Can Stephenie Meyer write?
I've been intrigued by the storm of reaction to Stephen King's criticism of Stephenie Meyer -- 237 comments and counting. I can't think of another book that has triggered that sort of emotional outpouring (though we ought to see a semblance over the newly translated The Kindly Ones, the prize-winning French novel about an unrepentant Nazi officer during the Holocaust).
So on Saturday, I got Meyer's Twilight from the library. (Actually, my wife checked it out. I worried that I might be seen as some sort of pervert, carrying a book beloved by so many teen-age girls.)
I read about 150 pages yesterday, and so far, so good. The mystery unspools at a decent pace, there's enough action to keep the plot moving and the characters are interesting. (Nancy, quit grinding your teeth.)
I'm not too fond of the high-school intrigue -- who's dating whom, will I be invited to the dance -- but it's fairly true to what I remember high school being like.
More to come in a few days ...
Comments
oh Dave, you finally got sucked in! I'm looking forward to your thoughts after you finish ...
Posted by: Heather J. | March 2, 2009 2:46 PM
Here's another King quote, that is not specific to Meyer: "If you wrote something for which someone sent you a check, if you cashed the check and it didn't bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented."
By that standard, Meyer is quite talented indeed.
I read Twilight (got it in a white elephant exchange) and while it's not Shakespeare, it has its moments. The central romance didn't do much for me, but she did a terrific job invoking the creepy, rainy atmosphere of a Pacific Northwest small town. I'm not much of a fantasy reader, so I actually liked her vampires' creation myths even though they deviated from CW.
I do think the relationship between Bella and Edward is an unhealthy example for young girls, because it conflates love and possessiveness.
Posted by: pomme de terre | March 2, 2009 3:07 PM
You have been bitten. lol.
Posted by: Diane | March 3, 2009 9:40 PM