Twilight (Twilight Saga)

Stephenie Meyer

Everyone seems to be talking about how magnificent the Twilight saga is. I see people on trains, reading one of the tomes with flushed cheeks. Then, there's the film, with the supposedly sexy Robert Pattinson (too young to attract my attention, I'm afraid). No book has caused such hype since "Harry Potter".
I did try to read it. And I failed. Got through half of the first book and chucked it. It's just a teenage story about romance, rebellion and finding yourself. Not really special, if you ask me, apart from the fact it has vampires and werewolves in it. Sorry, but I can't understand the worldwide obsession.
There. I had to get it off my chest.

I agree completely. I did finish the first book, but I really didn't see anything special in it.

My theory:
The author creates a character that embodies everything that women want in men. Edward is perfect in almost every way and the reader falls in love with the character.
Bella is an average teenage girl that has no real personality; she's average in every way, self conscious, rebellious. The reader has an easy time placing themselves in her shoes for this reason.
People not attracted to men and people looking for a well written book will be terribly disappointed.

you are absolutely right

I agree with all the posts here. I have not read them for myself yet (and I may never unless my curiousity gets the better of me), so take what I have to say with a grain of salt, but I feel like there's another factor to the hype:

our increasingly global community.

It seems that as the world gets more and more connected and cultures around the world become more and more Americanized, huge widespread fads like this are just going to increase.

I mean, think about it, groups of friends tend to be into what each other is into, right? For example, if one of your friends gets a new CD or reads a new book and recommends it, you are more likely to go check it out too, and recommend it to more friends.... These things have a way of making the rounds within groups. Now it's is just starting to happen on a global scale. People hear that "everyone is into _____ (fill in the blank)" so it just snowballs.

I hope I'm expressing my theory clearly, I feel like I'm just babbling now, haha. Anyone have thoughts on this?

(I meant I have not read the Twilight books, obviously. Just sounds like I said I haven't read the posts, haha.)

I've read the whole series and in my opinion, it was just "good". Nothing to get too crazy about. I especially hated the movie though, I hated the character cast as Edward and well that's my take.

I read the whole series. It was a fast read, and in that sense I enjoyed it, it was very easy. But I got done and was kind of like, eh. Not bad, but not so great either. I also saw the movie, and was told that it was even better than the books (by other women in their late 20's, mind). It was slow. So I'm not sure why all the hype. I totally participated in Harry Potter hype and love those books, so it's not that I'm against young adult literature. I also adored the His Dark Materials trilogy, and thought The Book Thief was one of the best out there. But this...?

This global thing you speak is not a new thing... Think Beatle-Mania... Girls were in hysterics, working themselves up to the point of passing out, getting trampled, etc. Same thing, different obsession

I'm sorry but this whole 'vampire' thing is soooo 1995. Vampire novels haven't been cool since Ann Rice's work was revitalised in schlock hollywood form.
It's uber passe.