There's a hype going on about the motion picture adaptation of Twilight, the first installment of four from Stephanie Meyer. Judging from what I've been hearing and reading from friends and bloggers who have read the Twilight series, my curiosity was piqued, but not quite enough to buy the paperback from the nearest bookstore. In short, I was half-heartedly convinced that it just isn't worth my money. And so I decided to just download the e-book edition and see for myself if it was indeed at par to the likes of Rowling's and Coelho's works, as the press releases claimed it to be. In a span of 48 hours I was able to finish the first book and so far this is what I have to say...
It reminds me of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High novels, BIG TIME; only, there are no sun-kissed American blonde twins plus the setting of the entire novel is far from sunshiny California. But in terms of wordplay and plot depth, Twilight could very well pass for just another SVH Special Edition. The author simply failed to elevate the female protagonist to a certain level of emotional maturity that is expected to spring up given the severity of circumstances she was put into. Isabella Swan remained to be an introvert teeny bopper who transforms into a clumsy and giddy seventeen-year old in the presence of her vampire sweetheart throughout the first book. But if there's any consolation, Edward Cullen's character seemed to leap out of the pages; he was an enigmatic figure that's become a core pillar of the entire plot. As for the literature, Meyer dwelled too much on adjectival prose which is similar to a canvas with all too vivid hues that's disturbingly unnecessary. Needless to say, I was sorely disappointed. But, that is only as far as the first book is concerned. I already started reading the sequel, New Moon, hoping things would be stirring up for the two protagonists and that the plot would be an elevation from its predecessor. I'll let you know what I think once I've finished all three remaining books.
It reminds me of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High novels, BIG TIME; only, there are no sun-kissed American blonde twins plus the setting of the entire novel is far from sunshiny California. But in terms of wordplay and plot depth, Twilight could very well pass for just another SVH Special Edition. The author simply failed to elevate the female protagonist to a certain level of emotional maturity that is expected to spring up given the severity of circumstances she was put into. Isabella Swan remained to be an introvert teeny bopper who transforms into a clumsy and giddy seventeen-year old in the presence of her vampire sweetheart throughout the first book. But if there's any consolation, Edward Cullen's character seemed to leap out of the pages; he was an enigmatic figure that's become a core pillar of the entire plot. As for the literature, Meyer dwelled too much on adjectival prose which is similar to a canvas with all too vivid hues that's disturbingly unnecessary. Needless to say, I was sorely disappointed. But, that is only as far as the first book is concerned. I already started reading the sequel, New Moon, hoping things would be stirring up for the two protagonists and that the plot would be an elevation from its predecessor. I'll let you know what I think once I've finished all three remaining books.
By now, I'm sure I'll be cursed and criticized by staunch Twilight and Stephanie Meyer fans that get to read this blog. Frankly, I don't mind. But don't get me wrong, though; I'm very much looking forward to the movie as a matter of fact. Who knows, maybe the movie could render better justice to Isabella Swan and to the plot as well. If it doesn't, then it might very well remain at that - just a hype.
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