Fifty Shades of Grey
discussion
dont like it ..dont read it

I think Tess will have to be my next book. Are the threads on Tess very active at the moment Karen, given it's 50 Shades revival?



I don't know of any threads on Tess, but I'll look into it.
Ellie,
I completely agree with you. Viewing all things with an open mind is the key to enlightenment.

Who read this just because it was on the BEST SELLERS list ..."
This has been fascinating me. I was turned off of the books by the hype. And really despised them because of it. Then I saw an interview with EL James, who was witty and self-deprecating, and well, I've been on an erotica reading kick lately and have read a lot (and I do mean a lot) of bad erotica, hunting for something.
So after reading a brief blurb, I tried the 100 page sample. I liked it and bought the first book on my Kindle, got half-way through - enjoying it, and bought the second, enjoyed that, and bought the third (which I didn't like as well). I went in with very low expectations. And was pleasantly surprised. But I'd also been reading a lot of books in this genre. A lot badly written ones (Amazon 0.99 cents and 1.99 books).
This book in comparison to those felt like a breath of fresh air. It didn't take itself so seriously, the author had a sense of humor, as did the protagonist.
Sex can be funny, you know. And it broke several romance novel formula rules - ie. the characters actually discussed their problems with each other.
And the heroine saved herself and him.
But I didn't expect it to be any good, because it was on the best-seller list. Most books on the best-seller list aren't to my taste...they tend to be fairly formulaic. While this one was repetitious in places, it didn't feel as formulaic or safe as most of those books do.
It's odd, because a lot of the people who despised the book seem to be angry that it made the best-seller list - like they were duped into believing it would be great by the mere fact it was on the best-seller list.
LOL! Money doesn't equal quality, yet people think it does...



i can understand that this book may not be someone's cup of tea or (Heaven forbid) may offend them, but they don't have to slap a "this ..."
I don't think it accurately portrays "the world of" BDSM. It may give one example of but I don't think it can represent it as a whole. The BDSM in the book is more sensual than the real world. It makes it more "palatable" for those who haven't been exposed to it. I don't think it was smart. I think it was predictable and contrived. I thought it was funny but not for the same reasons. Arousing, yes, but the sex was redundant.

As for BDSM sex being some kind of therapy due to abuse - I don't think so. Just my personal opinion and while everyone is different I don't think you can say that everyone who does practice real BDSM had some kind of traumatic event that 'turned them that way'. (sorry read that in one of the posts and really had to say something as it really bugged me)

Why would it bug you? It sounds defensive.

Ellie, It seems to me that you are psychoanalyzing the people who are posting on here (especially the ones who do not agree with your 5 star rating) and trying to draw some correlation to their psyche and dislike of this book. That is disturbing to me. Do YOU know from experience what a BDSM relationship really is? Perhaps YOU love this book because deep down inside you are completely insecure and want to dominated & beaten. See how wrong that is??? There are many valid reasons for loving or hating this book. Why is it so hard to accept that some people just don't like the darn book and is has nothing to do with them being somehow emotionally damaged?


I felt that if all those were addressed these books could have been a lot better and condensed down to a single book rather than a drawn out trilogy.


Okay nix the grammar and spelling because really that's not the issue. It's terrible because of the unimaginative writing. The characters are predictable and one dimensional playing up stereotypes and the themes are so vapid. It's not that anyone is making anyone else read the books. It's how sadly popular of a book this is only because of it's gratuitous sex description and most of that imagery is redundant. The use of vocabulary is also redundant. It outsold Harry Potter for the most sold book for an English writer. James also uses lots of British idioms which are not congruent with the characters because they're suppose to be Americans.
I'm okay with people saying, "I gave it 5 stars or 4 stars because I love the sex in the story," but don't tell me you like it because of it's literary content and that James is a good writer.

Well, I guess I'm that 1 in 50 million who thinks James is a good writer because I LOVED the story. I seriously doubt that the "thrill" of reading a book involving 2 people engaging in vanilla sex is the reason FSoG is so popular.

I will be interested in your take after re-reading Wuthering Heights. I find that my opinions of books can change based on age, experience and when reading with a different eye. Do you see Heathcliff and Cathy in a different light? I like to compare re-reading with an onion. Each time we read, we peel away another layer.

I'm not speaking for all readers, but many, including myself, have discovered love for a genre new to them and have Fifty to thank; imperfectly written, redundant, but sexy-as-hell, Fifty.


@Kris: Me too! I feel the same way and have found a lot more books that I thoroughly enjoy because of FSoG. =)

Have you read Jackie Collins? I wouldn't say that she's the greatest but better than James. Again, I applaud her for getting published. I haven't gotten published but I just can't contend that she is "great."

Yes, Kris. That is a very good point you made. I'm very glad that people are reading again too.


I don't know if I would fault anyone for grammar mistakes in a novel because it's stylistic writing. It's not like reading a thesis. Novel writing is meant to be colloquial--especially modern writing. I just feel bad for the good writers of the world that don't get on the best-sellers list. Thank you for your comment. I'm certainly fine with different tastes. I'm just not fine with people calling it a great literary work.

Who read this just because it was on the BEST SELLERS list ..."
This has been fascinating me. I was turned off of the books by the hype. And really despised them because of it. The..."
I wished they had a like button on here. Loved your last point!

Sorry for going off topic here! Lol

Yeah, what she said, same for Twilight....I've read MUCH better YA fiction, better written with more of a story and outstanding characters, I found neither in 50 or the Twilight series really. I only object to reading bestseller fiction and liking it because everyone else does, not because you really do but because that is the flow. It's like just because it's on the best sellers list there has to be something I should like kinda thing...........


Drives me bat **it crazy when there are typos/editing issues I even note them in my review.

I think the correct term is "erotic romance". It isn't YA because the protagonists are not teenagers and the sex is explicit instead of implied. There is a new sub-genre that is just starting to pick up steam called New Adult. In NA novels, the hero/heroine are college age and the sex is pretty much unrestricted. FSoG could be tagged with that as well.



Good for you Ellie! (and for your hubby!)

LOL, yes, we're not dead yet!

I agree with you totally!

http://www.toledoblade.com/Dan-Neman/...

Yes I have, first queen of steam????



I had no idea. I think I read most of her stuff over the years. They were so exotic. Does she still use the middle east location and sex slave theme?

I had no idea. I think I read most of ..."


FSOG is not YA fiction. It was not meant for a teenage audience in any context.
"I do not have any problem with people trashing these books for either their content or writing. However, I DO have a problem with people attacking the intelligence of those who did like the books"
I totally agree with this statement. If people like the books, let them like it. If you don't, have a mature statement about why and get on with your life. Don't attack others for their taste in literature.
I totally agree with this statement. If people like the books, let them like it. If you don't, have a mature statement about why and get on with your life. Don't attack others for their taste in literature.
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Fabulous!!! I love Wuthering Heights. I reread Tess of the d'Urbervilles a few months ago. I may have to follow you on that one. I keep coming back to this thread, I don't always feel the need to comment but once in a while I get inspired to share!