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Viliam_Bur comments on Beware of Stephen J. Gould - Less Wrong
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Twilight is actually a great book, it's just that you are probably not its target audience. It may be misleading, because writing about vampires suggests that it's about mystery or fighting. Instead think about it as an erotic book for heterosexual women -- in this genre it is excellent. (And by pretending that it is not from the genre, it removes some stigma.)
The essence of the book is a description of an exceptionally attractive alpha male. Typical books from this genre are about princes or millionaires, but obviously vampires are stronger and richer than that, and also can be superhumanly attractive. If you read the book from this perspective, it actually makes a lot of sense (including the infinitely repeating descriptions of Edward's beautiful eyes, beautiful hands, beautiful feet, beautiful mouth, beautiful nose, etc.). And if you are the target audience, you don't need this explanation, you just feel the excitement, which you can later rationalize as good writing (and it helps that the writing actually is not too bad).
-- spoiler alert --
I agree, the explicit but g-rated eroticism was well done. However, to me the book series was mostly about the single unbelievably magical creature in it, Bella:
Despite being totally in love at 17, she manages to hold her own extremely well against a man who is much older, more experienced, smarter and more attractive. How often does that happen?
She is also selfless beyond all credibility (for example, having been unceremoniously dumped and left broken by the love of her life, she harbors no ill will toward him whatsoever and is ready to throw her life away to save the dude). Her first concern when she is in mortal danger is always about the people she loves, likes, barely knows, or doesn't know at all. Her own well-being is always an afterthought and she feels guilty that, by being a target, she endangers others.
Not a trace of an ego, either: she derives no satisfaction, only anguish from being pined for by two high-status men she likes. Every person I know would enjoy such a situation at least a little bit.
(I'm ignoring the last book, where she did become a magical creature.)
Reminds me of Hanson - all that reads like serious signaling for being a good mother.
Edward is smarter? Oh, wait. Smarter than Bella. Low bar!