We've already seen that the demography of a Twilight fan is diverse and complex (see here for more on this or to comment). Yet, that's not the half of it.
"Twilight Moms" around the world are reporting that the series is giving them something to talk about with their own mothers, children, sisters, and friends. Avid fans are sharing their stories, news, opinions and friendships through impressive fan-sites such as Twilight Sisterhood, sites where thousands of fans join and share their memories and laughs with each other.
Despite the very personal nature of the tale of Bella Swan and her experience in Forks, Washington in the Twilight series, it is that very tale that is bringing fans closer together.
Mothers and daughters are sharing theories and deep conversations about literature; even grandmothers and their grandchildren are opening whole new lines of communication in response to the Twilight series. Young women are learning the value of chastity and regaining hopes of true love in the face of the cynicism that the twenty-first century has brought them. Women of all ages are brought back to the memories of first loves and the belief in their Prince Charming.
Critics of the series and its fans suggest that it is laden with sensationalism, sending the wrong message to teens and the public. Some critics say that the country's interest in fantasy stories and vampire tales such as Twilight are just silly. Even Stephen King has been known to criticize the series and its author Stephenie Meyer's writing.
Yet, with all of the positive impacts that the Twilight series has had upon the relationships of so many, how could it be wrong? Answer: it isn't. The series is a best-seller for good reason: it is a beautiful love story with many delicate emotions on careful display throughout the story; it promotes virtue, self-respect, and sacrifice; it has the effect of putting its reader into a joyous comfort zone, praying that the movie-studio handling the books' translations into film are authentic (see here). The fact that, to add to its list of wonders, it is creating a threshold for the strengthening and creation of personal relationships and conversation is quite a bonus.
What do you think? Has the Twilight series brought you closer to someone? Leave your comments below!
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Comments
Definitely. My sister and I bonded quite a lot over talks of Twilight (esp. Edward Cullen), and we spent hours together watching and re-watching the movie.. So, yes, absolutely!
Oh my goodness, great article! It definitely has brought people closer together. Some of my BEST friends live thousands of miles away and I wouldn't have met them if it weren't for Twilight! <3
After I read this book, I mentioned it to my mom, who I used to watch Buffy with back in the day. She read the books, and loved them so much she handed them over to my grandma. She's 75 and starting the third book.
We were a family that had grown a little distant, everyone going their own way. But after my cousin read the books and passed them to me, and I passed them to my daughters and mother and sister, we now have Twilight get-togethers and have so much fun together! Even our male family members are joining us now. It has definately brought us closer together.
I can't believe I'm writing this. I'm a 57-year old mom and grandma. My adult daughters, one a mom and Jr. HS teacher convinced me to go to the movie - - I think the 3rd time they went. I immediately started reading the books and have re-read several time. We talk about them and related themes frequently. This past weekend, we talked with a 30 yr. old male cousin, from out of state, studying to be an English teacher about Twilight. It's definitely provided the opportunity to have conversations...which improve relations and bonding! Stephenie Meyer - you go girl!
I am a 62 year old grandmother of 19. My married daughters talked me into reading the series. We all, husbands included, who have read the books have spent time talking about the symbolisms and meanings and themes of the book. My 67 year old husband has read them twice. I have read them 3 times I think the books are positive and uplifting and fun. Great bonding, good communication building. Good article.
How does Twilight send good messages? Edward is abusive, Bella is whiny, it promotes teen sex/pregnancy/marriage, and it's a story about lust, not love.
Loved the series. My sisters and I have always been close but since we have all read and fell in love with the series, we have so much fun talking about all things "twilight" We have girls night at least once a week and twilight is always a topic of discussion. My daughter has also read it and we have so much fun.
As far as Edward being abusive he isn't. He is protective. Bella can be whiny ( but what teenager isn't whiny at times. But she grows as the series progresses. It really doesn't promote teenage sex in my opinion it is quite the opposite. Bella and Edward are married before having sex and in this day and age that is quite an accompishment!
I was the first in my family to read the series. I was adamant that my 3 sisters, all married and with children, read the books just because I loved them and knew 2 of the 3 are avid readers.
Since reading them, we have communicated far more than we ever have. And not just about Twilight. My mom and sisters and I have gone from emailing maybe once a year to emailing weekly, calling a few times a month and texting all the time (yes, my over 60 mother and I are texting!)
I have friends with tweens and teens and their relationships have strengthened with their children at a time when parent/child relationships become increasingly strained. They are able to openly communicate with each other about things like sex, making choices, realistic expectations vs. fantasy, just about anything and everything a parent could want to discuss openly with input from their child.
Anything that has the power to strengthen families in the world we live in today is a priceless gift. Even if it is something so seemingly trivial such as a book about vampires!
My 13 year old daughter read the books and convinced me to do the same. She has so much in common with her father, video games, snowboarding and skateboarding...and I felt she and I did not have much in common. Until I read the books. Now we discuss each book in depth, including some of the touchier subject. I'm 36 and my daughter is 13, so it is a good conversation starter to discuss decision making and sexuality. I know there is teen marriage and pregnancy in the books, but there is also abstinence before marriage and the themes of growing up and making adult decisions. We both talk about these things together. Another "side effect" of reading the books is that the romantic in me that had been covered up after 14 years of marriage suddenly blossomed in a big way! My husband and I have a better relationship than we have in years both emotionally and physically. It's crazy to think that a series of books could turn things around so dramatically, but that is my true-life Twilight story!
I agree with Alex. This is most definately not a love story in the slightest. Real love requires trust, communication, commitment and a lot of hard work/constant maintenance; Edward and Bella have none of these things so I don't see how anyone can buy into their idea of "true love". If it takes a poorly written book with very little literary value to "bring people together" then I suggest the relationships in question are inherently flawed.
I am a 39 year old mother of two and I can only say that reading the Twilight series and watching the movie has truly enhanced my life! I have bonded with new friends through our connection to this fantastic tale of passionate, unconditional love. I have read the series 3 times and it continues to mesmerize me. I think it is a great story for anyone... a teenager who is determined to get married before having sex, the importance of having a boyfriend who supports getting a college education, putting someone else's needs before your own and the all important, don't settle for someone just because he is there....wait until you find your Prince Charming, because he is out there. My daughter is very young and I look forward to the day that I can introduce her to this beautiful world of Twilight. This is one of the greatest things I have ever experienced in my life and I will cherish what it has done for my imagination forever. My husband gets the benefits too...reading it really brings out the sensual and sexy side of me and my husband is definitely 'my Edward'!
No, I refuse to have my daughters read those books. Get married at 18 and dropping out of college to stay at home and feed your husband? What kind of virtues are those?
I was so disgusted by some of the overtones in these books (stealing cars with no consequences, lying to your parents to fly off to Italy, and choosing boyfriends based on appearance). I hope most readers skip over them, but I couldn't help but notice them. I don't want my daughter to end up in those predicaments. I want her to be strong, independant, not whiney and insecure like Bella Swan was. These books are slowly rotting our female youth. I'm just glad that my two teens boys aren't affected by this crazy fad.
I have to agree with Janice on this one. These books, the final one especially, have some extremely shocking content. I've had some conversations about Twilight to my sixteen year-old daughter and her friends, and they all seem to be under the impression that a sixteen year-old boy "imprinting" onto an infant is "cute".
I don't know about you, but I was horrified when I got to that section of the book. First there was the bloody (and very graphic) birth scene where Edward gives Bella a C Section using his teeth, of all things, and then Jacob decides that he's going to hook up with an infant?
I do think that Edward is abusive. In one of the early chapters of Eclipse, he literally tore the engine out of her truck so she couldn't go see Jacob. One of the signs of an abusive boyfriend is him controlling your interaction with friends, and that's certainly what I interepted that as.
The books, on a whole, weren't that bad. But I have to agree with Janice in saying that it may affect our youth in negative ways.
What are you reading? It sure isn't Twilight.
Bella is an anti-feminast, selfish little brat, and Edward Cullen is an abusive stalker.
It's hardly 'love'. It's just lust.
And for websites, I think you forgot TwilightSucks.com.
I agree with Renee most 17 year old girls are winey and yes Edward goes a bit over the top to protect Bella but he also changes and lets her decide who she sees and when. I also agree that the birth scene is quite graphic but it is a book about vampires, besides it is no worse than what most people see on CSI anyway.
Twilight is a story and in my opinion a great story. I love being able to escape into Bellas world. These stories have also given my female friends and I some common ground so thank you Stephanie.
For the people who feel very strongly against the Twilight series, you are focusing on the negative aspects...look at it as a whole. Yes there are some points, especially in the final book that I dont think are right for young girls...but you have to realize that those same girls are already hearing this stuff and much worse in school...I can promise you that! The story as a whole has a good vibe...true love does exist, no one is perfect even if they look perfect and above all life is complicated.
As for this whole thing that Bella is anti-feminist...does anyone who believes that remember what it was like as a teenage girl? Constantly questioning yourself or the emotions? The character is a teenage girl who is already more mature due to having to be an adult for her crazy mom, who happens to find love. So b/c she is a teenager and doesnt know what is best for her (what teen does) in the long run she is antifeminist? No she is simply a young woman who has fallen in love and is adjusting to emotions and feelings. Besides if you dont like the books dont read them or allow your children to read them, but forewarning you, they probably have already borrowed them from the library or a friend and read them! It is a story of fantasy and fiction and as for the whole 'abusive Edward' thing, I will agree that his actions seem controlling at times, but he quickly realizes BEFORE he hurts her that his behavior is innapropriate, as he is also adjusting to the new emotions of love and just wants to protect her. Most people who read these books would never even focus on these negative traits of the characters, they accept them as flawed individuals and maybe even find a bit of themselves in there. As for the story being about lust not love, you who argue that obviously have never experienced true love. My husband and I realized we were going to be together forever within months of starting to date...and have been in 'lust' (according to your assesments of Edward & Bella's relationship) for over 10 years now...love cant be love just lust b/c its all consuming and all you want to do is be with that person and protect them...ridiculous! If you have concerns about the type of message your child is getting from the books sit them down and discuss it! Dont deny them the opportunity to read it and assess it themselves...now your taking away their ability to decide for themselves what appeals to them. If you want them to grow up and be confident well adjusted people let them decide if they can handle the stories...
As for us Twilight fans...I have found that this book series has given me great connections with friends and even coworkers...in fact I've already passed my collection on for fellow coworkers to hooked on...they all love it! Looking forward to seeing the movies with all my Twilight girls! :)
Bella IS anti-feminist. She goes into a depressed state when EddieMcPerfectSparklePoo leaves her. Her life revolves around her. She can only be happy having everything done for her by EddieMcPerfectSparklePoo.
Their relationshit is nothing. Its all based on LOOKS. Eddie-kins has the personality of cardboard. All Bella cares about is "Liek, omg so hawwwtttt." Does that sound like 'love' to you? That's like saying Romeo And Juliet had TWU LUV!!!!!!1111apple
The story as a whole has a good vibe...true love does exist, no one is perfect even if they look perfect and above all life is complicated.
1. Tell me, how is romance based on looks, 'luv'?
2. They are perfect. THEY HAVE NO FLAWS.
3. Complicated? Bella gets everything she wants WITHOUT EVEN TRYING.
Twilight is filled with purple prose, and the writing is horrible. Calling it a good book is an insult to literature.
Twilight made me a better wife ... it helped me bond with my daughter ... I now have friends because of the book ... How pathetic are all of you! BAAA BAAA BAAA You are all just sheep to buy into the latest thing because others told you to.
Ha, Sharon I thought you were serious at first. xD
Wow, "Estelle Fantasia" sure writes a lot for an anti-Twilight person. And how did you find the site, if you disapprove of it so much?
Well, Twilight is a book to which my aunt, cousin, and I could relate, something we've bonded over. And I really have met a lot of people just because of Twilight! ?
Listen Estelle Fantasia and every one else who thinks Bella is whiny and Edward is abusive, why dont you prove your point better. I personally love the series. Come on its not like you never wanted to have a prince charming that is rich and good looking. You are just pathetic!! I'm sure you(when you were YOUNG) wanted to date a majorally hot guy and have sex with him. Dont lie! I THINK YOU PEOPLE WHO THINK IT PROMOTES TEEN PREGNANCY AND CRAP LIKE THAT ARE JUST J-E-A-L-O-U-S!!!
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