New Moon

★★★☆☆ —1) Twilight
★☆☆☆☆ —2) New Moon
★☆☆☆☆ —3) Eclipse
★★★★☆ —4) Breaking Dawn

Strap in for a review almost as long as this godforsaken book. Considering going to grad school so I can write a Twilight dissertation ten years too late.

Plot Summary

Edward and Bella, together at last! Except no, because Bella got a paper cut that convinced Edward he had to end their relationship forever, gaslighting her on his way out and also for some reason leaving her alone in the woods. He had no other choice. What's the alternative? Respecting Bella's preferences and boundaries by not having the birthday party where she nicked herself on wrapping paper? Obviously impossible.

Well, relationships end. Breakups are painful, but with Edward gone, this is a chance for Bella—the protagonist, after all—to develop as a character absent a male love interest. Oh, what's that? She breaks down and shuts down and alienates all of her friends and wakes up screaming every night? But therapy is obviously out of the question? And she's somehow always about to die in various outdoor locations and she needs carried and/or set in someone's lap while she's sobbing or unconscious? And the only thing that brings her any measure of comfort or hope or joy, sparks anything in her at all, is the memory of her ex-boyfriend yelling at her to stop what she's doing? And she only starts to really bounce back once there's another supernatural brooding possessive boy to keep her safe and happy? And by that I mean unsafe and unhappy? But this time with racism? And named after Stephenie Meyer's brother, which creeps me out? And then when Edward returns she realizes hearing his anger after he left is proof he cares, so she can trust his love for her is true?
Cool, that works too.

The Racism

Let's expand on that racism point, because I didn't pick up on any of that when I read the series for the first time.

Jacob Black belongs to the indigenous Quileute Tribe, and lives on a reservation in La Push, a village close to the city of Forks. The Quileute people exist, and you're not going to believe this, but they are not werewolves. Meyer features a real group living in a real place, but depicts them as mythical creatures. Her depiction of the Quileute people thrust them into the international spotlight. As the books snowballed into movies, merchandise, and tourism, misinformation and invasions of privacy abounded. Journalists trespassed and filmed sacred areas. Their history and culture were co-opted and billions were made, yet the Quileute received no compensation. Meyer took so many liberties that Seattle's Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture has a whole section of their website dedicated to debunking Twilight's misrepresentations.

Currently, the Quileute are fundraising to relocate reservation buildings especially vulnerable to tsunamis, including the tribal school. You can learn more about the Move to Higher Ground (MTHG) project and donate here.

Cultural appropriation aside, how are the Quileute characterized in the series? Especially compared to vampires, since Meyer has cast them as opposed groups? Here's a few examples:

Billy, Jacob's dad, is the cryptic, superstitious elder. Despite understanding more than most, his credibility is shaky. Bella, Charlie, and even Jacob roll their eyes at him, can't figure out what he's on about. Silly old man. Contrast that with Edward's dad, Carlisle. Carlisle is a doctor. He is a capable, measured, calm authority figure that many adore and respect. His wisdom is undeniable.

In the first book, Edward explicitly, repeatedly tells Bella that he is a threat to her survival. He tells her that he's dangerous, his family is dangerous, who he is, itself, is dangerous. Despite his repeated warnings, Bella can't manage to conjure up any real fear. She stubbornly pushes back against assertions that Edward is violent or monstrous. She is more sure of his ability not to hurt her than he is. Not only does she not feel threatened around Edward, she feels safe. She feels safer with him than anyone else. Because she knows, deep down, he is good.

Contrast that with the conclusion Bella leaps to when hikers start disappearing in New Moon. She has a pit in her stomach, because she knows what's really going on. The dark savage beasts are slaughtering innocents. They're primitive animals who can't control their impulses. They might not even be able to help it, that's just their nature. But maybe Jacob can find another way, a way to deny himself. Maybe he can become more civilized, if he really tries. And he has to at least try; look what's at stake! But then it turns out it was a white lady all along. America, I tell you.

The vampires are pale and white. They represent civility, restraint, sophistication and wealth. They wear designer clothes and have a thing for fast cars. The werewolves, when human, have brown skin and black hair. They walk quietly, as natives do, but don't get it twisted; they are a rowdy and rambunctious lot. They bicker and wrestle. They're often without either clothes or decorum. They sprint around on all fours without shoes.

Despite Edward growling and snarling and lunging all over the place, he's convinced that by comparison, Jacob's anger is erratic. Edward is a beacon of self-control, but Jacob might not be able to help hurting Bella. Edward's violence is in defense of a vulnerable young white woman. He is all that stands between her and the nearby savages, and her wellbeing is contingent on distance from them. Jacob represents an alternative way of life for Bella, but ultimately, he doesn't stand a chance. Who he is and what he has to offer simply cannot measure up to Edward. This is inevitable.

The Sexism

The overarching issue is this: codependent and abusive relationship dynamics are justified by Edward being a vampire and Bella being human. It is a pitiful catch-all for copious red flags.

Edward might seem controlling and intense from the outside looking in, but he's just trying to protect her from the risk of other vampires. Their bond despite her mortality makes her a salient target for others of his kind.

He might treat her as someone in constant need of rescuing, as a liability to her own welfare, but well, she kind of is. She's so clumsy and vulnerable, especially compared to his otherworldly agility and grace.

Edward isn't isolating her socially; on the contrary, he encourages her to be social and have human fun. But how is she suppose to forge meaningful relationships with people who don't know he's a vampire? Even if she betrayed him and told the truth, no one would believe her anyway.

He tells her what to do a lot, and ignores her when she objects to what he's decided for both of them. He may seem quick to anger. He may not spend effort and time listening to Bella or explaining his rationale. But he's been around for over a century. He can read minds. Bella is stubborn, but she lacks his perspective. And besides, we all know his top priority is always her. We know his heart.

It might seem odd and alarming that a teenager wants to throw away adulthood and all of her own aspirations or independence just to remain entangled with a man much older than her who belongs nowhere near a high school. It really might. Like, it really might. But she isn't throwing away her future; would you call wanting to become immortal anything of the sort? And wouldn't that justify crumbling from the inside out if that person yanked themselves away? Wouldn't that literally feel like the end of forever?

He stays with her because he loves her so much. He leaves her because he loves her so much. He comes back because he loves her so much. Upon his return, it may seem like he's ripping her apart from the only person who provided her real solace in his absence, but Jacob is a threat to her safety. Vampires understand werewolves better than naïve humans.

Relationships look different from the outside looking in. Edward and Bella's relationship might seem unhealthy, but that's just because people don't know the whole story. People don't see him like she does. There are other sides to him, sides he reveals to no one but her.

It's not just that love can conquer violence, it's that violence sometimes shows how much you care, how hard you love. Your partner is simply so committed and protective they wouldn't hesitate, not even for a second, to do anything for you. You (and you alone) give them reason to live. They would die without you and die or kill for you.

If you think about it, it's a really great message to send young readers who have likely never been in a serious romantic relationship before. There's no way this goes wrong.

The Best Joke

In lighter news, I have zeroed in on another overused verb: murmured. So much murmuring, it's unbelievable. Here's a joke no one will get but rest assured it is HILARIOUS: perhaps Meyer was drew inspiration from Laman and Lemuel. HA. am I right guys