiques I've heard from Twilight fans is how poorly the character of Edward is portrayed on screen. Not beautiful enough, not noble enough, too harsh, or too cheesy. I wonder if this is not so much the actors fault, but the impossibility of bringing the "dream guy" that has formed in many of the gals mind to a visual reality.

So, are they bad? I would say the Twilight series has some positive themes interlaced, but I have a high level of concern on the romantic/dating/teenage "love" takeaway that could happen in a 12-20 year old gal.


Who should read it?
I don't know that anyone should read this (these) book(s). This is far from making my "must read" list. I don't know any reason reading this books will serve as a great benefit in anyone's life. Yet, I think there are those wanting to follow Christ who could read it and walk away with some insight, or at the very least entertained. So, who are these individuals?

• Let me start by remarking who I think should NOT read it. I would say it's a "no read"t o a Junior High or younger student reading.
  
• Proceed with caution to a Freshman or Sophomore.consider the emotional, spiritual, and relational maturity
• With a Junior or Senior, you're probably a little safer, but be ready for discussion.
• To a parent who has a child interested, you may say, "They are just too long to read myself." Don't go watch the movie in hopes you'll get a good feel for the books. Much is left out, and as I said, it's pretty painful to watch. The books are an easy. I easily put down 80-100 pages per hour when uninterrupted, and I'm not a fast reader. I would recommend a mom or dad reading it before their child, or along with their child if confident in her (or his, I guess) readiness. There could be some great discussions that come out of this book concerning love, identity, contentedness, father/daughter relationships, mortality, eternity, and many other topics.
  
• Dads, you may get a good insight into the thought life of your daughter (right now if she's a teenager, or down the road if she's not hit those years yet). Even if she hasn't or doesn't want to read the series.
  
• If your a youth leader who has gals who are choosing sides for Team Edward or Team Jacob, you may want to read. It could be good for you to open doors of conversation, as well as give you a little insight into the soup your kids are swimming in.

Finally, from more of a straight-up book reading critique. Stephanie Meyer is a great story teller, but I did find her writing style to be lacking. Several sections were jumpy, and other sections were ridiculously over-written. I really enjoyed the 40% of the book that was non-romantic plot development. The other 60% of romance was a bit stomach churning, but very insightful. If the book had been about 300 pages less (removing the 60%), I think I would have really liked it. I'm reading on not because I'm hooked, but because I see some great bus/van/amusement park lines discussions this Summer as a product of my reading.