Grown up Twi-hards! discussion

Since I first read the Twilight saga I've been trying to figure out WHY the books were so appealing to me.

I think that the most significant part of the story appeal is the love triangle between Jacob Bella and Edward.

I've personally always been struck more by the appeal of Jacob, particularly in the later books and have struggled to understand why Bella would find Edward so much more appealing.

I have considered that Bella likes a controlling figure in her life. She grew up with a mother that she felt she had to look after so the appeal of someone looking after her would no doubt be appealing.

I even once resolved that Bella had imprinted on Edward and yet no one noticed.

I've also considered on a bigger scale that Edward represents civilization in a way while Jacob represents the appeal of the primitive. After all Edward is wealthy, well read, a musician and has travelled the world.

Jacob is a small town boy with a sense of history and family tradition. Skilled with his hands and machines. He's certainly more cuddle worthy than the cold hard Edward.

Then there's the idea that Edward is a better fit with Bella because she is more of the intellectual bent and not comfortable in her physical body. Edward offers the promise of changing that with the added benefit of an extended existence. I don't think Bella would settle for being Jake's "starter wife" what with his extended life and her fear of growing old. At least with Edward she can remain young too. For Bella maybe it's as easy as "Choose Edward. Choose Life."

By the end of book 4 I pretty much decided that Bella had made the right choice for her. She and Edward were pretty much equals while she'd have always been the dominant partner with Jake. (Though she can't keep him out of the newborn fight like she does Edward)

Just some random thoughts about the comparisons. I'd love to hear what others think.

Stephen wrote: "Since I first read the Twilight saga I've been trying to figure out WHY the books were so appealing to me.

I think that the most significant part of the story appeal is the love triangle between ..."

I have also struggled with this as Twilight is now my very favorite book and has beat out my previous favorite which I used to read over and over. I think that Terry was on target when she said there is simply something magical about the whole thing. I also identify with Bella so that is part of it in my case.

With Bella its simply love at first sight with Edward. Perhaps if she had seen Jacob first she would have fallen for him in the same way. She is like her father in that they are types that only fall in love once. They are like Swans in that they mate for life. Her suffering in New Moon was fascinating to me. I liked Edward and Jacob equally well so I could have gone either way but it was her choice. You will note how many times its mentioned that Bella is like her father in that way.

I have never met so many characters that I like so much in any book before. My husband says that is Stephenie Meyers magic...to make you care about so many different people.

Bella imprinted on Edward...that is an interesting thought. I think you are right. She was so smitten by him it was like when the werewolves imprinted. This idea was a hard one for me as I was prone to fall in love often.

Yes, Edward and Jacob were like two opposites. One being HOT and one being COLD. I often felt that Edward was mentally ill as being a vampire was too hard on him.
He really struggled. I also admired the fact that he had gone to school so much and studied so many different things.

It was interesting that Jacob and Rosalie picked on each other so much since both were good mechanically. I had a hard time picturing Rose working on cars. It reminded me of that Danny Devito movie...My Cousin Vinny.

I don't think Bella really had any choice between Edward and Jacob. When she fell for Edward she fell so hard that she could never have really altered her feelings that much. She cared for Jacob but she was a swan and they mate for life.
I knew of a girl who fell for a guy and when he dropped her she killed herself. That was it for her.
Charlie was like that too. He had a very hard time to find anyone else as he was fixated (imprinted) on Renee.
Did he later take up with Sue Clearwater? I think that was suggested.

Alice wrote: "Yes, Edward and Jacob were like two opposites. One being HOT and one being COLD..." Or as the Robert Frost Poem said it, Fire and Ice. but I doubts that SM thinks of the story as destruction.

I also loved the fueding between Jacob and Rosalie in book 4 but then I thought of it as tempestuous attraction.

I never made the Swans mate for life connection before but yes, Charlie did get involved with Sue Clearwater in book 4.

Do you think Charlie and Sue may have gotten married? I would sure like to know more about that.

It did seem like tempestuous attraction didn't it? At first their feuds made me nervous.

There were references to Romeo and Juliet which was destruction but I am glad that Bella and Edward were more sensible however not by much. Edward talks about how stupid Romeo behaved and he didn't do much better with his suicide scenario. I think Edward had some mental problems. Do you think so too?

Sorry for all the short little comments but sometimes lately goodreads suddenly loses my emails which is very annoying to me so I keep them short so I don't lose so much if it gets lost.