I am really sick of people comparing these two totally separate and different franchises to one another. They are, truly, nothing alike. I know everyone is entitled to their opinions, but if people would take a second to think about this, I think they’d realize how right I am. :) Let me explain. Now, just for the record, I am focusing on the books in this blog, not the films.
The Harry Potter series began as a bed time story that J. K. Rowling told her children. They loved it and that kept her going and it became what it is today. She added more books and as her children (and fan base) aged, so did the style of writing she used in these books. They are a fantasy world of witches and wizards, full of magic. They also have in them wonderful life lessons making them heartwarming and a fabulous place for our children to escape to. It started a whole generation reading again. I think we all owe J. K. Rowling a debt for that.
Twilight began as a dream Stephenie Meyer had about the meadow scene in her first book. They do deal with fantasy, but not really with magic. Rather they deal with certain mythical creatures, however she bases them as much as she can on science, attempting to make them as realistic as possible. She started writing them not for children, but for herself and women like her. They are simple to read, so I suppose that’s how they ended up on the Young Adult shelves, but in all honesty, they were not meant for that audience. They were meant, and I’ve seen her say this herself, for women her age to look back on their lives and feelings at the age of Bella Swan. Bella’s character was not made to set a good example for women; Twilight is the product of a woman’s passionate fantasy. The suspense and intense feelings between Edward and Bella are so much stronger than humanly possible. That’s part of what makes the book so good. It’s an indulgence; a great one. As the books progress and the story develops it becomes more about the characters and the excitement of their lives, but if you read Twilight over, I think you’ll find more than anything that it’s about the anticipation of not knowing if he can resist her blood, and then they fall in love and it becomes about how they can possibly work out. The whole idea that they can’t be together physically without tragic circumstances, and yet they are passionately addicted to one another, causes a sexual tension that, let’s face it, women cannot easily resist (nor should we). It’s full of sexuality and borders on erotica in places. Frankly, I’m astonished that so many parents have allowed their young girls to read them. I guess it just shows how lazy, or just indifferent, parents have become.
Okay, I feel better now that I've gotten that out of my system. I hope this gives you a better understanding of the books and maybe makes you realize something you didn't before. I also hope that you all can appreciate each story for what they are instead of treating them like some ridiculous battle you need to take sides of that the stupid media has created.
The Harry Potter series began as a bed time story that J. K. Rowling told her children. They loved it and that kept her going and it became what it is today. She added more books and as her children (and fan base) aged, so did the style of writing she used in these books. They are a fantasy world of witches and wizards, full of magic. They also have in them wonderful life lessons making them heartwarming and a fabulous place for our children to escape to. It started a whole generation reading again. I think we all owe J. K. Rowling a debt for that.
Twilight began as a dream Stephenie Meyer had about the meadow scene in her first book. They do deal with fantasy, but not really with magic. Rather they deal with certain mythical creatures, however she bases them as much as she can on science, attempting to make them as realistic as possible. She started writing them not for children, but for herself and women like her. They are simple to read, so I suppose that’s how they ended up on the Young Adult shelves, but in all honesty, they were not meant for that audience. They were meant, and I’ve seen her say this herself, for women her age to look back on their lives and feelings at the age of Bella Swan. Bella’s character was not made to set a good example for women; Twilight is the product of a woman’s passionate fantasy. The suspense and intense feelings between Edward and Bella are so much stronger than humanly possible. That’s part of what makes the book so good. It’s an indulgence; a great one. As the books progress and the story develops it becomes more about the characters and the excitement of their lives, but if you read Twilight over, I think you’ll find more than anything that it’s about the anticipation of not knowing if he can resist her blood, and then they fall in love and it becomes about how they can possibly work out. The whole idea that they can’t be together physically without tragic circumstances, and yet they are passionately addicted to one another, causes a sexual tension that, let’s face it, women cannot easily resist (nor should we). It’s full of sexuality and borders on erotica in places. Frankly, I’m astonished that so many parents have allowed their young girls to read them. I guess it just shows how lazy, or just indifferent, parents have become.
Okay, I feel better now that I've gotten that out of my system. I hope this gives you a better understanding of the books and maybe makes you realize something you didn't before. I also hope that you all can appreciate each story for what they are instead of treating them like some ridiculous battle you need to take sides of that the stupid media has created.
