Summary
Twilight is a fantasy romance novel by Stephenie Meyer, marking the debut of the Twilight Saga. The novel introduces 17-year-old Isabella "Bella" Swan, who moves from Phoenix, Arizona, to Forks, Washington, to live with her father. At her new high school, she finds herself enigmatically drawn to Edward Cullen, a vampire who exists physically as a teenager but is actually 103 years old. Despite Edward's struggle to resist the allure of Bella's blood, the two fall in love, igniting a tumultuous romance fraught with danger.
As their relationship develops, Bella discovers Edward's vampire identity and his family's "vegetarian" lifestyle—subsisting on animal blood instead of human. Their love becomes complicated when a nomad vampire coven arrives, which includes James, a tracker vampire intent on hunting Bella. This peril forces Edward and Bella to confront the depth of their feelings and the risks they are willing to take for each other.
Twilight quickly escalated to bestseller status. While critics were varied in their reception, the book won praise for its enthralling narrative and character dynamics. Twilight spurred a vast media franchise, including a highly successful film adaptation in 2008, contributing to the novel's status as a defining cultural phenomenon of the 2000s. The saga continued with three more books and expanded into additional media like manga and graphic novels, reflecting the story's broad appeal and significant impact on young adult literature.
Themes
Conflict between desire and responsibility
Forbidden love
Existential questions and the search for one’s identity
Moral dilemmas surrounding immortality and humanity
Personal sacrifice
The nature of obsession and desire
The complexity of human relationships
Struggles with social alienation and fitting in
The dangerous allure of the unknown and the otherworldly
Setting
Twilight takes place in the early 21st century, around the mid-2000s, in Forks, Washington, a small, secluded town on the Olympic Peninsula. Known for its incessant rain and thick mist, Forks provides a fittingly gloomy and mysterious environment that complements the story’s supernatural elements and mounting tension. Forks is introduced through the eyes of Bella Swan, the protagonist, who moves there from the sunny and bustling city of Phoenix, Arizona, to live with her father. The stark contrast between her past and present life amplifies the isolation and intrigue of her new surroundings. .
The larger geographical area, including the nearby town of Port Angeles, serves as a backdrop for pivotal moments between Bella and Edward. Their ventures into the wider area underscore the danger lurking beyond the relative safety of Forks, as Bella becomes embroiled in the hidden world of vampires.
Characters
Isabella "Bella" Swan: A 17-year-old girl who moves from Phoenix, Arizona, to Forks, Washington, to live with her father. She falls in love with Edward Cullen, a vampire.
Edward Cullen: A 103-year-old vampire residing in a 17-year-old body who falls in love with Bella Swan. He has the supernatural ability to read minds, except Bella's.
Charlie Swan: Bella's father, the police chief of Forks, Washington.
Alice Cullen: A member of the Cullen vampire clan with the supernatural ability to predict the future.
Esme Cullen: Carlisle's vampire wife and a mother figure to the Cullen family.
Jasper Cullen: A member of the Cullen clan who can manipulate emotions; he is the newest to their "vegetarian" lifestyle.
Mike Newton: One of Bella's classmates who initially has a crush on her.
Jessica Stanley: A friend of Bella's who is initially jealous of the attention Bella receives from Edward.
James: A tracker vampire who becomes obsessed with hunting Bella.
Jacob Black: A Quileute tribe member who becomes a close friend to Bella and has a more significant role as the series progresses.
Carlisle Cullen: The patriarch of the Cullen family, who created the family and upholds their "vegetarian" values.
Critical reception
Hailed by The New York Times as "a literary phenomenon," Twilight has received widespread acclaim, earning distinctions such as a New York Times "Editor's Choice," Publishers Weekly's Best Book of the Year, and Amazon's Best Book of the Decade So Far. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly praised Stephenie Meyer's "tantalizing debut" and noted its page-turning plot, "propelled by suspense and romance in equal parts." In its starred review, School Library Journal described the novel as "realistic, subtle, succinct, and easy to follow," observing how its "danger-factor skyrockets as the excitement of secret love and hushed affection morphs into a terrifying race to stay alive." And in its starred review, Booklist compared Twlight to the work's of Anne Rice and simply stated, "this dark romance is gripping."
FAQs
What is the book about?
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer follows the story of Isabella "Bella" Swan, a 17-year-old girl who moves to Forks, Washington, to live with her father and falls in love with Edward Cullen, a 103-year-old vampire frozen in his 17-year-old body. Their relationship is fraught with danger, especially as Edward struggles with his desire for Bella's blood while trying to protect her from other vampire threats.
What genre does Twilight belong to?
Twilight is classified under several genres, including young adult, fantasy, romance, and vampire fiction.
What themes are explored in Twilight?
Twilight explores themes such as forbidden love, the nature of desire and restraint, the choice between safety and risk, as well as broader themes of life and death.
What inspired Stephenie Meyer to write her debut novel?
Stephenie Meyer was inspired to write Twilight, her first book, following a vivid dream on June 2, 2003, about a human girl and a dazzling vampire who were attracted to each other.
How was Twilight received by critics and readers?
Twilight received mixed reviews. Some critics praised its portrayal of teenage emotions, fast-paced plot, and compelling love story, while others criticized the novel for its lack of character development, prose quality, and messaging. Despite these criticisms, Twilight was a commercial success, reaching number one on The New York Times bestseller list and eventually being translated into 37 languages.
Has Twilight won any awards or accolades?
Twilight was named a Publishers Weekly's Best Book of the Year and included in School Library Journal's Best Books of 2005 list.
Are there sequels to Twilight?
Yes, Twilight is the first book in the Twilight Saga series, followed by New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.
Did Stephenie Meyer write any books related or complementary to the Twilight Saga?
Yes, besides the direct sequels, Stephenie Meyer released Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined with swapped genders for the main characters and Midnight Sun, which retells the story of Twilight from Edward Cullen's perspective.
Is there a film adaptation of Twilight?
Yes, Twilight was adapted into a film released in 2008, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and starring Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen. The movie was a box office smash hit.
Quotes
“I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars.”
“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…" he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as I thrilled to the word.
"What a stupid lamb," I sighed.
"What a sick, masochistic lion.”“I decided as long as I'm going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly.”
“Death is peaceful, life is harder.”
“Twilight, again. Another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end.”
“You are my life now.”
“Don't be self-conscious, if I could dream at all, it would be about you. And I'm not ashamed of it.”
“When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it’s not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end.”
“The right thing isn't always real obvious. Sometimes the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. So...good luck figuring that out.”
Quick facts
Stephenie Meyer was inspired to write Twilight by a dream she had on June 2, 2003, about a human girl and a vampire who was in love with her but also thirsted for her blood.
The book Twilight was originally titled Forks and underwent a title change at the publisher's request.
Twilight debuted at #5 on The New York Times bestseller list within a month of its release and later reached #1.
Twilight was translated into 37 different languages as of 2008, showcasing its global appeal and popularity.
A gender-swapped version of Twilight named Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined with characters Beau and Edythe was released in 2015 to honor the 10th anniversary of the series.
Midnight Sun, a companion novel to Twilight that retells the story from Edward Cullen's perspective, was released in 2020, 15 years after the original book's publication.
The cover of Twilight featuring an apple represents the forbidden fruit from the Book of Genesis, symbolizing Bella and Edward's forbidden love as well as Bella's knowledge of good and evil.
The Twilight Saga has faced criticism and challenges, including being listed among the American Library Association's Top Ten List of the Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010 for containing a "religious viewpoint" and "violence."
Eight publishers competed for the rights to publish Twilight, with Little, Brown and Company securing the deal for $750,000 for three books.
The film adaptation of Twilight released in 2008 was a commercial success, grossing over $392 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing film adaptations of a young adult novel.
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.
