Summary
New Moon is the second novel in the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, which follows the story of Bella Swan and her true love, Edward Cullen, a vampire. The novel delves into the complexities of their relationship, especially after Edward's departure following a dangerous incident involving his brother Jasper. Bella finds herself in a deep state of depression until her growing friendship with Jacob Black offers her comfort. When Jacob reveals his true nature as a werewolf, Bella's life takes another drastic turn.
The plot thickens when Edward mistakenly believes Bella has died, prompting him to seek death at the hands of the Volturi, a powerful vampire coven. Bella and Alice Cullen rush to Italy to save Edward, leading to a tense encounter with the Volturi who then demand that Bella be turned into a vampire. Back in Forks, Edward and Bella reconcile, though the threat of the Volturi's mandate looms over them. Jacob's feelings for Bella strain her relationship with Edward, showcasing a deep-seated rivalry between vampires and werewolves.
New Moon quickly ascended to bestseller status and was warmly received by fans and critics alike. Its themes of love, loss, and immortality resonated deeply, driving the novel to become the biggest-selling book of 2009. It was subsequently adapted into a successful film. Meyer's inspiration from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is evident in the star-crossed lovers' narrative, enriching the saga with classical allusions to tragic love.
Themes
Loss and recovery
Love and sacrifice
Maturity and self-discovery
Supernatural influence and reality
Danger and protection
Friendship
Loyalty
Identity and belonging
Depression
Choice and consequence
Setting
New Moon is primarily set in the early 2000s in the small, rainy town of Forks, Washington. This novel vividly portrays Forks's secluded and mystical atmosphere, further illuminated by the presence of supernatural entities. As part of the larger geographical area of the Pacific Northwest, Forks serves as a backdrop conducive to the story's exploration of love, loss, and the supernatural.
Beyond Forks, the novel briefly takes readers to the sunnier locale of Phoenix, Arizona, and the ancient, storied city of Volterra, Italy. Volterra, home to the formidable Volturi—a coven of powerful vampires—introduces a significant shift in the setting, from the familiar and domestic to the exotic and dangerous. The choice of Volterra, with its rich history and remote location, reinforces the theme of ancient, immutable supernatural laws that challenge the protagonists. The transition between these settings underscores the stark differences between Bella's human world and the expansive, hidden vampire societies.
Characters
Bella Swan: The protagonist, a human girl who falls in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen. She suffers deeply when Edward leaves her but eventually finds comfort with Jacob Black.
Edward Cullen: A vampire deeply in love with Bella. He leaves her to protect her from the dangers their relationship brings.
Jacob Black: A family friend to Bella who reveals himself to be a werewolf. He becomes Bella's best friend and protector.
Alice Cullen: Edward's vampire sister who has visions of the future. She helps Bella save Edward from destroying himself.
Jasper Hale: Edward's adopted brother whose thirst for Bella's blood prompts Edward to leave Bella for her safety.
Rosalie Hale: Edward's adopted sister, who is initially resentful of Bella but votes in favor of Bella being transformed into a vampire to save her life.
Charlie Swan: Bella's father, the police chief of Forks. He is left in the dark about the supernatural world.
Carlisle Cullen: The head of the Cullen vampire family, who acts as a father figure to Edward.
Esme Cullen: Carlisle's vampire wife and mother figure to the Cullen family.
Emmett Cullen: Another of Edward's adopted brothers, known for his strength and playful nature.
Laurent: A vampire from another coven who seeks to kill Bella but is thwarted by the werewolves.
Victoria: A vampire seeking revenge on Bella and Edward for the death of her mate, James.
The Volturi: A powerful coven of vampires who enforce the laws of the vampire world. They play a significant role in deciding Bella's fate after they learn she knows too much about the vampire world.
FAQs
What is the main theme of New Moon by Stephenie Meyer?
The main theme of New Moon is losing true love. The book explores a dark phase of protagonist Bella Swan's life, which is filled with depression and despair, similar to a new moon phase in the lunar cycle where the moon is not visible in the sky.
How does New Moon continue from Twilight?
New Moon continues the story of Bella Swan and her relationship with the vampire Edward Cullen as she enters her senior year of high school. After an incident that reveals the danger of being close to vampires, Edward decides to leave Bella for her safety, plunging her into a deep depression until she finds solace in her friendship with Jacob Black, which eventually leads to more supernatural discoveries.
What supernatural elements are present in New Moon?
Alongside vampires, which were the primary focus of Twilight, New Moon introduces werewolves into its supernatural world. Jacob Black and other members of his tribe are revealed to be werewolves, who play a significant role in the storyline, particularly in protecting Bella from other vampire threats.
How does Bella Swan cope with Edward Cullen's absence in the book?
Bella experiences severe depression following Edward's departure. She discovers that adrenaline-filled activities enable her to hear Edward's voice in her head, which becomes a dangerous coping mechanism. Meanwhile, her friendship with Jacob Black grows, providing her with some comfort and a sense of protection.
What role do the Volturi play in New Moon?
The Volturi, a powerful and ancient coven of vampires who enforce the laws of the vampire world, are introduced when Edward mistakenly believes Bella has died and seeks their assistance to end his life. The confrontation with the Volturi becomes a pivotal moment in the novel, highlighting the dangers and politics within the vampire world.
What is the significance of the book's title?
The phrase "new moon" refers to the darkest phase of the lunar cycle, so the title reflects the period of deep despair and loss that Bella experiences and sets the tone for the challenges and emotional turmoil depicted in the novel.
How was the book received by critics and readers?
Reception for New Moon was mostly positive, with critics and readers praising its exciting storyline and the emotional depth and development of its characters. The book was a commercial success, topping bestseller lists and selling millions of copies worldwide.
How is the book different from its film adaptation?
Differences between New Moon the book and the movie include how Bella learns of the werewolves, certain confrontations with the Volturi, and changes in the timing of events for dramatic effect.
Quotes
“Forbidden to remember, terrified to forget; it was a hard line to walk.”
“Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me.”
“I honestly have no idea how to live without you.”
“I promise that this will be the last time you’ll see me. I won’t come back. I won’t put you through anything like this again. You can go on with your life without any more interference from me. It will be as if I’d never existed.”
“Well, I'm so sorry that I can't be the right kind of monster for you, Bella.”
“What happens when you lose your heart's desire?”
“Now and then I see something in her eyes, and I wonder if I’ve ever grasped how much pain she’s really in.”
“Love gives someone the power to break you. I'd been broken beyond repair.”
Quick facts
Stephenie Meyer cited Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet as an inspiration for New Moon.
The book's title refers to the darkest phase of the lunar cycle, symbolizing the darkest time of Bella's life. Meyer also chose it to match the time-related theme initiated by Twilight.
Before Twilight was published, Meyer struggled with the manuscript for New Moon and often cried as she wrote Bella's depression scenes, imagining the pain as akin to losing a child.
The initial print run of New Moon was 100,000 copies. Demand was so high that advance reading copies sold on eBay for up to $380.
New Moon soared to #1 on both The New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists, with more than 5.3 million copies sold in 2008. It has been translated into 38 languages.
The cover art, featuring a ruffled tulip, was chosen by the design team against Meyer's preference for a clock image to represent one of the novel's themes—time.
A film adaptation of New Moon was released on November 20, 2009, directed by Chris Weitz and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner.
The first draft of New Moon was significantly different from the published version—it did not reveal Jacob's transformation into a werewolf.
About the author
Stephenie Meyer is an American novelist and film producer. She has become a household name for her young adult vampire romance series, The Twilight Saga, which has sold more than 160 million copies worldwide and made her the bestselling author in the US for two consecutive years, 2008 and 2009. Her books have been translated into 37 languages and adapted into highly successful movies.
Born on December 24, 1973, in Hartford, Connecticut, Meyer completed her degree in English Literature at Brigham Young University. One morning in 2003, she awoke from a vivid dream of an intense conversation between an average girl and a beautiful, sparkly boy who happened to be a vampire. Inspired, she began writing their story. Six months later, her first novel was accepted for publication. An instant sensation, Twilight transformed her from a stay-at-home mom to a globally recognized author.
Beyond Twilight and its sequels and spin-offs, Meyer has written two novels for adults, The Host, a sci-fi romance, and The Chemist, a thriller. She is also influential in film production, notably through her work on the Twilight movies and within her own production company, Fickle Fish Films. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three sons.
