Twilight (The Twilight Saga 1) by Stephenie Meyer

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When Bella's mother remarries she grudgingly decides to go live with her father in the sunless, perpetually rainy city of Forks, Washington. It's the middle of the semester at a new school and the most she can hope for is to blend in. Then she sees the mysterious Edward Cullen. He's handsome,... read more

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Summary edit see section history

When the plain, introverted, clutzy Bella Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to the remote, wet town of Forks, Washington, she's only doing it to go live with her single dad, town sheriff Charlie. But when she arrives at the local high school, she finds herself immediately drawn to the spectacularly beautiful yet remote Edward Cullen, with his color-changing eyes and mysterious absences on sunny days. Though she doesn't realize it yet, Edward is extremely drawn to her as well, but for reasons that Bella doesn't yet know and couldn't understand. His reaction to this attraction is to completely, utterly ignore her, acting like she repulses him. Despite other students' obvious interest in her, Bella is completely frustrated by - and obsessed with - Edward's reaction to her.

But after rescuing her from catastrophic injury in a rather supernatural fashion, Edward's relationship to Bella changes and grows. Bella is determined to find out how Edward intervened so quickly and kept a van from flattening her. She decides to investigate Edward's origins. Her childhood friend, Jacob Black, tells her an old legend about the Quileute Indians and their relationship with the "cold ones" - vampires. Jacob doesn't believe the legend, but Bella thinks she might finally know what Edward is.

After confronting Edward with her belief that he is, in fact, a vampire, Edward confirms her suspicions and tells her the truth about vampires: they sparkle in the sun, they can be out anytime they want. The venom from their bite is what makes another vampire. They can travel extremely quickly on foot (a ride on Edward's back and Bella's subsequent nausea confirms this); they hunt. But Edward's family is different: they don't hunt humans, only animals. And that's why Edward had avoided Bella when she arrived: she was too tempting.

Edward tries to convince Bella she should want nothing to do with him, but they fall deeply in love nonetheless. Their relationship is rocked when another vampire coven - one that feeds on humans - arrives in Forks, with James, the lead vampire and a tracker, deciding he wants nothing more than Bella's blood for himself. He'll do anything he can to track her down and kill her, even when Edward's family go to extreme lengths to hide and protect her.

But James and Bella finally do come face-to-face, despite the Cullens' best efforts. Though Edward swoops in at the last second to save her, Bella is not without serious injury, including a snapped leg and a vampire bite on her hand. Edward and James fight, and while Edward's family arrives to finish off James, Edward and Carlisle must act quickly to save Bella from the vampire venom that's already starting its course through her body. To save her, Edward sucks the venom out, and Bella wakes up in next in the hospital with her mom and Edward by her side. (The "official story" is that Bella, perpetual clutz that she is, fell down some stairs and out a window.)

The plot ends with Bella and Edward at their high school prom, in love and feeling relatively safe together - for now.

Characters edit see section history

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Edward Cullen: Romantic lead and Bella's love interest.
Alice Cullen: Adopted daughter of Carlisle and Esme, adoptive sister of Edward, Rosalie, and Emmett, and mate of Jasper. Her special ability is to see the future.
Jasper Hale: Adopted son of Carlisle and Esme, adoptive brother of Edward, Emmett, and Rosalie, and mate of Alice. He uses the last name Hale to pose as Rosalie's biological twin while in Forks. He has the ability to feel and manipulate the emotions of those around him.
Dr. Carlisle Cullen: Esme's husband and Edward, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, and Jasper's adoptive father. Carlisle has had centuries to perfect his medical skills and build up a tolerance against human blood, making him an excellent doctor.
Esme Cullen: Carlisle Cullen's wife and the adoptive mother of Edward, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, and Jasper. She has no special power, but has a strong ability to love passionately.
Emmett Cullen: Rosalie's mate, Carlisle and Esme's adopted son, and Edward, Alice, and Jasper's adoptive brother. Emmett is described tall, muscular, and to humans, the most intimidating of his siblings.
Rosalie Hale: Adopted daughter of Carlisle and Esme, adoptive sister of Edward, Alice, and Jasper, and mate of Emmett. She is extraordinarily beautiful and selfish. She chooses to keep her human last name, Hale, out of pride.
James: Merciless "tracker" vampire who hunts human beings, other vampires, and occasionally werewolves for fun.
Victoria: Red headed female vampire, Jame's mate. She has a talent for evasion, making her nearly impossible to catch.
Charlie Swan: Bella Swan's father and police chief in Forks.
Renee Dwyer: Bella's mother, Charlie's ex wife. Renée is an eccentric, absentminded, silly person who will brave new things (like skydiving) and come to her senses later.
Mike Newton: A friendly boy who initially has a crush on Bella, though Bella does not return his affections.
Jessica Stanley: Bella's classmate and her first friend in Forks.
Angela Weber: A classmate of Bella's who is tall, shy, quiet, and very kind.
Jacob Black: A Quileute Native American. He tells Bella what he knows of the Cullen's history. Though not initially interested in Jacob for anything more than information, Bella grows to really like him.
Billy Black: Jacob Black's father, born and raised in La Push, and an elder of the Quileute tribe. Billy is directly descended from the last chief of the Quileute tribe, Ephraim Black, who was his grandfather.
Tyler Crowley: Boy who goes to school with Bella and also has a crush on her.
Eric: Dorky/nerdy boy who goes to school with Bella.
Phil: Renee's new husband. He plays baseball for a living, described as "very minor-league".
Mr. Banner: Bella's teacher in Biology II class.
Mr. Varner: Bella's Trigonometry teacher.
Ben Cheney: Add a description of this character.
Lauren
Clapp
Lee Stephens
Ms. Cope
Mr. Mason
Laurent
Isabella Swan
Rebecca
Renée
Conner
Romeo
Joe
Stephenie

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Quotes edit see section history

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“Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved. Noble, even. That ought to count for something.”
Bella Swan
“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Edward Cullen
“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.”
Bella Swan
“Forks was literally my personal hell on Earth.”
Bella Swan
“What if I'm not the superhero? What if I'm the bad guy?”
Edward Cullen
“You are my life now.”
Edward Cullen
“So you see, Hell’s not so bad if you get to keep an angel with you”
Emmett Cullen
“So, did you stab Edward Cullen with a pencil or what? I've never seen him act like that.”
Mike Newton
“You're intoxicated by my very presence”
Edward Cullen
“You are exactly my brand of heroin”
Edward Cullen
“Do I dazzle you?”
Edward Cullen
“It was too green. An alien planet”
Bella Swan
“I can do this, I lied to myself feebly. No one was going to bite me.”
Bella Swan
“So ready for this to be the end," he murmured, almost to himself, "for this to be the twilight of your life, though your life has barely started. You're ready to give up everything.'”
Edward Cullen
“He looks at you like... like you're something to eat.”
Mike Newton
“Twilight again. Another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end.”
Edward Cullen
“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.”
Bella Swan and Edward Cullen
“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him — and I didn't know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
Bella Swan
“I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars.”
Bella Swan
“Do I dazzle you?”
Edward Cullen
“Stupid, shiny volvo owner.”
Bella Swan
“One of the best things about Charlie is he doesn't hover.”
Bella Swan
“Did you get contacts?" I blurted out unthinkingly.”
Bella Swan
“Someone has to spread the good news that we survived," Edward said smugly”
Edward Cullen
“Wait..." He paused. "Which one is Edwin?”
Charlie Swan
“Oh, well, that's"- he struggled- "better I guess. I don't like the look of that big one. I'm sure he's a nice boy and all, but he looks too...mature for you. Is this Edwin your boyfriend?”
Charlie Swan
“I sat without moving, more frightened of him than I had ever been. I'd never seen him so completely freed of that carefully cultivated facade. He'd never been less human… or more beautiful. Face ashen, eyes wide, I sat like a bird locked in the eyes of a snake.”
Bella Swan

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About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him — and I didn’t know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
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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.
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“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.”
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“You are the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever.”
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“I love you,” I whispered. “You are my life now,” he answered simply.
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“What if I’m not a superhero? What if I’m the bad guy?”
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“And you’re worried, not because you’re headed to meet a houseful of vampires, but because you think those vampires won’t approve of you, correct?”
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surreptitiously. Just as I passed, he suddenly went rigid in his seat. He stared at me again, meeting my eyes with the strangest expression on his face — it was hostile, furious.
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verbose, and I didn’t know what there was to say regardless. I knew he was more than a little confused by my decision — like my mother before me, I hadn’t made a secret of my distaste for Forks. When I landed in Port Angeles, it was raining. I didn’t see it as an omen — just unavoidable. I’d already said my goodbyes to the sun.
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acerbic. He was on his feet in one of his lithe,
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Setting & Locations edit see section history

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Twilight takes place in the northwest corner of Washington State in the present day.

Forks, Washington: The dark, gloomy town of Forks is the ideal hiding place for vampires who wish to escape the sunlight.
Seattle: Edward and Bella talk about taking a trip here.
Phoenix: The city where Bella originally lived with her mother.
Port Angeles: Where Bella goes shopping with Jessica and Angela, and where she runs into trouble.
Florida: Where Bella's mom, Renee, and her husband, Phil move so that Phil can try out for a new team.
California: Where Bella and her dad have spent the past four summers due to her dislike of Forks.
Chicago: Where Edward lived as a human.
Denali: Where another coven of vegetarian vampires live.
London: Carlisle lived here as a human.

Organizations edit see section history

Vampires: Beautiful undead human beings who no longer need to eat, sleep, breath, or even blink. They are perfect in almost every way. Their one fault is their thirst for human blood. Some covens such as the Cullens and the Denali Clan, don't want to kill people and only drink the blood of animals.

First Sentence edit see section history

I'd never given much thought to how I would die - though I'd had reason enough in the last few months - but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.

Table of Contents edit see section history

1. First Sight
2. Open Book
3. Phenomenon
4. Invitations
5. Blood Type
6. Scary Stories
7. Nightmare
8. Port Angeles
9. Theory
10. Interrogations
11. Complications
12. Balancing
13. Confessions
14. Mind Over Matter
15. The Cullens
16. Carlisle
17. The Game
18. The Hunt
19. Goodbyes
20. Impatience
21. Phone Call
22. Hide-and-Seek
23. The Angel
24. An Impasse
Epilogue: An Occassion

Glossary edit see section history

Vegetarian Vampires: While not obviously really vegetarian, they call themselves that because they choose to feed on animals instead of humans.
Creosote: Flowering bush common in the deserts of the West

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

Self-Control and Choice: While the natural instinct of Vampires is to drain blood from humans, some Vampires (like Edward & the Cullens) have chosen to live off the blood of animals instead of humans. This choice is not easy, but is morally important to them.
Love: The love in Twilight oftentimes parallels that of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. The unrequited love that Jacob has for Bella. The forbidden love between Bella and Edward.
Obsession: Edward and Bella become obsessed with one another, they have such strong desire to be together that it is dangerous for both of them. Vampires have a mesmerizing effect on humans in the story, and this is in part responsible for Bella's initial feelings. Vampires are said to rarely change, and when they do, it is permanent. This would explain why Edward is obsessive towards Bella once he falls in love with her, he cannot change how he feels.

Errata edit see section history

When Edward is telling Carlisle's history to Bella, he says that Carlisle found a coven of true vampires that lived hidden in the sewers of the city. However the sewage system was built in 1859, and Carlisle found the vampires around 1660-1670.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 5 in The Twilight Saga. (standard series)

Followed by New Moon.

This book is in Best Fantasy Books. (community list)

This is book 1 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (December 2011). (authoritative list)

This is book 1 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (June 2011). (authoritative list)

This book is in Young Adult. (community list)

This book is in Vampire (community list). (community list)

This is book 4 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (June 2010). (authoritative list)

This is book 1 of 194 in Shelfari Most Popular (December 2010). (authoritative list)

This is book 32 of 100 in Top 100 Books That Defined The Noughties (Telegraph). (authoritative list)

This is book 1 of 9 in Twilight Universe. (universe)

This is book 12 of 216 in Whitcoulls Kids' Top 50 (2011). (authoritative list)

This is book 19 of 121 in Whitcoulls Top 100 (2012). (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

Stephenie Meyer (Author)

Other Contributors:

Gail Doobinin (Cover Artist)
Roger Hagadone - Photographed the cover image
Nina Medved (Translator)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Little, Brown
Country: United States
Publication Date: October 5, 2005
ISBN: 0-316-16017-2
Page Count: 498

Awards edit see section history

School Library Journal Best Books (2005)
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (2006)
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2006)
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award (2008)

Classification edit see section history

Library of Congress: PZ7.M5717515
Dewey: Add the Dewey Classification.

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Contains vampires, werewolves and other supernatural, mythical creatures. Some violence, intense action.

Subjects edit see section history

Books › Teens › Literature & Fiction › Love & Romance
Books › Teens › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Fantasy
Books › Teens › Social Issues › Dating & Intimacy › Fiction
Books › Teens › Horror
Books › Literature & Fiction › Contemporary

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

Wikipedia's Twilight Page
Stephanie Meyer's official website: Stephanie Meyer talks about Twilight and answers frequently asked questions.

Movie Connections edit see section history

Twilight (IMDb): Twilight is a 2008 romantic-fantasy film, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and produced by Paramount Pictures. It's about the relationship between the teenage Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and a vampire named Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). It is a significant departure from the content in the novel. Twilight was released on November 21, 2008, and grossed $35.7 million on its opening day. As of February 2010, the film has grossed $408,773,703. It was the film with the most DVDs sold in 2009, selling 10,233,407 units that year.