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2nd December 2008

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Meyer novel could spell change in India

19.08.08

The success of Stephenie Meyer's fourth Twilight series novel stands to tilt the balance of power in the publishing industry in India and bring release dates in the country in line with global standards, reports the Wall Street Journal website LiveMint.com.

Hachette India has sold 23,000 copies of Breaking Dawn (Atom) since it was released last week in India, with 17,000 snapped up in pre-orders by retailers and bookstores around the country. Its sales helped strengthen the hand of Indian distributers seeking to standardise release dates across the globe. The book was published in the UK and US at the beginning of August, but in India two weeks later on 14th August.

Breaking Dawn was released in trade paperback, and Thomas Abraham, managing director of Hachette India, said: "We are in dialogue with the publishers to take books straight to the small format. We wanted this book early, but it did not happen, because India is not a fully mature market."

Comments on this article

By Twilight news

I found a great Twilight site while surfing, www.twilightfreak.com you should check it out!

19 Aug 08 14:11

By Mary

"Meyer novel could spell change in India" I'm glad she knows how to spell something, even if it is an elementary school word. And I'd rather our good Indian friends were not subjected to the torture that is this 'saga' (wrongly named). Why? Because the themes in these books are horrible for EVERY GIRL who reads them. Dying for true love? Jumping off a cliff to hear your boyfriend's voice? Failing school because you're moping over him? This isn't true love. This is an abusive, obsessive relationship that MUST END.

19 Aug 08 15:17

By Leanne

Wow Mary, taking the whole reading experiance a little too far are we? It's a flippin story. If anything, what young teens should be getting out of this is that they should demand more in a relationship for themselves, and to not just jump in bed with some guy because their convinced thats the only way he'll like them. You are no better then that crazy lady who's tried to get the Harry Potter books off the shelves because they represent witch craft. It's people like you who squash all imagination out of our kids today. these are stories for enjoyment, not life lessons.

19 Aug 08 15:52

By Brooke

Seriously Mary, get over yourself. How about we just be happy that people are READING instead of vegging out in front of mindless tv? Leanne, you hit the nail on the head.

19 Aug 08 16:08

By Natasha

I just spent the last 10 minutes LOLing at Mary. Oh yeah, because I read New Moon, jumping off a cliff sounds like a GREAT idea! And I'm going to sit on a broomstick and try to fly! WOO! Chillax, girlfriend. It's fictional.

19 Aug 08 17:44

By Kathryn

Mary Ok, she jumped off a cliff - but it wasn't, if you read it properly, about suicide. Sure, she was entertaining the insanity, but she was desperate! And there's nothing in New Moon about failing school - as I recall, she worked harder then before, to keep her mind off her misery. I think you should really read it properly so you don't take it the wrong way! On the subject of the article... It's kind of amazing how something so small can become this huge, internationally influential thing. Whatever your opinion on the ending or how Stephenie writes, you can't deny that it's had a lasting effect. If it helps out publishers, all the better! Nice one, Steph! :)

19 Aug 08 18:09

By Indian Girl

Um... Has anyone hear heard of Bollywood? If you have then you would know that most Indian girls would totally eat this series up! I am Indian & I am obsessed with the Twilight Saga. When I first read Twilight I totally saw it play in my head as a movie, It has everything a standard Hindi film would have. Most Hindi films film are over dramatic, so I think that would not be a problem. I also think that most people who critize Bella's character have never really read the books. Everyone seems to forget that the book is told from her perspective, so of course she sees herself as weak. The books are told from a teenage girls perpective, what teenage girl does not have self- esteem issues! When you were a teenage didn't everything feel like life or death for you? Anyways I actually think the books are great books to read now, when everything has to do with drugs, sex, & how famous you are. I love the fact that the characters still have morals that I really don't think many kids have these days. I am really happy that India's publishing industry is changing. I do not think that a better novel could have help change it. Go Stephenie Meyer!!!

19 Aug 08 20:58

By Orietta Rose

Go Indian girl! That's great, I'm so glad you love Twilight! You're so right about the perspective thing; Bella is a teenage girl with self-esteem issues, and the Twilight Saga is a great read. Especially with how focused everyone seems to be with lies, sex and personal gain these days. And to Mary, calm yourself. It's a book, not real life. Just because you've never experienced a love worth dying for doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. What about Romeo and Juliet? Should that be banned in schools? They both killed themselves purposely. Oh, and btw, Bella was doing better in school then she ever had before so don't talk about something you don't understand.

19 Aug 08 21:19

By Puja

I was pleasantly surprised to read that article. Its brillitant people in India will get a taster of the Twilight series. Though the first and second book did depress me, knowing that Stephenie meyer has created a man I can never attain, I still enjoyed reading it. Because there was always that, what if, element to it. Its every girl's right to dream about her ideal man. And I don't think us ladies should settle for second best. Why go for Mike when you can have Edward? Thats going to my motto from now on. :)

19 Aug 08 22:20

By Natasha

I'm estatic right now! It's good to see how much more popular the books are becoming, and with only 94 days left until the first hits big screen, I'm going CRAZY!!!!! Way to go, Steph! p.s. Mary- it isn't real... no need to get all worked up about it...

19 Aug 08 22:36

By amoremorte616

You know, i had to just sit back and smile after reading this article. I am so glad that something like this can be worldwide. Every girl has self esteem issues when Bella's age in the first books, and its great how she overcomes everything and comes out the strongest of all. It's an inspirational story. Reach for what you dream for, because whats the point of living if you don't? The fact that people from all over the world can come together becuz of one womans dream... It shows that nothing is unattainable. This may sound sappy, but its true. I think one apsect is the whole vampire thing. But Steph's vampires. they are in their minds, damned. Yet they strive to do good. And everyone can relate to that. Everyone has something dark inside them they wish they could redeem. Also the fact that this saga has morals. They aren't forced down your throat, but they're there, just outlining little things. And its great that in todays times, we can show that yes, we do want values. We do have values. Its okay to. And also, it doesnt state that you're 'bad' if you don't have the same values,. I don't know what I'm going on about, just that its nice to know that everyone can be swept up in something so great.

20 Aug 08 02:15

By Evi

I am Indian as well. I am sure most girls would appreciate the series, while others would find it disagreeable. Culture-wise, sex is a sacred thing. To speak of lust isn't as acceptable as some cultures. We all have our different opinions. If you didn't like Breaking Dawn (Like me) we shouldn't be bashed. If you did like it, more power to you.

20 Aug 08 04:19

By Sarah

Evi, all the sex was after marriage and fade-to-black. There was nothing close to detail. I thought it was handled and written very tastefully, considering. Anyway, I love the Twilight saga. Breaking Dawn was very different, but so good in the end. Go Twilight!

20 Aug 08 13:31

By Gina

In my opinion, I don't think there was lust in the book at all. The pre-sex scenes (since I wouldn't say there were ever any actual sex scenes) were all about two people in love wanting each other. When I look at my husband and feel attraction for him, there's nothing lustful about it. It's a normal God-given feeling of wanting to be close to him. I think that's how Bella & Edward were portrayed too - of course you want to be intimate with the one you love. As for the article, no matter what you thought of Breaking Dawn (I loved it), it's a wonderful thing that books will be available sooner in India. Imagine having to wait two weeks for a book that is available elsewhere! Not to mention the extra risk of being exposed to spoilers. I might have gone crazy if I'd had to wait those extra two weeks! :)

20 Aug 08 14:20

By Vi

Mary, Your post sux, sorry but it does. I am Indian, live in NY, and LOVE TWILIGHT. And Indian Girl, well the books, in my opinion are NOTHING like Bollywood. I mean it's like comparing Shah Rukh Khan/Hrithik Roshan to Edward Cullen/Jacob Black!!! Eww. But otherwise I LOVE your post. Well that's my opinion. And Mary, Twilight is a GREAT role model for women. It depicts how even an ordinary girl can do such amazing things. Okay yea she jumped off a cliff. Not suicide...did you note that? And if you don't like Twilight, that's your problem. Leanne, it's not a life lesson I agree but Twilight can tech us some things. Twilight is a great reading experience. STEPHENIE MEYER, YOU ROCK!

20 Aug 08 14:23

By Naomi

I'm sorry, I'm not Indian. but i do love these books and am completely obsessed. Mary, I don't feel like doing anything Bella does in the books. I love reading about her experiences and living them though the books. I also agree with other posts on here; it is just a book! Settle down! It's just for entertainment purposes (no matter how much I want Edward Cullen to be real). PS: I loved Breaking Dawn! That's how it was meant to end ever since Stephenie finished Twilight. And sex was only written straight out once in the book. All the other times, it was skipped over. Steph planned it perfectly. Don't burn the books! GO STEPHENIE MEYER!!!!! :D

20 Aug 08 15:38

By Naomi

By the way, the sex written out in the book wasn't the action. It was when Edward said, "Sex was the key?" to clear up any confusion!

20 Aug 08 15:40

By KaseyHeartEdward

Amazing! wow and i loved everyones insightful comments! it was a pleasure reading them! But Mary i wonder if you have read the Twilight Series? And if you have maybe you should read them again. Since you don't truly understand what happened. The Twilight series is a great series that many should try reading. It is a book that people can read and learn about themselves. Many of us don't feel good enough and this book touches on that very subject. About how Bella and Edward both don't feel good enough for eachother. But have this love that they fight for. This gives girls the knowledge that love is out there and they can wait. And that they are good enough for their dreams. lots of love ~KaseyHeartEdward

20 Aug 08 19:34

By Indian Girl

Just wanted to clarify I was not comparing the books to Bollywood by saying that they are like any film in particular. I meant that the basic story line is very similar to the Bollywood formula script. The Twilight Saga has everything a basic Bollywood movie would have. The story has suspence, action, and a love story at the center of it. The story is about a girl and a boy finding their one and only, and it's an obsessive kind of love. That's how most love stories are in Bollywood films. The main thing in the story that totally made me think of Bollywood, was the suspense the books build from just a touch or to a kiss. Most of our films they do not show kissing of love making. That was something that Indians can identify with these books. I just think that because Indian culture is so conservative that they would love the series. I was not picturing it with any actor in particular. My point is the fact that the Indian population loves movies that have all these elements, that they would love the Twilight Saga too. I in no way picture Shah Rukh or Hrithik in any of the roles. They look too old! I mean I love both actors, infact they are my favorites. They are no actors young enough to play the roles in India.

20 Aug 08 20:13

By Vi

AHHHH Indian Girl! I noe what you meant! Have you watched any recent films? Like Bachna ae Haseeno? Love Making and kissing seem to be the key! oh well. but yea they do display "chivalry" alot so whatev!

23 Aug 08 04:13

By Vi

hmmm i could talk about this topic ALL DAY. email me!!: xoxovixoxo@ymail.com

23 Aug 08 04:15

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