The instant I heard that Stephenie Meyer would unveil Midnight Sun, the prequel to her iconic Twilight saga, I had a feeling the critics would be lurking. By critics, I mean the naysayers—the ones who insist that Bella lacks depth, the ones who brand Edward as a creepy stalker, and the literary snobs who dismiss Meyer’s writing as subpar. Even 15 years later, these detractors can’t resist voicing their opinions about a series centered around a seemingly mundane teenage girl who falls for a vampire frozen at 17. (Seriously, give the guy a break!)
To those self-proclaimed literary aficionados who just can’t keep their disdain to themselves, I have one thing to say: Enough already.
Yes, that’s right. Refrain from your condescending rants and let us Twi-hards enjoy this moment. I can hardly contain my excitement for this new release—oh, wait, let me check my stash of cares regarding your literary judgments. Oh look, it’s completely empty! I genuinely don’t give a hoot if my fondness for Twilight makes you question my literary taste or intellect. Your opinion doesn’t matter to me or to the countless others eagerly awaiting this book.
I see you, the person who reads Dostoevsky and thinks it makes you a literary genius. Well, congratulations! My shelves are filled with classic literature and contemporary gems, and I enjoy those too. But guess what? I’ve never read any of them twice like I have with Twilight.
Let’s be clear: Twi-hards who also appreciate highbrow literature should never feel the need to justify their love for Twilight. It’s absurd that some people feel compelled to share their disdain for us simply because we enjoy these books. What are you hoping to achieve? Are you trying to convince us? Do you also have a deep-seated dislike for kittens and puppies?
And by the way, we’re not oblivious to how storytelling works. We’re well aware of grammar, plot structure, and character arcs. We understand the narrative’s unrealistic aspects and its problematic themes (Edward, please respect Bella’s privacy!). But you know what? It’s fiction, and it’s an incredibly captivating story.
No other book has captivated me quite like Twilight. I read these novels at traffic lights, praying for red lights to steal a few more sentences of Edward and Bella’s romance. I snuck reads at work while pretending to focus on spreadsheets, hiding the book on my lap in hopes that no one would catch me. I even dreamed about the characters and connected with Bella’s relatable ordinariness. The idea of a creature designed to kill you falling head over heels in love with you? That concept is irresistibly intriguing. After finishing Breaking Dawn, I immediately went back to the beginning for a reread.
I’m grateful to Meyer for choosing this tumultuous time to release Midnight Sun. It offers the escape many of us desperately need. Of course, Twilight fans are aware that Midnight Sun was never meant to see the light of day. I remember when Meyer revealed in 2008 that a draft had been leaked online. She expressed her hurt over this violation but generously shared the leaked pages with her fans. Yet, she vowed never to finish and publish Midnight Sun. Like many in the Twilight community, I lost hope of ever reading the complete version. But now, it’s finally happening!
Let me clarify: I’m not here to convert anyone to the Twilight fandom if it’s not your thing. You’re entirely entitled to your preferences. People like what they like, and that’s perfectly fine. My heart just happens to desire an eternal, diamond-hard existence with my stylish vampire family in a modern home deep in the Pacific Northwest.
You don’t have to enjoy Twilight, and you’re free to dislike it. Just don’t try to crush others’ joy because you think your literary palate is superior. All you’re accomplishing is making us want to hit you with our shiny new copy of Midnight Sun.
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Summary
Embracing a love for Twilight has become a badge of honor amidst literary snobbery. This article celebrates the excitement surrounding the release of Midnight Sun, while encouraging Twi-hards to enjoy their passion without guilt. The joy of reading should never be diminished by others’ opinions.