But as I said, I've skipped the beginning so lets pull it back a bit. As the chapter opens Bella wakes with Edward in her bed which would be a good place to start a chapter except that we are forced to suffer through pages of Bella thinking she's crazy, or dead or dreaming. This is frustrating for a couple reasons: one, because the readers know it's not a dream so it lacks the potential of a clever reveal, two, because Meyers drags it on and on and on, we get it. Bella's so happy that Edward is back she can barely let herself believe it's true. Stephanie, really, you could have gotten that across in a sentence like "Was I dreaming? Dead? I was so happy to feel his arms around me again I was afraid to let myself believe it was real" there, done. But no, the debate rages for pages, dies down as Bella accepts the reality she is presented with, and then picks back up again before she finally lets it go. At least Bella admits she's being ridiculous.
"Edward was really, truly here with me, and I was wasting time being an idiot."
Yes, yes you were. I have to admit though, despite the fact that having to wade through pages of characters arguing about what is and isn't reality makes me grit my teeth, I am ecstatic to have Bella and Edward back together. All is right in the world again. How quickly I forget my affection for Jacob, two chapters of Edward and I'm as useless to resist as Bella. Sorry Jake, your sweet and all but how can you not be affected by a man who says things like "I can't live in a world where you don't exist." and means it enough to skip the country to attempt a demo.
The entire chapter is spent with Edward and Bella in Bella's bedroom talking. I know, it sounds dull but it's good stuff people, it's relationships, it's dialogue, it's romantic expletive! I love that Bella's strategy for trying to keep Edward with her and avoid the re-break up she sees as inevitable is to just keep talking.
The chapter ends with the lovey dovey conversation dissolving back into the same argument the two had failed to resolve before they separated. The question of whether or not Bella should remain human.
Other things I loved this chapter: That Charlie banned Edward from the house and that Edward and Bella got enough chat time to remind me that literary Edward is much funnier than Robert Pattinson Edward. Hear that 'Pattz?' Edward is serious, but funny. Lighten up.
I can't even describe how much pleasure it brings me that Edward refers to Jacob as 'the boy' The seed of jealousy sprouted already? I can't decide if it's a pet name meant to intentionally slight Jacob or if he thinks that way of everyone so young. Either way it makes me smile without fail. It must be the anticipation of getting to start Eclipse soon.
I mentioned as I opened this post, this chapter was full of the overwrought emotion and romantic declaration I've missed so very much in Edward's absence. As a result I'm left with too many favorite quotes this chapter to count, so here is my edited list....
Favorite Quotes and Conversation
The entire chapter is spent with Edward and Bella in Bella's bedroom talking. I know, it sounds dull but it's good stuff people, it's relationships, it's dialogue, it's romantic expletive! I love that Bella's strategy for trying to keep Edward with her and avoid the re-break up she sees as inevitable is to just keep talking.
The chapter ends with the lovey dovey conversation dissolving back into the same argument the two had failed to resolve before they separated. The question of whether or not Bella should remain human.
Other things I loved this chapter: That Charlie banned Edward from the house and that Edward and Bella got enough chat time to remind me that literary Edward is much funnier than Robert Pattinson Edward. Hear that 'Pattz?' Edward is serious, but funny. Lighten up.
I can't even describe how much pleasure it brings me that Edward refers to Jacob as 'the boy' The seed of jealousy sprouted already? I can't decide if it's a pet name meant to intentionally slight Jacob or if he thinks that way of everyone so young. Either way it makes me smile without fail. It must be the anticipation of getting to start Eclipse soon.
I mentioned as I opened this post, this chapter was full of the overwrought emotion and romantic declaration I've missed so very much in Edward's absence. As a result I'm left with too many favorite quotes this chapter to count, so here is my edited list....
Favorite Quotes and Conversation
"Bella. I can't live in a world where you don't exist."
'This was very good, as far as delusions went. The fact, the voice, the scent everything - it was so much better than drowning."
"His irises were pitch-black, with bruise-like shadows under them. This surprised me; my hallucinatory Edwards were usually better fed.
"...I can't imagine what you could have done to wind up in hell. Did you commit many murders while I was away?"
"...when I heard that you have to put your life in the hands of werewolves, immature, volatile..."
"I feel sick, sick to my core, even now, when I can see you and feel you safe in my arms. I am the most miserable excuse for-"
"Edward," I said. His name burned my throat a little on the way out. I could feel the ghost of the hole, waiting to rip itself wide again as soon as he dissappeared."
"my will crumbled into dust the second our lips met"and my favorite of my favorites.....
"When I told you that I didn't want you, it was the very blackest kind of blasphemy."
Chapter 23 sum up in 10 points or less:
- Bella sleeps
- Bella dreams
- Bella wakes up with Edward in her bed
- There is a lot of talking
- Everyone is making moon eyes at each other
- Bella and Edward argue about immortality
