Fifty Shades of Grey
discussion
dont like it ..dont read it
Karen wrote: "B3cs wrote: "Haha, these 50 shades threads are so active at the moment Karen, all others seem really slow in comparison! By the way, I am rereading Wuthering Heights at the moment (as promised) and..."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 love Wuthering Heights...one of my favorites. I never read Tess of the d'Urbervilles...but plan to. Another favorite was Rebecca. Max's 2nd wife reminds me of Ana's innocense.Christian & Max have similar qualities as far as the first impression one gets.
Karen, I believe one's taste does change as we age. I know mine has. It's a good thing. It shows we have an open mind eager to learn.
B3cs wrote: "Karen wrote: "B3cs wrote: "Haha, these 50 shades threads are so active at the moment Karen, all others seem really slow in comparison! By the way, I am rereading Wuthering Heights at the moment (as..."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.
Llwells wrote: 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 finished reading the book before I made my final review of it. It's really not about the sex in the book. It's purely about the writing. I mean I'm glad that E.L. James got her book published. I don't know if I ever would get anything published so I can't trash her for something I never did but I can say that honestly it was not good writing. She reuses a lot of the same words to create the imagery she's trying to construct. She beats the vocabulary of "inner goddess" to a heightened cheese factor; along with other words like reverie. That was annoying.
oh dear maybe that is where i was going wrong with this book ..... i hated tess of the dubervilles !!!!!! lol
Lala wrote: "i can certainly see your point, & i'm as annoyed as you are.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.
Read the first book of this series as a promise to a friend and to me it was just twilight minus vamps plus unrealistic supposed BDSM (I'm sorry I read the real stuff). I didn't like twilight the first time around, but I make a habit of reading what my kids do, even when it is assigned in school too - not just personal entertainment for them. People can say it's not but the core of the story is there. It's written in a Dick and Jane fashion that totally got on my nerves and since I thought the first book sucked I will not be buying the second or third, have no interest in the characters or what happens to them. My friend read it BECAUSE it was on the best sellers lists, that's what she does, reads books that are best sellers and are being talked about on the shows. My query to her was do you think you would have liked and read these books if they WEREN'T on the list and people WEREN'T talking about them, she had no answer yet and still doesn't.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)
Ladyacct wrote: "Read the first book of this series as a promise to a friend and to me it was just twilight minus vamps plus unrealistic supposed BDSM (I'm sorry I read the real stuff). I didn't like twilight the..."Why would it bug you? It sounds defensive.
"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 love the differences of opinion. If someone dislikes this type of story they shouldn't buy it. I don't care for Twilight, but nothing for or against it bugs me. I don't take anything personal. Debate is wonderful and stimulating. We should never take it personal. Don't let things bug you...life is too short. Perhaps it's my age, (72), and I've seen so much in my life that is more worthy of getting upset over. Just enjoy the dialogue! :)
Ellie, for some of us it isn't a case of us not liking that type of story, I enjoy erotica, bdsm and hell, I even like a love story thrown into the mix, my reason for disliking the book has more to do with the poor editing, characters sounding whiney and pathetic and the repetitive language, it has nothing to do with my life experiances or physhe.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.
Meagan, while on some level I agree with you I have to say I feel that statement is wrong, I have read some books with poor grammer etc and they have been great, I have read some that are perfect and didn't like them, you can't pick and choose elements, a book is a whole package and an opinion tends to be given on a whole package. Perhaps is there was a system that breaks down the elements of a book you may see a completely different picture.
Meagan wrote: "I feel that all the people who are complaning about the "terriable" writting, grammer, and spelling and talk about how horriable of a book it is, should look at the way they read and if they prefer..."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.
Cac wrote: "Meagan wrote: "I feel that all the people who are complaning about the "terriable" writting, grammer, and spelling and talk about how horriable of a book it is, should look at the way they read and..."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.
B3cs wrote: "Haha, these 50 shades threads are so active at the moment Karen, all others seem really slow in comparison! By the way, I am rereading Wuthering Heights at the moment (as promised) and thoroughly e..."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.
Speaking for myself, and from much girl-talk--I think many women love fifty so much bc it was their first erotic read. Yes, the writing wasn't perfect and was, at times, very redundant. I will admit to frequent eye rolling myself over the inner-goddess and lip-biting remarks! But I feel, as well as many women I've spoken to, that FSOG opened women up to a genre they either never considered, or didn't think they'd like. Some even said it ignited their reading hobby all together. Being on the best sellers list didn't hurt, of course, either. 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.
I enjoyed the books! I was the most disappointed that the sex talk was barely R rated, with all it's hype I thought it was going to be more descriptive that what it was. At least the story (to me) was good. If these books are her fantasies, I wonder how dry her marriage is.
Kris wrote: "Speaking for myself, and from much girl-talk--I think many women love fifty so much bc it was their first erotic read. Yes, the writing wasn't perfect and was, at times, very redundant. I will admi..."@Kris: Me too! I feel the same way and have found a lot more books that I thoroughly enjoy because of FSoG. =)
Lol day lee I love your last comment
KarenH wrote: "Cac wrote: "Meagan wrote: "I feel that all the people who are complaning about the "terriable" writting, grammer, and spelling and talk about how horriable of a book it is, should look at the way t..."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."
Kris wrote: "Speaking for myself, and from much girl-talk--I think many women love fifty so much bc it was their first erotic read. Yes, the writing wasn't perfect and was, at times, very redundant. I will admi..."Yes, Kris. That is a very good point you made. I'm very glad that people are reading again too.
Thank you, Cac! It's so nice speaking to women who can disagree but still respect the opinions of others. I've seen this topic discussed often, and that is not always the case. Don't get me wrong, I do agree with what you've said- I don't, personally, love FSoG bc of the literary content. I found it fun, and (for me) it was different, so I was able to overlook the imperfections. BUT, if I had to read book after book, filled with mediocre writing, grammar mistakes, and redundant vocabulary-- I just might go nuts no matter how fun the story was. Luckily, we have quite a variety in the book world! :)
Kris wrote: "Thank you, Cac! It's so nice speaking to women who can disagree but still respect the opinions of others. I've seen this topic discussed often, and that is not always the case. Don't get me wrong, ..."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.
Christine wrote: "Llwells wrote: 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!
I see what you're saying, especially with modern writing, but I'm a huge fan of correct grammar. Intentionally faulty grammar that's used as slang or to emphasize a point is one thing, but grammar mistakes due to lack of editing irk me. Whether a story is about WWII or mindless sex, we look to books not only to entertain, but to educate...and that's just not possible if books are not grammatically composed properly. Sorry for going off topic here! Lol
Kimberley wrote: "Ellie, for some of us it isn't a case of us not liking that type of story, I enjoy erotica, bdsm and hell, I even like a love story thrown into the mix, my reason for disliking the book has more to..."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...........
Also, this is NOT adult erotic fiction, it's NOT....people who read this think it is and really they don't know. It's YA with uncomfortable sexual situations AND I think that's what makes it uncomfortable, written story for YA that has upped the ante a bit.
Kris wrote: "I see what you're saying, especially with modern writing, but I'm a huge fan of correct grammar. Intentionally faulty grammar that's used as slang or to emphasize a point is one thing, but grammar ..."Drives me bat **it crazy when there are typos/editing issues I even note them in my review.
Ladyacct wrote: "Also, this is NOT adult erotic fiction, it's NOT....people who read this think it is and really they don't know. It's YA with uncomfortable sexual situations AND I think that's what makes it uncom..."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.
I believe for a book to be considered YA, it's not that the characters have to be teens- the target audience of the story is focused on teens. So a book could actually be written about the elderly, but if the storyline targets young adults, that's when it gets categorized as such. I could be wrong, but I think that's how it works.
Forgive my ignorance, but what is YA?
No problem Ellie, YA stands for Young Adult.
FSOG is not considered under any context to be a YA book. Kris you and KarenH are both correct.
Thank you, Kimberley. When ABC interviewed James, she made a comment that she wouldn't allow her teenage sons to read it. It was meant for an adult audience. I certainly wouldn't let my 15 year-old granddaughter read it, neither would her parents. In fact, I doubt my son and his wife would be interested in this type of story. I'm sure they'd be shocked to know my husband and I have enjoyed reading it. LOL
Ellie wrote: "I certainly wouldn't let my 15 year-old granddaughter read it, neither would her parents. In fact, I doubt my son and his wife would be interested in this type of story. I'm sure they'd be shocked to know my husband and I have enjoyed reading it."Good for you Ellie! (and for your hubby!)
Cac wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I certainly wouldn't let my 15 year-old granddaughter read it, neither would her parents. In fact, I doubt my son and his wife would be interested in this type of story. I'm sure they..."LOL, yes, we're not dead yet!
Aliki wrote: "why people read fifty shades of grey ,when they know that is a sex book ,and after they make bad comments for it?i think that everybody want to read for sex but they dont want people to know it.eve..."I agree with you totally!
Not to change the subject, but has anyone ever read Beatrice Small's steamy novels?
You guys have to check out this site. It's a funny parody of the book. It's short. http://www.toledoblade.com/Dan-Neman/...
Ellie wrote: "Not to change the subject, but has anyone ever read Beatrice Small's steamy novels?"Yes I have, first queen of steam????
I wouldn't let my daughter at 15 read FSoG either, however that's really what I think the issue is....it's a YA story that was poorly upgraded and not quite makes it to erotic adult.
Also, Judith McNaught, Janelle taylor's grey eagle series, and more besides Beatrice Small and did you know she still writes new stuff too?
Ladyacct wrote: "Also, Judith McNaught, Janelle taylor's grey eagle series, and more besides Beatrice Small and did you know she still writes new stuff too?"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?
Ellie wrote: "Ladyacct wrote: "Also, Judith McNaught, Janelle taylor's grey eagle series, and more besides Beatrice Small and did you know she still writes new stuff too?"I had no idea. I think I read most of ..."
There's another love story, The Far Pavillion. I cannot remember who wrote it. I think they made it into a movie. It was a 400 page, (I think), saga. I loved the story. Did anyone ever read it? Another author was Rosemary Rogers, and Janet Dailey. I loved their stories too.
Ladyacct wrote: "I wouldn't let my daughter at 15 read FSoG either, however that's really what I think the issue is....it's a YA story that was poorly upgraded and not quite makes it to erotic adult."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!