Edward Cullen’s Point of View

Summary of Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun (2020) by Stephenie Meyer is the original Twilight story, but exclusively from Edward Cullen’s perspective. The book explores Edward’s history, darker side, motivations, and conflicted desire to be more than a monster. This story is a stand-alone novel that has sold more than a million copies. Fans have waited more than 10 years for this novel after first meeting its main characters in 2005.

Meyer released a partial manuscript of the book at stepheniemeyer.com after portions of the novel were leaked on the internet in 2008. On the last page of Midnight Sun, Meyer calls this story her “nemesis.” She wrote New Moon (2005), Eclipse (2007), Breaking Dawn (2008), The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (2010), The Host (2008), and The Chemist (2016). In addition to all that, Meyer also was involved with five blockbuster feature films inspired by her novels.

Edward Cullen is an American vampire who was turned at 17 during the 1918 influenza pandemic. Eternity has a lot of downsides for him. He’s bored and, in a rut, as he starts high school for the umpteenth time. The younger his vampire clan or family begins in a new area, the longer they can stay in one place. It does suck to pose as a teenage boy repeatedly when you are actually about 100-years-old. The Cullens choose to settle in Forks, Washington, for this limbo installment as Edward sees it.

Edward goes through the daily motions of life without really living until Isabella Swan, a seemingly insignificant human girl from Phoenix, Arizona, comes to town. Bella is the daughter of the Forks Police Chief Charlie Swan. She has dark brown eyes, long brown hair, and pale skin. Additionally, she’s intelligent, clumsy, and an only child. So, what brings her to town? Her mother, Renée, remarried again; so, Bella decides to stay with her dad while her mom travels with her new husband (Phil), a minor league baseball player.

Edward’s superpower is mind reading. He can’t help but notice her because everyone is thinking and talking about her on her first day of school. He tries to ignore Bella, but she ends up as his lab partner in biology class. He scents her blood before she even sits down in the classroom. Immediately, his world is turned upside down, and he’s left without a good reason to bolt from class.  

His only solution is to run away to Alaska to get away from her. About a week later, Edward returns and tries to start an awkward conversation with Bella sheepishly. A tentative friendship develops, and as he gets to know her a little. Edward doesn’t know what to do with her. Does he eat her or date her? Bella’s blood calls to him, and Edward craves her. To make things worse, he can’t hear her mind. He draws a blank. Wait, what?! Yes. This innocent girl has been sent from hell to ruin him!  

Book Review

I’ve been anxiously waiting for this book ever since I finished Twilight in the mid-2000s. Midnight Sun’s release is long overdue. After reading the entire Twilight saga, I started reading different kinds of vampire novels and other paranormal romances. I developed a love for the supernatural fiction genre. At the time, the Twilight saga was something new, engaging, and meaty to read after finishing several Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling.

Midnight Sun’s ending is predictable and known. Meyer adds clarification to several unfinished plot points. I always wondered about them. For example, we learn about Edward’s rogue years, his internal conflict with breaking all the rules. We also gain clarity into the treaty history of the Cullens and the Quileutes. The author offers additional insights into the fate of the Port Angeles rapist and his cronies. We also figure out how James, the vampire tracker, and the Cullens get to the dance studio so fast. My favorite insight was learning how the Cullens created the cover-up story for Bella’s vampire-induced injuries.

For me, reading Midnight Sun is like revisiting with an old familiar friend. I found Meyer’s story plot additions and her telling of Edward’s story worthwhile. The first few times I read Twilight, I didn’t fully grasp that Edward was such an over-achieving fatalist and an intense worrier. I figured it out after I got a bigger peek into his mind. I also finally understand how deep his feelings are for Bella and how all-consuming his obsession is for her ran blood, body, and soul. He struggles with not being overprotective and controlling, yet he fails on occasion throughout the Twilight series. He isn’t as perfect as Bella makes him out to be. I am glad Edward has several redeeming qualities. For illustration, he proves time and time again that he has self-control, a moral compass for a vampire, and a desire to do good things.

Score

On a scale of 1-10, I give this book an 8.

Melissa K. Cannell Copyright, 2020