The song for this chapter is Far Away by Nickelback
[audio:https://twilightguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/faraway.mp3]
When I picked up New Moon to read the next chapter, I got an AIM message that went something like this:
-AIM window flashes-
Me: I’m reading New Moon. Shoo.
Rachul: Are you reading THE chapter?
Me: I dunno. Is Chapter 20 THE chapter?
Rachul: Um, yeah. Big chapter. Edward comes back.
Me: AGHALGRLGLAOGLA YOUBLOODYROTTENSPOILER!
I finally calmed myself, but began to turn the pages a little faster as a result of her injudicious choice of words. Bella and Alice begin to enter the city of Volterra: this place I have heard so much about and finally get to see. I’m imagining it being very old, especially with the cobblestone streets, the darkly colored buildings and the popularity of going about by foot, brought about by a place that was built at a time when there were no cars. The guards at the gate are of hardly any use, given the fact that the Cullens have endless supplies of centuries-saved cash:
While reading this chapter, I was distracted when I remembered watching a certain video of Stephenie on Youtube, months and months before I even dreamed of reading Twilight. I remembered her going through this old city, and saying that it had something to do with her books (long time readers of me know I was a Stephenie fan long before I read anything by her, and dug through Youtube for videos of her all the time). Suddenly, I put the two together, and realized that Stephenie had been showing Volterra in the video. A quick Youtube search uncovered the very clip I had seen so long ago:
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As Bella is pushing her way through Volterra, trying to find Edward, I’m picturing her in the setting that is in this video, trying to get through the crowds that just keep knocking her out of the way.
After all these months of Edward being gone, there is a strange feeling the moment he appears: for some reason, it seems so natural, like he hasn’t actually been gone for all this time, but instead has simply been invisible to Bella alone. I say this because when he sees her, there is hardly any surprise; though what happens is revelatory in what I have been predicting since Edward left, many many months ago.
Because when Bella actually sees Edward, there is hardly any reaction more than a scream, and that is more from her wanting to save his life. But in the instant that Bella touches against him, she immediately knows he is no longer just a figment of her imagination. After all the hallucinations of his voice and the visions of him in her dreams, Edward is real and there before her. As Bella puts it:
[…] in that instant, I felt well. Whole.
Since chapter 3, in September, Edward has been gone. He took with him a piece of Bella: the missing piece of her soul that has been calling her and torturing her to find again. The moment they are together, it is as if Bella is made whole.
Both Bella and Edward hold pieces of each other that can never be returned, nor cut off, nor broken free. It is because of this when they are apart, there is an almost constant pain within Bella to be with Edward again. The separation of the two pieces is what has been causing her so much pain.
In the same way, if Bella was dead, then she had taken with her a piece of Edward as well, a piece so strongly connected to him that he could never cut it from his soul. Edward is a vampire– he would go on living forever, suffering through each day with a piece of himself gone. And thus if Bella is dead, then enough of Edward is dead as well, so that he might end the remaining piece of himself to be with her again, and make himself whole once more.
Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no powers upon they beauty.
If Bella is dead, then Edward feels he must die also — and this time, have no barriers between them for eternity.
But as with Bella, the moment that Edward sees her, it is as if he is whole again: expecting that his death had been so swift, he had hardly noticed, and that Bella is by his side just as he had been wishing. But suddenly Bella tells him the truth, and just like in the video of Stephenie at Volterra, the moment Edward realizes what is actually happening, he immediately changes into defensive mode. In one swift motion, he swings Bella behind him, and crouches ready to defend her from the approaching Volturi.
It was at that moment I fully realized, yes, Edward Cullen is back in town. And he’s not letting anyone come near Bella.
As many of you know I am a little claustrophobic (my worst nightmare was the scene in How The Grinch Stole Christmas, when His Grinchiness squeezes through the chimney and gets stuck…. I still shudder). Thus when Bella plunges down into the darkened depths and then weaves through the cave-like halls, I can’t help but feel a little boxed-in on her behalf. But when they step through the metal grate, and hear it clang shut behind them, it is almost like they have been locked inside an underground prison.
A synonym for ‘underground prison’ is ‘dungeon’. I suppose that Bella’s wave of fear has a solid foundation, as they go to face the Volturi.
——NOTES——
– Today is the last day to submit videos to the Support Stephenie Meyer Youtube project. I will be compiling all the clips and some of the text comments into a video soon, and will post it here when it is ready!
– ADDED: Bailey (Nomoremarbles) and I will be doing another live BlogTV broadcast SATURDAY at 10PM CST (8PM PST / 11PM EST) on her channel! THERE IS A WAITING ROOM WHEN WE PASS 150 VIEWERS. People who arrive early get first in the main room with us, and we have no control over who is rotated in and who is not. Questions to us should be sent BEFORE THE SHOW to [email protected] .
68 Responses
I’m so thrilled you’re almost done with New Moon. The good chapters are ahead so you must keep reading. I honestly don’t know how you stop yourself from reading. I couldn’t put the books down for one second. You rock!
Wow! You’re so deep and explain things so intricately and perfect! I wish more guys were like u π
I am indeed a dirty rotten spoiler. XD
It is okay though. I’m allowed, by rule of fandom age.
I’m so glad you finally made it to Chapter 20!!! This is probably my favorite chapter in New Moon.
lol harhar, very nice way to treat your friends…but dont worry i acted worse wen that happened to me, just as i was about to read chapter 20…. and then i turned into a swearing machine…
So you’re finally meeting the Volturi.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of them.
I remember when my best friend got through this chapter. She called me on the phone and started screaming at me. I was laughing so hard that I missed most of it, but what I did hear her say was something along the lines of, “HOW DARE YOU LIE AND TELL ME EDWARD WASN’T COMING BACK!!!!”
I still can’t believe I managed to convince her that Edward was gone for good.
Yup, it is THE chapter in New Moon. But I’ve always known Edward will come back to Bella. He always does. And Stephenie Meyer’s Volterra video helped me have a better picture of this chapter. It’s as if she’s Bella trying to find Edward except without the crowd of people. Oh, I don’t know if you’ve seen this other video in youtube where this fan went there too and a guy or girl just started running. I can’t remember clearly but I thought it was funny.
Well, it was a little obvious Edward would be back in this chapter, I mean, they went to Volterra to save him.
Ahh, the video! I was so happy to see it! Now I have a more detailed mental picture.
Can’t wait until you get through the rest of the book! Hurry up and read.
Ah. Brilliance! Is it possible that you are almost FINISHED with New Moon?
I think it could be!
Well, golly, keep on reading! You’re almost there!
You are very perceptive the way you describe Bella and Edward’s relationship. I love reading your posts. Can’t wait to hear what you think about the upcoming chapters!!
Oh gooodness… this video, I have not seen it before. It’s pretty awesome, I love how enthusiastic they are, it is perfect.
i absoultly love reading your feelings on the chapters i’ve been reading this for a few days and its so cool to hear your perspective on the books…this was one of my favorite chapters ever
Kaleb, excellent post. I’m now teaching junior high english to 7th and 8th graders, & a bunch of my girls are reading the twilight saga– much to my excitement! I love your insight and i can’t wait to share it with my students.
BTW: the video clip isn’t working
thanks!
Chapter 20 and those afterwards are my favorite part of the book. Very awesome.
Yay! You found Edward!! Now you have to keep reading. lol
For those of you who live in Texas KALEB! I work at a used movie store that is now selling Twilight Posters. But ours aren’t rolled up. Ours come with a cardboard backing to keep the poster pretty. Please visit Movie Trading Company in Frisco.
Edwards back!! Hurry up and post the next chapter, I want to see your opinion on the Volturi.
I love this chapter, I do believe it is one of the best in the whole series (at least to me). I have no idea how you didn’t finish the book here, I couldn’t stop reading the first time I read it once I got here (I was up until like 3 in the morning which is not good since I have kids that wake up at 7). Enjoy the next few chapters and I can’t wait for you to get to Eclipse.
Ah, the fated chapter. It seems like I’ve been waiting for you to get to this chapter for forever. It’s funny how some people react to different parts. I cried when Edward left, (stupid, heroic vampire…) but I was surprised that, like Bella, there wasn’t a whole lote of shouting, just a peaceful “he’s back” kind of feeling. I don’t think that I would find these books half as interesting if it weren’t for things like that. The characters in Twilight share some very interesting relationships…
Just a suggestion, Kaleb – take a moment and read the additional scene Stephenie added to her website in which you get to see what Edward has gone through being apart from Bella. It describes what Edward is doing when Rosalie calls him and tells him about Bella “being dead”. I thought it was very moving and poignant. I think you’ll really enjoy it. Thanks for your always insightful analysis!
Ah, you read the best chapter in the book! It looks like you have a great understanding of the Bella/Edward relationship. Looks like there are some smart guys out there after all. Haha!
Sorry it got spoiled. Trust me though, you haven’t seen anything yet!
Wow as someone said, u rock, i couldnt but the book down once got to that part! well through any of the books..lmao.. and really u havent seen anything yet… its just getting started! hehe, i cant wait fo you to get to eclipse! well hold on there ur almost done new moon!
Hahahahahhahahaha, leave it to Rachul to ruin it. It’s ok Kalip, at least she didn’t tell you that Alice doesn’t make it out of Volterra.
Just kidding. :p
Kaleb! You wrote about that so well…I have tears in my eyes! Hearing your first thoughts after reading this chapter brought it all back to me and all the emotion with it. It was basically the best 10-second reunion ever. haha
Oh Kaleb, that was awesome π Hope you like the last of the book π
OMG im so happy you’re in this chapter.. its my favorite
when Edward repeats Romeos line i just about cried lol
I can’t wait for you to start Eclipse then Breaking Dawn
Seth -that’s just mean (what would we do without Alice?)…..ha ha.
I, too, couldn’t put the book down at this point. I’m surprised you have such great self-control.
I love the relationship between Bella and Edward – it is so deep. Now maybe you can see why so many people are team Edward, even though Jake is a great guy, and he does love her. She is part of Edward and he is part of her. It’s more than love.
Bella feels whole again – something even Jacob couldn’t accomplish for her.
Keep reading – it does get more interesting. It’s hard not to spoiler you more…..
This chapter and specifically the clock tower/alley scene is the reason New Moon is my favorite book of the series and I so desperately want it adapted to film!
What a great video! They look just like me and my friends when we’re out together. π
You’re absolutely right about Bella and Edward being tied to each other forever. In Stephenie’s Midnight Sun draft (and I don’t think this is a spoiler, or I wouldn’t say it) it says that finding that one person is one of the few things that can actually physically change a vampire. That made their whole relationship a lot more concrete for me.
That last post was assuming you haven’t read Midnight Sun… have you?
How is it that i never saw that video?
and YAY another chapter down!
furry up and get to eclipse! it’s my favorite book of the whole series!
Just found your site looking for moremoremore Twilight film… and I can’t BELIEVE you’re just reading New Moon! Dear young fellow, how can you anything but read until you’re done?? (I’m 42 – I’d say “the oldest woman reading this series” except that I’m one of the younger members of my bookclub, and Twilight was our book this month – I can hardly wait to hear a bunch of middle-aged women try to talk coherently about a gorgeous seventeen-year-old vampire at our meeting in Oct. – and as soon as I finished it I had to read the other three. Took me, what, six days to read them. Day and night. Like I’m a vampire or something…
Loony, is your favorite chapter “Fire and Ice”? I’m such a sap.
i am very…very happy that you finally got to chapter 20.
but i must give you props…how can you stop reading? its a talent that i only wish i had. i may fail some of my classes, but gosh dangit im gonna keep on reading! lol
much love. :]
Aww!! YAY! Nearly made me cry again, Kaleb. Thanks for your insights. I’m shocked you hadn’t been spoilered before then…. Thanks for posting the video too, I hadn’t seen it yet. And good luck with that whole clausturphobia thing; I’m grateful that I don’t have such a problem. I will forevermore think of you when I watch the Grinch.
oh my god you’re finally there???? *swoons slightly*
also, the song for this chapter is absolutely perfect.
This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there’s just one left
‘Cause you know, you know, you know
I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you’ll be with me
and you’ll never go
Stop breathing if
I don’t see you anymore
On my knees, I’ll ask
Last chance for one last dance
Cause with you, I’d withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I’d give it all
I’d give for us
Give anything but I won’t give up
Cause you know, you know, you know
kaleb, read on NOWWW!! FAST!!! it gets better. π
Was THE capter as good as you thought it would be?
A good song for this book is Black Orchid by Blue October.
Heh. Rachel… uh… Rachul (gah! It hurts to see my name so misspelled… sorry Rachul, but it’s a pet peeve of mine) must be a meanie-face, spoiling the book for you like that. I remember, when my friend finished Eclipse (don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything for you) and gave it to me to read she was like “Oh Rachel. I need to know what your opinion is on something that happens at the end of the book” and I nearly strangled her. This was before my obsession (my obsession came a good month later) so I was planning on taking my time with Eclipse and reading the book in like 3 or 4 days, not 1. Then she HAD to say that and make me read it too speedily. *Now Kaleb must want to know what happens at the end of Eclipse… sorry*
oh rachul. did she also tell you that angela is actually a witch?
you have finally gotten to the good part!! psh. now you won’t be able to put it down!! or maybe you have so much self control that you can! ugh. i DO NOT have that talent. i got to this part, and i read until i finished. heck, whenever i read the books over, i get to this part and i still cant just stop.
finally, you get to chapter 20!
if you weren’t already publishing a book, I’d tell you that you should write one. But you already are so… good career choice, lol
seriously though, I’m eagerly awaiting your take on the Volturi. Because they are very… interesting, hehe
Ahhh, Edward. π This, however, is NOT my favorite chapter in New Moon. It has yet to come. Enjoy!
I absolutely love new moon. & every chapter from this point forward is so thrilling & passionate! You should listen to “Check Yes Juliet” (We The Kings) i always think of it when Bella is running to get to Edward in time.
Keep on reading!
i seriously blubbered like a baby at this part and i blubbered just the same when i was reading your post. gosh!!! anyway its sooo true. when he get sefensive you’re all YESS!!!!! he still loves her! o and thats suuucks having it spoiled. but finally you get to meet the volturi. i happen to like them :)))
Wow. I’ve been reading this blog for roughly a month, too skittish to leave a comment, and i’m truly in shock.
I love it!
It’s so hard to find guys who like Twilight books. They’re few and far between!
Teehee, it’s even funnier when they live in the same state as you. (I live near Dallas)
Keep up the amazingly funny stuff!
I always love that I have to put any snack foods / beverages away when reading your new posts for fear of choking on them while laughing. XD
PS: My song suggestion is Demolition Lovers by My Chemical Romance.
π
Gosh Kaleb! Your review of that chapter was amazing! When you said these things:
“It was at that moment I fully realized, yes, Edward Cullen is back in town. And heβs not letting anyone come near Bella.”
“He took with him a piece of Bella: the missing piece of her soul that has been calling her and torturing her to find again. The moment they are together, it is as if Bella is made whole.”
“Both Bella and Edward hold pieces of each other that can never be returned, nor cut off, nor broken free. It is because of this when they are apart, there is an almost constant pain within Bella to be with Edward again. The separation of the two pieces is what has been causing her so much pain.”
“In the same way, if Bella was dead, then she had taken with her a piece of Edward as well, a piece so strongly connected to him that he could never cut it from his soul. Edward is a vampireβ he would go on living forever, suffering through each day with a piece of himself gone. And thus if Bella is dead, then enough of Edward is dead as well, so that he might end the remaining piece of himself to be with her again, and make himself whole once more.”
I immediatly returned to those chapters in my head and i thought of how i felt when Edward was back. It was amazing, right? I love it, your reviews are very well put Kaleb!
btw. grr to that girls who IMed you!lol!
I’ve been waiting for you to get to this chapter. As usual, great review. π
I’m really looking forward to your next post when you finally meet the Volturi.