39 review for The Twilight Mystique: Critical Essays on the Novels and Films

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Mell – Mar 05, 2011

   This had some thought-provoking essays, examining topics like religious symbolism, gender roles, the history of Forks, and the trend of vampires as sexy and attractive. The short pieces are very readable; I have read other books/essays that get very academic. I think this was published with Twilight readers (who want to thoughtfully examine the books and not just gush) in mind. The essays do have valid critical points about the books and characters, but aren't attacks on Meyer or her work. This had some thought-provoking essays, examining topics like religious symbolism, gender roles, the history of Forks, and the trend of vampires as sexy and attractive. The short pieces are very readable; I have read other books/essays that get very academic. I think this was published with Twilight readers (who want to thoughtfully examine the books and not just gush) in mind. The essays do have valid critical points about the books and characters, but aren't attacks on Meyer or her work.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Margery Osborne – Aug 10, 2019

   despite the scholarly citations and language this didnt really introduce any ideas i didnt already have. btw i think edward's skin was sparkly to suggest god-like being. if you put that cut on it, the abstinence is to protect *his* racial purity. just say'n. try going full Nietzsche. maybe carlisle's project is to engineer a pure race of 'supermen'. ie Carlisle as a Dr Frankenstein or as a priest on a purification of the race quest. anyhow back to the god-like aspects of Edward. If you go with th despite the scholarly citations and language this didnt really introduce any ideas i didnt already have. btw i think edward's skin was sparkly to suggest god-like being. if you put that cut on it, the abstinence is to protect *his* racial purity. just say'n. try going full Nietzsche. maybe carlisle's project is to engineer a pure race of 'supermen'. ie Carlisle as a Dr Frankenstein or as a priest on a purification of the race quest. anyhow back to the god-like aspects of Edward. If you go with that, the Edward/Bella thing could become a Jesus/Mary Magdalene parable

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Rachel – Jun 09, 2011

   It feels a little strange to reference both academia and Twilight in one breath, but that's what this collection is: a look at Twilight from a grown-up and thoughtful eye. The essays range from talk on where Meyer drew her inspiration, to evidence of her religion in her writings, and to her appropriation of Quileute legend (real and imagined). While none of the essays were particularly critical- in fact, most were very positive- it gives a more balanced view of the series than one is likely to f It feels a little strange to reference both academia and Twilight in one breath, but that's what this collection is: a look at Twilight from a grown-up and thoughtful eye. The essays range from talk on where Meyer drew her inspiration, to evidence of her religion in her writings, and to her appropriation of Quileute legend (real and imagined). While none of the essays were particularly critical- in fact, most were very positive- it gives a more balanced view of the series than one is likely to find elsewhere. I received this book for free through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Elvira – Apr 14, 2011

   An interesting collection of essays that range from the critical to the apologetic in terms of the merits of the Twilight Series. I found it interesting that the editors berate the academic community for condemning the series before reading it in full, though she later admits to the mediocre writing of the first book and structural problems with the second. Regardless of this, there are essays that bring up questions that many have had about the series, the relationship to a modern fairy tale, t An interesting collection of essays that range from the critical to the apologetic in terms of the merits of the Twilight Series. I found it interesting that the editors berate the academic community for condemning the series before reading it in full, though she later admits to the mediocre writing of the first book and structural problems with the second. Regardless of this, there are essays that bring up questions that many have had about the series, the relationship to a modern fairy tale, the creation of "luminous" vampires, the influence of Mormonism, and more. This collection would be highly sought for by college students wanting to write critically on a series that they enjoy.

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Magdalena –

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Alison –

7. 

   5 out of 5

   Melanie Fishbane –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Sasha Cameron –

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Angel Pulliam –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Qurratulain –

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Martha –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Megan –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Alexia –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    ElizabethBMC0913 –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Martha –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Ashley Swapp –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Andrea Krause –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Lauren –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Kristyn Hammond –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Jill –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Margaret –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Ana Mardoll –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Henry Stanton –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Mickey –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Jennifer –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    McFarland –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Angela Marie –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Catherine –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Rachel –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Tia –

31. 

    5 out of 5

    Kate –

32. 

    4 out of 5

    Nicole –

33. 

    4 out of 5

    Tsion –

34. 

    5 out of 5

    ♥♥Mari♥♥ –

35. 

    5 out of 5

    Brigita –

36. 

    5 out of 5

    An –

37. 

    5 out of 5

    Ashki –

38. 

    4 out of 5

    Shyanne Weaver –

39. 

    4 out of 5

    Nevaeh Covell –