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Blogs by Jerome Parisse
TWILIGHT 6/15/2010 4:06:25 PM
I've finally read the first installment of the teen romance that's taken the world by storm, Twilight. It's not that I didn't want to, but I just had too many books to read first, and too many things on my to-do list.
I was pleasantly surprised by the writing style. I had heard and read many negatives comments about it, but I found it easy to read, fluid, and not drawing attention to itself, one of my pet hates. The premise is very interesting, although not new, and how could anyone come up with a new premise with a vampire story anyway? It reads well and has all the elements of a good story: arresting characters (at least some of them), structure and plot. I also really like the clever use of setting to enhance the mood and plot. It's smart, and the contrast between Phoenix and Forks works superbly. I'm not surprised it's hit the mark with the young adult audience.
I found the story a little too slow for my liking. It takes forever to get started. To be totally honest, I really started liking it when James, the hunter vampire who wants to kill Bella, turns up and forces the plot to accelerate. Of course, this is romance after all - not my favourite genre - so you can't expect it to happen at two hundred kilometres an hour. The sequel, New Moon, which I have just started, has a faster beginning. I hope it keeps its promise.
I found that the James episode ends too easily. It builds up nicely but falls back down like a cheese souffle... It's done too quickly, it uses dreams again (Dreams are an easy device in writing), and we don't really get to see it or even get a feel for it. The two vampires don't even look they've had a terrible fight.
My bigger criticism, however, is Bella's character. I find her plain, flat, boring, and even slightly annoying. Okay, she is depressed, but her depression colours the book just a little too much. You feel like you want to shake her and tell her to smile - if only once in a while. Her passivity really gets on one's nerves after a while. Other than that, definitely a good read.
