Fifty Shades

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  • Sevio
    Sevio Posts: 181 Member
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    I really wasn't a fan myself....read the first book because I had to see what all the hype was....
    Will I read the second and third...most likely not....

    I am seeing a trend and I don't know if anyone else would agree that some of my friends and acquaintances who read these and really liked it are
    A. Single
    B. Twenty something
    C. Fifty or Sixty something and been married for a gizzillion years....

    Don't get me wrong everyone likes what they like but I just found them to be a bit "boring" I suppose.... Now when I was 20 something and single and was reading "chick lit" books then yes, I probably would have been all about it! :-)
  • Meloyelo2010
    Meloyelo2010 Posts: 171 Member
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    It was a "fun" read but nothing I'll be recommending to anyone. The writing was simplistic, repetitive and the "scenes" were terrible. I'll take my naughty Anne Rice's The Sleeping Beauty trilogy any day over EL Jame's Fifty Shades trilogy.
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
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    I haven't read any of the books, but my wife is reading them... and I have no complaints thus far :laugh:
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
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    They were originally Twilight fan fiction, which kind of reflects on the poor writing in my opinion.

    Some fan fiction is excellent. I have read some that are 100 times better than this. I just don't think she's very good.

    True.

    I have read fan fiction from normal people that is soo much better.

    The books were entertaining, and I did like the storyline. But the sex and the way she described it were very repetitive. I found myself skimming the sex scenes for the most part, and not because they grossed me out, but because I'd read the same thing a few pages back. And it was like they couldn't even write names for the sexual organs, it was like "he reached the apex of my thighs..." eighty million times.
  • CassieReannan
    CassieReannan Posts: 1,479 Member
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    I have almost finished the first book. The sex is boring after a while... they have the stamina of horny cows. It's just not possible to orgasm that much, nor every time. It makes it seem so unrealistic.

    The writing is pretty weird. The holy cows, holy moses and the jeez in the context just makes things look really sloppy...
    Also the stupid decision of Ana signing the contract, then not signing the contract. It is just so predictable...
  • MonicaT1972
    MonicaT1972 Posts: 512
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    They don't do anything for me at all. Hubby heard all the hype and was hoping to be as happy with me reading them as other guys are but it's just not happening.

    To me they just aren't descrptive and imaginative enough to turn me on. Like other's have said it's like a junior high girl wrote them.

    Anyhow love em or hate em it's like everything else, some will think they are the best thing ever while other's will hate them.

    I'm glad I paid Costco price for them that's for sure!
  • 7bel0
    7bel0 Posts: 192 Member
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    Several of you have very valid points.

    The book is written like a smart kid in junior high wrote it. I guess that didn't really bother me because several of my weekends a year are devoted to grading such literature.

    The book is soft porn. Sure, sounds like a winner to me. I like soft porn. I'm married to Mr. Vanilla that occasionally adds sprinkles. Seriously? What girl doesn't want to be taken into the Red Room of Pain?! Well, unless you're a Dom. I own it, I'm a closet perv.

    Shakespeare would roll over in his grave. I'm pretty sure that Shakespeare was a perv. I didn't know him personally but I'm decent at analyzing literature. That's my professional opinion. I really don't need to start comparing Shakespeare and E.L. James. You would be surprised by the likeness. ;)

    I could sext better that what's in the book. My number is.....kidding, sorta ;)

    I am so happy I wasn't the only one that thought, "hmmm I'll give you my number, feel free to "text" me! :blushing:
  • teacupowl
    teacupowl Posts: 104
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    Ugh. Just ugh. There is such amazing fanfiction out in the world, I don't understand why she was chosen for a book deal. These books are flat out horrid. The writing is prepubescent, the sex scenes are redundant, and it's all based around the unhealthiest romance ever: Twilight! Replace Ana with Bella and Christian with Edward, and BAM! You have the original version of this story.

    Really, the trashy romance novels our mums used to read were better than this - those ones with Fabio on the cover, ripping some innocent woman's bodice!

    Just go to the library, people. There is a world of amazing literature at your fingertips FOR FREE. Don't waste your time.

    (And as a side note? That whole 'It's her first novel, don't expect so much' bull crap? Plenty of authors publish their first novels and are AMAZING. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. The freakin' first Harry Potter novel. Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. I could go on for years. Seriously. First novel is not an excuse for bad writing and lack of talent.)
  • foxyforce
    foxyforce Posts: 3,078 Member
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    If people really think that the way Grey treats Ana is how a healthy Dom/sub relationship should operate then they need to get a serious ****ing reality check. The way he treats her is emotionally abusive and he constantly coerces her into sex. Subs don't describe their punishments as "hitting" or "beating" and they especially don't cry in fear or try to escape. Come on people.

    thank you. some people are just misinformed and don't understand what abuse is.
  • mtaylor33557
    mtaylor33557 Posts: 542 Member
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    I started the first book last week and I'm already onto the 3rd book. I agree, the writing isn't fantastic, but people need to realise the author hasn't written a proper novel before and I'm sure it takes experience to get better with writing.

    They are easy to read, and I guess good for the inexperienced to read and get ideas. :)

    I thought Jeffrey Archer's Kane & Abel (which was one of his earlier books) was by far one of the best novels I have read, and his writing is far superior.

    It didn't take Jo Rawling several novels to get it right. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"? Brilliant.. right out of the gate, and she started writing it on coffee house napkins!
  • sfarrell1359
    sfarrell1359 Posts: 63 Member
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    I read them, and first impression was absolute horror. It is nothing but an abusive relationship wrapped up to look like a love story. I'm sorry, but any woman who has been with a narcissistic, domineering man that wants to control her every day life will tell you it's scary and traumatizing. This isn't romance, it is abuse. The writing is also horrendous and juvenile. Of course coming from fanfic off the twilight books it doesn't surprise much in that aspect.
    Women should not be stalked, controlled or coerced into abusive relationships. I seriously hope young ladies aren't reading this and thinking they can change a man like this through their love and patience and as long as they can take a beating every now and then the man will want to have a relationship with them. I found this book scary in that it really gave out this message. Even grown women think this is so romantic and wonderful. I honestly can't believe how anyone with a little common sense and self respect would think this is okay.

    Thank you!!!!
  • sfarrell1359
    sfarrell1359 Posts: 63 Member
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    I read them, and first impression was absolute horror. It is nothing but an abusive relationship wrapped up to look like a love story. I'm sorry, but any woman who has been with a narcissistic, domineering man that wants to control her every day life will tell you it's scary and traumatizing. This isn't romance, it is abuse. The writing is also horrendous and juvenile. Of course coming from fanfic off the twilight books it doesn't surprise much in that aspect.
    Women should not be stalked, controlled or coerced into abusive relationships. I seriously hope young ladies aren't reading this and thinking they can change a man like this through their love and patience and as long as they can take a beating every now and then the man will want to have a relationship with them. I found this book scary in that it really gave out this message. Even grown women think this is so romantic and wonderful. I honestly can't believe how anyone with a little common sense and self respect would think this is okay.

    Honey, he's a dom and she's consented to be his sub. It's(very) loosely based on the BDSM lifestyle. It's what he does and how he is. Do some research. It's a real lifestyle that consenting adults participate in. It might not be your cup of tea but other people quite enjoy it.

    Actually, if you read the book she never signed the agreement to be his sub, he gets rid of it in Book 2. And then he still continues to control every aspect of her life after she asks him not too, especially when it comes to her job. So she never agreed to be his sub, yet he still treated her like one.
  • Nailrep
    Nailrep Posts: 966 Member
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    i'm on the first book!
  • JediSwan
    JediSwan Posts: 455 Member
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    Overall I enjoyed the books. I guess I wasn't paying too much attention to the sex part of it, more to the relationship and story part.
    My husband did not complain while I was reading them though so I guess they can't be all bad. :)

    Seems like a lot of people hate these kinds of books, I was kind of hoping for a more positive thread but oh well . . . :D
  • mtaylor33557
    mtaylor33557 Posts: 542 Member
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    Overall I enjoyed the books. I guess I wasn't paying too much attention to the sex part of it, more to the relationship and story part.
    My husband did not complain while I was reading them though so I guess they can't be all bad. :)

    Seems like a lot of people hate these kinds of books, I was kind of hoping for a more positive thread but oh well . . . :D

    Now actually, I really like this "type" of book.. but I just don't like this one. The sex parts aren't an issue for me.. I don't mind that at all!
  • dawnrenee567
    dawnrenee567 Posts: 292 Member
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    I've read through them once and I'm almost done the 2nd book again. It's definitely not what I am used to reading but I find them highly addicting! E.L. James is a clever writer. So many subtle little touches that make you giggle and gasp hehe :)

    Maybe it's a gender thing but........a clever writer?

    From the excerpts I have seen on line it looks like the ramblings from a hormonal 16 year olds diary. Just awful.

    Not a gender thing. I read the books (yes all 3) but clever is not what i'd use to describe them.
  • losermomof3
    losermomof3 Posts: 386 Member
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    Rumor has it that she might write a fourth....hope so!!!
  • MrsSorenson
    MrsSorenson Posts: 450 Member
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    I'm going to try it out, soon! I haven't read any but it seems like everyone else is!
  • 2negrita83
    2negrita83 Posts: 13 Member
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    Maybe it's a gender thing but........a clever writer?

    From the excerpts I have seen on line it looks like the ramblings from a hormonal 16 year olds diary. Just awful.
    [/quote]


    ^ this!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
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    You'll have to explain their appeal to me. I just don't "get" it.

    Porn. What else could it be? I've only read the first as it left me with no desire to read the next, but there was no story line other than kinky sex. And that wasn't bad at first, but it was pretty repetative porn.

    It reminded me of a more explicit version of the old school Harlequin Romance books. Awkward but beautiful inexperienced girl meets handsome wealthy experienced man. Busoms heave. Love ensues. Yadda yadda yadda

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