Fifty Shades of Grey

The writing was not as terrible as I expected. The first two chapters made me feel so uncomfortable, due to the voice of Anastasia's character, I stopped reading the book all around. I picked it back up when the hype finally died down, and my burning curiosity about this book's popularity got the better of me. Interestingly, this book brought to bear a number of important issues couples rarely discuss or face when dealing in/with intimacy. The fact that Anastasia was altogether inexperienced made her relatable for the much of the readership. Whether James accomplished such interweaving deliberately, or not, one must praise her for having done so. In the end, I loved the ending by the way, I was left with questions about myself. What other forms of intimacy are available that I am yet ignorant to? What boundaries are naturally assumed and which require discussion? Many describe this book as pornographic, and I do not disagree. Nor am I trying to sell anyone on the story's virtues as we are drug through that which is private being made public. I will merely assert that there is more depth to this story than meets the eye.

this is the second time i have read this. someone gifted me a copy of grey so i will be re-reading the trilogy before i start it. I enjoyed it more this time then the first time

In one word: boring. But if you want more words, I'll say that I hated the main characters (both) and the ending was just absurd. I'm not gonna waste my time with the next two books. Goodbye Mr. Gray and his 50 Shades of Whatever!

I wasn't really sure at all what to expect with this book. To begin with, it has been one of the most talked about books for a long while and since I've had so much success with Twilight in the past, I thought I'd take my chances with this book as well. Although, for me, nothing can replace Twilight because that book and movie will forever have a special place in my heart. I gotta say, I liked it. That's it- nothing more, nothing less.

For beginners, this book has a lot of raw and deep emotions, especially between the two main characters, Anastasia and Christian. For this reason alone, I gave the book four stars and not three. I could feel the chemistry between them and I loved how intensely protective Christian was of Anastasia, even if he particularly wasn't attractive or alluring to me as a man. The book went into depth to describe what each person was feeling and that made it much more interesting to read overall. Also, the little parts about her inner goddess and the other thing going on in her head were really interesting and unique to this book.

However, the plot definitely wasn't one of my favorites. In my opinion, it lacked any real conflict except for the relationship drama that went on between the two main characters all throughout the book. It missed any real central conflict. I mean, it did have a central conflict that ran a good length of the book but in my eyes it wasn't an actual conflict where something bad happens or some kind of obstacle occurs. Instead, the events failed to keep me on the edge of my seat. This book can be summarized in one phrase- a steamy story about two people obsessed with each other- that is all. And this makes for a rather disappointing plot. Don't get me wrong, I love romance and undying love between two characters but even for me- I would have liked to see some other things happen as well.

The vocabulary and grammar of this book were on the easy side and it made for an overall smooth, quick and easy read. The sentences although simple, flowed nicely and weren't choppy either. The smut was nice as well, although it wasn't fantastic because words tended to be repeated in different sex scenes. And there were A LOT of sex scenes. In my opinion, this made for a steamy book without any real meat in it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy and quick read that is full of steamy scenes but doesn't want to go through the roller-coaster of reading about any real tragedies or turn of events. Also, if anyone is expecting (like I am) and is feeling particularly horny lately, this book is for you- trust me. You'll thank me later.

2.75
This book follows the story of a young woman named Anastasia Steele who falls in love with the mysterious Christian Gray.
I've been reading what I'm assuming to be an abridged version of this book. Let me start by saying that I had very low expectations for this book. Honestly I feel pretty neutral about it. I don't hate it and I don't love it. I think it has pretty average writing and a pretty generic plot. The characters aren't memorable, neither is the story. It's an average book in my opinion.
There were many parts that bother me.
First being the words Anastasia uses to describe her body parts. Like honestly you're having kinky sex yet you can't say the word ass. I also didn't like how sometimes she sounds like a child, I know the aim is to make her innocent but she sounds straight up naive.
I don't understand why people don't like how she goes along with everything, because in reality people go along with things they are not sure about because of curiosity or attraction. So in that aspect I found it kind of realistic.
In general I wouldn't buy this book but it was an okay read.

Two worlds meld when Ana Steele falls into Christian Grey's office (see what I did there?) and shortly after the two embark on a passionate love affair, of which you will have read about yourself or heard a lot about in the press, online and also in its subsequent film adaptations.

Hidden in the depths of this book, alongside Steele's split three way personality (her inner goddess and her subconscious feature prominently) there's a love story of sorts, if a very passionate one with very unconventional features to it, though perhaps in terms of the White Knight saving the Damsel in Distress, it's wanting to be a mixture of both here?

What did I learn from Fifty Shades of Grey after it's 514 pages? Do we all know what we're getting into when we meet someone? No. Do we have ourselves tested to the limit when we meet someone? Yes.

For whatever reason, this book has become a publishing sensation and has clearly entertained many people in the process of doing so.

I had refused to read this book for the longest time but finally caved after being dragged to the movie. I have to say that this is one time that the movie is better than the book, partly because in the movie you don't have to listen to Ana's thoughts. I would have given a better rating if it wasn't for the horrible writing and the undeniable similarities to Twilight.

This really is the worst of the three books.
I have to admit though that playful Christian Grey and loving Christian Grey are pretty darn cute.

There are so many opinions on this book I figured I should read it so I could have my own...
Ok, so I thought it was a just so-so neither here nor there until the end, then i decided it was utter bull.

I'm filing this next to Twilight in my “not great, but also not as terrible as everyone says” pile.

Laters, baby.

http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/episode-15-fifty-shades-of-grey/

3.4

I just finished this last week and I finally had the sudden guts to review this because I need to get all of my thoughts on this book to everyone and it's been bothering me the entire week.

I have a love and hate relationship with this book (seems like everyone does). At first I thought it was just some cheap romance about a college girl and a rich entrepreneur but holy shit...THIS BOOK CAME TO ME BY SURPRISE! I had no idea it almost entirely dealt with BDSM (this term is nsfw so you better just google it if you're curious)!!!!. I was all “what the fuk” the entire time.

But despite all of that, I found the story between our two main characters, Ana and Christian, captivating and life changing. Their chemistry was just full of passion and luscious fu**ing. This book made me more comfortable with topics about genitalias, dominance/submission, and erotic copulation. And as much as I hate to admit it, the quite explicit scenes gave me intense sexual desires and blushing hahahah.

I'm looking forward to reading the sequels because I heard it gets way more intense and their chemistry continues to grow into a more serious relationship. I would recommend this books IF AND ONLY IF you're mature enough to understand the nature of sex and of course if you're open-minded.

Brilliant conversation dialogue. I love how E.L. James made every line of character conversation lively and very mused.

It was....interesting to say the least. Wouldn't recommend it for anyone younger than 18.
Edit: Looking back, I'm glad I borrowed them from the library. I would not want to spend money on such a book. I REALLY hope that younger people who read this horrible excuse of a book don't think they want a relationship like that. Some people like BDSM, but this book reads like it was rape. Ana didn't really want to do all those things, but she also wanted to because it would make Christian happy?! Come on! Ladies, if you ever find yourself in a relationship similar to this, do yourself a favor and dump that asshole right away. Don't get me wrong, I like erotic novels, but this...this just has a rapey feel to it. Don't read, just don't.

This book isn't a salacious story about a quiet girl being pleased by her sexy boss-come-boyfriend to dip her foot in the BDSM world. This is a bastardized version of the BDSM word, filled with sexual assault and rape.

Of course, a lot of people disagree which made it a BEST SELLER!

Of course, I had to read this book. I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I was pleasantly surprised to find it rather well written. Not to give anything away, I was disappointed in the ending, but am not sorry I took the time to read the book. All those readers can't be wrong. The book does deliver the titillation it promises.

The perfect end for this twisted book.
I can't believe I read it. Argh rolls her eyes at herself
I have been struggling so much to contain my feminist views.
by the way, Ana , so what he's hurt? He needs to know how you truly feel about stuff!

more than I expected. contains many parts to make me laugh.

Took me some time to get into it. BDSM is not really my kind of thing and it was one of the reasons I was apprehensive reading this book, but wanted to see what the hype was all about. In truth the BDSM aspect in this first book is very light.
The writing is not great. Read fanfiction that had a better writing style, but still enjoyable. Will definitely read the other parts because what I'm mostly curious about is to learn more about Christian and what made him the man he is and of course to see how it will end between Ana and Christian.

I cannot with this book. There is absolutely nothing remotely likeable about these lackluster characters and the ghost of a plot. This is the first book I've ever abandoned. Normally I will continue to read, even if I don't like the book, but I just can't with this one.

Honestly? it was ok, but it got a bit tiring after a while. I mean, jeez, this girl is really not doing any favors to any of the other women - or human beings - on the planet.

definetly on my shitlist FOREVER!!!

Very bad ... It is so badly written and characters are so shallow, full of cliché!
One of the worst books I ever read!!!
Do not waist your time!!!

An entertaining quick read but absolutely not worth the hype!!

The characters were quite well written, (most!) were likeable and relatable, and I am certainly intrigued to read the other books in the series to find out why Mr. Grey is the way he is but the story line and situations were unbelievable and over blown at times.

I will read the others in the series at some point as I'm curious how it will all end with the pair but I'm in no rush to get there so will give my time to better books for now!

I don't see why this book has stirred up such controversy. It's just twilight with a bit of spanking. The characters hardly feel like they've been fully fleshed, and the protagonist and antagonist are washy at communication and emotions. Seriously Anna needs to learn how to make up her mind and communicate, and Grey needs to realize that you don't push a virgin that far that fast. Grey is definitely emotionally disturbed.

I have a painful gut reaction to many sitcoms. I can feel when a bad setup is coming, when someone is doing something stupid and from that something supposedly funny will come. Except, I don't find it funny. And it makes my gut hurt.

That's how I felt from the first page of 50 Shades. My gut hurt from how stupid the characters were acting and how stupid everything was going to follow from their actions.

There is something about fan fiction that is palpable. And the stench of it is painfully obvious here. Anastsia is supposedly clumsy (like Bella) but then she's dancing and cooking in one scene early on. Gyrating with knives is not exactly the behavior of a clutz. (Seriously, experience speaking here.) Grey is a cold-blooded controlling stalker, just like the Twilight “hero.” Ugh.

I mean, I really enjoy retellings of old fairy tales. I enjoy the story when Marvel reboots their universe (as they do every few years.) But this re-imagination of Twilight does a piss poor job of it. It takes out the possibility of magic that the supernatural characters permit. It makes the innocent heroine utterly ridiculous by ramping her age up to 21, while having her act like a tweenager. And then Grey has such a sick and sad back story that it just makes his entire rational pathetic. He's no hero, he's no Romeo, he's just a sick and twisted man who passes his abuse on to others. Hence his great attration to the virginal Anastasia.

As for the sex, let's just say that erotica isn't my cup of tea. I've read enough to know. And what I've read was much better than this. MUCH! The scenes are neither well-written, nor well-imagined. Blah.

Finally, I never ever ever ever ever want to hear about your inner goddess. This book RUINED the entire concept for me. If she's talking to you or dancing at you or what-not... keep it to yourself. And stay the fuck away from me. Even if I had liked something else about the book, this particular detail would have made me hate the book.