fifty shades of grey

DjinnMarie

. who, in fact, did the author sleep with to guarantee such success?

Why do people only ask something like that when the author is a woman? I get that the book sucks, but sexist much? Geez

excuse me? do you know me even one iota? not only do i not know whether the author of the 50 shades books is male or female, i don't give a damn. i'd make the same comment regardless. watch the conclusions you jump to. i predict you're mostly wrong, and living in ignorance.

salembambi

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonoooooooooooooooooooonoooooooooooooooooo

just_Jennie1

Worst. Book. Ever. Written.

But of course it was a Twilight rip-off so it was bound to be horrible.

I "read" the first book and by "read" I mean flipped through it looking for the hot and steamy sex scenes that everyone was talking about.

Hmmmm. Lets see:

Banged her in bed - Boring
Banged her against the sink in the bathroom - oh how original. I mean really. That's like how I wake up every day
Banged her in the beach house - *yawn*
Spanked her - *snore*

Seriously. Bad, bad, bad. I personally hated the email conversations that went back and forth. Seems like the author was trying to just use up pages. I also laughed -- and this is when I knew the book was going to be ridiculous -- at the fact that while she was a virgin (not really surprised at that) that she didn't know what the "tingling down THERE" was. Seriously? That's something a freaking 9 year old would say! I also find it hard to believe that she went all those years without ever getting hot and heavy with someone. Oh, and that being so inexperienced she could orgasm pretty much on command. Also the fact that Christian was "shocked" when he saw her wearing his underwear. Really? Dude, you're supposed to be a Dom and you're shocked that some chick is walking out in your boxers? MMkay.

I also find the portrayal of that sort of lifestyle laughable. I have many friends who are in that lifestyle and they all said the same thing: No way would she have gotten away with all the rule breaking she did.

And don't get me started on the fact that the book was obviously NOT edited. If it was then there wouldn't be so many redundancies.

The one thing the author had on her side was an awesome marketing agent.

slw5X5

It's also just a very badly written book.

^ This.

Yup!

Yanicka1

Hate it for this reason. Mind you I am Ina D/s relationship.......those book are not about a sane BDSM relationship, it romanticize abuse

Following text not mine but reflex how I feel.
Wanna know the BDSM mantra? Safe, sane, consensual.

So let me explain why this book was devoid of all three of these things.

Safe - In the first few chapters of the novel, Christian Grey tracks Ana’s cell phone to find her at a club. Takes her home when she’s drunk, changes her when she’s so intoxicated she doesn’t remember him doing so,and informs her he will be keeping tabs on her for her own benefit. This is not the behaviour of a respectable Dominant. This is the behaviour of a power hungry, abusive *kitten* who really can’t take no for an answer.

Sane - One of the most important parts of BDSM is aftercare. Scenes can be extremely traumatizing and intense for the submissive. Aftercare is anything from petting to cuddling to holding to sweet talking, whatever degree of gentleness a bottom would need to pull them out of “subspace”. How does Christian provide aftercare? He submits Ana to a traumatizing first time spanking experience AND THEN ****ING LEAVES. AND GETS MAD THAT SHE DIDN’T TELL HIM SHE WAS UPSET. He’s the one who should ****ing know better! That, again, is not the act of a responsible Dominant. It’s the act of a selfish abuser.

Consensual - Did I mention he undressed her when she was belligerently drunk? Tracked her phone to locate her? He also buys her a new car despite her saying no countless times. Now, consent is important for any kind of sexual activity at all. Consent means informed, consent means enthusiastic. Informed, enthusiastic consent. This is crucial in a BDSM setting. Scenes can be extremely intense, especially for the bottom. What is Christian’s form of obtaining consent? Handing Ana a ****ing contract highlighting all the things he wants to do her *kitten* and asking her to sign it. She was a virgin (Don’t even get me ****ing started.) who had never before been exposed to BDSM. Entering in that kind of relationship takes a gargantuan amount of trust and knowledge so you know exactly what you’re getting into. Not reading a list of kinks on a piece of paper and signing your rights to say no away. Christian didn’t offer her resources, he didn’t offer her information. He gave her an ultimatum. That is not the sort of consent a responsible Dom/me would seek from their submissive.

****. This. book. It’s written in a ****ty way, it’s a terrible example of a BDSM relationship (ask anybody already involved in the lifestyle and watch them go blue in the face just thinking about it), which is already faced with enough prejudice and misunderstand, and it romanticizes and glorifies abuse.

angel1776

Hate it!!!!

I always said I would not read rubbish like that... but my cousin passed me a load of books and it was with them. (I read a LOT)

One day, I decided to have a quick peek just to see what all the fuss is about... I got through about a page and a half and well, if that's what is really getting people going and saying it improved their love life... well... nowt else to say then!

I read one bit that was supposed to be raunchy. It started with a teeny bit of mild tittilation, and then......... nothing!!!!

I really can't understand what is missing in some of these women's lives, that this book is so talked about. But I do have a vague idea now, of why a few men do cheat.... cos if what they are getting at home makes this book so interesting from a sexual idealistic point of view, then there must be some really frustrated men out there.

(sorry)

angel1776

Well said Yanicka!!!! (My first post... I just spent time on thoughts of what the woman on the street was saying about it in relation to improving their own sex life... rather than the contents..seeing as I didn't read it anyway)

Fitness_4_Jess

Hate it for this reason. Mind you I am Ina D/s relationship.......those book are not about a sane BDSM relationship, it romanticize abuse

Wanna know the BDSM mantra? Safe, sane, consensual.

So let me explain why this book was devoid of all three of these things.

Safe - In the first few chapters of the novel, Christian Grey tracks Ana’s cell phone to find her at a club. Takes her home when she’s drunk, changes her when she’s so intoxicated she doesn’t remember him doing so,and informs her he will be keeping tabs on her for her own benefit. This is not the behaviour of a respectable Dominant. This is the behaviour of a power hungry, abusive *kitten* who really can’t take no for an answer.

Sane - One of the most important parts of BDSM is aftercare. Scenes can be extremely traumatizing and intense for the submissive. Aftercare is anything from petting to cuddling to holding to sweet talking, whatever degree of gentleness a bottom would need to pull them out of “subspace”. How does Christian provide aftercare? He submits Ana to a traumatizing first time spanking experience AND THEN ****ING LEAVES. AND GETS MAD THAT SHE DIDN’T TELL HIM SHE WAS UPSET. He’s the one who should ****ing know better! That, again, is not the act of a responsible Dominant. It’s the act of a selfish abuser.

Consensual - Did I mention he undressed her when she was belligerently drunk? Tracked her phone to locate her? He also buys her a new car despite her saying no countless times. Now, consent is important for any kind of sexual activity at all. Consent means informed, consent means enthusiastic. Informed, enthusiastic consent. This is crucial in a BDSM setting. Scenes can be extremely intense, especially for the bottom. What is Christian’s form of obtaining consent? Handing Ana a ****ing contract highlighting all the things he wants to do her *kitten* and asking her to sign it. She was a virgin (Don’t even get me ****ing started.) who had never before been exposed to BDSM. Entering in that kind of relationship takes a gargantuan amount of trust and knowledge so you know exactly what you’re getting into. Not reading a list of kinks on a piece of paper and signing your rights to say no away. Christian didn’t offer her resources, he didn’t offer her information. He gave her an ultimatum. That is not the sort of consent a responsible Dom/me would seek from their submissive.

****. This. book. It’s written in a ****ty way, it’s a terrible example of a BDSM relationship (ask anybody already involved in the lifestyle and watch them go blue in the face just thinking about it), which is already faced with enough prejudice and misunderstand, and it romanticizes and glorifies abuse.

^^This. I don't live the lifestyle, but I have friends who do and this covers most things we cannot stand about the books. (Though I only read half of the first one; I just had to stop.) Bravo!

MorgueBabe

Hate it.
It's "mom" porn. IMO it's for "vanilla" people who have no real true understanding or experience with BDSM/Kink.
It's really a terrible portrayal of the lifestyle in SO many ways.
There is much better kink out there.

ktrn0312

Very overrated. I have read much better erotica. I forced myself to finish reading book one. Can't seem to get myself to pick up book two & three.

SCrompton

with love ladies, you aren't really reading it to critique the writing are you:huh: ... I personally enjoyed it for what it was, smut, easy read with a hot kinky control freak male lead! I dig that lol and I will be going to see the film version when it arrives in the sunny UK!

It certainly wasn't meant to be critically acclaimed so enjoy it for what it was...

This lol - Enjoyed the series...enjoyed the Crossfire series by Sylvia Day a little more I think....such similar stories!

AshleyM71

I like it. It's sort of a guilty pleasure form of escapism.

RyanJK85

People who know the lifestyle....know this book is not that close to the actual lifestyle...get your rocks of to it or not, but know you are far from knowing the facts...

Madame_Goldbricker

I found it dull & repetitive.. :yawn:

m00tmike

Ever since I learned it was originally Twilight fan faction, :sick: I decided that I would never bother. There are too many great books in the world to waste time on utter garbage.

Is it really? I thought it was just a book for women to read in between their soaps.

thatonegirlwiththestuff

It's the Disney version of literary porn. It's not literary genius, but if you're just breaking into the erotica genre, it's not a terrible place to start; but there are so many better books/series than the 50 shades trilogy.
Also, I agree with several other posters, in that it is incredibly redundant.

jodi41086

It's absolutely appalling. If you want erotic writing aimed at women, there are SO MANY other places to look. This trash is just rubbish. I don't think I have ever read anything so badly written....

Agreed!!! You can buy better written smut novels at the grocery store, lol my ex mother in law used to read one series with cowboys and woooo it was sexually tense

sarahkatara

Hate it for this reason. Mind you I am Ina D/s relationship.......those book are not about a sane BDSM relationship, it romanticize abuse

Following text not mine but reflex how I feel.
Wanna know the BDSM mantra? Safe, sane, consensual.

So let me explain why this book was devoid of all three of these things.

Safe - In the first few chapters of the novel, Christian Grey tracks Ana’s cell phone to find her at a club. Takes her home when she’s drunk, changes her when she’s so intoxicated she doesn’t remember him doing so,and informs her he will be keeping tabs on her for her own benefit. This is not the behaviour of a respectable Dominant. This is the behaviour of a power hungry, abusive *kitten* who really can’t take no for an answer.

Sane - One of the most important parts of BDSM is aftercare. Scenes can be extremely traumatizing and intense for the submissive. Aftercare is anything from petting to cuddling to holding to sweet talking, whatever degree of gentleness a bottom would need to pull them out of “subspace”. How does Christian provide aftercare? He submits Ana to a traumatizing first time spanking experience AND THEN ****ING LEAVES. AND GETS MAD THAT SHE DIDN’T TELL HIM SHE WAS UPSET. He’s the one who should ****ing know better! That, again, is not the act of a responsible Dominant. It’s the act of a selfish abuser.

Consensual - Did I mention he undressed her when she was belligerently drunk? Tracked her phone to locate her? He also buys her a new car despite her saying no countless times. Now, consent is important for any kind of sexual activity at all. Consent means informed, consent means enthusiastic. Informed, enthusiastic consent. This is crucial in a BDSM setting. Scenes can be extremely intense, especially for the bottom. What is Christian’s form of obtaining consent? Handing Ana a ****ing contract highlighting all the things he wants to do her *kitten* and asking her to sign it. She was a virgin (Don’t even get me ****ing started.) who had never before been exposed to BDSM. Entering in that kind of relationship takes a gargantuan amount of trust and knowledge so you know exactly what you’re getting into. Not reading a list of kinks on a piece of paper and signing your rights to say no away. Christian didn’t offer her resources, he didn’t offer her information. He gave her an ultimatum. That is not the sort of consent a responsible Dom/me would seek from their submissive.

****. This. book. It’s written in a ****ty way, it’s a terrible example of a BDSM relationship (ask anybody already involved in the lifestyle and watch them go blue in the face just thinking about it), which is already faced with enough prejudice and misunderstand, and it romanticizes and glorifies abuse.

I.LOVE.YOU. This is the review that the entire internet needs to read so we can all be on the same page about these books!

Capt_Inzane

I hate to admit this but I liked them *hangs head in shame*. I know all the downfalls of the book and somehow I liked them. I chalk this up to my imagination running wild with the books and making them better than what they were.

I went on to read Crossfire by Sylvia Day and Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard and both of those series were written better than 50 Shades so if you'd like to read more maybe check those out.

I used to read literotica.com and there are some really good works on there (as well as bad ones) so if you want more maybe try that.

I think I'm the only male in this world that thought those books weren't that bad. When Christian finds out where she works and drops by I thought that was ...ok... (you can do that with Facebook) but tracking the cell and undressing her and all that craziness on the first day I imagine a girl waking up and calling the police not eating breakfast.

My mind just kinda blotted out the bad parts and I substituted my own story line into it.

It made me more interested in the BDSM world and I'd like to learn more but want to feel more comfortable in my own skin first. If anyone knows some places around Atlanta let me know.

wyattj99

I liked it, I like all 3 of them, own them as well.
* Husband liked it during time I read the first one

roxylola

People who know the lifestyle....know this book is not that close to the actual lifestyle...get your rocks of to it or not, but know you are far from knowing the facts...

This, it's badly written, thin characters and no understanding of just what makes BDSM hawt so not even smut. I read the first one but it left me totally cold

Cindyinpg

Ever since I learned it was originally Twilight fan faction, :sick: I decided that I would never bother. There are too many great books in the world to waste time on utter garbage.

Is it really? I thought it was just a book for women to read in between their soaps.

Yes, it really was. It was called Master of the Universe and the characters were based on Edward and Bella, and you could read it free online. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey
A garbage trilogy based on a garbage trilogy.

roxylola

Also, if you want bdsm erotica I can recommend Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series. Now that is HAWT

roxylola

Ever since I learned it was originally Twilight fan faction, :sick: I decided that I would never bother. There are too many great books in the world to waste time on utter garbage.

Is it really? I thought it was just a book for women to read in between their soaps.

Yes, it really was. It was called Master of the Universe and the characters were based on Edward and Bella, and you could read it free online. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey
A garbage trilogy based on a garbage trilogy.

Gosh really? Well, credit where it is due, Twilight is marginally better but I can't be surprised it is responsible for this sort of rubbish!

Fiery_Vixen

I've refused to read it after reading a couple excerpts from some websites...sounds like crappy erotica to me...I can find some much better stuff for free on my Nook.

Fiery_Vixen

Also, if you want bdsm erotica I can recommend Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series. Now that is HAWT

Yes!!! Love that series...I totally want to get Phedre's marque one day...

roxylola

For sure however I already have a medium size dragon down my back so I will just live vicariously through you and demand pictures if you ever do

Did you read the Imriel and Naamah trilogies too?

Alluminati

I hated that Ana person so much. So in a way it w a s entertaining...kind of like watching those horrible and cheap horror flicks for laughs.

It's right up there with Modelland by Tyra Banks.

PlanetVelma

this is not what a dominant and submissive relationship are supposed to reflect. it was an abusive relationship more than anything.

Theres a difference between a healthy Dominant sexual relationship and an Abusive relationship. If it gets your rocks off though, go for it. lol

x1!!!

With the history of domestic violence not being recognized as a crime, i'm surprised soooo many women love this series. HUGE difference between dominant and being a bully.

roxylola

I think most women like it for the love story and bad boy turned good as much as the BDSM which really was not very heavy anyway. The point with actual BDSM is it's the sub who holds all the power really anyway.