I have read several bad 'reviews' of the Twilight books just lately that I feel the need to rant.
Some of the 'reviewers' in my humble opinion are just plain ranters, not constructive reviewers. The books were written and successful...end of. They became movies, what a thrill for the author, Stephanie Meyer...end of.
Why do folk feel the need to tear books apart (in the virtual sense)? Why can they not just put their reading view across and walk away leaving another reader satisfied and curious? No, they have to analyse everything. Strip it back to the bare bones. I feel in some cases folk have watched the movie before the book and are not seeing the characters as they were first created, therefore not getting the full picture of how Ms Meyer wanted to portray them, only a movie director.
OK, so some folk do not like the books, I am happy with that. I personally am impressed with the way youngsters have taken to reading again because of them, and are picking up classic books because of Bella.
Some 'reviewers' also forget the books were written for the YA section and not aimed at adults. The sex, drugs and swearing has not been needed to get people to read, the story of young romance (Vampire fantasy) has achieved that goal. For that I take my hat off to the author.
Many years ago -before Internet, heck before TV-books were read. They were loved or hated. Word of mouth sold copies and books were reviewed, not analysed for whether the author was having an off day or not. The author was not ridiculed, they were critiqued. BIG difference.
I for one think the green-eyed monster plays a large role in some cases. For me I am envious of Ms Meyer and her success. To have a dream, wake up and write it down, get it published and turned into a movie, who wouldn't be a tad green around the gills? Whether I like the books or not, I hope I would be fair in my opinion, not cruel.
Rant over.
14 Comments:
I completely agree. It's not cool to begrudge someone their success.
Envy could very well play a part. That, and I think some people just like to be contrary. When things become popular, they have an instant dislike for them. I hate to say that, but I actually know a few people like this, which is why I bring it up. (And they'll be the first to admit it, too. I'm not trying to diss these people.)
I, for one, liked the books. New Moon dragged them down a notch for me, but I'm happy for Meyer and her success. :)
Jessica, it is not and I think it is unfair.
Nisa, yes envy is the key I am certain.
Thank you both for visiting. :) x
Envy is probably a big part. I have no interest in reading them, but then, I'm not a teenaged girl.
I agree. I have not read the books or seen the movies. I have friends my age (and I am no teenager :)) rave about them yet I have not yet had the desire to read them myself. Maybe it's because I had my fill of vampires with the Lestat series.
Readers vote whether a book is successful with what they read. The success of the Twilight series says it appeals to a lot of readers. That's the best "review" you can have.
Some "bad" reviews are full of specific content about why a reader didn't like a book--to me that's not a bad review because I may not agree with that review!
Well considered post, Glynis, thank you.
Here, here. I liked the first three books a lot and I appreciated that she could tell a compelling, suspenseful story without, sex, et al. But still, review the book and don't attach the author-that's just not classy.
It's nice that people read books. But these books are not written well. The same lines are repeated and there is too much detail about things not particularly interesting, like the nearby woods. Nothing about Bella is worth my own daughter aspiring to. Bella is obsessed with her boyfriend. She'd rather be with him than go to college, and she tries to commit suicide when he leaves. After that, anytime his name is mentioned, she goes into a fetal position. And the last book has some pretty disturbing stuff in it - her exboyfriend werewolf has the hots for her monster baby. So, yeah, I rant a little.
Those who say how lovely they don't have sex for four books don't impress me.
Did I mention he sneaks into her room and watches her sleep before they're even dating?
I agree about the Ranters part. Some people just complain even if they haven't read the books. I read the first one. Its not for me, but I admit the book was well written and worthy of its icon status. Not sure of the rest of the series as I have not read them.
It's great to read all views and comments. Thanks for dropping by and taking time out for me. :)
I totally agree with Theresa. Bella is a ridiculously poor role model for any young girl. The morning after their wedding night she awakes to find herself covered in bruises the shape of her husbands hands and tells him it's OK, he couldn't help it, it's because he loves her so much. Yup, there is a great apologist for domestic violence right there.
The books are very poorly written and the whole Jacob and Bethesme bonding thing is very, very creepy. YA fiction has a duty to its readers and Meyers seems totally blinkered to this.
A far better YA writer is Michelle Zink. Compare her heroine, Lia to Bella for how a young woman should be.
Hi Glynis. I've seen the film but haven't read the books. I thought it was an interesting story. I've heard a lot of jokes and rants too about Twilight. Whatever people say, Stephanie Meyer is still successful and teenagers read her books. I love the way you wrote 'end of...' instead of 'full stop' or 'period', made me smile :)
Hey Glenys. You're right on the money here. Once reviewing was done by highly educated professionals, now anyone can take a destructive machete to books. They're in the public domain. Our reviews are subjective. We all like/dislike different things. But motives are wondered at sometimes. It seems no author is immune to bad reviews. You'd like Francine Howarth's guest post at Romantic Friday Writers this week. She's saying how she deals with bad reviews and how they can work in your favour. Come across and have a read.
http://romanticfridaywriters.blogspot.com
Denise
I am SO not interested in the Vampire thing. I would only be able to comment on the writing itself because the topic just ... eludes me.
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