One day this summer, in the library, I found several lists of books picked by teens. At the top of one list was Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer. Another list had Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld. I had read both books, and I found it funny that they both ended up on Teen Picks lists. Why? Well, they are both sort of about beauty, which is something teenagers and pre-teens focus a lot on. (girls especially!) But, while both books have beauty as a theme, they actually send opposite messages.
Twilight takes place in the present-day town of Forks, where the main character, a 17 year old girl named Bella, falls in love with a vampire named Edward. Edward is amazingly gorgeous, and not only that, he is perfect at everything he does. He is the fastest runner, the strongest, and he plays the piano wonderfully. On the other hand, Bella, (who is constantly saying she’s not beautiful, she’s ugly, she’s nothing compared to Edward), is a very weak character who does whatever Edward says. The fact that the pretty character is perfect, and the not pretty character is weak, says that people who look good are better on the inside too.
Uglies is different. It takes place in the future, a completely different world. At age 16, everyone gets an operation that makes their skin smooth, eyes big, and basically makes them into what they call “pretties.” Of course, everyone wants to be a Pretty. But before Tally, the main character, turns pretty, she finds out a horrible secret about the operation. Being pretty not only changes the way you look, it also changes how you think. Pretties are lazy, weak, and whiny, while Uglies, (normal people), are able to think for themselves. This actually sends the message: it doesn’t matter how you look, it’s what you do that makes people like you. It’s like David, one of the characters, says: “What you do, the way you think, makes you beautiful.”
I would say I like both of the books. Twilight is a fun book to read when I want something light and happy. The plot is good, and the writing style fits the tone of the book: a teenage girl’s romantic fantasy. And I like the action-packed plot of Uglies, and the way the author’s writing style makes me really think: what if I lived in this world?
On a fan website, I found a teenage girl who recommended both Uglies and Twilight. She said she liked Twilight because: “Edward is so hot, and Bella is so cute!” She liked Uglies for similar reasons: “Zane (Tally’s boyfriend) is so hot, and Tally is so cute!” Could she be missing the point here?
October 6, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Actually Emmett is the strongest, but if you want to be delusional, go ahead…
October 6, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Ha ha ha.
Thanks for the correction! If I could figure out how to edit this post, I’d fix it! Oh well…
October 6, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I love this idea! I have only read Twilight. I’ll have to pick up the Uglies and read it. I like books with strong (emotionally and physically) female characters! I’m not sure if Bella fits the bill.
October 8, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I can’t find uglies the first int he robbins library !!!!! Do u know where to get it?
October 8, 2009 at 9:45 pm
They have it in the Young Adult section, but it’s probably out. See if you can reserve it!
October 8, 2009 at 8:51 pm
This is Awesome!!!!
just take out the geeky name and its PERFECTO!!!!!!
by the way, u probably guessed who i am a LLOOONNNGGGGG time ago.
HINT, it starts with a H!
Yeh, i know that was obvious!!!
October 8, 2009 at 8:56 pm
BTW, im not Hayoung
;;^^<<<)<*
Im awsome!!!
October 9, 2009 at 12:27 am
hi “skittles” this is so awesome.
October 9, 2009 at 7:21 pm
MY favorite charecter in twilight is Alice Cullen. YOu should try to make a page about each book.
October 10, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I haven’t read either of them but I am going to read Uglies. My mom won’t let me read Twilight.
October 10, 2009 at 6:16 pm
why not?
October 12, 2009 at 5:54 pm
bookz,
why not? i mean my parents are against it too!
cause vamps don’t get along with cristians!
October 12, 2009 at 6:24 pm
i tried twilight but found that later in the book it was all to emotional and Bella was a little bit of a drama queen so i dropped it. So in my opinion, “Louisa” this is to you, your not missing out on not being aloud to read twilight!!
REPLY!!! :}
October 13, 2009 at 11:24 am
I agree with you, Leo! Bella seems a bit over-emotional to me too. But Twilight can still be a fun book!
October 13, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I think overall the twilight series is good but still bella isn’t the strongest character but the plot is still good.
October 13, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I agree that twilight isn’t the best book to search through, but it is a BIG in comparing
i also think that once it’s unraveled it’s little secrets, i,d say it’s no better than rhe “Ugly Ducklings”
just my opinion!
October 13, 2009 at 10:57 pm
i don’t like the way scott westerfield writes
u no wat i would like better eva?
J. K. Rowling writing uglies
then i would understand the story better.
again, just my opinion!!
October 14, 2009 at 11:40 am
bookz, i now figured out who u r!!!
MMMMWWWWHHHHAHHHAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anyway,ALICE(hint, hint) don’t u agree with me that twilight has some interesting descriptions? just because its full with icky stuff doesn’t mean it has bad description, alice?
and to this “louisa” or i think thats her name, why don’t u try uglies if your parents don’t let u read twilight?
if u want my opinion, uglies isn’t the best book i’ve ever picken up.
October 16, 2009 at 12:21 am
really? ow would YOU know?????????
PLus I really don’t know an alice but my name is close. ( add on some letters!!!!!!!)
October 16, 2009 at 12:21 am
MWAHAHAHAHHAAHAAHAHAH
October 20, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Twilight is still a great series and all its just not my action-packed taste!!
October 30, 2009 at 10:35 pm
skittles you are so wrong!!!!!!!!!