Twilight Book Review

In my last post you may have gathered my burst of excitement for the upcoming film Twilight. As promised I’ve read the first novel and eager to share my thoughts.

To recapture, Twilight is about a 17-year-old girl, Bella Swan. She moves in with her dad to the gloomy town of Forks, where the sun literally doesn’t shine. Her life flips upside down when she meets the alluring Edward Cullen.

With this beautiful combination what could happen next? Yes, they fall in love….oh but did I mention Edward is a vampire?

The book is narrated by ‘ordinary’ Bella, whose clumsy behaviour gives her a tendency to attract accidents, making her refreshingly funny.

Immediately Bella and Edward’s bond starts off with so much tension your back aches. Edward’s actions are so intimidating you feel as uncomfortable as Bella.

Their friendship is so thought provoking and addictive-like a fat kid’s desire for cake. Even though I knew it was coming, their relationship evolves suddenly; their lust and desire bubbles beneath the surface filling the empty space with electricity. Bella’s infatuation with Edward is intoxicating and Edward’s longing to protect Bella is endearing.

I understand why many girls were so critical when casting Edward for the film; he’s described so distinctively and his charm overpowers characters and makes readers smile uncontrollably. Bringing him to life (in a sense) is British actor Rob Pattinson.

On the blurb it states Edward is a vampire but this doesn’t ruin anything, with this knowledge you pick up on hints while also attaining curiosity about him.

The novel doesn’t follow the cliches of ‘vampires’. It’s often said, ‘it’s perfect for people who don’t like vampire films/novels’, which strangely enough is how author Stephenie Meyer is like.

The writing is beautiful with extraordinary descriptions of the outdoors, and encapsulating teenage culture through Bella’s sprit, and love for Edward.

The ending has your blood cells crashing against your veins as you become consumed of adrenaline, when Edward and Bella’s relationship comes in jeopardy.

This is the first time I’ve read the book before watching the film. So I watched the trailer (which motivated me to buy the book) to see if the novel is intact. To my satisfaction, the film keeps the colours shining bright. From the appearance of Bella’s car to the beautiful surroundings, also adding of its own elements, keeping it fresh.

‘Twilight’ is the time before sunrise and after sunset. When the sun passes over the horizon Edward says, “It’s the safest time of day for us…But also the saddest, in a way…No matter how perfect the day, it always has to end.”

This was exactly how I felt when I finished the book, but Bella then says, “Some things don’t have to end”, and I realised I just have to buy the next in the series ‘New Moon’ so the story never ends.

Another reason to read ‘New Moon’ - following Twilight’s success in America it lead to the confirmation of the sequel.

Not bad for a film with relatively unknown leading stars!