Diksia.com - Twilight is one of the most popular and influential young adult novels of the 21st century. It tells the story of Bella Swan, a human girl who falls in love with Edward Cullen, a vampire. The book spawned a series of four novels, a movie franchise, and a huge fan base. But what if we could see the story from Edward’s perspective? How does he feel about Bella, his family, and his existence as a vampire?
That is the premise of Midnight Sun, a companion novel to Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Midnight Sun retells the events of Twilight from Edward’s point of view, revealing his inner thoughts, emotions, and struggles. It also explores his past, his relationship with his family, and his decision to follow his heart at any cost.
The History of Midnight Sun
Midnight Sun was not originally intended to be a published novel. Meyer started writing it as a side project to explore Edward’s character more deeply. She shared some of the chapters with the director and the actor of the Twilight movie, to help them understand Edward better.
However, in 2008, twelve chapters of the unfinished manuscript were leaked online, without Meyer’s permission. She was devastated by this breach of trust, and decided to put the project on hold indefinitely. She also made the leaked chapters available on her website, for her fans to read.
For years, fans hoped that Meyer would resume writing Midnight Sun, and complete the novel. In 2015, she announced that she had started working on it again, but then stopped when another book with a similar concept was released.
That book was Grey, a retelling of Fifty Shades of Grey from the male protagonist’s perspective. Meyer felt that it was too similar to her idea, and that it would overshadow her work. She said that it was a “literal flip the table moment” for her.
However, in 2020, Meyer surprised her fans by announcing that Midnight Sun was finally finished, and that it would be released on August 4, 2020. The book was eagerly awaited by millions of readers, who wanted to revisit the world of Twilight and experience Edward’s version of the story.
The Content of Midnight Sun
Midnight Sun covers the same time span as Twilight, from the first day of school in Forks, Washington, to the prom night. However, it is much longer than Twilight, with 658 pages compared to 498.
This is because Edward’s narration is more detailed and complex than Bella’s, as he has more information, memories, and insights to share. He also has the ability to read minds, which adds another layer of complexity to his perspective.
The book follows Edward’s journey as he meets Bella, a human girl who captivates him with her scent, her beauty, and her mind. He is torn between his desire to be with her, and his fear of hurting her or exposing his secret. He also has to deal with his family’s reactions, his enemies’ threats, and his own moral dilemmas.
He learns more about Bella, her past, her personality, and her feelings. He also reveals more about himself, his past, his family, and his feelings. He faces many challenges and dangers, but also many joys and discoveries. He ultimately chooses to love Bella, and to protect her at all costs.
The Reception of Midnight Sun
Midnight Sun was a commercial success, selling over one million copies in its first week of release. It topped the bestseller lists in many countries, and received positive feedback from many fans.
They praised Meyer’s writing, Edward’s character development, and the new insights into the Twilight saga. They also enjoyed the humor, the romance, and the suspense of the book.
However, Midnight Sun also received some criticism, from both critics and fans. Some of them felt that the book was too long, too repetitive, or too boring. They also pointed out some inconsistencies, errors, or flaws in the plot, the characters, or the logic.
Some of them also disliked Edward’s personality, his actions, or his relationship with Bella. They found him to be too controlling, too possessive, or too abusive. They also questioned the morality, the realism, or the message of the book.
Conclusion
Midnight Sun is a companion novel to Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It tells the story of Edward Cullen’s point of view, from the first time he meets Bella Swan, to the night of their prom. It is a long and detailed book, that explores Edward’s inner world, his past, his family, and his love.
It is a book that has delighted and disappointed many readers, depending on their expectations, preferences, and opinions. It is a book that offers a new perspective on the Twilight saga, and a new experience for its fans.
