vampires DO NOT sparkle in the sun.

I'll have to admit, there were times when I was reading the novel that I fell in love a little with the character of Edward. But not to the extent where I would be hailed as a fangirl of the character. The series has spawned a cult following of mostly teenage girls, who are infatuated with the character they hail as the 'perfect man'. Stephanie Meyer's writing is perhaps best in the characterisation of Edward Cullen, portraying him as the ideal lover, who worships the ground his Bella walks on. Somewhat ironic is the fact that he is a vampire, and therein, presumably, lies the crux of his appeal: the fact that he loves her to the extent that he fears that he poses a danger to her. It resulted in his attempt to leave her. While this has millions of fans swooning at the mere thought of such an intense and passionate love, I could not care less. I mean, it just reminds me of Romeo and Juliet, which despite being loved around the world, I could never bring myself to read because of the stupidity (that I see) in the storyline.

Romeo and Juliet were hailed iconic lovers, giving up their lives for their love. I cannot digest this fact. Maybe I am not a romantic, and this is why I thought it idiotic that they gave up on life so easily, but the fact that two fifteen-or-so teenagers killed themselves because they could not bear the thought of living without the other despite knowing each other only for the span of a few days was just so dumb. Romeo was without a doubt fickle, attracted to Juliet because of her beauty when only at the beginning he had proclaimed to love someone else. At least Edward was never like that. Juliet was as stupid as Bella, I think. Both so obsessed with their significant other that the mere thought of living without them was painful to bear. Juliet's excuse is that she was written in the 16^th century. What is Bella's excuse? Meyer's protagonist tells young impressionable girls that it is okay to live only for a guy. When that guy leaves you, it is considered romantic to wallow and become a shell, and not care about the people around you who cared enough to stay. She's a horrible role model. And yet, for some reason, people still love her.