Sunday, August 3, 2008

The End.

*Absolutely no spoilers! You have my word.

An ending is not always a terrible thing. Sometimes it leads to a new beginning. Sometimes finality signals a door to slam shut, instead of softly closing, so that one knows it's an entryway best kept sealed. And sometimes an ending is necessary, no matter how painful it is to bid farewell to something so well-loved.

Saturday afternoon I read the words, "The End." The final page of Stephenie Meyer's brilliant and breathtaking Twilight saga closed with these two words, and with it the love story of Bella and Edward. I closed my copy of Breaking Dawn, completely spent, emotional, and thankful. I cried. I cried in front of 50+ unknown souls, all sitting in lounge chairs or swimming in the pool of the Hilton Austin. I wasn't embarrassed. I didn't object to my tears mixing with the SPF 30 I'd slathered on my face, nor did I wince when my eyes began to blur. Sitting there, in a veritable lap of luxury (read: my kids safely at home in Virginia, my husband ensconced in boring medical meetings, a day of sun and dips in the pool, cold beverages, and complete alone-time, i.e. HEAVEN!), I cried while bidding farewell to the characters I've loved so deeply this past year. This Edward, this Bella, this Jacob, this Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett...their story reached closure, and I found completion right along with these fictional beings.

"The End." Yes, it was the end. Yet I was happy, and that surprised me most of all. I've never been good with the farewells.

For me, Twilight was akin to falling in love with my husband. Remember the rush of blossoming first love? The late night talks, about everything and nothing...looking for any excuse to be with each other...swapping stories, sharing secrets...the first embrace...and--BLISS!--the first kiss. It makes me all tingly from my head to my toes. Identifying first love through Bella's eyes was a joy ride for me. Mid-way through the first book, Edward muses:


"Isn't it supposed to be like this? The glory of first love, and
all that. It's incredible, isn't it, the difference between reading about
something, seeing it in the pictures, and experiencing it..." Twilight,
Chapter 14.




By this point in the first book I was in deep...and I only swam out two days ago. Honestly, I'm diving in again very soon. And very often.

Incidentally, this simple little quote summarizes my love for Twilight...I had to experience it to fully to appreciate the story that was born in the dream of Stephenie Meyer, a Midwestern wife and mother. When I say Bella and Edward are the most romantic couple in the history of fiction, I pray Margaret Mitchell isn't turning in her grave. Shakespeare wishes he created these two lovers. Yes, I said that. And Jane Austen? She comes mightily close, (both Austen and Meyer are kindreds when it comes to chaste, pure, and preserved love. I love that.) however I'm sticking with the more modern lovebirds. Mr. Darcy, I still heart you.

And so, without a single spoiler, I share with all of you now: I adored Breaking Dawn. It was beautiful, it was different, it was exciting, it was a whirlwind, and I was completely caught up in it. Over the past couple of days I've read many negative reviews on this final chapter of the Twilight Saga, mostly from younger girls. To these gals I say, "Read it again when you're older...then you'll get it...and only then will you understand fully."

Thank you, Stephenie Meyer. Countless dreams I've had of wild tales, mysterious settings, and burgeoning romance...and not one time have I ever thought to put pen to paper and preserve these little gems from slumber. But I'm glad you did. I have enjoyed every minute of your dream, and I thank you for sharing it with me and millions of others. We are all the better for it.




p.s. I'm sure you've noticed the countdown over on my side bar--yes, the movie version of Twilight is being released 11-21-08. To say I'm excited is putting it mildly. Very.




40 comments:

Geekazoid said...

You commented on my BD review before, so I thought I'd comment on yours. :)

Other than BD, I feel exactly the same way that you do about the Twilight series in general. It's one of my favorite series--second only to Harry Potter--and you summarized my feelings about the Twilight saga perfectly. Only one major difference--being fifteen, and decidedly unmarried, I'm free to unabashedly drool after Edward and wish Bella didn't exist so I could have him... after all, a fictional story doesn't necessarily mean fictional characters.
... Okay, I'm slightly pathetic. But still. You get my meaning.

Heather said...

Here....Here....

It was BRILLIANT and moving and amazing and I am now complete.

I agree with you and Tiffany...the negative reviews come from younger readers who really wouldn't be able to understand.

Candid Carrie said...

I started reading the series at the urging of my blog friends and I am glad that I didn't start way back when the first one came out or I would not have been able to handle the suspense.

I won Book Four in a contest at Blok Thoughts and I am patientyly waiting its arrival at my door.

Yes, I did look at all the spoiler alerts on the internet. Yes, I did a google search for them. Yes, I read them all.

I am freaky that way. I wish I was the power of Alice so I could know what day the book was being delivered even though I already know what is going to happen.

Mama Dawg said...

I still haven't gotten it yet. Wal-Mart was out. I have to order it on line. It'll be a week or so. I'll let you know my thoughts then.

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

I agree! I loved it and was happy in a way that it was a little different. After all she is growing up and you are not always the same as you were is high school! Thank goodness!

Insane Mama said...

Mmmm I MUST CATCH UP!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I'm reading, I'm reading. Just taking a break to do some sort of catching up on my blog...and reading. A small break. I am sure that I'll finish today. I have no idea as to what I was thinking waiting for my number to come up at the library. And so far...I'd say this is my favorite...

Amy said...

I just started the first book! I love to read, but finding time isn't always easy, especially keepin up with the blogs. I am so looking forward to what happens.

Rhea said...

I haven't read it yet. I can't wait to go buy it. I LOVE this series.

How much longer are you in Austin? We're heading that way in a few days...

Lynda said...

Weren't all the books wonderful - thanks for being spoil-free ;-)

Live.Love.Eat said...

WOW, you have me sold. I was unable to pick up a copy of the 1st book this weekend but I did read in less than 24 hours Anne Brasheres' The Last Summer (of you and me) so we may have been crying at the same time over our chapters. It is an amazing & emotional roller coaster reading through the pages of someone else's life. I can't wait to start this saga.

Melissa said...

I feel so out of the loop. Thanks for the heads up Mama Dawg. I was on my way to Wal-Mart to buy my copy. I guess I will have to wait with the rest of the curious.

Debbie said...

Lula, that was brilliant review in it's own right. You need to put pen to paper after you dream because the effortless way the words flow from your keyboard could end up the next Twilight saga.n And I mean that in all sincerity.

Caroline said...

I knew as soon as I saw the title of your post that you were done. Yay! I so wish I could have eaten a FRIED pickle with you in Austin. We must get together in person - it has to happen. I feel we are kindred spirits, except that I haven't read Twilight yet, but I will, oh I will. I do get to hang with Nan tomorrow, so we'll get some pics of that rendezvous out on a post in the near future. Wesley and I are at my parents in Charlotte right now and then Adam, Wesley and I will head to Wilmington, NC (on the coast) to visit Adam's family. So, I don't know how much I'll be posting over the next week, but I'll be checking my blog frequently. Okay, so I don't know why I just gave you a play by play of my week. Anywhoo, I heart you Lula, you know that. Enjoy your homecoming and hugging those precious girls of yours.

scargosun said...

I guess I am going to have to go pick them up. I am not remembering them all but you and I have a scary amount of things in common but the Clue thing and your love for Tim Curry (even in RHP I thought he was sexy in a dirrrty way) I think completely convinced me we were seperated at birth.

Aunt Julie said...

Wow! You sure are a fast reader!! I'ma gonna check this "Twilight" series out for sure, now, based on your stellar recommendation! BTW, Uncle Lynn has authorized another Great Pop'rs Giveaway--it starts tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Anonymous said...

I'm in- In I say! Totally INTO It!
I'm 1/4 into NEW MOON and I can't put it down- I'm gonna blog about it- but blogger is not cooperating with me tonight!
Thanks for getting me addicted!

Angie's Spot said...

Wow, after a review like that, I'm going to start this series this week! Sold!

And, btw, I've added LOST to my netflix queue. Are we still friends? :-)

Tiffany said...

Girl.. You've got me all choked up. This is exactly how I feel.. Gratitude for Stephenie for having the courage to share a little story. For caring enough to get all the details and for staying true to her vision.

I sat and bawled when it was over. And I am bawling right now.

Apparently, I have lost my mind.

Heather said...

I finished Twilight tonight before work, less than 24 hours after I started it. I can't wait to start New Moon, but part of me wants to slow down so I can make it last. Just wondering, how many times have you re-read Twilight? I LOVED it...made me feel 17 again, but in a good way. And the dreams I had last night...oh, my. Edward, I love thee!

Anonymous said...

You, Tiffany and Heather 'influenced' me into getting started on these books.

I started Twilight over the weekend but I keep getting sidetracked. I'm more than halfway through though....which is pretty good for me.

I'm glad I just got into it though so I don't have to wait for the books to be released.....I get sooo impatient...

Very beautiful post though....

Lauren W said...

Ok, I have yet to start them and here's why: They are still in the process of being shipped from Amazon, but they have been ordered! They will get here sometime this week (although, I promised Josh that I won't start them until next week cause it's our anniversary and we're going to Six Flags, and I'm supposed to focus on him, or something).
Anyway, I can promise you, as soon as I finish reading them, I will be sending you an email. I know that I won't be able to accept that they're over, so don't you worry, I will totally relive them all for you :)

Kimba said...

OK! OK! I give up! I'll read them! I'll read them! I've been resisting but your fantastic review is the straw that broke the camel's back.

Not that I'm a camel.

John Deere Mom said...

Guess what I bought...

CaraBee said...

I'm struggling to finish the book I'm currently working on (The Time Travelers Wife) because I want to start Twilight, so I can see what all the hoopla is about.

Lauren said...

Seriously adding this to my TBR list...

thotlady said...

I purchased the first book this past weekend and am over 3/4 through it.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Maddness of Me said...

I keep hearing about that series, the latest on CBS Sunday Morning.

I will definitely be picking it up (aren't you jealous, I haven't read it).

The only thing is, I am on the verge of getting a Kindle and I want to wait for that... but I want to read it now too.

I left an award for you on my blog if you are so inclined to go pick it up :)

Unknown said...

I too enjoyed the book. For me the worst part of it was that the saga was over. I will go see the movie but I find that I am almost always disappointed because my imagination fuels the images when I read.

My twilight moms group is having a discussion on the 16th - I hope that no one cries. I am just not sappy like that.

angela | the painted house said...

For real? Read a book? That is what I did before I grew children...now it only happens on vacation. Sigh. I'm so jealous of you!

Brandy said...

I finished Twilight yesterday and now I'm halfway through New Moon. I love the story...I'm so obessed I haven't blogged in days. It's a sickness.

I can't thank you enough.

(Even though my debitcard hurt a little from the $40 purchase I made to get the other three books. :-])

Lauren W said...

Alright, you didn't ask for it, but I have unofficially made you my sounding board and informant regarding Twilight. That being said, apparently I lied earlier. I have no self control, I am ashamed. After a quick trip to Walmart, I an on page 396. You will hear about it when I finish. That is all :)

KristiLU said...

I am finished with the first and I can't wait to read the rest. You describe them in a way that makes it sound impossible not to read them.

Sissy said...

So glad you loved it. I am going to get it today.

Wanna drive over in December and see the movie with me? I bet no one there will be as good a buddy as me.

HiHoOhio said...

I am afraid to take the leap and start these books because I do not want it to end. I may cry too! Thanks for the updates!

Amy said...

K. After your comment I came back and went through your posts. I did not read this because I am only on book 3, I didn't know if you wrote anything that I shouldn't know yet. I love these books. I am also so excited to see there is going to be a movie. I had no idea. So thank you for that info. Yeah.

Unknown said...

I'm right there with you. All over Bella and Edward. Not a teenager.

Live.Love.Eat said...

Lula, since I am now more than halfway through Twilight for my very 1st time I had to come back and read through your posts. NOW, I can totally appreciate all that you're saying. I am already in deep and just passed the beautiful quote you have above, just at lunchtime today. It's amazing so far. I am hooked. Thanks!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, this was so eloquently well-put! You are so dead on. You rock!

Unknown said...

i got goosebumps reading this:)