What's wrong with the Twilight series??

[Shyvioletisme]

I'm just being curious. I have seen a few people post that their kids are not allowed to see/read the Twilight series. I just read the first 2 books and saw the movies and I'm stumped There is no sex, no cursing in fact they were the tamest books/movies I've ever read/seen. My girls have zero interest...oldest saw the first movie and thought it stunk but I would have no objection to them seeing the movies and would actually love them to read the books b/c they never read!

while I am a fan of the books, get your daughters to read something else as Stephanie Meyer is a pretty bad writer. That's my only complaint is that the writing is pretty atrocious. The characters do kinda suck you in, but my word...she really should have taken more time with the books to begin with and had a better editor to fix all the problems.

 

[laurie31]

We were told that it was "letting DD dabble in the occult."

Ummm...we are Christians, and I personally have seen the movies, and didn't see anything different from any other fantasy. The books aren't trying to seduce young children into devil worship or anything. I didn't see it as any different from reading Greek mythology (full of crazed obsessive love stories between mortals and immortals!) or any other fantasy, such as Lord of the Rings. DD13 rolled her eyes about the comment (to me, in private, later) and said, "Does she think I believe it's real?"

No, it's not great literature, it's just a guilty pleasure. A fun read. I do think the romance is too intense for children under 10, but that's just MHO.

 

[mickeylove2]

Then why do we read Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' for school?

Like I said, that was not my opinion, just what I've been told by others. Anyway, I would guess that since Romeo and Juliet is a classic then it's ok to read in school but Twilight is more pop culture so it's on a different scale. I honestly don't know because Romeo and Juliet as well as Twilight are fine with me. They are just stories.

 

[korzmom]

i personally like the vampire diaries better..

 

[iwrbnd]

I loved the Twilight books! They were a fun read and I would let my teenagers read them. They are boys, though, and would DIE before they got caught reading them!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I read all 4 of them, saw the first movie. Had no interest in seeing 2nd movie, lol. If DD was a 'tween I'd let her read them. They're pretty tame as far as I'm concerned, and it only alluded to sex, no real description. Just a torn up room... lol, something that would go over a 'tween's head anyway.

I don't really get it either. The only real thing I can see, like a PP's daughter pointed out, is that Edward is pretty stalker-ish. That could possibly send a message that that is a desirable quality in a man, but I think after a short discussion with a parent or trusted adult that would be rectified quickly.

 

[Ember]

As for the sex - technically Bella and Edward are not intimate until they are married, so I think that is actually a good thing about the books.

Yeah, except they she's 18 (or 19?) when they get married. Which they do pretty well because they want to have sex. Yeah, that's a great reason to get married. Of all the issues in the books, and there are many, this one actually irritated me the most. Getting married because you are horny is not a good basis for a marriage!

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Yeah, except they she's 18 (or 19?) when they get married. Which they do pretty well because they want to have sex. Yeah, that's a great reason to get married. Of all the issues in the books, and there are many, this one actually irritated me the most. Getting married because you are horny is not a good basis for a marriage!

So I went to Christian college and one of my biggest pet peeves was all the people I knew who got married super young just to have sex so I am totally with you in that regard. However, don't you think Bella and Edward did really love each other?

OK, it's official, I need to get a life. I can't believe I'm discussing Twilight.

 

[Ember]

So I went to Christian college and one of my biggest pet peeves was all the people I knew who got married super young just to have sex so I am totally with you in that regard. However, don't you think Bella and Edward did really love each other?

OK, it's official, I need to get a life. I can't believe I'm discussing Twilight.

Hahaha! Come one, we're discussing "literature" here! I think that makes us cultured!

Now, in response I think Bella and Edward were obsessed with each other, which is not the same as love and not particularly healthy, either. Besides, they never actually got to know each other. He loved her because she smelled yummy and she loved him because... He was cold? Had a lot of hair? I never was too clear on that point, actually...

 

[krcit]

Hahaha! Come one, we're discussing "literature" here! I think that makes us cultured!

Now, in response I think Bella and Edward were obsessed with each other, which is not the same as love and not particularly healthy, either. Besides, they never actually got to know each other. He loved her because she smelled yummy and she loved him because... He was cold? Had a lot of hair? I never was too clear on that point, actually...

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Hahaha! Come one, we're discussing "literature" here! I think that makes us cultured!

Now, in response I think Bella and Edward were obsessed with each other, which is not the same as love and not particularly healthy, either. Besides, they never actually got to know each other. He loved her because she smelled yummy and she loved him because... He was cold? Had a lot of hair? I never was too clear on that point, actually...

Good answer in both regards!

 

[MoonFaerie]

Hahaha! Come one, we're discussing "literature" here! I think that makes us cultured!

Now, in response I think Bella and Edward were obsessed with each other, which is not the same as love and not particularly healthy, either. Besides, they never actually got to know each other. He loved her because she smelled yummy and she loved him because... He was cold? Had a lot of hair? I never was too clear on that point, actually...

Yeah, I don't think they were actually in love either. I really think the main appeal for both of them is the danger, esp for Bella. I won't ban the books (cause that's not the way I am), but if dd wants to read it when she's older, I'll tell her why I have problems with it.

For me, it's the terrible relationship dynamics. Leaving out the weird love triangle and imprinting thing, I have HUGE problems with Edward & Bella's relationship. The controlling, cutting Bella off from family & friends, stalking her. That my friends looks a lot like an abusive relationship. I do NOT want my dd to think that kind of relationship is ok.

I'm not terribly knowledgeable about Mormons (which the author is), but there's a very interesting (and humorous) breakdown written by someone that has left the church. A lot of the issues I have with the book are actually addressed in her um, analysis. I'm quite certain I can't link to it as it's got adult language, but it's pretty easy to find - mormon + twilight + livejournal

Also, the writing is so terrible. I'm fine with fluff fiction as long as there's some actual quality fiction and non-fiction being read too.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm just personally not interested in it, yet. I am so not a fan of anything vampire. It just heebs me regardless of how "good" it may be.

My 9yo who could read it--hasn't been given the option, but it hasn't been denied either. She loves reading novels involving animals and isn't into getting spooked. She does enjoy a good mystery.

I haven't heard of any mass anti-twilight movement. Everyone I know is gaga over it.

As a genre, it just doesn't appeal to me and no I don't find Vampires cute, sexy,and irresistable.

I have also heard--that as a piece of literature, it isn't all that great. But part of that (I think) is that adults are interested in it, but it is written at a much younger level. It isn't going to be Sense and Sensibility or Dracula. That would be right up my alley as I like "easy reader" novels that don't provoke a lot of thought. But again--so not interested in Vampires.

I didn't even like the Vampire storyline on Wizards of Waverly place. But my kids got a kick out of it.

 

[monkeybug]

Hahaha! Come one, we're discussing "literature" here! I think that makes us cultured!

Now, in response I think Bella and Edward were obsessed with each other, which is not the same as love and not particularly healthy, either. Besides, they never actually got to know each other. He loved her because she smelled yummy and she loved him because... He was cold? Had a lot of hair? I never was too clear on that point, actually...

I've read them, and I would let my daughter read them when she is old enough, but not with out talking about how pathetic and unhealthy the relationship between Bella and Edward is.

 

[Momvic5]

It's the same thing that happened with the Harry Potter books, some extremists that never read the books jumped on the bandwagon that the books are horrible and will turn your children into cult followers of evil so then those parents that think they are being great parents by limiting everything their child does starts spouting off about how evil the books are, having never read the books to begin with.

Now, if you want to talk about how poorly written the books are, that is another story. They are simply entertaining novels nothing more, nothing less.

I am not an extremist nor do I think I am a great parent for not encouraging the Twilight series. I haven't jumped on any bandwagons lately either. I am just a normal parent who happens to not encourage HP or the Twilight series. My reason comes from my personal faith and has nothing to do with bandwagons or fear of cults....my faith simply leads me to be uncomfortable with origins of the characters. I do not have to read a page in any of the books to know that the characters in them have their origins in hell or evil. No matter how wonderful the story line or what great moral spin they put on the characters, the characters are still characters that are ultimately dark. They are vampires, werewolves, wizards, etc...all of which are representatives of the darkness that my faith leads me to be cautious of. I don't like the idea of dark characters being passed off as "good", and I am not comfortable with encouraging my children to fill their extra time with those type characters. My concern is not about forming cult followers but about entertaining my kids with books that represent the ideas that I feel fit within the comfort zone of my faith. I don't forbid the books. I just do not encourage them. I do not make any judgements on anyone who thinks differently...the books are just fictional reads for enjoyment.

 

[Motherofboys]

I couldn't get past the first book, despite all of my sister's pleas to just read on. I couldn't stand the character of Bella and the writing/dialogue was just hokey and poor.

Give me female characters like Hermione any day for young girls! Then again I was the girl who was obsessed with Babysitter Club books and couldn't stand the Sweet Valley twins - too much drama and boy crushes

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I'm not terribly knowledgeable about Mormons (which the author is), but there's a very interesting (and humorous) breakdown written by someone that has left the church. A lot of the issues I have with the book are actually addressed in her um, analysis. I'm quite certain I can't link to it as it's got adult language, but it's pretty easy to find - mormon + twilight + livejournal

Also, the writing is so terrible. I'm fine with fluff fiction as long as there's some actual quality fiction and non-fiction being read too.

O.M.G. the mormon + twilight + livejournal thing is HI-LARIOUS.

 

[Disneyrsh]

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[swald91]

I am a HUGE Twilight fan!!! I don't see a problem with teenagers reading the series-although the 4th book is a bit goofy...as far as Stephenie Meyers not being a great author-honestly getting teens to read is more important so I would rather see them with their noses in these books than none at all. There is definitely some sexual tension in them but some don't see it I guess-it's a wondeful love story.........

 

[LoraJ]

I'm just personally not interested in it, yet. I am so not a fan of anything vampire. It just heebs me regardless of how "good" it may be.

My 9yo who could read it--hasn't been given the option, but it hasn't been denied either. She loves reading novels involving animals and isn't into getting spooked. She does enjoy a good mystery.

I haven't heard of any mass anti-twilight movement. Everyone I know is gaga over it.

As a genre, it just doesn't appeal to me and no I don't find Vampires cute, sexy,and irresistable.

I have also heard--that as a piece of literature, it isn't all that great. But part of that (I think) is that adults are interested in it, but it is written at a much younger level. It isn't going to be Sense and Sensibility or Dracula. That would be right up my alley as I like "easy reader" novels that don't provoke a lot of thought. But again--so not interested in Vampires.

I didn't even like the Vampire storyline on Wizards of Waverly place. But my kids got a kick out of it.

I'm not into vampires (or werewolves) at all but I somehow got hooked into the Twilight series because that's all my old high school friends were talking about on Facebook. I was so prepared to hate it and I ended up loving it. I'm a big fan of Jane Austen stories.

It's weird too because I am totally against the whole "let's get married so we can have sex" aspect that young religious kids seem to do. But for Bella and Edward it was more than that. She had made the decision that she wanted to be with him for eternity, she didn't want to be much older than him, etc. All part of a compromise.

The stalking part is creepy, but then I read Midnight Sun, the Twilight book from Edward's point of view and he even thinks he's a creepy stalker. But he just sees it as his job to keep Bella alive because she seems to attract danger.

I also "read" the series with the audiobooks. Maybe that is why the horrible writing didn't bother me so much. There were some things that bugged me, but not enough to ruin the story.

I think the first two books are okay for kids 10+ and the second 2 - 12+. But it also depends on the readers maturity level.