Honestly, I completely understand the fun, easy-to-read aspects of the books. When I was first reading them, I was all down with that. What gets to me is that people think Edward and Bella’s relationship is beautiful and romantic, when in reality it’s dysfunctional and emotionally abusive. That irritates the hell out of me – these books are offensive and antifeminist, and everyone thinks they’re so fantastic. Blech.

Yes, Meyer’s characters are very shallow and two-dimentional. But as Kait brilliantly comments – How much do we really know about Romeo and Juliet? And how over the top isn’t thier love? They barely talk to eachother once and after that they are willing to kill themselves on account of their undying love?

But no, this is not in any way to be taken seriously – most people don’t believe vampires or warewolves exist. This is fiction – and in fiction anything goes. I’m pretty sure most girls would see the difference between a potential stalker and a potential boyfriend in real life.

I must say the biggest problem with these books are that they are not very well written (very straight forward – using very few litterary techniques) and as much as we want to believe in the love between Bella and Edward there just isn’t enough there to make us truely believe in it.

So, the conclution must be: fiction is fiction and noone I know has ever used a book of fiction they’ve read as their guide in life (the bible may be the exception to this rule).

Enjoy the books for what they are; easy-to-read literature.

I completely understand what you’re getting at when you say that stalking=bad. Trust me, I’ve had my share of stalkers and i was freaking out. I had to delete my myspace! I’m just lucky that the more intense stalker (who wrote me a love letter everyday, watched me in every sport i was in, watched me walk to class, actually had one of his friends try to give me his number and a pic from him) didn’t find where i live cuz i’m positive he would be outside my window (I have windows with locks) everynight. I would never find that flattering!!! That would be scary as hell!! But… I was never attracted to these guys the way Bella is with Edward. In the book she says something like she knows she should be afraid but she can’t help but smile or something like that. so she knows that all this is wrong but can’t help how she really feels.

It’s different for everyone. I don’t hate you for not liking twilight or saying that Ms. Meyer isn’t a very good writer. I’m glad you’re sane and not obsessing over a fictional character! good for you!

As for me I love Edward! yes he lies to her and he leaves her and he’s jealous.. blah blah blah. But it’s only because he’s never had experience with this “love” thing before so he thinks he’s doing what’s best for Bella.

personally, i would pick Jacob Black! I’m just sayin.