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Sunday, May 2, 2010

Book Review and Giveaway: From Twilight to Breaking Dawn: Religious Themes in the Twilight Saga

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From Twilight to Breaking Dawn: Religious Themes in the Twilight SagaSandra L. Gravett’s book From Twilight to Breaking Dawn: Religious Themes in the Twilight Saga is another publication which examines the Twilight saga through a religious lens.  Dr. Gravett is a philosophy and religion professor as well as a biblical scholar.  She takes her expertise in these areas and uses it to show the reader how religious themes are clearly evident in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga.

Gravett begins with a brief introduction, reminding (or in a rare case, enlightening) us of the societal impact that this book series has had in recent years.  There is also a short summary of all four books, plus the mention of the online work Midnight Sun.  These summaries are helpful for readers (like me) who have not read the entire series and do not mind plot spoilers.

Continuing, the subsequent chapters take on individual characters or issues and examine them in light of scripture and religious tradition.  For the most part Gravett references the standard Christian Bible, but she also uses Mormon texts and other non-canonical books as reference points.  As a Southern Baptist Christian, I personally had no need for the comparisons to issues found in non-canonical works.  However, if you’re looking at these themes in a purely literary manner, they do provide some interesting things to ponder.

Several of the chapters single out one of the main characters in order to examine them.  In one, Edward’s character is shown to be a Christ figure (according to the Kozlovic model).  In another, Bella’s possibilities as an Eve figure as well as a Mary figure are explored.  Father Carlisle is shown to be a God figure, and Renesmee also shows characteristics of a Christ figure.

Other theological and philosophical issues are addressed, such as determinism, moral choice and Armageddon.  In these chapters we get to hear more about Mormon philosophy, as they highly value moral choice (as other faiths do).  Armageddon’s ties into the final moments of Breaking Dawn are not as strong, but Gravett finds a few ways of comparing them.  Overall, she concludes that “on the surface, nothing about the Twilight saga explicitly expresses a religious agenda.” (p.99)  Yet at the same time, she notices that Meyer often suggests a Christian-themed progression.

Overall I enjoyed Dr. Gravett’s work.  She came to this subject from the standpoint of a literary and philosophical scholar, not as one standing in any kind of negative judgment of the series.  Everything was stated in observation, just as if she was holding a light up to parallels that may not have been easily seen in the past.

Gravett’s writing is well crafted and decidedly collegiate, and she ends each chapter with interesting discussion questions.  This lends this title toward easy implementation in a classroom or any other small group discussion. The questions she raises and the ideas she presents have given me a deeper appreciation for not only themes that are in the Twilight saga, but also for other works of fiction that I may read in the future.  Not every book, character or plot will perfectly mirror those found in scripture, but it becomes interesting to see how God’s word and philosophies can permeate all of life.


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**GIVEAWAY CONTEST**

If you'd like to win my copy of Sandra L. Gravett’s book, here are the contest rules:
  • Leave a comment below; this counts as your entry.
  • Entries accepted until 11:59pm on Saturday, May 15th
  • Open to U.S. addresses only.
  • Make sure at least one posted comment includes your email address. If you'd rather not have your email posted here, you may contact me directly to give me that information after you've entered here.
  • I will compile the entries and the winner will be chosen by Random.org, so even one entry can make you a winner!
  • Should you win, I will contact you on Sunday the 9th for your mailing information.  Please take measures to ensure that my email will make it past your spam filters, lest you miss my message! (CalicoCritic@gmail.com) You'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
  • More information on the giveaway policies can be found on the Contact / Policies page.

Bonus Entries

Please make note of all your bonus entries in your comment(s).  You may post separate comments or a single large comment.  Here are your bonus entry options:
  • Follow The Calico Critic by clicking on the Google "Follow" button on my sidebar (old or new followers both get the bonus entry, just let me know you're following).
  • Follow me (@LHartness) on Twitter (Please tell me your @UserName).
  • Tweet about this book's giveaway on Twitter.com; be sure to use an URL linking back to this blog posting in your tweet. You may do this as frequently as every 8 hours between now and May 15th at 11:59pm EST.  For each tweet, please come back and post the direct URL link to that specific tweet, not just your @Username.

That's it!  Thanks for stopping by, and good luck to all the entrants!





This title was provided to me by Chalice Press.  No obligation other than an honest review was required.














CymLowell

38 comments:

  1. This would be an interesting read, hope to be picked as a winner!

    violetskiez(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I so want to win this!!!
    I am a follower.
    Laura
    laura.leahj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks good!

    Julie102794@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks like quite an interesting read! Thanks for hosting this giveaway :)

    bby11us@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm also following you on twitter now. I'm known as TeamPetabeth

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've wanted to check out this book ever since I heard about it, so thanks for the giveaway (and emailing me about it).

    I'm already a follower of the blog.
    I follow you on Twitter. My username is Door2Wonderland.
    I tweeted: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13281527807.

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. This looks very interesting. Thank you
    robmusement@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great book giveaway.
    caliblue7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a current follower on GFC.
    caliblue7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. This book sounds interesting!

    wheems01@gmail.com

    I am a follow on GFC and RSS Feeds.

    Twitter follower: @wheems01

    Tweeted about the contest: https://twitter.com/wheems01/status/13319373029

    ReplyDelete
  11. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13341288903

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13399451643

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sounds like an excellent premise. I'd be interested in reading this one. I follow you on twitter and retweeted your giveaway.

    savvyverseandwit at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  14. here's the link for my tweet if you need it: https://twitter.com/lhartness/status/13382577389

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love to read this book and see what it has to say!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    bangersis at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a twitter follower @bangersis
    bangersis at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am already a follower on google friend
    bangersis at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I tweeted http://twitter.com/bangersis/status/13463862299
    bangersis at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13469159653

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would love a peak at this book! Imogen Rose

    ReplyDelete
  21. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13511269118

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13564747785

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I haven't read any of Dr. Gravett novels. I found your review to be intriguing and one that I think I would take pleasure in reading. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13624012544

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13697919650

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13742934004

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13804506897

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13859407385

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Well someone finally made Twilight interesting.

    lbaran. pcs @gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13928064492

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. daily tweet http://twitter.com/bangersis/status/13950816748
    bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wooow! This sounds interesting and controversial. My favorite combination in a book. I'd love a chance to win it! =) hollywood_here_i_come@live.com

    +Following you on Twitter (@SeaofPages)
    +Tweeted http://twitter.com/SeaofPages/status/13952388969

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great review Laura. I like the fact that there is a short summary of all four books. I have not read any of them but it sounds very interesting.
    binthenow@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow you on GFC K Church
    I am a friend on Facebook Kathryn Alkire Church
    I follow on Twitter @oHIoKit
    binthenow@gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Did a tweet
    http://twitter.com/oHIoKit/status/13955034461

    ReplyDelete
  36. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13990784007

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/14051437047

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. daily tweet http://twitter.com/bangersis/status/14060846255
    bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete