Chapter One

I recently began reading a book lent to me by a friend called Twilight, which a number of people I know have spoken very highly of, and apparently has held some modicum of popular appeal (sorry, I don’t watch a lot of televisions.) Having already been pleasantly surprised by previous endorsements of fantasy classics such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, I suppose another work of literature in the same vein of critical praise and stature warrants my attention.

For your reading discernment, these posts WILL contain spoilers (i.e. "SPOILER ALERT".)

Chapter One introduces us to our main character, Bella Swan. First and foremost, we’ve got a real whiner here. For reasons that are not entirely articulated or expanded upon (though we can assume she has them), Bella has decided to move away from her mother (whom she is closer with) and her home in Phoenix, Arizona (which she loves) to live with her father Charlie in Seattle (where she is decidedly less happy, both in her parental relationship and physical location). This decision is somewhat disconcerting, as the first chapter, written in first person, is a mostly pessimistic and cynical narrative (much in the same vein of “FML,” to those who are hip to culture’s most current vernacular) which offers insight into every instance where she is forced to create a facade of contentment to those who make up her new surroundings. In other words, (SPOILER ALERT) she is depressed by her self-imposed exile, where most great heroes begin their journey (Batman, Zeus, Joaquin Phoenix.)

Charlie is the real star here, however. As her father, he purchases a working vehicle for her transportation to school (and presumably for other extracurricular obligations, should such social engagements resume in her life), and without any cost to her. In other words, the money she had previously been saving for her own automobile could be supplanted and set aside for, perhaps, a plane ticket home? Maybe a more effective winter jacket to combat the elements of her new environment? A successful Police Chief, even in the wake of his failed marriage, Charlie has taken on the unfamiliar burden of retaining custody of his child for the first time in his tenure as a parent. Having gone out of his way to make her feel welcome and at home, I think the father displays a number of virtuous qualities that have not quite yet matured in Bella. I suspect the protagonist of this story will likely experience growth as a result of the coming events (which will likely be fantastic enough to warrant documenting such events in a popular literary series.)

Okay, first day of school. I've had about sixteen of these, so I know something about first days at school. Bella meets new friends and acquaintances rather quickly, and seemingly benefits from the outgoingness of her peers, many of whom are happy to engage with the new student (I guess dreary weather makes people really nice.) After meeting two potential male suitors, Eric and Mike, she also observes this guy Edward from afar, who is apparently a startlingly attractive figure. This fact obviously mean much by the chapter's end as he displays no social skills, and leaves her upset by his lack of interest in her. He's also a complete ass, which doesn't help (like the kind of guy would go all Kanye on her first day of school.) At this rate, we can safely assume that she is unmistakably better off without him, and that his character doesn't seem as relevant as the other two gentlemen, who are helpful and engaging to Bella. In the end, my vote goes to Mike, who (SPOILER ALERT) was clearly "the nicest guy" she had met, and brings a longevity to his relationship with the main character that is not as evident in the others.

Perhaps she will begin a fateful courtship with Mike that ends in betrayal? Or maybe Eric doesn't turn out to be the charming Casanova she thought him to be... Continued reading of this tale will entice and illuminate. Though I have not seen the film production of this spectacle, I know it supposedly involves vampires. I am eagerly awaiting vampires in the book adaptation of the movie. More than likely, this turns into a Dusk Till Dawn type scenario, but with less strippers and no George Clooney. For the record, my money's on Charlie turning out to be one, mainly because Charlie is a cop and cops always end up being vampires. This revelation needs to happen soon, however.