Fifty Shades of Grey
discussion
dont like it ..dont read it
Michelle wrote: "I knew there was going to be alot of sex in it and I knew what kind. I couldn't finish reading it b/c it was horribly written, I didn't like the characters and couldn't have cared less what happen..."Christian Grey wasn't a bad boy, and if he hurt women it was because they wanted to be hurt. It is part of the lifestyle they all preferred. So if you think he is a "sick f**k" for getting off that way, and you knew going in there would be BDSM issues, why did you read a book that you knew you would hate?
Ellie wrote: "Kris wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "I feel like I am offending a couple of you no matter what I say. I'm not understanding where I'm going wrong here. Am I attacking someone and not aware of it?"..."I agree, that's why I said poor editing is apparent but someone's writing style is subjective and statements either for or against it, remain opinions.
I did think parts of EL's style came off silly, at times, but I enjoyed most of it. Someone else may find her style to perfectly suit their taste :)
Have you guys seen the new Chuckie Cheese commercial where they actually say, "Say cheese it's FUNNER"? This makes me SOOO aggravated! 'Funner' isn't even a word and it's an advertisement for young children! I have a 16 month old daughter and I would hate for her to think that 'funner' is a word. I think that's why I'm so upset about words/phrases that are used incorrectly. I think it's fine if people "understand" as long as they know what the word/phrase ACTUALLY means I guess but there are always going to be people who don't.
Lorie wrote: "But even if she wasnt using it "literally" it still would not make sense... there are plenty of other terms she could have used to describe how fast she felt the elevator go but I personally think ..."Again, I don't think she used the terms incorrectly. She was using them sarcastically. There is a big difference. Obviously she didn't use them in their literal sense. Perhaps you just didn't pick up on the wit.
Karen wrote: "Lorie wrote: "But even if she wasnt using it "literally" it still would not make sense... there are plenty of other terms she could have used to describe how fast she felt the elevator go but I per..."I'm curious how you know for sure that she was trying to be sarcastic by using a physics term (incorrectly) to describe how fast an elevator was going up?
Lorie wrote: "I just personally think she had no clue what it meant. You can't use 'with terminal velocity' to mean 'really really fast'. Like you said Karen, it means that it is falling. In addition, it should be AT terminal velocity even if she did mean to use it in the way she thought. Terminal velocity is a specific velocity. For example, you don't say "someone is driving with 40mph" you say "someone is driving AT 40mph". ."As an attorney, I understand the difference between lay language and legal language. When we are speaking of the language of science/physics, there may be a scientific definition and a lay or slang definition of the same word or phrase. The term "terminal velocity" has morphed into a slang term for very fast. She communicated what she intended even if the scientific definition was incorrect. I actually think this book has been nitpicked to death. The foibles we might tolerate in an author or book we liked tend to get magnified in ones we do not like. As someone who has been asked to proofread many many documents and narratives, I would probably have cut at least 1/3 of the book length (possibly 1/2) out as unnecessary and repetitive, suggested vocabulary changes and left most of the plot alone.
It is the ONLY way she could have meant it. NO ONE would use it that way. You cannot actually believe that she was trying to use it in a scientific sense.
Lorie wrote: "Well that's why I am honestly shocked that it is a NY Times Bestseller... I get that people love the story, I truly do but some of the writing errors/editing errors are just unbearable. I think that's why some people, myself included, are baffled by this. ."I am not shocked. Probably half of the people who bought the books hated them, but they still purchased the books. Sales drives the NY Times Bestseller list, not quality or content. That is why Ann Coulter makes the list (snark).
Lorie wrote: "But even if she wasnt using it "literally" it still would not make sense... there are plenty of other terms she could have used to describe how fast she felt the elevator go but I personally think she tried too hard and failed. I think its fin I guess if people "get" it but I just have a problem with words being used incorrectly and it being ok. ."Live with teenagers for a while. They change the meaning of everything and pretty soon you end up speaking like they do. :0)
Mary wrote: "Lorie wrote: "But even if she wasnt using it "literally" it still would not make sense... there are plenty of other terms she could have used to describe how fast she felt the elevator go but I per..."Goodness. I'm not looking forward to that, Mary! =P
Mary wrote: "Lorie wrote: "I just personally think she had no clue what it meant. You can't use 'with terminal velocity' to mean 'really really fast'. Like you said Karen, it means that it is falling. In additi..."Yep, people pick it to death. I said it earlier and I'll say it again...Ms. James in no way thought that this would be a literary masterpeice. She wrote it for fun and it blew up in her face. I'm fairly certain she would have taken more care if she had known the future of her book. It's truly amazing how much effort has gone into hating this book. I can see the humor in poking some fun at it, but some people get downright nasty!! Take it for what it is...an amateur writer's first attempt at fiction.
Mary wrote: "Lorie wrote: "Well that's why I am honestly shocked that it is a NY Times Bestseller... I get that people love the story, I truly do but some of the writing errors/editing errors are just unbearabl..."Ha, yeah. I was a drop in the bucket. I figured that if I did like it, I wanted to make sure I contributed so I at least did that much. Some women I know passed a pirated copy around to each other like it was a drug.
Hannah-rebecca wrote: "It's being painted as THE book to end ALL books. It's also being called brilliant. It's not brilliant. It's a badly written book about flat, one dimensional characters, who have naughty sex and get..."You seem very passionate about readers who like the book not passing judgement against those who do not; perfectly valid and understandable... Yet here u are, exhibiting the EXACT behavior by which you seem appalled. Example: the incredible naïveté of so many who think this is a great book...your point might be better received if it were not dripping with hypocrisy.
These books are getting more hype than they are worth.
Hannah-rebecca wrote: "It's being painted as THE book to end ALL books. It's also being called brilliant. It's not brilliant. It's a badly written book about flat, one dimensional characters, who have naughty sex and get..."Who's been saying these things? I liked the books, but I don't agree with that statement. I'd like to read the article that has called these books brilliant. Where did you read that, or hear that?
Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "how can it just be bad editing?? its both and in ur own comments ur acting like those who dont like it and say its bad Writting u dont even want t..."I agree with Duchess Nicole. Although I'd say that 50 Shades isn't that bad. E-Books on the Kindle are notorious for bad editing. The reason is often how the book is digitally transferred from one text to another.
It's not in Word - you have to transfer it to another type, often ASCII, and this can lose words or end up with word salad.
I bought a novel by Thomas Hardy, filled with typos and grammar errors due to the fact it was transferred from print to e-book.
EL James self-published her novel as an e-book. Vintage Books transferred it to print. Even if she hired someone to edit it - it would still have errors.
If you think you (generally speaking no one in particular) are immune to making these errors - go re-read the posts in this thread or your own emails, posts, etc..I'm willing to bet you that you made at least five grammatical mistakes, misspellings and typos. Particularly if you are editing on the computer.
I've lost count of the number of e-books I've read with bad editing. Worse actually than 50 Shades. Kim Harrison's latest, A Perfect Blood, had sentences that made no sense. And she's had books on the best-seller list for five years now.
Also keep in mind the publishing industry has changed over the years. It relies more heavily on literary agents and writers to do their own editing. Copy-editors aren't used as often. And you have to pay more to get someone to edit an e-book. It's an extra cost.
Hannah-rebecca wrote: "It's being painted as THE book to end ALL books. It's also being called brilliant. It's not brilliant. It's a badly written book about flat, one dimensional characters, who have naughty sex and get..."You are being very judgmental, calling those of us who enjoyed the book naive. I consider myself a fairly normal person. I love how you say that we should allow everyone their own opinion and then proceed to put ours down. You, like many before you, call the writing bad and then poke nasty at the BDSM parts or parts that offended you. It's a controversial book, has been since day one! Prepare to be offended. Be angry at the people who told you this was a literary masterpeice. I've certainly never heard that anywhere.
And yeah, the tampon part was gross. But I've read grosser (more gross?) in horror books and mysteries. The sexual context was shocking. But I think that's how she meant for Christian to be portrayed. He was a messed up guy.
Duchess Nicole wrote: "Mary wrote: "Lorie wrote: "I just personally think she had no clue what it meant. You can't use 'with terminal velocity' to mean 'really really fast'. Like you said Karen, it means that it is falli..."James was using the term symbolically. I have a book, "Word Painting" by Rebecca McClanahan. It's a guide to writing descriptively - word pictures. I recall being in an elevator, (can't remember # of floors), but it was so fast you felt as though your legs buckled from the force. Modern tall bldgs. use these, otherwise, it would take forever to reach the 50th floor.
Christine wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "how can it just be bad editing?? its both and in ur own comments ur acting like those who dont like it and say its bad Writ..."didnt take offense but to answer that, i know ive made spelling errors and everything in previous comments and everything else, but im not an author or tryin to sell anything and it isnt a hobby of mine, so to tell others to look at their emails and whatever just to me is silly BUT i also understand u saying that it just shows how easy it is to by pass something and have a slip up.
I agree with you ladies: I've never heard this series referred to as "brilliant" or "genius"... Lol. I guess one can find just about anything to be uptight about- even if the information is false, and accusations- unwarranted.
Kris wrote: "I agree with you ladies: I've never heard this series referred to as "brilliant" or "genius"... Lol. I guess one can find just about anything to be uptight about- even if the information is false, ..."i have heard that its AMAZING and THE BEST BOOK EVER but it was by word of mouth not by an actual article or anything it was just from several friends no one professional
Kris wrote: "I agree with you ladies: I've never heard this series referred to as "brilliant" or "genius"... Lol. I guess one can find just about anything to be uptight about- even if the information is false, ..."Mmmm, hmmm... People listen to people listen to people. It's like the game of gossip. My neighbor, who is a man, was RANTING, getting really peeved about Fifty and how disgusting it is that women are reading this and that now he knows how women want to be treated and such...good grief! He's never read the books, but he sure knows a lot about them! LOL! I think people listen to the media way too much, and then start making inferences that shouldn't be made. And there are books that are so much worse, not to mention things on the internet. Something like this should be on the low end of things that offend. I imagine this has been banned in many places, which just makes it more titillating.
Hannah-rebecca wrote: "My opinion is that it is not a good book. If someone wants to read James' books because they dig her, they should. They should read whatever tickles their fancy and they should enjoy it, but they d..."Who are you even talking to!?
yes i use u :) and not YOU lol gotta love internet short hand haha
Ellie wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Mary wrote: "Lorie wrote: "I just personally think she had no clue what it meant. You can't use 'with terminal velocity' to mean 'really really fast'. Like you said Karen, it..."I like your description better of how fast the elevator was going, Ellie. =P
Hannah-rebecca wrote: "It's being painted as THE book to end ALL books. It's also being called brilliant. It's not brilliant. ETA: In my opinion, it is not brilliant. It's a badly written book about flat, one dimensional..."They have read it because someone told them that it was just the best book to come out of the publishing houses since A Map of the World or The Pillars of the Earth or Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood.
Really? And people actually think A Map of the World, The Pillars of the Earth and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood are brilliant books?
Bewildering. They were okay. Hardly brilliant. I read them several years back and promptly forgot them. The only two books that Ken Follet ever wrote that I can remember are Key to Rebecca and Eye of the Needle. Everything else is over-written.
But people like fads. The 50 Shades fad reminds me a great deal of the Valley of the Dolls by Jacqulaine Suzanne - which was the guilty pleasure of the 1970s or 1960s? In the 1950s, the risque guilty pleasure was..wait for it, Peyton Place, which is now apparently a classic? Equally bewildering. And then of course there's the insane popularity of the tv shows, Two and a Half Men and The Bachelor? Never understood that. The big blockbuster smash this summer? The Avengers. And I read a review that considered it akin to watching a Mozart Opera. I thought it was okay, but Mozart? Then again never been a fan of Opera.
Popular taste has always been bewildering. Nothing new there.
I'm bewildered by the outrage. No one has said the book is brilliant. What they've said is 50 Shades is a fun guilty pleasure a la The Story of O (although I'd say it was a lot better than the Story of O, but so is just about anything for that matter). But not quite on par with Madam Bovary or Lady Chatterly's Lover.
Does anyone else feel like we keep having the same arguments over and over again? People go back and read the whole thread before posting. It'll save you time and energy.
Duchess Nicole wrote: "Kris wrote: "I agree with you ladies: I've never heard this series referred to as "brilliant" or "genius"... Lol. I guess one can find just about anything to be uptight about- even if the informati..."i actualy read an article dont remember where what state or anything but 50 was banned in certain libraries which i find weird because WALMART now carries it and they use to be anti anything vulgar lmao oh and they are carrying the beauty trilogy
Jenna wrote: "Christine wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "how can it just be bad editing?? its both and in ur own comments ur acting like those who dont like it an..."Agree with this.
I'm curious, and please don't let this offend anyone. This is an honest question. How many of you that did not like Fifty generally read more romance than anything? And who reads other forms of fiction or literature? I have a feeling avid romance readers probably received this better than those who don't really enjoy romance.
Jenna wrote: "Kris wrote: "I agree with you ladies: I've never heard this series referred to as "brilliant" or "genius"... Lol. I guess one can find just about anything to be uptight about- even if the informati..."I've also heard people say things like this about the book. I think I did say that before though but I don't even remember, lol. A lot of people told me this was THE book to read and it would change your life. Someone even told me it helped saved their marriage (I'm pretty sure it was because of the sex but it was still kind of funny to hear, lol). All of these people were friends or acquaintances though. I wouldn't have read the book but it was recommended to me by a lot of women.
Jenna wrote: "Christine wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "how can it just be bad editing?? its both and in ur own comments ur acting like those who dont like it an..."May not have expressed this well. But, what I was trying to say is regardless of how careful you are - and I've extremely careful - you will slip up. Doesn't matter if you are a professional writer or not. You are human. Everyone makes mistakes.
Duchess Nicole wrote: "I'm curious, and please don't let this offend anyone. This is an honest question. How many of you that did not like Fifty generally read more romance than anything? And who reads other forms of ..."ud be false in that statement(with me anyways might be true to others), i read alot of romance i do read other things but for the most part i read Paranormal Romance and it didnt change my outlook on it
Hannah-rebecca wrote: "My opinion is that it is not a good book. If someone wants to read James' books because they dig her, they should. They should read whatever tickles their fancy and they should enjoy it, but they d..."I think your just a tad bit too upset over having to read a book you disliked. Next time, don't succumb to the hype if youre unable to face a negative outcome. But I thank you for stopping by with an insult and some entirely lacking words of wisdom. You have a good night, as well :)
Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Kris wrote: "I agree with you ladies: I've never heard this series referred to as "brilliant" or "genius"... Lol. I guess one can find just about anything to be uptight about..."I know my library still hasn't bought the book. I don't think they are officially banning it, but they are some fairly little old ladies, and I just can't see any of them buying them. Then again, I could be wrong. I'd get a kick out of seeing Fifty in their hands though. Bwahaha!
Christine wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Christine wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "how can it just be bad editing?? its both and in ur own comments ur acting like those who d..."thats what i put in the comment i made about ur post i said i did understand what u ment because we do make slip ups
Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "I'm curious, and please don't let this offend anyone. This is an honest question. How many of you that did not like Fifty generally read more romance than anything? And wh..."I used to read romance novels years ago, Beatrice Small, etc. then my taste moved on to mysteries, Sanford, Saunders, Patterson, etc..I haven't picked up a romance novel in more than 20 years. I'm glad I bought these, it brought some passion back in our marriage, (late 70's). I realized I wasn't dead yet, neither was my husband. (not into S & M though)
Duchess Nicole wrote: "I'm curious, and please don't let this offend anyone. This is an honest question. How many of you that did not like Fifty generally read more romance than anything? And who reads other forms of ..."I don't typically read a lot of romance novels but if I like the story, the characters, and the book has me thinking after I've closed it then it really doesn't matter what genre it is so I'm not sure how that makes a difference.
Duchess Nicole wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Kris wrote: "I agree with you ladies: I've never heard this series referred to as "brilliant" or "genius"... Lol. I guess one can find just about anything to be..."i dont even remember where i read it, but i know they actually got it OFFICALLY banned which to me is crazy, yea i know i dont like it but to each their own they shouldnt bann the book, just make sure it doesnt get in the hands of the kiddies lol
Lorie wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "I'm curious, and please don't let this offend anyone. This is an honest question. How many of you that did not like Fifty generally read more romance than anything? And wh..."I think it would make a big difference. I hate to make gross generalizations, but I don't see a lot of men digging Fifty. So I would assume that women who read romance would be more accepting of the C and A's relationship, possibly hold out more hope that Christian is a changed man and that they can have a possible Happily Ever After.
Ellie wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "I'm curious, and please don't let this offend anyone. This is an honest question. How many of you that did not like Fifty generally read more romance than any..."Yay for you! That's awesome. Did you get the hubby to read it, too? I'm trying to convince mine to give it a go. No luck yet, LOL! But I'm holding out hope.
lol thats why i made the comment about the popcorn i was waiting for everyone to jump on Hannah for her comments cuz thats what this group does someone starts getting a little insulting we attack lmao its okay to disagree with everyone but throwing insults everyone pounces (and this comments wasnt ment mean im giggling over here just thinkin about it) we disagree and argue but try not to actually insult
Jenna wrote: "yes i use u :) and not YOU lol gotta love internet short hand haha"haha, We don't mind you're shorthand. Personally, I'm a really bad typist, so it takes me twice as long to write and post remarks.
Duchess Nicole wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "I'm curious, and please don't let this offend anyone. This is an honest question. How many of you that did not like Fifty generally read more ro..."my bf refuses to read half the things i do because he is sexist lol he refuses to read anything from female authors he isnt actually sexist lol but he doesnt like the style of female authors
Well, Im a woman but lemme just say from reading the first book I was hoping Ana stayed the hell away from Christian. Also, i know lots of guys that like this series but its porn with a good story so no surprise there.
Karen wrote: "Jenna wrote: "yes i use u :) and not YOU lol gotta love internet short hand haha"haha, We don't mind you're shorthand. Personally, I'm a really bad typist, so it takes me twice as long to write ..."
lol see i can type really really fast which is where some (not all) of my spelling errors come from
Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Duchess Nicole wrote: "I'm curious, and please don't let this offend anyone. This is an honest question. How many of you that did not like Fifty..."I tend to not read a lot of male authors, either, unless I'm reading fantasy or urban fantasy types. I can empathize with female-written characters more. I really should branch out. Have any of you read
? It was written by a man and rec'd to me after I loved Fifty. I haven't read it, but It'd be interesting to get a man's romantic version of a BDSM relationship.
Lorie wrote: "Well, Im a woman but lemme just say from reading the first book I was hoping Ana stayed the hell away from Christian. Also, i know lots of guys that like this series but its porn with a good story ..."we have several guys in our book group on facebook, but only one that participates every month and he said he was so embarassed going to the bookstore buyin these books he said all the woman gave him funny looks but he had to get the books because it was our monthly read lol
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
Darkfever (other topics)
On Dublin Street (other topics)
The Siren (other topics)
Sempre (other topics)
More...
Books mentioned in this topic
On the Island (other topics)Darkfever (other topics)
On Dublin Street (other topics)
The Siren (other topics)
Sempre (other topics)
More...
I'm not off..."
After reading all these comments, I believe people are confused by the term 'editing' and 'style of writing'. In my opinion they are two seperate things. I'm a published author and have had bad editing done and good editing done. Readers, however, always blame it on the author. As an author I rely on the expertise of a good editor. There are so many writing styles in literature. It doesn't mean that one is better over the other. It's up to the reader to select the style they prefer. I personally love FSOG. I found their humor very entertaining and the story line to be compelling. It was a beautiful love story how an innocent, such as Ana, could change Christian, who never believed he was worth loving.