The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Now that the release of Breaking Dawn is imminent-- IMMINENT, I TELL YOU-- I've been thinking a lot about Stephenie Meyer again. Firstly, let me reiterate once more how big a fan I am. I read each book twice. I stood in line for an hour at BEA just to get a Twilight tote bag. I read every outtake from her website. I am going to go to the midnight release party on August 1 at my local bookstore despite the hordes of giggling teens that are bound to be there. My point is, I'm completely on board.So truly mean no disrespect when I say that Stephenie Meyer just isn't the best writer out there. I love her, but let's face it: her prose is not stellar. Now, I absolutely don't say this as an insult. It's just an observation. And in fact, what Meyer is able to do despite (or more likely, because of) her lack of English-major literary prose is far more important to me than simply impressing my professors: she cuts right to the emotional core of her characters and their relationships. The most important aspect of any story is precisely where her strength lies: connecting emotionally with her reader. Her plain writing allows us too meld the images so plainly laid out with all the emotional baggage and psychological imagery residing in our own heads. The result is nothing short of miraculous, given the widely disparate backgrounds of her readers.
I don't read much sci-fi. I think vampires are inherently ridiculous. So how is it that a book about body-snatching aliens so completely held my interest, and moved me emotionally, no less? I don't have anything to add to the multitude of reviews and opinions on The Host, except that I continue to be amazed. If it's not Shakespearean prose, what is it? What is this amazing ability that Stephenie Meyer has, and how can I get some?
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
posted by Renee at 1:34 PM
feed me
2 Comments:
I really disliked The Host and never connected with a single character. I'm axtualy afraid og how Breaking Dawn will end. She didn't love Host characters the way she made us love Bella and the Cullens. I didn't care what heppened at the end of the Host. In fact, I sent it back and never got to the end.
Hey Renee! : D
Well, I have to be straight to the point with the Twilight series; it is definitely NOT my cup of tea, but I can't say I hate it with passion. I haven't read The Host yet, but from what I've read from wiki, it seems like a good plot.
One of the reasons I didn't enjoy it is because of how she just makes her characters fall in love, without the falling part. But what else I don't like is her perfect, Sue characters, how I can find the same sort of writing on fiction press, and much more, but I don't want to rant.
So:
In my opinion, what Stephenie Meyer has isn't amazing writing abilities (this is just my opinion) but the subconscious ability to grant large amounts of wish fulfillment to other readers. This is why the Twilight series appeals to a lot of pre-teens and teens; Bella is the epitome of wish-fulfillment. She doesn't have much character so the reader can easily fit into her shoes. She's smart, beautiful, has a much sought after boyfriend, becomes rich, and the list goes on. When people read it, you can be Bella, you can have a perfect life.
Well, of course, I say again, this is only my opinion. May I ask what you like about the Twilight series?
Thank you and sorry for my rant-ish comment,
Michelle Zheng
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