THE BELLA QUESTION

[Maureen Johnson]

One of the crazy things about the Twilight phenom is that if anyone criticizes the book, they run the risk of getting slammed six ways til Sunday. (Believe me. This is true. And viciously. With incredibly filthy language and occasionally threats! NO I AM NOT JOKING. I have seen it happen!)

I'm not saying everyone does that. Nerdfighters probably wouldn't. I am just kind of dying to know where that kind of strength of emotion comes from. Twilight produces an extremely strong reaction in a lot of people. Even hardcore Harry Potter fans are unlikely to smack you down for not liking Ron or something. (Even though not liking Ron is BONKERS.)

What is it about Twilight and/or Bella that people like so much? Specifically. I mean, as specific as you can possibly get. Tedious detail is fine. I'm particularly curious about Bella as a character. How does she work for you? Does she? Can you be a Twilight fan and not like Bella?

(Please note that I am not actually saying anything about the book. This is purely a discussion question.)

[Mags]

I personally hate Bella as a character.
But, twilight is awesome!

[Feign]

I don't like Bella and I love Twilight. Come to think of it, I don't like Edward or Jacob much either but I'm still a crazed Twilight fan. My one friend says I'm not a "true fan" since I don't like the 3 main characters, but I think that is ridiculous.

[HarleyQuinn]

I think the only reason I like Jacob is because he's the only one who is actually flawed in some way, but still has good qualities. He's more believable than the rest...a bit of an immature asshole, but believable.

[bri ann]

I completely agree with harleyquinn! Also i am a Twilight fan, and i have to say that the way most people (specifically teenage girls) act about this book as if its the bible or something is (to quote Maureen) BONKERS! Yes i can also understand why they do go as crazy nutso as they do about the series, but it's nothing to threaten people over or shriek so anooyingly loud about. (just saying)

[Stéphanie]

I just finished the first book of the series, and, even though I like the book and I understand what the fuss is all about, I tend to find Bella's character a little bit hollow. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the story, but I believe that Bella doesn't have that much of a personnality...

[jamii dye]

i agree im not nuts over the book but i do understand the fuss, i dislike bella's character, she seems so empty to me.

[unityofeffect]

"Even though not liking Ron is BONKERS" - I love that.
I haven't read the book but I have witnessed the fervor it seems to create. I must say though that there seem to be a lot of pop culture subjects that create a rather mean kind of intense devotion these days(Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus,etc.) I was a NKOTB fan as a kid and could get pretty defensive about it but I don't remember that I or any of my fellow fans threatened anyone else or called them horrible names for not liking them. I wonder if it's a new symptom of our current society or if I was just a wussy kid.
(Obviously, as a NF, I don't have a problem with people being rather attached to certain books.)

[Allegra]

I am personally a HUGE fan of Twilight, but I try not to get so over the top and emotional when people have different opinions than me. Why people get so dramatic, I don't know. I would like to know, though...

Bella? I like her and I don't like her. I think her and Edward belong together and blah blah blah, she makes him happy yadda yadda. BUUUUUT, I also thing she has no personality, is a bit selfish, and not that bright. But I think that makes me like her more, because it shows how human she is.

did that make any sense?
...didn't think so.

[Allegra]

but sometimes Edward is....

I CUT YOUR BRAKES BECAUSE I LOVE YOU.

[Hermione1.0]

Im laughing so hard right now Im crying!
Lmao!

[LLizD]

that is the greatest thing I have ever heard.

[Kayla]

That made my life.