The Abstinence Clearinghouse Blog

Twilight.

It’s funny how one word can have so many different connotations. Some look at that word and think, “a nice time of day.” Others look at it and swoon, thinking of the monstrously successful book series from Stephenie Meyer that is quickly about to become even more of a phenomenon with the movie release of the same title scheduled for midnight on Thursday, November 21.

If you are not familiar with the literary giant that Meyer has created, let me give you an idea of what all of the fuss is about. Twilight, the first book in a series of four (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn) introduces the reader to Bella Swan, a normal teenage girl, who moves to a small Northwest community to be with her father and falls in love. Seems like a generic enough story, right? All except for that part where the object of her affections is, in fact, a vampire - a chivalrous, beautiful, good-natured vampire named Edward Cullen. Still not sure what the big deal is? Well, you’re one of the very few - let me give you an idea of just how big this world that Meyer has created has become.

Back in August, the fourth and final installment, Breaking Dawn, was released and, according to publisher Hachette Book Group, the final number for first-day sales of the book was 1.3 million. And that’s only the first-day numbers for the last book. The numbers for the first three books are equally impressive:    

“Twilight was one of 2005’s most talked about novels and translation rights have been sold in  37 countries. The sequel, New Moon, was released in September 2006, and spent over 30 weeks at the #1 position on The New York Times bestseller list. Eclipse, the latest book in the series released on August 7, 2007, catapulted to the #1 slot on bestseller lists nationwide after selling 150,000 copies its first day on-sale” (http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/04/breaking-dawn-sells-13-million-copies-in-one-day/).

But other than keeping you abreast of the some of the cultural goings-on, you might be wondering what exactly this information has to do with you and that is a great question.It is clearly undeniable that this book is popular. And not just with teenage girls - with everyone. Preteens. Boys. Adults. No one, it seems, is immune, and understandably so. Meyer has an amazing ability to put words to emotions. She has an understanding of human nature that just resonates with the reader and draws them in - personally, these books were almost impossible to put down simply because I felt what the characters were feeling - I was experiencing the plot right along with them, which is a testimony to Meyer as an author.However, the primary reason that I set out to review this book was not to critique Meyer’s writing abilities or even to understand what it was that drew people to her books. When I was presented with the idea of blogging on the first book, Twilight, it was because people had been mentioning that the main characters never had sex. A popular book, with two very attractive main characters who have confessed their mutual affection for each other, who abstain from a sexual relationship?!! THAT is something worth looking into.

Let me begin by saying that it is, in fact, not true that the main characters, Bella and Edward, do not have sex; however, when they do, it is only after they have been married. That’s right; Bella and Edward wait until they are a married couple to have sex.

That is not to say though, that they refrain from having a physical relationship - they hug, hold hands, cuddle, kiss, and sleep in the same bed sometimes. And while they abstain from sex until marriage, the issue is discussed several times throughout the multiple novels. In Eclipse, Bella confronts Edward with her desire to be physically intimate with him, to which he replies that he will only concede to that after they are married - one can argue that he agrees to that to protect their respective virtues (because they are both virgins) but there is also the matter of Edward being concerned for Bella’s physical safety, being that he is so much stronger than she is. And later, in Breaking Dawn, after they are married, Meyer provides some descriptive passages of their physical romance - not at all crude or even explicit, it’s actually quite tasteful and subtle and is really only a background to the other plot lines - it never takes on a life of its own within the novels themselves.

All that being said, I am going to give you my honest opinion - an opinion that has been forming over the past couple of months, from reading the books, perusing various fan sites and blogs dedicated to the series, and even talking to friends about this particular issue. Meyer’s series has so much to offer the mature, teenage and above reader of either gender, and would be an excellent  way to initiate conversations about relationships as it deals with issues like self-control and romance versus love. It would even be an easy way in which to broach the all-important subject of expectations in a relationship because, in all honesty, Edward’s character is the ultimate prince charming-riding up on his white horse- coming to save the day- that little girls dream about except that he isn’t real. Mothers, talk to your sons and daughters about unrealistic expectations. Fathers, challenge your daughters to look for someone who exhibits the gentlemanly characteristics that Edward possesses and challenge your sons to possess those same characteristics.

Sure, it’s fanciful and extravagant at times but its universal themes cannot be denied, themes of self-sacrifice love, compassion, family, obligation, and for a grounded, mature audience, it is entertaining, enjoyable and worthwhile.

And as for the movie, I’ll let you know about that after I see it on Sunday