Warning: You might not want to read this if you haven’t read the whole
Twilight Saga.
I have a question for the Twilight readers out there. Did you like Breaking Dawn?
I ask, because I freaking hated it. Lisa and I both read it the day it came it out: August 2nd. The initial response on the internet matched ours. Everyone felt like the final book was nothing like the previous three. They were hugely disappointed. There was a backlash against Stephenie. I said to a few people that it almost ruined the series for me, but the truth is that it pretty much did ruin the series for me.
Lisa and I spent several days detailing all of our complaints. But, then we pretty much dropped it. Later when Twilight fever struck the blogosphere, I assumed everyone would have the same reaction to Breaking Dawn, but it doesn’t sound like people did. And now many people I know in real life are enjoying Breaking Dawn too.
I am really confused by this. I definitely don’t expect people to have the same opinions as me, especially about movies, music, or books, but Breaking Dawn hate seems like a no brainer to me. I’m wondering if the difference is that we had time–a few months–to build up Breaking Dawn in our minds. Maybe our expectations were too high. Maybe we’d thought too much about what might happen. Maybe we were too invested in our own what-might-have-beens. Or, maybe this isn’t different than anything else–maybe our tastes are just different.
So, again, I’m just wondering what you thought of Breaking Dawn.
For the sake of clarity, I’ll tell you some of the major reasons I disliked it:
- The characters felt like different people to me. It’s hard for me to explain this one, because it’s more about tone and feel. But, I felt very little attachment to the characters of Breaking Dawn, though I was attached to them throughout the first three books. Especially in the second and third parts. We don’t see them much through Jacob’s part, and then suddenly they’re mature adults without any of their previous sufferings in the third part.
- It’s hard to swallow that a girl who didn’t want to be married and didn’t want kids is suddenly married and with child at 18 and couldn’t be happier about it. I’ll drop my complaint about her ditching college, because she never cared that much about it, but can’t it just be okay, especially at such a young age, for someone not to want those conventions?
- It seemed that every real conflict of the series was dissolved in Breaking Dawn without ever really coming to a climax. I wanted a happy ending too, and I expected one. But, no one had to sacrifice a single thing. Jacob’s broken heart is instantly healed. Bella turns into a vampire without any trouble at all. There’s zero regret about giving up mortality. Bella doesn’t have to sacrifice the relationships she has with her parents. She doesn’t have to give up even the possibility of having a child, which she might have later regretted. She had to be turned into a vampire; the only other option was death, so no one–Edward!–had to make a real decision there. The big battle at the end turns into nothing at all.
- That leads me into the end of the book. I know several people will defend the concept of a battle that turns into a battle of minds with no violence. They’ll say it’s clever. Yeah, it might be a clever concept, but it wasn’t executed cleverly. Why introduce us to 345987 new characters just to make nothing happen with them? A battle of words that turns out to be no real threat? Didn’t that same thing already happen at the end of New Moon and (kind of) Eclipse? It seem the Volturi are always full of empty threats, which makes all the battle build up seem silly.
- Finally, okay, I found Bella’s insecurities sometimes annoying throughout the novels. I wanted to see her be a strong character. I wanted her to stop being so bent on self-sacrifice. I wanted her to stop letting herself be manipulated by Edward and Jacob. But then she becomes a vampire, and she’s pretty and physically strong, and away go all the insecurities and inhibitions she ever had. This transformation didn’t feel very realistic to me, and it was also terribly boring. In real life, you see people insecure about their weight lose the weight and find out that it doesn’t cure all their issues. You see lonely people meet the perfect mate, and, funny, it doesn’t make everything else in their lives perfect. She has no insecurities, and Edward The Perpetually Tortured Soul is a different person now too, because he doesn’t have to worry about Bella. Who are these people anymore?
Okay, now I feel a little silly for taking these books so seriously, but I love dissecting things this way. Please feel free to disagree with me.
Yeah, that’s me standing in a grocery store with an apple. Thanks to Elyse–Breaking Dawn defender that she is–for taking the picture.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
I actually liked Breaking Dawn, but I didn’t catch the Twilight Fever until about a month before the movie came out. So I wasn’t expecting anything. I liked that everyone had a happy ending and that it didn’t seem so tough to get there. I understand what you mean, though, that everyone ended up fine w/o having to give up much of anything. I guess I just gave in to the fact that Stephenie Meyer is Mormon and it seems that what Mormon’s want to do is get married young and start having babies young as well. I just try to give in to my imagination and pretend like it’s all real and… I don’t have too many complaints. I’m sure she could have made it better, but hey, we’re all still talking about it. And in this world, any publicity is good publicity. ;-)
I agree with you on every level. I was really disappointed in the book. She completely lost her voice/tone and it just sucked. I hated the ending battle or lack there of one. I really felt that if this was going to be here last book with Bella that they should end things completely with the Volturi. None of the characters were acting normal or how they were portrayed in the other books. I hated it. With the other books I read them two or three times almost right after each other because I loved them so much. But after reading this one right after it came out, I have no desire to read it again.
Many people that I have talked to hated the last book. You are not alone. There are many out there that felt she really let her tone slip just because she wanted to try to make a happy ending and tie as many loose ends as possible.
Oh man. I agree wholeheartedly with this post. I read the first book, loved it and then hated the second book, loved the third and really hated the fourth. Everything you said is something I felt. Especially the idea that the first three books lead you to this idea that there is going to be major sacrifices made in the fourth book and then… there isn’t. At all. The whole Bella just turns into this awesome vampire and it’s so easy for her? Lameo. ( I could go on and on and on all day about my issues with the last book you’ve said it better than I could have!)
You know I already agree with you completely, but I need to add more complaints.
First, the explanation of why Bella could get pregnant was ridiculous. There wasn’t even a hint of that possibility in any of the other books (at least I don’t remember anything). And I was also disturbed that Bella didn’t remember her wedding night. Seriously?!?!?! Did he slip her a date-rape drug??? If I woke up after the first night of my honeymoon and couldn’t remember anything that happened the night before, I would freak out.
Second, Stephenie could have easily made the end more believable/exciting. All she needed to do was have Emmett take down one of the Volturi in a blaze of glory. Then they would have realized they were all doomed, and their retreat would have made sense. Anything more than what was in the book would have made it better! Bringing in that random other half-vampire baby was just another distraction. I don’t think Stephenie can write fight scenes, but she has editors!
Third, and you already talked about this but, the end was just too happy and neat and pretty. I’ll compare this to Harry Potter, even though I know everyone hates that comparison. The end of Book 7 was happy, and the readers were happy, but it was still believable because good people got hurt and died. I’m not saying I wanted Bella to die, but NOTHING bad happened to ANY of the main characters. That doesn’t happen in real life OR good fiction.
Fourth, the birth scene. That’s self-explanatory.
Sorry this is so long. I just can’t stop complaining about this book.
I COMPLETELY AGREE! I didn’t understand Breaking Dawn. I felt like it was the biggest let down to such a good series! It does not make sense to me at all why Stephenie Meyer chose to end it in a such way. I thought, leading up to it, that the choice for her would have to be really hard; that she would have to choose between being with Edward, and living forever, with the man she loved.. and yet not have children, and have to say goodbye to her kids. OR she could choose to live a “normal life” with Jacob, where she would be able to have kids, grow old with someone that she also loved (just not in the same way), and that her kids would know their grandparents, etc. And then in Breaking Dawn, Meyer just tied up all the loose ends, in the worst ways! I hated that Jacob imprinted on Bella’s baby, can we say creepy? And yeah, just yuck. At least with other big series, like Harry Potter, they’re more realistic. They stick to the same rules that have already been set, and when there are big fights and portrayals of evil, people die or are hurt bad because that’s what really happens in real life.
Sigh. I guess I could have just stopped babbling at I agree. ;)
Okay I’m back because I was thinking about this some more. I think my fundamental problem with the Bella (and the book series as a whole) is that in the first book Bella seems normal. She sucks in gym, she’s sort of dorky, she doesn’t always make good choices, she seems like a loner. And by the end of the fourth book, she’s got a) a hot husband b) a cute kid c) some cool vampire tricks d)unlimited cash flow e) a pretty cottage complete with huge wardrobe f) a large group of friends…. she just seems like she’s done a complete 180 degree turn from the character she was introduced as. And I understand that characters are supposed to ‘develop’, but I struggle to see any similarities to how she started out in the first book and how she ends up in the last, other than she still loves her family, Edward and Jacob.
Okay. Now I’m done ranting.
So, I only read the first Twilight book. I doubt I will read any of the other ones because I just wasn’t that into it.
BUT I love the picture of you with the apple. Hilarious. It looks just like the cover.
I have never read any of the Twilight books, though I hear they are quite popular. But since you pretty much always know what you’re talking about, I’ll go ahead and say that you’re right on the money with your assessment.
i loved breaking dawn, but i think you already knew that (?). for me, it was second only to twilight in the series. that’s not to say that i don’t see where you’re coming from, or where a lot of people were coming from for that matter. but i still loved it, for reasons (both about the story line, and about my mindset going in to reading it) too numerous to really go in to in a comment to a post. but i just thought i’d throw my opinion in there!
and that is such a great picture. i love the nail polish. :)
I didn’t like Breaking Dawn as much as the other three books. The scene where Bella gives birth seemed gratuitously graphic and WAY too long. It was like a really bad Rosemary’s Baby knock-off. I had a feeling Bella would become a vampire eventually, but you’re right. The transformation seemed a little too easy, with very little impact on her psyche. I’m not a fan of this last book and that’s a shame considering there won’t be any others.
Oh, and Renesmee is the dumbest name ever.
Honestly, I couldn’t even get through Twilight. I think I ruined it for myself by seeing the movie first because I hated the movie and I read the first 100 pages of the book and just couldn’t anymore. I was really disapointed because I’m an avid reader and I’d heard so many good things about that book but I just couldn’t get through it!
That picture is Teh Awesome. I liked Breaking Dawn, but then again, I hold the books to really low standards. I’m still surprised at how much I liked the movie.
I didn’t like it, but I think it was for different reasons.
I think that Bella’s transformation was believable, because she’s not a strong girl. She is whiny, frusterated, and manipulated – and wholly focused on one thing that she thinks will solve all her problems. So when she becomes a vampire, her problems and insecurities all evaporate because she’s been pinning everything that’s wrong with her and her life on the difference between her and Edward: her being human.
The child story line creeped me out. It felt like a strange teen pregnancy morality tale, and I almost felt like the characters were just as weirded out as I waa – hence the distance.
I read Breaking Dawn, and I liked it. Months later, I’ve thought back on it, and I have realized just how different the book was. Twilight was actually my favorite of the three. Bella, even though she loved Edward, still found him to be mysterious, and at times, scary/intimidating. After the first book, there was none of that, and it kind of killed the mood between them for me. In Breaking Dawn, that mood was COMPLETELY gone, while everything moved so quickly. Too many things happened in Breaking Dawn for it to actually be enjoyable.
Of course, at the beginning, I wanted Edward and Bella to live–would that be the correct term?–happily ever after… but by Breaking Dawn, I didn’t… because they weren’t the same characters. Bringing a baby into the picture just really screwed things up. And Charlie actually seeming okay about Bella becoming a vampire? Unrealistic, to say the least. I’m sure if my father found out I was a vampire, umm, he’d freak.
The happy ending was what everyone wanted, but the ending was just too happy.
I still liked it, but I completely agree with the analysis. It did feel different than the others (maybe because the series had already become popular and people were waiting for the book… it could have put pressure on the author?). Renesmee is pretty much the dumbest name ever, and no matter what, Jacob imprinting on her is creepy. The Bella that was bent on self-sacrifice and having the baby just didn’t feel like the same old Bella, she seemed… distant, if that makes any sense. And what happened to Alice? She was just not herself. The whole “don’t have teenage sex” morality thing bugged me. Oh, and Bella’s transformation was bizarre, there is no way it should have been so easy.
But, I still loved it more than I should have, and it left me with a gaping hole. I still am left wanting more, but I highly doubt I would be happy with anything else.
I have to say, the first time I read BD, I thought parts were really shoddy. Especially Charlie’s reaction. But, I recently re-read the saga and found it much enjoyable the second time round. I think the Twilight saga is more enjoyable if you read it in a less thoughtful capacity – if you question every little thing, then it’s not going to work with what the story entails.
SO, ‘m taking the neutral stance here. Yes, it could have been much better, but ultimately I accept how BD is because I’d like to think that’s how Meyer wanted it to end. As a writer, I think it’s important not to write for people’s expectations because you’ll never please everyone (and would probably never write anything trying to live up to people’s demands) – can you imagine the pressure having to create an ending for something as popular as Twilight (or indeed Harry Potter)? That must be stressful!
PS: Awesome photo! :D
I am agreeing with you. Nobody else understands why I hate Breaking Dawn so much. It seemed like Stephenie Meyer was in a big hurry to actually finish the series. It was rushed, it wasn’t thoughtful, and you’re right I did NOT feel attached to anybody. and the whole Jacob imprinting on Bella’s daughter was just silly. It made me want to throw the book through a window.
Hello!
I absolutely agree with you. I hated Breaking Dawn and I felt the series ended in a way that cheapened everything. I hated Bella’s transformation because the relationship with Edward was no longer what is was originally. Sure I am all for evolution but this was so drastic. No longer was she Bella, the clumsy and vulnerable contrast to Edward but was instead suddenly immortal and powerful and not Bella. There was no redemption or any real explanation as to why Edward was so drawn to Bella as a human…why was he drawn to her human qualities if she was always to become another vampire? I was unsatisifed with that and expected something more than what we got.
I also did not like he shared narration and would have much preferred “Bella” finished the series the way she started it. The first two books I loved, the third was okay, but I hated Breaking Dawn. I agree, it very, very nearly ruins the whole series.
I agree with you as well. I went to the Barnes and Noble Twilight Party for Breaking Dawn and was so excited to read it and was utterly disappointed once I got through the stupid book. You have said all the reasons why I hated the book. Stephenie Meyer needs to learn how to write fiction novels that are more realistic, even if people die. I also thought the Jacob imprint was lame. And that name, Renesmee? What an ugly name! And she grows so rapidly is she just going to die quickly and then Jacob doesn’t have anyone? I hated it. And I didn’t think the movie was all that great either. I loved her book, The Host, have you read it? She was thinking about making that into a 3 book series, which I would like if she doesn’t ruin it like she did with Breaking Dawn. That ruined the series for me also. I really would rather not give her any more money.
I TOTALLY AGREE!!! The fourth book was a little too out there. It felt uninspired. I didn’t like how immediately after the battle scene, there are a few pages on “ok! We’re happy now! Everything is perfect!”…it was all too rushed. And, as you brought up…Bella’s sudden accpetance of marriage and kids WAS NOT believable. Maybe I am morbid, but I expected either Edward or Bella to die in the end, and in a way, I think one should have, in order to keep the whole tortured love aspect.
But I still love the first three. And on a side note, it’s funny how some people didn’t like the second book, because that’s the one book that I think made things realistic (as much as possible).
Whew! That was a long comment! Sorry…I like your blog, btw :)
Oh man, Breaking Dawn was my favorite of the four books! I feel like stuff actually HAPPENED in Breaking Dawn. The first three books really moved slowly for me, and it felt like nothing much actually happened (aside from a lot of talking about feelings).
It was definitely the most out-there book in terms of the science-fiction involved.
No, no…happily I stopped reading after New Moon.
I agree with Megan about this part: “…even though she loved Edward, still found him to be mysterious, and at times, scary/intimidating. After the first book, there was none of that, and it kind of killed the mood between them for me…” That was one of the biggest things that bothered me after I read Twilight.
And as for Breaking Dawn, I liked it because it’s part of the series and that’s how Stephanie wanted it to play out I guess. I did hate the baby part. That didn’t do a lot for me. It’s like they’re finally together in a way that is safe for both of them and then they bring a baby into it. It’s just silly to me. There wasn’t any tension between them anymore after the baby.
I do still love the Saga though. :)
I loved the whole series. I read it in 4 days right after Christmas. However, Bella annoyed me to death. I can’t stand her. She’s so whiny and immature and I felt no connection to her, which is weird because usually I’m all about the girl with the broken heart. This time, not so much. I liked Breaking Dawn because it was told in part by Jacob. I liked seeing his perspective. The fight at the end was a bit of a let down, but I did like the mental abilities showdown, I just hated that Bella was one of the heroes. All in all though, I liked the whole series, including Breaking Dawn.
I’ve been waiting patiently to gather my thoughts in order to respond to your Breaking Dawn questions. They’re tough. ;)
The first book was, by far, the best. I think Meyer had a great idea for a series, and I think she got a book deal…and all went down hill from there. I get the impression she struggled to write the following three (or at least, the last two). Did you read the “acknowledgment” section? She thanks some band, Muse, I think it was, for helping her continue to write. I think she felt pressured. I think, in some sense, she lost touch with the realness that Bella’s character had in the first book.
I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy Breaking Dawn (or any of the books after Twilight). But I did see a significant difference in the quality and depth of the characters, starting in the second or third book.
To be honest, I really enjoyed reading all of them. I was thrilled to find a series that was exciting and a place that I wanted to get lost in. Even though the fourth book had its flaws, it was still a great read.
I’ve had this post starred in my Google reader for apparently a month. I just finished the book tonight, and I was super excited to read what you thought. I have to completely agree with you.
This book was NOT exciting and did NOT need to be 800 pages long. There is all this talk of the 4th movie being made into 2 seperate movies…In reality, NOT that much happens…at all. It just drags on and on.
After the first book, Edward lost his allure. I kept waiting for him to do something wrong…but no.
I also was creeped out by Bella’s sudden transformation to motherhood. I also was super creeped out by Renesmee. I couldn’t picture her in my head throughout the book. Was she a baby? A toddler? A child? Was this baby creepily talking like an adult…just weird. I can’t wait to see the movie, haha.
Also, the “fight” at the end? Sucked. I was so disappointed. You’re right. I wanted a happy ending too, I really did…but NO ONE had to suffer? Just Irina who I didn’t care about in the first place. Really? And also, yeah, there was no need to introduce all those new characters for no reason.
I will say that I’m happy that there was finally some sex in the books, as vague as Stephanie Meyer tried to be…It was a long time coming.
The birth scene was gross. I literally had to stop reading it. Unnecessary.
How did you feel about reading from Jacob’s point of view? I was super annoyed at first, but I began to empathize with him.
people! are you even twilight fans here. It almost looks like you guys hate it!Anyway, i have to disagree. They weren’t worried about Bella anymore because she was a vampire now! She can already defend herself. And come on! are you even reading the right book. If you guys want to go for action-fantasy books, this is the wrong book for you guys! It’s vampires who can read minds and see the future and have shields!!! don’t you guys have imagination. I know you guys love to read but really, why would you hate Breaking Dawn. This is where bella would finally be with edward forever. And she didn’t even know a vampire could make her pregnant! Even Edward didn’t know that! And she already explained it in eclipse remember. She would only want to be with Edward forever.
P.S. no offence okay?