50 Shades of Grey

[erin1715]

While I'll agree that the writing isn't all that great, the book is a really fun read. And I don't know how people can say there isn't a plot. For me, it's going to turn into a love story. Christian does care for Ana beyond the "scenes." And there is some foreshadowing going on as to why Christian doesn't like to be touched. I feel like the story is developing the characters...but maybe thats just me.

 

[huey duey & luey]

While I'll agree that the writing isn't all that great, the book is a really fun read. And I don't know how people can say there isn't a plot. For me, it's going to turn into a love story. Christian does care for Ana beyond the "scenes." And there is some foreshadowing going on as to why Christian doesn't like to be touched. I feel like the story is developing the characters...but maybe thats just me.

I agree completely. Darker was my favorite of all 3 books for this reason. I felt like it really explored and developed the characters

 

[erin1715]

I'm only probably halfway through the first book so I'm glad to hear that I have more to look forward to in the next two! I am not a big reader but I can't put this book down! Normally I'm in bed asleep by 10pm and last night I was up until midnight reading!

 

[PUZZLDY5]

I have to agree with a PP that said it's not great literature but it is fun to read. However I have no idea how they think there going to make a movie out of this without it being in the adult sectiom. Wowzers.

 

[Minnesota!]

Aside from being written terribly and having a completely unlikeable heroine, I don't see much in common with Twilight. How in the world will this thing get made into a movie?

I agree. I cannot see a connection at all - save for Ana's family being wary of Christian...

 

[erin1715]

I can somewhat see the connection with the male being a protective, on the verge of stalking, figure. And the female playing the meek, timid role. But beyond that, the actual storylines are completely different.

And I have no idea how this can be made into a movie. If they do (and I think they will try), they will have to leave a ton of stuff out and probably will completely butcher it. If they made the movie to closely line up with the book, I don't know that I could even go see it....I think I'd have to wait until it comes out on DVD and watch it alone at night with the curtains shut, lol.

 

[huey duey & luey]

I agree. I cannot see a connection at all - save for Ana's family being wary of Christian...

There is actually a bunch don't want to say to much for risk of spoilers past book 1. First they are both set in Washington, she is meek timid and clumsy. He is a rich, gorgeous and eligible. They both enjoy watching her sleep. She lived with her father. Both males adopted (kind of). There really are alot of subtle similiarite, they while best friend Jose/Jacob in love with her. Also alot of references to cars as well as music.
Christian is just not as concerned with preserving Ana's virtue

 

[3smithboys]

There is actually a bunch don't want to say to much for risk of spoilers past book 1. First they are both set in Washington, she is meek timid and clumsy. He is a rich, gorgeous and eligible. They both enjoy watching her sleep. She lived with her father. Both males adopted (kind of). There really are alot of subtle similiarite, they while best friend Jose/Jacob in love with her. Also alot of references to cars as well as music.
Christian is just not as concerned with preserving Ana's virtue

The entire time I was reading the book I kept saying to my husband - this book reminds me of Twilight...erotica... I really had no idea what the background of 50 Shades was, but I am a huge Twilight fan and have read the series many times. I recognize that neither are high quality literature, but if you are looking for some light, fun reading to pass the time - the 50 Shades series certainly kept my attention. (twice) My friends and I have been having many funny conversations and texts about these books! Even my husband read the series!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I have yet to read it but I've heard that it is entertaining. That is all I really need for a book, take me away for an hour.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Well the original fanfiction "Masters of the Universe" actually used the original character names Bella, Edward etc. The author scrubbed the Twilight names off herself and renamed them Anastasia and whatever and was then selling them as self-published books "Shades of Grey" and the other two via the Amazon self-publishing platform.

She also had quite a marketing campaign going via various blogs and message boards geared toward the romance/erotica readers. Seriously, these were one of the most heavily word of mouth promoted self-published books I've ever seen. There was a huge amount of fuss over how she was "spamming" boards and getting her friends and fans to do the same. It was like a drama a week over these books. It all kind of went viral and then Random House picked up the publishing rights and reissued her self-published version under their imprint. Random House has stated that the books are original enough not to violate any copyright issues but when the blog Dear Author ran it through the software college professors use to check for plagerism, they found an 89% match rate of Shades of Grey to Masters of the Universe.

I'm not convinced yet that Stephanie Meyer won't have some sort of legal response because the ties of the book to Twilight are quite clear. It would be an interesting case.

Props to her on the marketing end. Its hard really really hard. She should do a how to marketing book next, only most of the people who'd want to read it are broke.

 

[disney1990]

Ohhhh, how exciting, I didn't think I could get the other books yet!

I never liked twilight as I am not into the vampire thing. The book was pretty hot, although some parts were a bit too much for me.

I still don't understand how they can make a movie of it!!! At least not one without an X rating!

If they can do Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and not have an X rating -- that was violent sex.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

If anyone is interested I have a pdf copy of "Masters of the Universe" I don't mind sharing.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

If they can do Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and not have an X rating -- that was violent sex.

It will probably be a lot like that movie Secretary with Spade and Gylenhall

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Just like with Twilight, the 50 Shades Trilogy has been done before and done better (and more salaciously).

I think most of the hype is driven by the fact that some women who wouldn't be caught dead with a book like this are reading it. Shame that in 2012 there are stillwomen out there who feel ashamed (or, even worse are TOLD to be ashamed) to read stuff like that.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Read it & liked it. I think the author's story is what really made me want to read the book. Mom, writing it on her way to work on her Blackberry? Very cool.

From a social view point I found all the talk about the book the most interesting. Women have never had as much power, made as much money and had as much independence as they do today.
You can't put on a talk show or read an article that doesn't have women stating their quest for independence and the "I don't need a man" statement.

Now a book about being 100% cared for by a man is still the Cinderella story but with a huge amount of sexuality and sweat.

 

[OhMari]

We actually saw the book being talked about while we were vacationing at WDW 2 weeks ago. (You get more channels now).
My dh said to me, "why don't you download the book"
I don't know if this will get censored, but a women came on and said she wants to direct and produce a movie that is more meaningful, than what is producted now for women. She was totally talking about porn movies. She said this book is an excellent book to be made into a movie and it will probably be rated X for sure if she had her way.

 

[3Leafs]

Did you guys see the youtube video of Ellen trying to read it for a read to you book? OMG I was She is so funny!

I just downloaded the book and hope to read it this weekend!

 

[mrsklamc]

EL James has playlists on youtube of the various songs mentioned.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

EL James has playlists on youtube of the various songs mentioned.

link?

 

[CharliNye]

Just like with Twilight, the 50 Shades Trilogy has been done before and done better (and more salaciously).

I think most of the hype is driven by the fact that some women who wouldn't be caught dead with a book like this are reading it. Shame that in 2012 there are stillwomen out there who feel ashamed (or, even worse are TOLD to be ashamed) to read stuff like that.

Exactly!!

See, I hate this book. I mean HATE it. I read about 12 pages and stopped. For me the writing is too horrible to get past. I can't read books that are horribly written, it hurts my brain.

Aside from that, I skimmed the sex scenes as I have friends who don't know me well tell me where they were. I was bored. As someone who has read more classic and interesting erotica this just pales in comparison. The scenes aren't dark, alluring or interesting. True erotica is shocking but enticing.

Sorry, I could go on but I don't want to. I know there really are so many women out there who love this series. And I don't want to be a snob about it.

I just wish women out there who find this so exciting would realize there's so much better material out there and it is OK to read it, and it is ok to LIKE it! I think that's what bothers me the most, that people are afraid to say they like this type of story.