The song for this chapter is Where’d You Go by Fort Minor
[audio:https://twilightguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/wheredyougo.mp3]
Somehow, I have gotten hooked by New Moon within the first few chapters. When I should be working to cure my editingosis I am actually reading this book and wondering: have Edward and Bella really parted ways for good?
Time passes: the first two words of this chapter seem brutal and sharp in contrast to the flowing paragraphs Stephenie has written before. The thoroughness of Edward’s disappearance has left Bella’s life in that state. There isn’t a trace that he was ever there, as if all that happened in Twilight and in the first three chapters of New Moon were just something that Bella imagined. After paging through the months, I am reminded of the way Bella was at one time, in the beginning of Twilight. It is like taking a time machine. I remember this Bella: sullen, quiet, just as she was before Edward.
With the months that have passed, however, it feels like the pain of Edward leaving has turned into a numbness. It’s like a constant ache to Bella that is so strong eventually she might forget about it being there.
I shuddered when Bella pulls out that calculus book. What a misery. I’m taking calculus this next semester, and being one who absolutely abhors all things involving the mathematics (besides adding royalties and paychecks), I nearly fainted flat when I discovered I have two courses of it. Oh joy (oh rottenness). Bella sums up my thoughts exactly:
Reading math was even worse than listening to it.
For some reason, when Bella asked Jessica who she had recently been out with, my eyes swept across the page, and I thought that Jessica had said she was out with a Yankie, instead of Eric Yorkie. Weird. Then, lo and behold, they head on off to get some food, passing by One-Eyed Pete’s:
The struggle that Bella goes through to get over Edward seems torturous. While she knows she will never get over him completely, the only way she can move on with her life is to move past what is gone, and leave the memories of Edward behind.
But at the same time, I see that Bella is holding onto Edward still. Her memories of them together were so strong that I find myself remembering parts of it as well. It is rather concerning when you think about the condition Bella has been left in. She is withdrawn and antisocial, and now she is seeing things that are not there and hearing voices in her head.
Because the books are so popular, I’ve been slightly spoilered already, and I know that somewhere along the lines, Jacob Black becomes important (apologies if I’ve been spoiled wrong and I’m incorrect). So I would really like to hear from those Jacob-lovers if Bella’s intense withdrawal from Edward is one of the reasons you think Jacob is better for her? Do you think she is too obsessively attached to Edward for the relationship to ever be good for her?
It seems to me that by the end of this chapter, Bella is already doing much better than she was before- though I can still feel that glimmer of hope that Edward will return, and that things will go back to how they were before. But simply getting out and doing something appears to have brightened Bella future somewhat. I guess there is something fulfilling in zombie films after all… 😀
——NOTES——
– Again, I cannot reply to emails suggesting songs for New Moon. Please only submit them through the page linked in the right sidebar.
– Last week, I hit 1,500 subscribers on my Youtube! THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE! I am currently #17 most subscribed this week in Partners, which was my first Youtube award, so if you haven’t already, please subscribe so I can stay up there!
– Someone asked to see a photo of my writing notebooks- it’s on my other blog.
292 Responses
hey great job kaleb.
although i’m a huge Jacob fan, i don’t think he is better for bella. i’m all for Edward/Bella. although i know jacob is better for bella in the sense that their relationship is healthier, they are good for one another in many ways and it’s natural for them. you’ll understan d as you read on.
but i never doubted for one second that Bella’s heart ever turned from edward. and i never thought of jacob as a possibility. maybe that’s why i can love him for being the character that he is, and not “the other guy who isn’t edward”.
maybe it’s because i have so much faith in bella and her devotion to edward and how she sticks to her decisions, that i never got scared of jacob. and thus i was able to love him. love him for doing all the things he does for bella.
keep reading kaleb it’s gets better soon. they are alot of ups and downs. but this is my Fave BOOK by a mile!!
I believe that pretty much all of the comments have summed up the pro-Jake arguments.
But, I would just like to say that, for me, the reason I’m Team Jacob is because he’s more human. Not in the literal, has a pulse, sense, I mean. He makes mistakes, he’s rash sometimes, and he’s… a little flawed, but that is why I think he’s better for Bella. Throughout the series, Bella always feels…inferior to Edward because of his awesome-o vampireness. I’m not saying Edward’s too good for her, but sometimes I feel like she won’t love him once she’s equal to him – if she gets changed ever, I mean.
But, everyone’s been saying that Jacob is bad, etc. and is all messed up, but I think Edward is moreso.
I guess I’ll stop rambling and just say to go into this book with an open mind, like everyone else is saying. I was still an Edward fan halfway into it the first time I read it. :]
I’m only commenting because we talked about how I always comment and how I’m a good commenter and if I don’t I fail at my duty. AND I SHALL NOT FAIL!
Was I the one that spoiled you about Jake being important? Meh, oh well. XD
And I’d like to make it clear. When I say I am a Jacob Lover, this does not mean that I want Jacob and Bella together, oh no! NEVER! He is mine. Bella can have her Edward. I can have my Jacob. It all works out great!
Okay, so I really had to get into this little debate. Now I am a total Team Edward member. I see where Team Jacob comes from. He helps her in New Moon. Helps her breathe! All that jazz, but I hate when many say E/B is shallow and not strong and yadayada…HELLO! New Moon is the prime example of their love!(sorry Kaleb if I accidentally spoil something for you!) Yes, their love is obsession. But when you are in a deep love like their’s that’s what it becomes! They depend on each other. And those who say that Bella should be with Jacob because she can have fun and such. Bella is more of a reader. She’s always been, always will.We also never see Bella and Edward have fun because of all the drama happening. You don’t know what goes on outside of the books. Their (wow I can’t believe I’m saying this)lives do not stop when the book stops. No. There are scenes we do not see. Also face it. Edward is a serious man. That’s just him. I love him for that because well, I am a serious person most of the time. I do believe Jacob would be healthier for her. BUT Love is a crazy thing. You can’t control it. I believe Bella and Edward need each other. (Even though Edward would try to hide this need) I am one of the few who knew he was not telling the truth (Sorry!) I was never mad at him. I felt sorry for Edward.The poor guys been roaming the earth without happiness and suddenly he finds it! Then has to let that happiness go for the safety of Bella. Come now. Edward was (according to him) worse then Bella during their time apart. He was in a ball half the time! Go read his POV and Rosalie’s to get this. So people who say it was a dumb move for him to leave (even though it really was) It showed the both of them that they need each other. It also got them to understand that their hold on each other is unbreakable. The “I’m not worthy” thing is starting to stop. Sure Eclipse had a few moments like that but that’s beside the point. It wasn’t as bad as Twilight was with that.
I also loved the analogy of the beverages! You are abosolutly right! I would so want the pop! I have a sweet tooth! And one last thing. Jacob fans remember that Edward isn’t perfect. He is probably the least perfect character in the series! We just see the way Bella sees him. (love does that) So stop using the “Edward is too perfect for my taste. Jacob is more real!” stuff like that. It’s not true! (Sorry for any Jacob lovers who are not like this. I’ve had my dose of people like this) Now,I myself do not really like Jacob, but I accepted him…until the last chapter of this book…
Kaleb, keep on reading. It is a W ride. My favorite ending from the whole series is the end of New Moon, well last few chapters…So keep on truckin!
Sorry this was so long, it’s just I’m sick of this debating/bashing thing! It needs to end people! Bella’s made her choice! Let it be!
I LOVED New Moon. True, it’s a bit (or a lot)depressing, but it just shows that life gos on without Edward Cullen.
Though there are very few of us Jacob-lovers, we hold up strong. He is the perfect bestfriend anyone could ask for. And yes i definately think that Jacob is healthier for Bella. Edward left Bella behind! He left her empty and alone. And wait.. who saved her? oh yeah JACOB. It really bugs me when people are so against Jake and hate him so much. What would she be without him? What would Bella have done if Jake hadn’t helped her? If he hadn’t been a normal FRIEND that she needed? He never asked for more than that (in new moon atleast.)
I don’t want to spoil eclipse so i wont discuss Jake’s actions, but i can 100% defend them. Well.. with one exception.
I tottaly agree with Erin. I couldnt say it better myself so all I’m gonna say is, I’m attracted to the:
“I can live without you but I just dont want to” that Jacob/Bella have instead of the
“I only can live without you” of Edward/Bella.
Or that might have been kind of a spoiler but whatever.
I also agree with Samantha. Man you guys are good.
I remember flipping through the months, and I had to stop and put the book down then, it was a very affective literary tool. Of course, I did continue reading within a minute, but, embarrassingly, I had to hold tears back. It was moving almost.
Team Edward!!!!
he may be a bit controlling but he’s just trying to make up for leaving Bella. he’s terrified of her leaving him and he is just trying to help. Jacob is supportive but INMATURE!!! he’s not exactly trying to help keep her safe from himself. Edward is doing what he can at least!
Jacod is Bella’s BEST FRIEND! Not BOYFRIEND!!!
That’s because Jacob doesn’t want to eat her!
Nina I think you put it so well. The whole “want” vs “need” thing. I know my mother always told me (and a psychology teacher I had) that the person you should end up with is the person you “want” in you life, no matter the difficulties, vs the person you “need.” I respect what ever the Breaking Dawn brings. But, it is GREAT conversation.
For me personally, I didn’t cry or shed a single tear when Edward left, unlike many of my friends. No…I just screamed and threw a fit instead. I wasn’t sad, I was mad. But, alas, I didn’t cheat and skip to the end just to see if he was there. (I may have taken a glimpse and then was satisfied.) But I kept reading, as you Kaleb will do as well. In good time you’ll find Jacob. All in good time. ^_^
That’s right girl !TEAM EDWARD! all the way baby. Oh and good job to you Kaleb for getting past chapter three. To all the Jacob fans out there get over it she doesn’t like him so hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!
I like Edward, but nit as much as Jacob. I think that Bella realtionship with Edward is too obsessive and addictive, IT ISNT HEALTHY! Edward is controlling,a jerk, and it doesnt help his case at all that he left. Once you read Eclipse, it is obvious that Jacob is the better choice. GO JAKE!!!
When I finally got to picking the book back off the car floor after I read chapter 3, I turned the page to those what, 3, 4 month pages. and i was CONFUSED!
Lolz
Don’t worry. It’s not all depressing!
Yeah Morgan! TEAM EDWARD
Srry, I love Jacob, I guess, but, srsly, Edward’s NOT a frickin jerk miss brinkley! He’s not controlling, it’s care. CARE
Srsly. Srry Kaleb, had to post this.
*not
*Bella’s
*relationship
WOW! I should have proofed that.
160. “To all the Jacob fans out there get over it she doesn’t like him so hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!”
Yeah, she really does. In fact, she actually loves him. And we know this because Bella says so.
Alright here I am again! LOVE IS NOT ALWAYS SANE! Get that through your heads people! And Edward is not too bad at controlling. You know what he does in Eclipse with letting up. And I don’t think Jake is the better choice. Neither are human! Jake is just as dangerous as Edward. Can’t use that really. Sure he’s more human, but I don’t know. He’s not completely right for BELLA. And if it weren’t for Edward Bella would be dead from Tyler’s car in Twilight and wouldn’t have met Jake.
The reason this book is what it is, a book, I dont judge any of the relationships off of real life…
How do you fall head over heels for someone in one week and then in six months, your life is shattered because they have left..I dont see that happening, ever…But, I LOVE Jacob because he helps Bella somewhat return…I dont think Bella could get over someone like Edward. Even though he is a twit for leaving, he means well…And the love that he gives Bella is what all of us girls dream for…
Im sorry New Moon is sad! But, it does have its moments!
I’m team edward and even in New Moon I still loved him. I didn’t read the chapters after ch 5 but I skipped to the end and eventually got to the part where the volturi are and since I didn’t read the other chapters with Jake in them I thought Bella and Edward were in a ball room with the volturi. Then it reminded me of Titanic………then I read the chapters with Jake in them and it all made sense.
I gotta say one thing, guys — chill out with the TEAM EDWARD and TEAM JACOB stuff. Everyone has a right to their opinion. No need to try and “convert” people to your perspective. And you know what? There should be a TEAM BELLA, that likes both Jacob and Edward, and won’t throw a tantrum at the end of Breaking Dawn if she doesn’t end up with the preferred guy. They’ve both got their pros and cons, and I for one trust Stephenie Meyer to let Bella end up with who she is meant to be with. That being said, I’m team Bella, and will be happy with whoever she ends up with, because I love Stephenie’s books, and I know I will love Breaking Dawn as well.
My little sister–the traitor–informed me last night that she’s officially Team Jacob. “Jacob is a mechanic!!!”
Pssh. Laaaaaaaame. Edward’s the one to beat.
169: Both men in my family work on cars for a living. Is there something wrong with that?
I find it disconcerning that some E/B shippers seem to think that obsessive love is a good thing. It’s not. In reality, it leads to abuse and is just an unhealthy dynamic. Somewhere on the Twilight lexicon forum, someone laid out how E/B is the definition of an obsessive relationship. And that is a bad thing. Dr. Phil would tell them to go their separate ways or at least wake up and realize that there’s more to life than each other. I hate Dr. Phil, but he has a point. lol
I’m personally a Jacob lover, and I think that Edward leaving is deffinatly a factor of why I love Jacob so much. With Edward, he left so suddenly and didn’t give Bella time to say goodbye to the ones she loves, her family basically. I think it was unfair to deprive her from what little closure she could handle.
Firstly, I am part of Team Edward. Yes, ok, i’ll agree with the fact that Jacob DID help Bella come out of that depression a little. But he what did he do? he took her riding on a MOTORCYCLE. she almost got killed! And in eclipse, *sorry for spoilers Kaleb* he takes advantage of her completely. He kisses her after misreading body language. he makes her feel guilty and creates the mirage that he will go and kill himself in a blaze of glory, only to get ANOTHER kiss out of her. whereas, EDWARD, knowing how much trouble bella can cause without the slightest bit of help, CONTINUALLY PROTECTS HER, instead of planting her on a motorcycle. some say that he behaves in a stalker-ish way. i say not. Bella and Edward have a deep love for each other. he reminds her to take care of herself, while she wants to spend all of her time with him, she does have human needs. he agrees on dropping her off to the boundery line, not to be over protective, but just to make sure that nothing can harm her on the way. think about it. if u had somehting that you loved more than your LIFE; that was constantly in danger, would you let your eyes off of it? Edward can’t imagine a world without bella, and so he takes precautions to make sure that she doesn’t get injured or hurt in any way. Over and over in eclipse, he tells bella that he thinks that Jacob is the better choice for her, and that its ok with him if she leaves him for Jacob. yes, edward would always love her, but he just wants her to be safe and happy. Jacob sees what Edward is for bella, and says that he doesn’t want to make her choose, but bella almost says it herself. she thinks to herself, that SHE won’t let go of her hold on Edward, not Edward’s hold on Bella as Jacob sees it.
in my view, jacob is an immature, werewolf, that puts bella’s safety at a lower ranking than it should be and purposefully takes advantage of her.
GO TEAM EDWARD!! 😀
I was so heartbroken after Edward left Bella. It felt like he had left me. It was the worst feeling, just like being a teenager again. I am glad I am in my late 20’s and won’t have to deal with dating again. I know everyone thinks Bella’s relationship with Edward is unhealthy, but honestly, IF you have ever really loved someone so much that you know they are your soul mate, they are what your life revolves around, your best friend, your lover, you everything, it isn’t creepy. I would rather spend time with my Husband than any of my girl friends. He is the most amazing person, and is exactly my brand of heroin. I cried so hard through the months that passed with nothing in them. they were probably the worst part of the book for me. When you find out what happens in those months, you will probably even get teary-eyed a bit. Good luck with the next few chapters. Jacob is a good character, but good only for opposition. He is an immature little boy who wants it his way or nobody’s way.
Okay guys, I can’t help but comment.. Everyone seems to forget that just b/c this book is in Bella’s POV and we only see her hurt and pain, we almost forget that Edward was suffering too! He basically becomes a nomad from what I can understand plus we know the lengths he goes to which leads up to the big adventure everyone loves! It amazes me that people see Edward as controlling and domineering! How can someone say that!??? If you had lived for over 100 years and out of nowhere find the love of your life you don’t think you would try and protect that person at all cost even from yourself! Not to be rude, but Jake serves his purpose perfectly as just a friend! I’m sorry that he wants it to be more then that and I truly feel for him and I just hope that he can find someone for him!
Praise to ya Sarah V you explained their love perfectly!
Contrary to popular belief, Jacob has almost NO defensive arguments on his side. How unlike Edward, who has NO offensive arguments against him.
Even when Edward left, I loved him loved him loved him. I never once had a second thought about how I felt/still feel for him. Leaving was the most selfless act he’s ever done. He tore himself away from what he loves more than anything. That would be like someone literally ripping out your heart, and then going for a limb or two, and….actually, more like…..Edward is nothing without Bella. Bella is nothing without Edward. However, he left her because of reasons concerning her safety, and her mortality. I could go on forever and ever, but I think I’ll leave it at this.
Jacob, he….I won’t spoil both New Moon and Eclipse for you. But….RRRRRGH J***B! >:(
oh lored Kaleb you have created monsters!
everybody play nicely!
some of this was really getting nasty!
Everyone please take the Switz. route for the night and agree to disagree, we all love the characters and the books so two characters should not tear us apart! Come on people!
xo melissa
I’m a hardcore Edward fan. i never liked jacob from teh beginning, and while i just finished the 3rd book for the first time, i still don’t like him. i’m curious though as to get your thoughts on the relationship jacob and bella have while edward is gone. i personally think jake is alittle clingy. but thats me. i think hes in love with the idea of being in love with bella.
bella does tend to get on my nerves every once in a while, simply because she needs someone to save her(hello bella, a little independance can go a long way!)but isee it as this. edward is the moon that revolves around the world(bella) edward would be nothing without bella, but jacob is the sun and bella would be a barren wasteland(the earth without the sun)without jacob. so i have to say that i am part of team switzerland!
team switzerland here too!
Stephenie recommends reading NM twice and I agree with her! My first reading was quick and dirty and the second was every single word! Keep reading!!!
175. Genevieve
I beg to differ. Regardless of how you felt about Edward after he left, to say that Jacob has no “defensive arguments” on his side it going a little too far. I can count at lest two separate instances in NM in which Bella would be dead if not for Jacob. And that’s not including the fact that after Edward shattered her, Jacob put her back together, built her up, taught her how to live again. How can you possibly hold such a patient, loving, and selfless act against him? Just because he’s competition for Edward? That seems a little harsh.
Okay, so I’ve already commented, but I just wanted to add something.
People keep arguing that because Bella is so caught up in Edward, their relationship isn’t healthy. But I think thats just her personality. Charlie says somewhere in New Moon that she loves with her whole heart. I doubt anything Bella does is done halfway. As we’ve seen in the books, she thinks with her emotions and considering all that happened between her and Edward in Twilight AND the summer thereafter, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, or in this case unwritten pages.
If you want an example take the movie Titanic. Rose would have been better off marrying the rich man, she would have kept her family and lived out a long comfortable life. Now here is Jack, he’s not at all in her league, he’s different, and overall he’s “dangerous” in the sense that she has to give up everything to be with him.
Now, if you ignore the fact that Rose hated her fiancee, we all have to admit we were rooting for Jack. They loved each other and no matter how doomed their relationship was, we still wanted to see their happy ending.
Thats partly how I view Edward and Bella’s relationship. Admittedly, Jacob would be the better choice, the safer choice, but would Bella be completely happy with her life?
No. She even admits that she would always love Edward and no matter how sweet or funny or carefree Jacob may be, she will always long for her soul mate. Now, I admit, I’m not Jacob’s number one fan, he really irritated me in Eclipse, but he still deserves better and he should get it. Somewhere out there is his soul mate, but that isn’t Bella as we know from Eclipse.
So to sum it all up, despite the fact that Bella might have been happy with Jacob, Edward is and always will be the one she’s meant to be with, as opposed to the one she was supposed to be with if their had been no such things as vampires and werewolves.
*there
whoops.
Good lord there are tons of spoilers in these comments. Mostly it seems like people are having debates with each other instead of commenting on Kaleb’s post… isn’t that what forums are for?
I would be so ticked if I had read some of this while in the middle of new moon. Hopefully Kaleb doesn’t read through all of these, otherwise there’d basically be no point in reading the rest of New Moon. Or Eclipse.
Sad 🙁
And of course I say that, then forget to put what I originally came to comment about. =\ my bad.
Anyway, I love this website. You really seem to get it, which is more than I can say about any other guy I know. (I’m a girl by the way.. with a boys name… errr weird parents.) I just love it 🙂
Honestly, I don’t understand why everyone hates Jacob so much. The only reason people don’t like him is because he gets in the way of Bella and Edward. And are Edward and Bella even right for each other to begin with!? The more I think about it, the more I’m beginning to wonder.
But as I’m reading the book, I think exactly like Bella. I think Edward is the most perfect person alive… but then once I look at everything from my own thoughts I see how flawed he is.
He’s extremely controlling. He tells Bella who to hang out with. I mean, why would you want to stay with someone who tries to say who you can be friends with and who you can’t. I mean, he says he’s doing it to protect her… but isn’t that bad too? Being extremely overprotective to the point where Bella can’t even have a life?
I mean, Bella’s a danger magnet yes… but that doesn’t give Edward the right to completely dominate and control Bella’s every action.
I could go on and on about the things that annoy me about Edward, but I won’t. Oh and btw, I’m Team Edward just incase you were wondering. Despite all his flaws I do believe that he genuinely loves and cares about Bella.
But I like Jacob too.
I am a Team Edward-er all the way but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating what Jacob does for Bella. He brought her back to life when she had none left in her. People on Team Edward seem to forget all that Jacob did for Bella. They just want to mark him off as an annoying dog. Some thnk that Jacob is the better choice but is he really? Edward was and is truely Bella’a soulmate and there is no denying that fact. Jacob holds a place in her heart because he was the one that helped put it back together. Bella and Jacob aren’t meant to be, and Kaleb as you read further on into the series you’ll have to agree. It’s a werewolf thing…
yay for you! for making it through those chapters. like i said before, im on the same chapter as you=) .. it was sad hearing, or reading, abt Bella being dead and emotionless dont u just wanna slap her for turning her back to the world… but of course i understand her, Edward leaving is hard for anyone 🙁 …keep on reading Kaleb! ^_^
I won’t say that I hate Jacob, I just have a hard time with anyone who reads the books waiting for Bella and Jacob to get together. It was Edward and Bella from the beginning, from the moment Stephenie had the dream. I guess it just doesn’t make sense to me. Don’t get me wrong, Jacob is a great friend to her and I absolutely loved him… to a point. Near the middle of NM and in Eclipse he just seemed like a selfish child. So I guess, I like the happy Jacob, not the moody Jacob.
Keep going though Kaleb, I absolutely love reading your take on these books!
wow…when i read new moon (the 1st and 2nd chapters) i couldnt wait till the page where edward comes…but there is some moree important things that u r gonna know about before she sees edward…
new moon used 2 b my least fav book the first time i read the series,, but then after i read it i started liking it more (only the end),,,so like the end and the middle of the book r the best i love it!!! 😀
and i used 2 hate jacob but then i didnt hate him anymore but i also didnt love him…
i just dont wont him 2 b w/ bella thats all..
Okay, one more thing…
To all the people who say that E/B isn’t realistic and it’s unhealthy, blah, blah, blah and so Jacob is better for her, you have to remember what SM said about E/B. They ARE soulmates, Bella fell apart because she lost her other true half and in a very real way it was like she was widowed. What she and Edward had together was more than just some high school crush, it was true love. Before you tear something apart you might want to look at what the author has to say about it. Just a thought.
I don’t think the book is the same without Edward. But it’ll get better.
Being without Edward is so painful, so you know she really loves him. But who wouldn’t love him? Lol:)
I’m not a Jacob fan at all, but I can honestly tell you that because of Bella’s drug-like addiction to Edward (and he says that she is HIS heroin), that is why they like Jacob better. However, I won’t spoil anything further.
I definitely felt my heart break with Bella’s at the prospect of Edward being gone.. and to be honest, you’re right, it isn’t the same without Edward being there. It’s like ripping out a very important person in the story and expecting the other main characters to get along without completely floundering. Like that’s even possible!
Congrats on making it to this chapter… and when you’re completely done with New Moon and Eclipse, go on a search for the interview where Stephenie answers a question about Jacob vs. Edward and what Bella thinks…
I personally like Jacob better yet I think Bella should end up with Edward (hell I’ll just take jacob!)
edward is too overprotective its actually quite annoying but I still love him since his intentions are good
jacob is more “happier” I should say? He’s an exciting character