TWILIGHT SAGA BOOK CLUB - CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - THE GAME

TA Staff member Emily is back with chapter 14 of Twilight:

Chapter Seventeen, “The Game”, marks the official beginning of Edward and Bella’s relationship in the eyes of the rest of the world. Not surprisingly, they are met with resistance and more complications that are both expected and unexpected. Will the star-crossed lovers make it?

Edward drives Bella home only to discover that the Blacks are there waiting for her and Charlie. Bella asks Edward to let her handle the situation which he agrees to before he kisses her on the jaw and waits to leave unseen. It is quickly obvious that Billy Black has come to caution Bella against the Cullens.

Inside Charlie’s house, Billy warns Bella against her spending time with the Cullens to which Bella confidently defends herself. Defeated, Billy leaves with a final warning and subtle threat to inform Charlie. After his departure, Bella begins to worry about her upcoming adventure watching vampires play baseball only to be interrupted by a phone call from Jessica.

Jessica gushes about Mike Newton kissing her and is just about to interrogate Bella about Edward when Charlie comes home. Bella’s nervousness peaks as she tries to calmly tell him about her date with Edward. Charlie’s response is that of a typical father but is amused when he hears of their plans for tonight. Edward arrives and with Charlie’s blessing, he takes Bella out to the clearing in Emmett’s Jeep.

Bella is frightened to learn that they still need to run part of the way to their final destination; however, Edward uses his charm (including a kiss) to persuade her to come along. Lost in a dazzled haze, Bella loses control which causes Edward to fear for his control, and he snaps at her. The tension between the two of them remains until Edward explains his sudden mood swing and, for the first time, tells Bella that he loves her. They kiss and head to the make-shift baseball diamond hand in hand.

At the field, Bella and Edward are happily greeted by Esme and Emmett. Esme leads Bella down while Edward joins the rest of his team to get ready to play ball. During this time, Esme confides in Bella her motherly joy and satisfaction at Edward’s newfound happiness, regardless of their differences. Thunder strikes and the game is ready to start.

Bella is amazed to watch the game and quickly understands the need for a storm before they can play. After a few innings, the cheerful atmosphere disappears when Alice has one of her visions. The visitors that Edward had mentioned the day before were headed their way, placing Bella in grave danger.

Characters Involved:

Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Carlisle Cullen, Alice Cullen, Jasper Hale, Emmett Cullen, Esme Cullen, Jessica Stanley, Charlie Swan, Billy Black, Jacob Black
Characters Mentioned:
Rosalie Hale, Harry Clearwater, Rebecca Black, Mike Newton
Places Visited:
Rosalie Hale, Harry Clearwater, Rebecca Black, Mike Newton

Significant events

Billy tries to meddle in Bella’s business

Edward is introduced to Charlie as Bella’s boyfriend

The Cullens show Bella how they play baseball

Alice sees visitors coming

Memorable Quotes
Edward Cullen: “I could walk home faster than this truck moves.” pg 349

Billy Black: “Maybe it’s none of my business, but I don’t think that is such a good idea.”
Bella Swan: “You’re right. It is none of your business.”
pg 352

Bella Swan: “Actually, I did know that. But that reputation couldn’t be deserved, could it? Because the Cullens never set foot on the reservations, do they?” pg 352

Bella Swan: “Maybe even better informed than you are.” pg 352

Bella Swan: There was only one voice I wanted to hear; anything else would be a disappointment. But I knew that if he wanted to talk to me, he’d probably just materialize in my room. pg 354

Bella Swan: “And this morning I was over at the Cullens.” pg 356

Bella Swan: “Well, I sort of have a date with Edward Cullen tonight, and he wanted to introduce me to his parents…Dad?” pg 356

Charlie Swan: “Wait…Which one is Edwin?” pg 357

Bella Swan: “Edward is the youngest, the one with the reddish brown hair.” The beautiful one, the godlike one… pg 357

Charlie Swan: “You said last night that you weren’t interested in any of the boys in town.”
Bella Swan: “Well, Edward doesn’t live in town, Dad.”
pg 357

Charlie Swan: “You must really like this guy.” pg 358

Edward Cullen: “She’ll be safe with me, I promise, sir.” pg 359

Bella Swan: “Uh-oh.” pg 360

Bella Swan: “This is a…um…big Jeep you have.” pg 360

Edward Cullen: “You smell so good in the rain.”
Bella Swan: “In a good way, or in a bad way?”
Edward Cullen: “Both, always both.” pg 361

Edward Cullen: “Hmmm…It seems I’m going to have to tamper with your memory.” pg 361

Bella Swan: There really was no excuse for my behavior. Obviously I knew better by now. And yet I couldn’t seem to stop from reacting exactly as I had the first time. Instead of keeping safely motionless, my arms reached up to twine tightly around his neck, and I was suddenly welded to his stone figure. I sighed, and my lips parted. pg 363

Edward Cullen: “You’ll be the death of me, I swear you will.” pg 363

Edward Cullen: “I might have believed that before I met you. Now let’s go before I do something really stupid.” pg 363

Edward Cullen: “I’m never angry with you – how could I be? Brave, trusting…warm as you are.” pg 365

Edward Cullen: “I infuriate myself. The way I can’t seem to keep from putting you in danger. My very existence puts you at risk. Sometimes I truly hate myself. I should be stronger, I should be able to -”
Bella Swan: “Don’t.”
Edward Cullen: “I love you. It’s a poor excuse for what I’m doing, but it’s still true.” pg 365

Edward Cullen: “Yes, ma’am.” pg 366

Emmett Cullen: “It sounded like a bear choking.” pg 367

Edward Cullen: “Are you ready for some ball?”
Bella Swan: “Go team!” pg 367

Esme Cullen: “No, I prefer to referee – I like to keep them honest.” pg 368

Esme Cullen: “He’s been the odd man out for far too long, it’s hurt me to see him alone.” pg 368

Esme Cullen: “You’re what he wants. It will work out, somehow.” pg 369

Esme Cullen: “Emmett hits the hardest, but Edward runs the fastest.” pg 370

Questions for consideration:

Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you’d like to discuss with the book club?

Did you like how Bella defended herself against Billy?

What did you think about Edward’s memory tampering? Do you think his anger after the kiss is justified? Did you understand his anger and frustration?

How did you react to Edward’s profession of love?

Now that you know how Vampire Baseball is played, what do you think?

What do you think of the visitors? Does it worry you that the Cullens are worried about them?

Did something or someone in this chapter catch you by surprise?

What is your favorite quote from this chapter?

Did you see any particular symbolism or little detail you have never
noticed before while re-reading this Chapter?

Reply here or discuss it with us on the forum here.

Each Friday we will post a new chapter. Please read along with us and jump into the discussion. Add your thoughts, questions, insights, etc….We look forward to hearing from you.