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A review by pink_peony
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
*sigh*
So. When I read twilight the first time (when I was younger) I remember being team Edward. But now that I’m older, and Edward creeps me out, and I read this book, I seriously wish Bella had stayed with Jacob. Not that he’s great but, compared to Edward, in my opinion, she could have had a more stable and less mentally warping relationship.
Now that I’m older, especially in this book, Bella’s unhealthy infatuation with Edward really unsettles me.
The way she acts after he leaves it’s almost too similar to an unhealthy obsession or attachment. It’s disturbing how she goes into this catatonic state and becomes so depressed (and even suicidal) that she not only shuts out everyone else in her life, but also seeks out to harm herself if it would give her a brief image of him. The fact that she had night terrors and nightmares, or that she became a sort of a zombie it’s extremely concerning. She basically became a shell of herself. And yes, breakups are hard, but it was almost like in Bella’s case it’s not the end of a relationship but of an obsession. They made it seem like she would never get better or be happy without Edward, that she cannot exist without him. That’s NOT good. That’s unhealthy and she needs therapy.) Bella’s and Edward’s comparison to Romeo and Juliet is even more alarming, especially when Edward tells her he would literally unalive himself if she dies. This is not a romantic relationship or healthy. The fact that is framed as one is what worries me.
However, when she was with Jacob, I liked that she was truly smiling again. It wasn’t a relationship that felt obsessive or codependent, it felt safe and even warm. I could see Bella having an opportunity of having a stable and healthy relationship that had both friendship and commitment in it without any obsession or unhealthy infatuation. Jacob wasn’t perfect, but boy he wasn’t like Edward at all. Far from it.
However, even still, I have to say that the only thing standing in the way is Bella. She herself would have to realize all of this and how her relationship with Edward is affecting her mentally and emotionally. In a way, she seems to be drawn to self destructive behavior and that’s extremely alarming. The fact that she confuses her obsession with love is even worse, and her choosing Edward again feels like her just going back to continue this codependent cycle of infatuation.
So. When I read twilight the first time (when I was younger) I remember being team Edward. But now that I’m older, and Edward creeps me out, and I read this book, I seriously wish Bella had stayed with Jacob. Not that he’s great but, compared to Edward, in my opinion, she could have had a more stable and less mentally warping relationship.
Now that I’m older, especially in this book, Bella’s unhealthy infatuation with Edward really unsettles me.
However, when she was with Jacob, I liked that she was truly smiling again. It wasn’t a relationship that felt obsessive or codependent, it felt safe and even warm. I could see Bella having an opportunity of having a stable and healthy relationship that had both friendship and commitment in it without any obsession or unhealthy infatuation. Jacob wasn’t perfect, but boy he wasn’t like Edward at all. Far from it.
However, even still, I have to say that the only thing standing in the way is Bella. She herself would have to realize all of this and how her relationship with Edward is affecting her mentally and emotionally. In a way, she seems to be drawn to self destructive behavior and that’s extremely alarming. The fact that she confuses her obsession with love is even worse, and her choosing Edward again feels like her just going back to continue this codependent cycle of infatuation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting