Fifty Shades of Grey
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Was it well written or just the novelty factor?
Ian
Oct 09, 2014 05:47PM
I'm curious.........was this book considered well written or was it just the fact that nothing like it had been published outside of the top shelf magazines before? Don't be shy now, it is fiction after all though I suspect at least some of it was based upon fact.
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Horrible! I cringe when people say this is the best book they've read... Whoever came up with the publicity for this trash deserves a raise and a round of applause because they had so little to work with.
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OH GOD! Kill me now! The book was terribly written. Just awful. I only read it for the porn.
I think it's the classic example of being in the right place at the right time. There are much better written erotica out there. Many of them deal with BDSM and do a better job of it. For whatever reason this was the title that people discovered.
I don't know how many times I attempt to read this book. I don't think it deserves the hype. The writing compared to other books that I've read, I'm not impress. I feel like this book doesn't grab my attention at all. And the characters... no chemistry whatsoever.
I read it coz everyone else was reading it...I found it repetitive, predicable and very poorly written. I also think it sends a negative message to young girls. however it didn't stop me from reading them! It will be interesting when the movie comes out as usually the books are much better than the movies, I think this will be the exception to that rule.
I wasn't well written at all, but it's of the cult classic "horribly entertaining" ilk. Sort of like how "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" technically had horrible acting or how "Sharknado" had a ridiculous over the top premise.
...well it wasn't well written....no interest in reading the others...
Its a case of having a fanbase on the original version of this book (twilight fanfiction) that helped it. That fanbase buying the book helped gave it hype and the illusion that it was a good book because they were hyping and buying it.
And helped by the cover. Though, Don't buy the story it was a pure genius move to make it subtle so that women would be more comfortable reading it, plenty of erotica had subtle covers, The covers were also based on twilight books, with a plain background and a object. It's just a coincidence that it helped the book out.
And then the media picked up on the book because of all the interest, without knowing the origin of the hype, they came up with the reason because it was easy reading erotica, perfect for mummies who are too busy and bored of their sex life, which is a bit condescending.
Better erotica had been published before this. It's just a variety of factors that made this book stand out.
And helped by the cover. Though, Don't buy the story it was a pure genius move to make it subtle so that women would be more comfortable reading it, plenty of erotica had subtle covers, The covers were also based on twilight books, with a plain background and a object. It's just a coincidence that it helped the book out.
And then the media picked up on the book because of all the interest, without knowing the origin of the hype, they came up with the reason because it was easy reading erotica, perfect for mummies who are too busy and bored of their sex life, which is a bit condescending.
Better erotica had been published before this. It's just a variety of factors that made this book stand out.
I agree.This book is terribly written!! Also extremely repetitive. I nick-named it 50 shades of repeat.
I contemplated reading this trilogy for a while before I went and pulled the trigger. It was my first erotica/bdsm style book i’d ever read.
It was a great read for a newbie to this genre like I was at the time. Definitely an “elementary” view of the lifestyle. I’ve read MUCH better books with better characters since then. I find my hind site of this trilogy that it would have been better written by a more experienced Author. Such as C.D. Reiss or Sylvia Day. They could have developed the story and characters so much .....more.
It was a great read for a newbie to this genre like I was at the time. Definitely an “elementary” view of the lifestyle. I’ve read MUCH better books with better characters since then. I find my hind site of this trilogy that it would have been better written by a more experienced Author. Such as C.D. Reiss or Sylvia Day. They could have developed the story and characters so much .....more.
I think the story was actually really good!
This book could be so much better if the heroine wouldn't be so annoying(she is a 21 year old virgin who thinks she is the ugliest woman in the world although there are several people who want to date her and then she manages to have a date with seattles most wanted billionare-which is by the way very unrealistic!)
So although it is poorly written I kind of liked the idea of the broken little boy who needs to be in charge because he during his childhood he never felt as if he were in control.
This book could be so much better if the heroine wouldn't be so annoying(she is a 21 year old virgin who thinks she is the ugliest woman in the world although there are several people who want to date her and then she manages to have a date with seattles most wanted billionare-which is by the way very unrealistic!)
So although it is poorly written I kind of liked the idea of the broken little boy who needs to be in charge because he during his childhood he never felt as if he were in control.
"well written"... are two words that are impossible to connect with FSOG. The success of this FAN FICTION is the fact that Grey used to be Edward Cullen and Anastasia used to be Bella Swan.
Someone said "the only thing more torturous than the sex in FSOG is the writing in FSOG"
Someone said "the only thing more torturous than the sex in FSOG is the writing in FSOG"
None, because it's a very poor plot, deprived of narrative skills and very similar to Harlequin's novels written in 1960-70-early 80's. You can read some Charlotte Lamb's novels and then compare. The only element introduced was the negotiation during the contract settlement agreement, it's the only interesting dialogue in my opinion.
Not well written. Maybe the novelty had something to add, but I think the characters were "shown" really well. That's what made these books so popular--that and the novelty. Thoughts and dialogue are written as though right from the character's head. No telling to slow anything down or detract from the read. And funny in spots.
I thought it was well written I like that the books flowed easily and that it was easy to understand.I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed the characters I enjoyed the "Kink" and many other aspect of the story. This is not a genre I would normally read frequently. I have read books from this genre that have been worse and I don't mean written poorly I just mean that it did not peak my interest as much. So I guess it depends on what you want out of the story that would make it good whether well written or novelty status.
I'm not the biggest fan of erotica so I can't say whether or not this is well or poorly written for its genre.
I only bought the book after hearing all the hype by friends who are not avid readers like myself. The story line was interesting but the writing in itself was ordinary to me. I prefer challenging reads that require a dictionary and a thinking process.
I only bought the book after hearing all the hype by friends who are not avid readers like myself. The story line was interesting but the writing in itself was ordinary to me. I prefer challenging reads that require a dictionary and a thinking process.
This book is awful. There's a way of writing really hot material that still holds it's integrity and is actually extremely artistic. None of these books do this.
I really liked FSOG. Yes, there are many similar books out there now, but at the time it was a marketing breakthrough for women authors. As for the writing I think that was great too. FSOG would not have been so successful had it only been about BDSM. The characters were strong and held up over three books. I also read the bared to you trilogy and although I did enjoy it, I felt very misled by the final book. It was, after all supposed to be a trilogy. I think bashing on FSOG is so very typical of the times we live in today, that it would be almost impossible for these books to be reviewed honestly now. I can honestly say that I am dubious about the film as I cannot see how the film can be shortened to an agreeable script, without making it all about the bedroom.
the writing gets a little bit better in #2 and #3 but it's NOT the best bdsm written book out there, so even if I did like it and felt somewhat drawn to the story, I would definitely say it's the novelty factor, though I have other read BDSM books before 50fsog, both good AND BAD and WORSE, but 50 is the first one that focused more on one on one relationship,monogamous, and the female protagonist goes through several things, so it was different, the way it processed that kind of relationship..
but I definitely think that people shouldn't be so shocked by this story, there are MUCH OLDER stories published [books and films] that are similar or seedier even, Lolita,9 1/2 weeks,Secretary, and tons of music videos considering s&m, it's not NEW, but the package it came in made it new, and the fact that women felt drawn to the kind of undeniable masculinity that Christian Grey projected and maybe they felt society now misses that, a time when men weren't so feminized.. [which is really, a very small part of the reason why they're drawn to it,if you consider most people would reject this reasoning :P ] so yeah, there's that.
but really, it's not that shocking...
but I definitely think that people shouldn't be so shocked by this story, there are MUCH OLDER stories published [books and films] that are similar or seedier even, Lolita,9 1/2 weeks,Secretary, and tons of music videos considering s&m, it's not NEW, but the package it came in made it new, and the fact that women felt drawn to the kind of undeniable masculinity that Christian Grey projected and maybe they felt society now misses that, a time when men weren't so feminized.. [which is really, a very small part of the reason why they're drawn to it,if you consider most people would reject this reasoning :P ] so yeah, there's that.
but really, it's not that shocking...
I think it was the novelty too.
I was never particularly into reading erotic books and I don't think I will be after this one either, but when you don't know anything about BDSM, discovering what that type of relationship would be like is a powerful motivation to keep reading.
The writing surely wasn't.
Oh my.
Holy shit.
Holy cow.
Holy Moses.
Holy fuck.
Inner Goddess.
No.
No, it definitely wasn't the writing.
Just thinking that the writing was the it factor makes me LOL.
Grey is interesting, but Ana is a very bland character who curses too much all the time and doesn't even have a life outside of Grey, so if the writing was the thing that made this book popular, a myriad of other books would easily have sold 100 million copies before that one too.
I think it was the novelty and of course the love story that hooked people to this book. Well, that's what it was for me anyway.
To answer the previous post, I don't know who could have blasted FSOG out of the park because I don't know any erotic writers to be honest, but I do wish, every time I read this book, that it had been written by a competent author. The basic idea for this story has lots of potential, so this book really feels like a wasted opportunity for a work of art.
I was never particularly into reading erotic books and I don't think I will be after this one either, but when you don't know anything about BDSM, discovering what that type of relationship would be like is a powerful motivation to keep reading.
The writing surely wasn't.
Oh my.
Holy shit.
Holy cow.
Holy Moses.
Holy fuck.
Inner Goddess.
No.
No, it definitely wasn't the writing.
Just thinking that the writing was the it factor makes me LOL.
Grey is interesting, but Ana is a very bland character who curses too much all the time and doesn't even have a life outside of Grey, so if the writing was the thing that made this book popular, a myriad of other books would easily have sold 100 million copies before that one too.
I think it was the novelty and of course the love story that hooked people to this book. Well, that's what it was for me anyway.
To answer the previous post, I don't know who could have blasted FSOG out of the park because I don't know any erotic writers to be honest, but I do wish, every time I read this book, that it had been written by a competent author. The basic idea for this story has lots of potential, so this book really feels like a wasted opportunity for a work of art.
FSOG is a phenomenon.
The writing is infantile in its textual sophistication. However, the writing is quite effective at developing Christian and Ana as characters. It is effective of conveying emotion to the reader. For these reasons, I find it hard to say that the writing is horrible, even though it is childish in many ways.
I think we should compare FSOG to On the Road, Catcher in the Rye or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. These books were written in a style that was unusual on the date of publication. The language was sometimes colloquial. Some people have various complaints about the three books I reference. Others love them. There is no question that they are classic novels.
As far as content, FSOG is a romance novel, not a BDSM manifesto. They are just a young couple in love, sharing intimacies (in great detail obviously). The book is not quite erotica, but it is almost to that level of gratuitous sexuality. The romance is interesting, but unhealthy in a lot of ways.
FSOG's treatment of BDSM is troubling almost beyond words. Some people do not understand Dominance and Submission ("D/S") culture or community. That's fine. However, the fetish has very wide appeal (see FSOG sales figures, as an example of the breadth) and FSOG does a great disservice to those just learning about D/S. The relationship Christian and Ana have is abusive, *especially* by standards set out in the BDSM community. BDSM participants follow rigorous consent and safety protocols. Christian is a loose cannon, and would not represent mainstream BDSM. The book also gives the wrong impression that only screwed up basket cases like Christian have a reason to like BDSM. This is the farthest thing from the truth, as community members would tell you. BDSM is not something that requires a cure. It requires deep respect by participants and tolerance by those that cannot fathom the appeal.
Much as we want to bash the writing style, FSOG will go down as one of those off-the-wall classics, in my opinion. I only hope that it creates more open discussion about BDSM that leads a fan to more ethical treatises on the subject.
The writing is infantile in its textual sophistication. However, the writing is quite effective at developing Christian and Ana as characters. It is effective of conveying emotion to the reader. For these reasons, I find it hard to say that the writing is horrible, even though it is childish in many ways.
I think we should compare FSOG to On the Road, Catcher in the Rye or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. These books were written in a style that was unusual on the date of publication. The language was sometimes colloquial. Some people have various complaints about the three books I reference. Others love them. There is no question that they are classic novels.
As far as content, FSOG is a romance novel, not a BDSM manifesto. They are just a young couple in love, sharing intimacies (in great detail obviously). The book is not quite erotica, but it is almost to that level of gratuitous sexuality. The romance is interesting, but unhealthy in a lot of ways.
FSOG's treatment of BDSM is troubling almost beyond words. Some people do not understand Dominance and Submission ("D/S") culture or community. That's fine. However, the fetish has very wide appeal (see FSOG sales figures, as an example of the breadth) and FSOG does a great disservice to those just learning about D/S. The relationship Christian and Ana have is abusive, *especially* by standards set out in the BDSM community. BDSM participants follow rigorous consent and safety protocols. Christian is a loose cannon, and would not represent mainstream BDSM. The book also gives the wrong impression that only screwed up basket cases like Christian have a reason to like BDSM. This is the farthest thing from the truth, as community members would tell you. BDSM is not something that requires a cure. It requires deep respect by participants and tolerance by those that cannot fathom the appeal.
Much as we want to bash the writing style, FSOG will go down as one of those off-the-wall classics, in my opinion. I only hope that it creates more open discussion about BDSM that leads a fan to more ethical treatises on the subject.
Novelty. The writing is absolutely deplorable. There is better and free smut on the web.
It is simply most women's ultimate fantasy; to be desired by a gorgeous, rich billionaire.
I can see why it's popular, but I'll never understand why people say it's well written.
A well written book has depth, character development and engaging dialogue for starters. "Laters baby" "Inner goddess" "Little blip" "down there" portrays the author as a virgin 15 year old, not a middle aged mother.
I find it hard to see this as a love story, as neither of these beings strike me as capable. All Anna does is wait for her inner goddess to do a samba, then she can screw Christian again. While the good Mr.Grey is just so damn brooding, mysterious, smouldering and rich, (did I mention rich yet?) to make a move until she bites her lip.
I'm surprised Christian enjoys sex at all really, given the way E/L James describes his absolutely gigantic anaconda he should be blacking out with the blood it takes to prime it for assault
It is simply most women's ultimate fantasy; to be desired by a gorgeous, rich billionaire.
I can see why it's popular, but I'll never understand why people say it's well written.
A well written book has depth, character development and engaging dialogue for starters. "Laters baby" "Inner goddess" "Little blip" "down there" portrays the author as a virgin 15 year old, not a middle aged mother.
I find it hard to see this as a love story, as neither of these beings strike me as capable. All Anna does is wait for her inner goddess to do a samba, then she can screw Christian again. While the good Mr.Grey is just so damn brooding, mysterious, smouldering and rich, (did I mention rich yet?) to make a move until she bites her lip.
I'm surprised Christian enjoys sex at all really, given the way E/L James describes his absolutely gigantic anaconda he should be blacking out with the blood it takes to prime it for assault
Writing style will never be fantastic, this should never be considered as a literary wonder but it's something you can read within 1-3 days without having your brains bleeding to death. More of like a novelty in a sense that you will read this trilogy if you really are that bored or just curious because the trilogy is everywhere, or can act as a buffer if you are reading a book that needs some kind of a break in between chapters or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I loved this trilogy but I have come to realize that reading it repetitively will knock some real sense into you that this whole thing is a temporary aberration.
Ian wrote: "I'm curious.........was this book considered well written or was it just the fact that nothing like it had been published outside of the top shelf magazines before? Don't be shy now, it is fiction ..."
I thought this book was poorly written and so bad that I could not bring myself to finish it. I am over 50 so I guess it may appeal to a younger reader. I thought it was stupid!
I thought this book was poorly written and so bad that I could not bring myself to finish it. I am over 50 so I guess it may appeal to a younger reader. I thought it was stupid!
On page 117 of the book, Ana literally exclaims "Aargh!" when she's losing her virginity. A serious, pivotal moment in the novel, and she cries "Aargh." Now... imagine a story about a WWII hero, and it's at a serious moment:
Heart pounding, his sweaty palms grip the greasy rifle as best as they can. He sees five German heads over the hedges. He presses the stock once more against the aching spot between his shoulder and his breast. It's badly bruised, a deep purple under his olive drab shirt, and it would be a sickly yellow in two days time—it's likely he wouldn't last another two minutes. He aims: The muzzle sputters: Pew! Pew! Pew! Ba-Zing!! Ka-Blooey!!!
The sound effects kind of sound terrible, don't they? It kind of ruins the mood. (Or makes it hilarious, if that's what you're going for.)
Also, Ana repeatedly refers to her vagina as "down there." She might as well call it her no-no place, or her hoo-ha. Aren't these petty euphemisms just a tad bit insulting to women?
These are just a couple of the numerous gripes I have about the writing of Fifty Shades of Grey. In short (in very short), the writing is awful.
Heart pounding, his sweaty palms grip the greasy rifle as best as they can. He sees five German heads over the hedges. He presses the stock once more against the aching spot between his shoulder and his breast. It's badly bruised, a deep purple under his olive drab shirt, and it would be a sickly yellow in two days time—it's likely he wouldn't last another two minutes. He aims: The muzzle sputters: Pew! Pew! Pew! Ba-Zing!! Ka-Blooey!!!
The sound effects kind of sound terrible, don't they? It kind of ruins the mood. (Or makes it hilarious, if that's what you're going for.)
Also, Ana repeatedly refers to her vagina as "down there." She might as well call it her no-no place, or her hoo-ha. Aren't these petty euphemisms just a tad bit insulting to women?
These are just a couple of the numerous gripes I have about the writing of Fifty Shades of Grey. In short (in very short), the writing is awful.
It's a good question, looking back now, after reading many other books from the same category as Fifty Shades Of Grey, i think this book isn't as good as i thought it was at first, the proof is that i never once felt the need to re-read it, in contrary to other books like "Bared To You" and " Up In The Air" i've read these books so many times and never felt bored with them, but in the case of FiFty Shades of Grey, i've tried many times to read it a second time but never made it past the first 50 pages, i think that answered it for me , i don't know about you guys but this is my experience with FS.
Unlike the majority, I don't think this book was poorly written at all. Maybe it was because I read numerous of books in my lifetime and this does not even come close to bad writing.
There are much better erotica novels out there. It bothers me so that of all of the many this one got to go mainstream and be the voice for BDSM? I know everyone that is in that community that reads, is cringing. I've read better well written fan fiction.
Story of O published in the 50's covers a lot of the same ground but way kinkier. And it didn't take 3 books to resolve a simple plotline.
Very poorly written. Reads as though written by a teenager, and not a well-read one at that.
I've read many books in my time, and written a couple too. It could be argued that for its target audience, the style of writing is appropriate however, I don't think that makes it written well. As a marketable item it sold millions though I suspect that the author may be limited to that genre and style and therefore will struggle to create anything that even comes close to the success of 50 Shades again. There are some very well thought out answers and clearly some very personal views on this topic, it's great to see people fighting both for and against and explaining their reasoning.
I didn't even make it to the 'good' parts so I can't judge the quality of the BDSM! Very badly written fanfic.
the writing was horrible but i was totally sucked into the story the first time around... i've tried to reread it and I just can't because the writing is poor..esp compared to a lot of different books that i've read since reading it.
The first book was alright, but reading the last two is such a struggle. Many 'twists' the author makes are extremely predictable. And some of the things that the protagonist finds 'hot' are just plain weird. How are bare feet hot? That doesn't make me hot at all. Plus Christian Grey always seems to be wearing the same clothes. The writing is just crap.
Like Nuran said, it's a case of having a fanbase, a fantastic cover design, a media that'll cover anything popular that's out of the ordinary, and BDSM sort of being "the next thing".
That being said, I do think the language is excellent – for the audience it's aimed at.
The language is simply plain. It uses ordinary, common, plain words that everyone understands. The sentences are short and easy to understand, and the metaphors and symbolism comes in short amounts and easy-to-understand packages.
It just works. Regardless of how amazing Shakespeare's language is, then it's not aimed at everyone. You need a sizeable knowledge of history and litterature, and a solid vocabulary of your own in order to get anything out of any of his works.
With Fifty Shades of Grey you just read. You don't need to analyse, interpretate, or otherwise wrestle your brain through various parts of linguistic eloquency all the time.
The language is genius in that regard. It makes the book so accessible, and so easy to just pick up and read.
It's not language that's worthy of any awards. But it's language that'll help sell a lot of copies.
That being said, I do think the language is excellent – for the audience it's aimed at.
The language is simply plain. It uses ordinary, common, plain words that everyone understands. The sentences are short and easy to understand, and the metaphors and symbolism comes in short amounts and easy-to-understand packages.
It just works. Regardless of how amazing Shakespeare's language is, then it's not aimed at everyone. You need a sizeable knowledge of history and litterature, and a solid vocabulary of your own in order to get anything out of any of his works.
With Fifty Shades of Grey you just read. You don't need to analyse, interpretate, or otherwise wrestle your brain through various parts of linguistic eloquency all the time.
The language is genius in that regard. It makes the book so accessible, and so easy to just pick up and read.
It's not language that's worthy of any awards. But it's language that'll help sell a lot of copies.
Not well written at all but oozing the taboo is what got us ALL hooked! Never before were we able to walk in a door of a fab coffee shop brandishing the 50 Shades for all to see and say "Yes, I am woman and I have needs" from the liberating perspective I applaud the books from the style and technique I felt it lacking, there are a great deal of authors out there that hit the mark on OMG fantasy and bondage in a awesome way. EL James will always be remembered for opening the door for the rest to release their books and Thank God for that
It was definitely a novelty thing. there's no way that book could be considered well written. it doesn't mean that the writer didn't hook you into her little world (unfortunately LOL)
Novelty. Only thing that sparked my interest to read is because they're making it into a feature film. I find the "inner" dialogue of the main character is so juvinile - and i find very very annoying.
Sex scenes good. Maybe to me?
This was my first book about bdsm after all.
Sex scenes good. Maybe to me?
This was my first book about bdsm after all.
i honestly think that it was the novelty factor here . don't get me wrong - it wasn't as poorly written in my opinion as a lot of people seem to think - but i think that since it's one of the first 'mainstream' in the genre - there was a wow factor there.
what gets me though is that there are times that i mention something from the book - like 'shouty caps' or something like that - and everyone that i say it too hasn't read it. it's kind of funny to think that while so many people know about it - there really aren't as many people who've read it as you'd think.
what gets me though is that there are times that i mention something from the book - like 'shouty caps' or something like that - and everyone that i say it too hasn't read it. it's kind of funny to think that while so many people know about it - there really aren't as many people who've read it as you'd think.
I think the consensus is that it came out at the right time though I'd wager that in any other genre, it would have flopped within days of release. Let's hope the movie is better produced or that WILL be an anti-climax and with so many women wanting to see it, I'd not want to be in the audience if it fails to please. The BDSM genre isn't for me, I prefer less rather than more when I write exotic scenes into a book, imagination, both my own and that of the reader, is a powerful stimulant that caresses the mind and lubricates the senses with delicate strokes to induce all manner of desire, and not a whip in sight.
deleted member
Oct 31, 2014 02:53PM
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The books are very badly written, from the standpoint of someone (yours truly) with two college degrees in English and creative writing. They're filled with cliches, nauseatingly repetitive, have no appreciable plot, and have stereotypical, one-dimensional characters. The dialogue is unrealistic and dull; the inner dialogue leaves so much to be desired ("inner goddess," anyone?). There's very little here to applaud or appreciate, from the standpoint of the English language as it exists. The trilogy is one more sappy, oversexed version of the same erotica story that's been published for years and continues to be published and republished even now, geared toward the same audience that doesn't really seem to care for actual compelling, excellent, literary content in favor of as much sexual content in as many positions, configurations, venues, and styles as possible.
Novelty.
The genre/subject was perfect for its timing. There has been so many that followed - written by others. So many of those were superior in writing and storyline.
If FSOG could be rewritten by another author.......who could have blasted it out of the park (so to speak)?
The genre/subject was perfect for its timing. There has been so many that followed - written by others. So many of those were superior in writing and storyline.
If FSOG could be rewritten by another author.......who could have blasted it out of the park (so to speak)?
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