Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, #4) in Grown up Twi-hards!

Jun 25, 2010 Aditi rated it it was amazing

This book is a little sad, a little wierd, but as always, perfect to match it's story, it leaves you a bit hanging at the end but i think you can live with it and it leaves you with a happy mind. so i recommend this book to anyone at least the age of 10 for some parts of the book. ...more

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Jan 01, 2010 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: gothic-horror, twilight, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really have mixed feelings about this one. I loved the first 100-150 pages or so--basically, Bella's first section. However, the problems begin after that.

I do not understand why Jacob had a separate section. While I enjoyed reading his perspective and thought it was well written, I do not see why she gave us Jacob's perspective and not Edward's. This is Bella and Edward's story; we should have his perspective. Given the grim situation Edward is in, I think hearing his thoughts would be insigh I really have mixed feelings about this one. I loved the first 100-150 pages or so--basically, Bella's first section. However, the problems begin after that.

I do not understand why Jacob had a separate section. While I enjoyed reading his perspective and thought it was well written, I do not see why she gave us Jacob's perspective and not Edward's. This is Bella and Edward's story; we should have his perspective. Given the grim situation Edward is in, I think hearing his thoughts would be insightful and fascinating. The only reason for this narration shift is maybe Meyer wanted us to experience Bella's pregnancy as outsiders looking in. Jacob's separation from the vampires does present such a situation. Alas, if this is what Meyer had in mind, I still do not see the point. We have been with Bella all this time; why not let us see Edward's perspective?

Also, Bella gets everything she wants: Edward, immortality, a baby, a beautiful wedding, a relationship with Charlie, and a close--but weird--relationship with Jacob. There needs to be some loss Bella must confront. Separation from her family or Jacob--something! She needs to face pain and accept it in order to have eternal love. What this novel lacks is a depiction of sacrifices one must make in order to be with "the one." This absence is peculiar, especially considering the fact that the entire series is about sacrifice. Bella needs to learn what comes in life and in a relationship.

The ending of the novel is especially disappointing. After building up to what appears to be a battle royale of vampires, we only have vampires making peace. That's it. The Volturi come, face the Cullens, werewolves, and every supporting vampire in the universe only to see the child and leave. I have mixed opinions about this "Peace Out!" ending. On the one side, it is nice to see everything end happily, no one dying, all the relationships tied up nicely. On the other, however, this neatness only signifies to me, again, an irkingly perfect package. There is no lesson about pain. There is no tragedy. No pathos. Just...an ending.

I have no idea what rating to give this novel because, despite its flaws, I actually did enjoy reading it. I cannot explain why, except that much of it was well written--much more so than her previous efforts. And, I did like the fact that she got dark; vampire stories are supposed to be grim and gruesome, and it was satisfying to read the series taking this turn. However, the flaws are pesky.

On another note, there were some messages sent in this one that really bothered me. I realize the novels are pure escapism and fantasy, but what she did in this one still irritates me.

First, I do not like the argument for domestic abuse. After Bella and Edward finally have sex, Bella is covered in bruises, but she does not care; instead, she claims she "likes this part of being human." This enjoyment of violent sex haunted me. I honestly do not know if she believes husbands should do whatever they wish with their wives or if this was just her idea of a vampire's first time--or a combination.

Second, the argument for Bella to die in childbirth and then transform into a vampire instead of getting an abortion in order to live irritated me, too. However, with this situation I can see where Bella is coming from. And in terms of plot, this resolution does make sense. Nevertheless, I did not appreciate this preachiness. I saw Meyer on Oprah and got a taste of her worship of motherhood, which apparently is what framed much of the novel.

Third, Jacob's imprinting on the baby is disgusting. Though it does wrap up the plot nicely, it is not a good ending. Something tragic needed to happen. This, along with Jacob's perspective instead of Edward's, frustrates me and makes it very difficult for me to defend the series.

Fourth, the most disturbing part of the novel is when Edward asks Jacob to "stand in" for him when Bella wants to have sex. I do not see the point of this. At all. Where was her editor? How was this allowed in print? How? And more importantly, WHY?

Despite my rantings, I gave the novel three stars. After thinking about the book from (my idea of) Stephenie Meyer's perspective, I can understand most of the rationale behind her choices. This book, and the entire series, is about love and sacrifice. The ultimate message is to choose love over all else. The lack of a gruesome battle is annoying, but does serve a purpose: Meyer is teaching her readers that war is not necessary; any situation can be solved through discussion and listening to one another. In that light, the series is rather powerful. And, in the end, I did like the fact that everything ends nicely and everyone, not just Bella, gets what they want: Edward has Bella, a child, and no more violence or need to hate the werewolves; Jacob has Bella's daughter, so he will not only be near Bella, but have a love for himself and still be part of Bella's family; Bella has Edward, Jacob, a baby, a relationship with her parents despite everything, and immortality. As far as Bella not learning anything, doesn't she suffer pretty harshly in New Moon? Doesn't she have to reevaluate her life once Edward is gone? Granted, she remains dependent on men, but she does realize that she might not have what she wants and life might not work out the way she believes she wants it to. The one thing she really does not face, though, is losing contact with all of her human relatives. But even then, her remaining close to her dad shows an acceptance, which is really what the novel is about. Accepting other cultures and embracing differences, hence the relationships with vampires, werewolves, and Native Americans. The book still has its problems, though....

Honestly, the only other novel I feel so ambivalent about is Gone with the Wind, which is another discussion in itself.

In the end, I enjoyed this novel and would not mind reading it again. I'll just have to keep my literary scholar's analysis radar in check and enjoy the fantasy. ...more

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