Charlotte:
Let me start by offering our apologies to those of you who haven’t read the Fifty Shades Of Grey book by E L James and to those of you who are probably thinking “What the ruddy hell has this got to do with weddings?!”. Regarding the latter – let’s face it, it hasn’t really, although I am told as the trilogy is currently standing firm at number 1, 2 and 3 in the best seller charts it is definitely the Honeymoon read of the summer.
And it seems everyone is talking about it. So I guess because of that fact we could ignore it or jump on the bandwagon and try and filter the filth from the froth as it were.
We chose the filthy option obviously.
I actually first heard of the fifty shades phenomenon from my Mum – she had popped into Waterstones and the lady behind the counter had recommended it to her, exclaiming what a great read it was. And my Mum being a marketers dream (I so inherited that gene pool) didn’t even really bother to find out what it was about, just handed over the plastic for a pornagraphic bashing.
And for those of you who are now staring blankly at the screen, it is essentially a story that documents student Anastasia Steele’s journey into becoming a submissive to entrepreneur and dominant Christian Grey. Think desire, obsession, sexual exploration and a generous helping of the kinky.
I think (actually I know) I am in the minority when I say that actually I didn’t think it was that good. I mean I didn’t think it was awful or anything, but I am still not 100% sure what all the hype is about.
Ok so I realise it’s quite rude – and the main man of the tale Christian is clearly HOT…. but I have read far dirtier and there was so much repetition that by chapter twenty I felt like I was on some weird she-bit-her-bottom-lip merry go round.
I promise my lack of love for the naughty pages isn’t because I am a) a prude (this would be difficult with such a liberal upbringing – My Dad spent the early 90′s as the lead singer of a band called the Bl*w jobs and my Mother used to on occasion wear a T-shirt with “Wine Me, Dine Me, 69 Me” emblazoned across the front. Luckily for my sister and I this was not the outfit of choice for the the school run….) or b) A right swinging-from-the-chandeliers-in-my-peephole-bra “seen and done it all before” Queen of erotica exotica.
I have never ever been invited to spend an evening in a red room of pain. And to be honest I’m not sure it would be my thing, I appreciate the whole pleasure/pain phenomenon but playful spanking is one thing – I’m just not sure a riding crop cracked repeatedly against my posterior would provide much of the pleasure part…
Maybe I should just give it a whirl and see for myself? I wonder what Mr O’Shea would have to say if I suggested that as an after dinner treat.
And maybe that is it – the whole fantasy aspect. Fifty Shades Of Grey essentially opens your peepers to what folks may or may not do behind closed doors without being vulgar or indecently graphic – and as I’ve heard (from many ahem… reputable sources you understand), has encouraged couples all over the globe to perhaps try something new and sexy in the bedroom/an elevator/at bathtime/a helicopter/their local chinese (delete as appropriate).
According to Allure Magazine (my favourite – I get it imported from the States), high end underwear stores Agent Provocateur and Kiki De Montparnesse have never been so profitable. They are selling far more blindfolds and leather playsuits then their (more demure) pretty panties and slinky slips and many “specialist” playtime items are actually selling out on a daily basis.
Apparently in the the city of New York everyone from the wives of politicians to high profile publicists are working their inner Dita Von Teese and ladies that lunch are just as likely to openly discuss their penchant for a whip and handcuffs over a caesar salad as they are the latest Marc Jacobs knitwear collection.
It seems that celebrating your requirement for kink is moving from what may have previously perceived as seedy to seriously stylish.
And the sexy store du jour if you want really push the proverbial seductress boat out? Coco De Mer. To become the proud owner of their various wares you will possibly need to re-mortgage but as per the words of L’Oreal – you’re worth it.
I don’t think Fifty Shades is necessarily telling us anything new, but I do think it is certainly making waves in paving the way for women in general to perhaps feel more comfortable about discussing sex and being sexy with their friends and partners which in itself must be a very good thing – I never understood why it should be so taboo in the first place.
Madame E L James has sold a million zillion copies of her novels and apparently has just bagged herself a Hollywood movie deal – so although personally I could take it or leave it…. what the hell do I know anyway?
Hmmmm. And for some reason the other day I treated myself to a bondage style dress from All Saints….as well as all sorts of new slightly risqué undergarments.
Oh and if Ryan Gosling is playing Christian Grey in the film adaptation I am so there.
Lauren:
Let’s face it…50 Shades of Grey is not going to win The Man Booker Prize for achievements in fiction any time soon. The books don’t have the moral core of To Kill A Mockingbird, the symbolic power of Tess of the D’Urbervilles nor the heart-wrenching drama of Birdsong.
I also agree with those that say that there’s an uncanny likeness to the popular Twilight series and oh my, there are some really cringeworthy turns of phrase – ‘Christian Grey flavoured popsicle’ anyone?
And trust me, if I never hear ‘my breathing hitched’ again, then it won’t be soon enough.
Then, folks, there’s the critical schools of thought that are currently doing the rounds. Those that think that the books go as far as advocating violence against women, that it degrades them and the heated rants about the fact that Ms James’ creations do no credit for the erotica genre.
Some even claim that women who enjoy reading BDSM (that’s bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism for those of you not familiar with the term) have rape fantasies and thus this type of literature is potentially damaging.
Personally I think that’s utter tosh.
Despite ALL this, hand firmly on heart ladies, I LOVE these books. That’s right, j’adore with a capital J.
There’s no getting away from the fact that we women are drawn to 50 Shades like bees to a honeypot. We are reading it in droves, causing sell-outs in some parts of the country.
Even my sister struggled to get hold of a copy when I lent my treasured version to a friend (I was NOT in her good books that day) causing one male shop assistant to remark to his co-worker, ‘Dave…we’ve got another one’ when she asked if they had any left.
And boy have I learnt stuff. Things like, which are the best ropes for tying a submissive to a chair – it’s natural filament in case you’re interested…something to do with the chafing effect (gulp!).
But why exactly do I love it?
50 Shades is eminently readable. Both funny and entertaining – I love how the book brings us girls conspiratorially together. “Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? No? You really must! It’s basically porn!“
In a society that does in the main cater to men’s desires, I’m fascinated by the fact that the boys (in my social circles at least) for once seem somewhat abashed when we sit around gleefully discussing it. The shoe is now on the other (Louboutin clad) foot.
Sexy Fifty also allows me to indulge my fantasies. In this day and age where a woman is expected to be everywhere all at once and achieve the impossible (certainly in my household!), I’d happily submit to the mercurial Mr Grey so that my needs can be taken care of for once.
Unlimited supplies of expensive silk underwear? We all know my penchant for that.
A personal housekeeper so that I never have to cook dinner again? That will do nicely.
Epic chases in expensive cars or helicopter visits to exotic locations? Where do I sign?
If all this sounds utterly superficial then so be it. We are talking about fantasies here…
I also admire how the book focuses almost exclusively on Ana’s sexual experience – something that we don’t see so much of within the mainstream media. It affirms the truth that women are sexual beings and it’s ok to be wanton every once in a while.
The book is filthy but in a totally good way. My innocent (no longer!) mind boggled at the delicious array of collars, whipping, caning, bondage, eggs, spanking and beads sprinkled throughout the pages. E.L. James shows that ‘kinky’ is not necessarily dark but fun.
Ultimately though for me it is her frankly amazing ability to build anticipation to each scene’s thrilling climax. In this day and age where we expect everything instantly, I love the heady descriptions and the delayed gratifications that Ana experiences. Good things really do come to those who wait.
And whilst Charlotte might have treated herself to some bondage apparel and some sexy smalls, I might have indulged in a slightly naughtier purchase of a paddle and handcuffs.
Ooh er…
So tell us what you think, were you turned off or turned on by the delectable Fifty?
Did the novel leave you short of breath or make you blush? (Trust me, I still turn several shades of crimson when talking about it in front of male company now).
As ever we want to hear your thoughts…..
Big Dirty Love
Charlotte and Lauren xxx
Honestly……I thought it was rubbish! I don’t get the hype at all. The writing is poor and as you mention, very repetitive. I thought the rude bits weren’t even that filthy and I personally would just prefer to watch porn!
Nothing against a bit of dirty reading but this just does not do it for me.
Well well well.
I’ve read all 3 and my Facebook update review went something along the lines of:
Grey-interesting
Darker-dull
Freed-laughable (how did they get a 3 book deal??!)
I’m a big reader, can’t say Ive ever ventured into the world of erotica (written or otherwise) I read them as I didn’t want to be left out. They are eye opening and a little liberating to read. One friend said she thought it was a lovely romantic story (think she’d been on the gin!).
It’s FANTASY so how anyone can say it is damaging is ridic!!
They are a bit of fun, not very well written, no significant plot, if it enlightens, heightens or educates anyone then yay!!
Some people have to be so serious about everything!!!
@Joanna – I agree, I had heard how dirty it was and for me it just well…wasn’t. Perhaps I had built an unrealistic expectation!
@Helen – I haven’t read 2 or 3 and I’m not sure I ever will, like you I feel I should so I’m not missing out but there are so many amazing books out there and I don’t have enough recreational time as it is….
They’re basically just twilight with sex! For all those people who read twilight and were frustrated after waiting for 3 books for them to get on with the deed only to have Stephenie Meyer do a fade to black at the critical point, these at least satisfy that frustration…..
I’m a big reader and the writing isn’t great, don’t think anyone is pretending it is, and the storyline is pretty weak and yes the sex isn’t that outlandish really and I’m not a big fan of the submissive thing and the rape fantasy comments from some quarters frankly worry me a lot, but but but it has been so fun reading them and then passing them on to friends and getting us all talking about sex a lot more. It’s maybe a bit sad that it’s taken a book written originally as twilight fan fiction to do it but why not embrace it! If it empowers us to take control of our sex lives a bit more then all good I think – most of my friends agree with me that Ana is a bit pathetic, all her oh my’s and holy cows! She’s pretty easily shocked…But who doesn’t want to meet a gorgeous intelligent successful man and take his breath away.. It’s a fantasy and even if it’s not YOUR fantasy, reading about it makes us more likely to think more about what we want and who we want it from and that’s no bad thing.
Essentially I think they’re pretty bad books but harmless fun, although anyone who reads them prior to having sex for the first time might get a slightly skewed impression of the female orgasm. Just saying….
xx
Titillating would be a most excellent word to describe them I think, in no way well written but definitely some gripping sex scenes…though did anyone else want to go round E.L. James’ house and demand to know why there had to be so many references to Ana’s ‘inner goddess’?!? Perhaps a critical reading of these books should look at the split personality/delusions that Ana is suffering from when imagining a little person following her around everywhere – often in dominatrix get up…super odd!
I’ve not read them, I’m not going to read them but I’d just like to say that dismissing other people’s concerns as rubbish is really unhelpful. We live in a world which unfortunately still has a great deal of sexualised violence in it and in a country where 1 in 4 women will suffer domestic abuse. I’m not calling for censorship but if a ‘fantasy’ triggers uncomfortable feelings in someone then that should be recognised and respected rather than dismissed.
@Fiona you’ve hit the nail on the head for me my dear. Life doesn’t have to be serious and they’re just a bit of fun. As a prolific reader myself, I didn’t read 50 Shades to experience a writer with a proficient grasp of sentence structure and the English language.
And yes Christian only has to breathe on Ana and she pretty much explodes with pleasure. Talk about building up expectations…
@dreamalittledreamalot Ha ha totally forgot about the inner goddess and her school mistress subconscious with the spectacles on the end of her nose.. made me laugh out loud a few times.
and @Lauren – I don’t know I might test the theory tonight – see what my husband thinks if I just ask him to breathe on me and see where we get to… pretty sure he’ll just think I’m mental.
I’m only on chapter 14 of the first one, but every single girl I know is reading this.. iphones, kindles, books, online the lot. It is great that me & my friends all have something in common… and our latest debate is who should play who in the movie version. All I know is if Christian grey turns in to Ryan Gosling I cannot be held responsible for my actions!
I love the books and love how they have made it more mainstream for women to be in to ‘porn’ and I’m sure my fiancee loves how much I love it too!!
Can we bring this up again when I’ve read them? On Bringing up the Bodies at the mo but will be making some time for these just so I can know what everyone else is on about…
I had to succumb to the hype and find out for myself what everyone was talking about, so picked up a copy of the first book when by some fluke it was actually in stock in my local Sainsbury’s…
I devoured it quickly as it was quite easy to read but not because I was desperate to know what happened…at the end of the book I felt indifferent to knowing what Ana would do next.
I did find myself blushing at some parts of the book, and then cringing at others.
I agree with Lauren on the “popsicle” incident – that was just awful.
I’m not going to bother with the other books and will instead wait for the films (hope it’s Ryan Gosling!) as I found the writing very lack-lustre and annoyingly repetitive.
“Oh my” was it frustrating! The biting of the lip, the muscles in her belly and did anyone else just want to slap her inner Goddess by the end?
my friend came up with a theory that those OBSESSED with 50shades, and proclaim their love for Mr Gray musn’t have a very good sex life.
Not sure if I agree, but those friends of mine who got fed up of the repetitiveness of the ‘red room’ scenes I pointed in the direction of 18th and 19th century literature of the same genre (I studied literature+this stuff once upon a time!).
It definitely is harmless fun and as people say, it gets people talking! I do believe the age of e-books has helped though as my friends say they wouldnot want to be seen with the physical book!
x
Have to admit I haven’t read them and don’t plan to… I’m not a prude and I love a silly read (they don’t all have to be high-brow) but I’ve heard too many reviews that essentially say ‘meh’.
A few years ago I spent a week staying with a friend up in the north of Scotland (where there isn’t much to do). In her spare room were shelves and shelves of Mills and Boon books. Apparently, her mum used to be a member of the Mills and Boon club and got sent a new book every month. Well, I spent a week reading them – once even getting into trouble for waking up the household snorting with laughter in the middle of the night at the ridiculous language and imagery of wild abandonment in the desert (really? with all that sand??). Anyway, thought I’d had my fill of that sort of thing but now said friend sends me a Mills and Boon once a year, just so I can get my fix.
@Fiona – I read Twilight before the major hype (can’t remember how or why) and although I thought it was a bit different (or at least the vampire genre was then!) I was never really a fan.
And just breathing? this Christian bloke must be amazing!!!!
I think my husband would think I was mental too
I’m currently reading number 2. I foolishly bought the triology when one of my friends (before the hype i might add) reccommended them.
THEY ARE SO BADDDD!! I absolutely have to finish the triology because I never give up on a book but I have never read such utter trash ever! I skip the sex scenes. I’m bored with them already!
Oh my.
Mr Grey.
Miss Steele.
Oh my.
really??? No, it’s just not for me. I don’t understand what there is to love about these books if I’m honest? I don’t even like any of the characters!
The girl has some interesting muscles in her belly – perhaps she needs to work on strengthening her core.
and Kitty: I wanted to beat her inner goddess with a really big stick!!
How they are going to make the films passable for cinema I have no idea because once you remove the XXX porn, there’s really no storyline!?
I completely agree with all you ladies, I completely know how crap they are, the writing is horrendous, she repeats herself on every other page, I think she just couldn’t think of any more possible ways to describe an orgasm (which I don’t blame her – there were A LOT), and her inner goddess was quite possibly the worst character of all time…..but I was still OBSESSED! Against all my better judgement, I just couldn’t put them down
Anyway, I think I need to go read something highly intellectual now to balance myself out…but it doesn’t sound half as much fun! xxx
@Clare – I found Ana really annoying as a character too because she seemed to flit between being a really strong, intelligent woman who knows her own mind to being a blubbering fool who can’t stand up for herself! Yes that could be the effect of Mr Grey but I found it a bit too much…
Also, have to agree with other comments about the unrealistic expectations these sex scenes could give you.
I guess the draw of the books do come from the fantasy aspect. I’m sure a lot of women have had day dreams about a wealthy handsome stranger whisking them off somewhere exotic or making grand gestures…
And I do like that the books have opened up such a discussion, partly because I love a good natter about a book!
@Tabitha I’m now reading The True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey – need something like that to follow!
Having just returned back from my honeymoon, wish I’d have known about this book before I went! Would have been a great book to read on the beach! I still haven’t bought it – not sure whether it’s all hype like a lot of you are saying?
I’m half way through the book at the moment. Do I think it’s brilliantly written? No. But I do enjoy reading it.
Picking up on @Gale’s point – the book seems to be ‘uniting’ women in the same sort of way that Sex and the City did. SATC was a program for women that was a bit naughty, men weren’t interested in watching it, and it became a kind of sisterhood thing – an inner circle of knowledge that most women could pick up a conversation on. That can’t be such a bad thing.
Is it normal to go from being a virgin to a wanton sex obsessed BDSM goddess………I think not.
Whilst I admit I bought and read the trilogy (they are strangely addictive in a “I’m reading complete and utter tripe” kinda way) I have to say that the sex scenes just got more and more tedious.
I’m surprised that our Miss Steele had any lips left with all that biting. You want to get yourself some Chapstick for that love
Also, without spoiling the plot I actually felt that Christian had turned into a complete big girls blouse by the end of the trilogy. Again, I don’t think it’s possible to have such a turnaround in your attitude towards sex.
I wouldn’t say not to read these books but I would advise taking them with a bucket load of salt…….they aren’t worth taking that seriously
@Victoria -I agree with your SATC similarity, and whether you like 50 shades or not, it is (obviously!) giving us something to talk about and that can’t be a bad thing.
@Apollo – A big girls blouse?! oh no – I definitely won’t be reading 2 and 3 then!!!
I’ve read all three books and can safely say I’ve read much better erotica and the books are not particularly well written. Having said that, I did read all three books and I think what appealed to me wasn’t the copious sex (been there, read that) but how the heroine was very much looked after by the hero. I guess that concept appeals in a reality where, daily, I take responsibility for everything.
I suspect I’m in the minority however. There are plenty of people I know who wouldn’t dream of reading erotica, but the reason Fifty Shades of Grey has become so popular is because it is a form of accessible, mainstream erotica. Those who haven’t read erotica before are now reading it (it’s a shame it’s not very good or well written erotica).
The books had some serious flaws, the repetition was almost unbearable and sometimes the sex scenes were boring (and repetitive) but I found it to be readable enough and the storyline reasonably compelling that I went on to finish all three books. I understand the appeal, but I think it is a shame that such a poorly-written book got all the publicity when there is much better erotica out there.
Good point @Janine – I hadn’t thought about it like that. Perhaps what women are getting excited over isn’t all the sex, maybe it’s the escapism from every day responsibilities.
Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want their man to fly them first class??
I have to say I can’t be bothered reading them – although I did love the (okay, not very cerebral) Twilight series. But what was compelling there was the repressed passion I think. Doesn’t sound like there’s much repression in Grey!
But what REALLY intrigues me is this “I have read far dirtier”. REALLY @Charlotte? You with those big innocent looking eyes? My, my, you never can tell! Ha ha!
I’ve recently read all three after hype from friends and I was gripped – like others on here, I thought that the sex was somewhat repetitive and sometimes just unnecessary but for some reason I had to keep reading and find out what happened?
Would it be a happy ending? What would happen when you looked past the sex?!
They are not all that well written but are great for escapism and like Lauren said – fantasy; looking at “our inner godess” or living like a millionaire!
It seems that the online world really has helped these books take off….everyday on facebook you see someone else talking about them – I wonder how well they would have done before online blogs/social media?!
You girls crack me up! Posts like THIS are the very reason why I’m still checking into your blog every day despite getting married almost eight months ago…..
PS I read all three of them within a week and liked them in that bizarre Twilight-must-find-out-what-happens way….hmm….
I have to say I enjoyed them as a bit of a fun, naughty read. Having never read any erotica before I did find some of it fairly racey but not to the point of being offensive. I’d only heard about them just before we headed off on honeymoon and nabbed the first one in the airport on the way out…interesting honeymoon reading!!
I’m intrigued by the ladies saying they’ve “read much better erotica”, any recommendations?? Do share!
@Amy. Ditto. All criticisms are valid and therefore should be respected as such.
Firstly, I’m on my phone because naughty RMW has just had me flagged with our IT dept as accessing pornographic websites! Haha
I read 50 Shades about a month ago and I admit I found it really shocking, probably because at that point I hadn’t heard much hype yet. I think it’s become a victim of it’s own hype. If people are talking non-stop about how shocking it is then you’ll expect the worst… So now in comparison it actually seems pretty tame.
They are by far some of the worst pieces of writing I’ve ever come across and it’s so obvious it started out at Twilight Fan Fiction, which is equally awful.
I have to say that I did love them though, even if by the middle of ‘Darker’ I was completely bored with all the shagging and thought it’d be nice if they just put the kettle on and had a brew instead. It was a bit like cognitive behaviour therapy and now I am completely immune to sex! (not really obvs)
If anyone who hasn’t read it wants to, I have two tips:
- don’t bother with the second and third books
- don’t borrow someone else’s copy (you just don’t know where it’s been!)
Oh and tell your inner goddess to shut the hell up Ana!
Xxx
I’ve been uh-ming and ah-ing about reading Fifty Shades for the couple of months (in the meantime, I’ve been trying to get through the 950+ pages of the third instalment of Game of Thrones…. never-ending)…. You girls have all confirmed what I thought – bad writing, but some good escapism and a little bit of fun.
It sounds to me like they’ll be the perfect honeymoon read… !
Now, for those of you who keep saying you’ve read far worse… I’m just curious as to what else you’ve read?!?! Are there some real treasures out there…?
I think what’s interesting about this series has revived the erotica for women genre. It seems like it used to be more popular but had fallen out of fashion but now women are looking at it more… After all, women are sexual beings too….
So….. recommendations for the much better erotica that everyone’s been reading please? X
Hmmm, I’m still on the fence here. Defo not great writing, but it doesn’t claim to be so. Bits of it are massively cringeworthy – all the gasps of ‘Oh my’ and the ridiculous number of times she ‘fists’ his… hair. That said, it is a great bit of escapism. I’m enjoying the second book more than the first, but that may simply be because there hasn’t been any (quite frankly GRIM) references to him pulling out her tampon to have sex with her (yet). #tryingnottopuke
I have decided it is a bit like Mills and Boon on Viagra, but would fall off my chair in shock if E L James won any literary acclaim for it!
Google ‘literotica’ and fill your boots @Fiona!
@Peridot – Ha ha ha I am innocent!
And now I feel the pressure to remember the names of books I have read that are dirtier…….*runs off to have a look in cupboard downstairs*
My best friend has decided to write her own…
Someone once gave me a book of ‘penthouse’ stories (the fiction that they print each issue in the magazine) but it wasn’t very erotic, there was a lot more boy on boy action than you would expect and so many threesomes and foursomes that on one occasion I had to draw myself a little diagram to work out who was connected by what body part to who!!! not what you want really..
@Charlotte – you have a PORN CUPBOARD? I am seeing you in an entirely new (red) light!
@Fiona – hilarious! I would have loved to have seen the diagram, bet it was hilarious! Are you by chance a science-type?! Was there LABELLING?
Girls im telling you, if you want eye-popping filth then Literotica is for you… Not that I’d endorse such websites!! x
@Peridot – Mwah ha ha! Mr O’Shea bloody wishes! it’s a book cupboard pet – so many in there when you open the doors they fall out on your head…and no they are not all erotica
@Peridot – not science, I’m an architect.. So I draw all the time anyway but not normally THOSE type of drawings
and @Karen thanks – can’t look at work but will have a butchers on my phone on the train home
I came into work this morning to find a copy had been put on my desk by a colleague with a post-it saying ‘For the honeymoon’.
Well it would be rude not to….!
@MrsA yes the whole tampon incident was GRIM. Not quite sure what Ms James was hoping to achieve with that. Each to their own and all that….
@Molly have fun on your honeymoon doll! Sounds like you’ve got some kinky work colleagues (do you know who it was?). Charlotte and I are trying to get Adam to read it. A male perspective is always interesting…
I quite enjoyed it, but agree it wasn’t the best written book in the world. I haven’t been able to put it down for the past week (have just finished the 3rd) but again, I think it was to find out what happened rather than because I was loving it! I did find myself skipping over the sex scenes after a bit too, it all just got a bit too much & I couldn’t help thinking that he should give the poor girl a rest!!!
x
errrr…..ok….you’re all making me feel like a prude!
I have not read 50 shades, but have been toying with the idea of giving it a go (the other half reckons I should! 
)
As an innocent little blonde
And have not read anything that can be called erotica!!!
Mills & Boon are out of the question for me though – my mum used to read them all so I don’t think I could bring myself to read them! ha ha
Am I the only one?!
Oh well, will let you know how I get on when I get hold of a copy
@Karen – don’t worry I definitely won’t be borrowing anyone else’s copy! ha ha
xx
“Oh my!” – I spent the whole 3 books thinking of her saying those two words repeatedly in the most British accent possible… Got to say, although repetitive and not very well written, I absolutely inhaled the three books over a 4 day beach weekend – sometimes you just need a love story, and sex and passion and a little bit of naughtiness (OK a lot of naughtiness) definitely helped!
@Lauren – My friend informed me that there has been a booked released called ‘A man’s quick guide to 50 shades of Grey’ which apparently gives them a quick summary and explains why it is so popular! Possible purchase for the hubby?
I started reading the books about three months ago and if i’m being truthful it was a pure indulgence some where I could escape and be Ana and I read this book at my desk in my lunch break – shock horror – it was my naught little indulgence and nobody had a clude what I was reading.
Fast forwrd 8 weeks and the hype has taken away from the fantasy the more and more I hear people talking about it it feels like a little bit of my escapism is stolen away.
The first book swept me off my feet and Mr H referred to it as my lady filth
. I am not going to post a spolier here but having read all the books there definatly was a moment in the third book where I thought really Ana you are not that naive surely? we are on the third book now your charecter has progressed too far for this to be believable.
This is going to sound hypocritical with my comments above about what I really love is they way the book allows women who never would have before introduce sex into a conversation. I have already recommended taming the beast as a heady alternative in a deep and slightly disturbing (my opinon) way. xx
When I saw that there were zillions of comments on here I thought it would all be die hard fans!!
I finished all 3 books within 2 weeks. I thought the writing was really poor, the similarities to Twilight drove me NUTS (I am glad to finally learn that it was written as fan fiction, get your own idea loser face) and the “oh my” “holy cow” “finds his own release” were painfully repetative but for some reason I just couldn’t put them down!
I haven’t read any erotica before so when I started to read Grey I was thinking ooo this is good, my the time I got to Freed I was skipping pages to get past all the “kinky f*ckery”. I became completely immune to it!
I do love love love how it has brought everyone together and definitely agree with the SATC vibe.
I will definitely keep recommending it to friends, there is just something gripping about it…
I haven’t read it, though I’m tempted, so see what on earth the big deal is. But the thing is, 50 Shades started life out as fanfic for Twilight. And I’ve read waaay too much sex-filled fanfic to be really intrigued by this.
Only 40% through at the moment but if she says / thinks “oh my” one more time the kindle is going to be hurled out the window. Really badly written but it was only an online story so not too bad for the author
@Gabi CB Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out!
I’m so glad you blogged about this………I thought I was missing a really important girl gene, until I’ve just read the comments.
50 shades was the hen do, 4 day get away, beach read for 4 of us hens. The other three have flown through the book and are now onto 2 and 3. Me? Well i’m struggling to be honest. I’m only reading it so as not to be left out. As others have mentioned, the repetitiveness is so annoying! If I read ‘peek through my lashes’, ‘hung off his hips, in that way’ one more time!!
I find myself wanting there to be no sexy scenes on the next page just so I can hear a bit of a story, I’m now realising there isn’t one. Needless to say I will not be reading 2 and 3, I’m just going to ask my girlfriends how the plot pans out.
But in saying that…….I love talking about it, and have recommended 2 people to read it!! I know, I can’t figure out why either!?
I’m intrigued about the film, how on earth are they going to do it……unless it’s rated X??
But yet again, I fear I’m missing that all important girly gene as I really don’t get the Ryan Gosling thing?? Body? Yes…..Face? No!
p.s It would appear that all of us on getting back to the UK and being 4 days away, had a ‘nice’ night with our significant others on our return! The power of ’50 shades’? Who knows!
I tried to read the first one …. and thought it was the WORST book I’d ever read! The writing is truly atrocious and Ana is quite possibly the most annoying “heroine” I’ve ever come across (did no-one else just want to slap her and say “use the patently singular brain cell you were born with and get the HELL away from this creep”?!). Honestly peeps, there is much better written erotica out there for free if you know where to look! The sex is boring and repetitive and frankly about as erotic as a pap smear. No offence to anybody who liked the books, but I really did think the first book was dreadful. The most annoying thing about these books is that they were originally written as Twilight fanfic …. and now we are all paying good money to read what was originally posted on the net for free.
I am 3/4 through on it and really don’t believe the hype. It’s the bloody “my inner goddess” did this and the “my subconscious did that” that really winds me up! Seriously it’s on every frigging page!! Heard it referred to somewhere as “mummy porn” which is another reason to hate it! Still, I refuse to give up on it though, so maybe “my subconscious” is telling me its better than I think?! Actually, no. Bilge.
As I’m reading through the comments I am remembering all the parts that made me cringe – the inner goddess weirdness in particular.
I’m surprised how many others didn’t love it either – I thought I was going to be in the minority!
It doesn’t have ‘an uncanny likeness to the popular Twilight series’… it was originally Twilight fanfiction, and the author just changed the names and locations to make a new series.
My main issue with these books is their grammar and writing style (I’m not perfect myself, but lordy-lou), and the fact that people are going to think that that is what BDSM is all about, with a dominant man (who just seems to be a misogynistic psychopath) and a simpering, submissive female.
Plus, as these books are currently chart toppers, with book stores fully stocked with them, I worry about younger teenage girls picking up these books. I’m no prude, and extol the virtues of being open about the truth of sex with the younger generations… but I really don’t think this is the kind of intro we want to be giving them.
I would put a lot of money on a lot of 18 year olds in a couple of years thinking multiple orgasm are commonplace.
I do not get the whole hullabaloo either. I have not read it nor do I intend to. All the people I know who are recommending it read rubbish like Twilight, Vampire Diaries and/or are into sado-masochism. I am quite happy with my Margaret Atwoods and Kurt Vonneguts thank you very much.
Chris just showed me this twitter account @50ShedsofGrey. It’s described as ‘Erotica for the not-too-modern male’ and they are posting a pic of a shed everyday for 50 days!
Just thought I would share, it makes me chuckle xxx
@Tabitha – that is hysterical! LOVE…..I’m going to follow them
Thank you for making me laugh out loud tonight with your descriptions of your parents!! I’ve ordered my copy of the book (Waterstones can’t keep up with demand apparently!) so I’m intrigued to see what the fuss is about (or not in your case). But that aside, your post is hilarious! I’ll be back with my thoughts in a few weeks once I’ve made my way through the trilogy (although knowing my reading efforts which typically last all of five minutes before I enter the Land of Nod, it could be a year!) x
@Tabitha – that is amazing! #runs off to follow
x
Charlotte you secret minx…a porn cupboard and a vast repertoire of filthy smut books?!
I am still waiting for a list of them by the way pet?! Que passa??
This also wouldn’t let me access at work and for the once may have been onto something when it mentioned “contains pornography” haha, hence me just reading all the post/comments now!
I love the comparison to SATC, I incidentally really miss that show, I still love watching the series again and again on DVD, just wish they still made them. It’s so refreshing to see women being allowed to be a bit “rude” and not all prim and proper all the time.
And I am so sure I have heard the Gosling to play Mr Grey thing, the other one was Ian Sommerholder (is that how you spell it?) but nothing set in stone I don’t think.
Like someone else mentioned, if you remove the sex (which to be a mainstream film at the pics surely you would have to???) what actually would the film be? A lot of lustful gazes, fumbling under the covers, lip biting and fading to a shot of a picture above the bed? Likely.
xx
I was mildly intrigued to the point of almost considering buying them, but thank you ladies for firmly putting that idea to bed, and saving me some cash I can use instead on books that I know I’ll enjoy! handy this blog is!
I think what saddens me most about the hype surrounding these books is the idea that they’ve given women an erotic voice & provided a much needed female foray into erotica. I may be overly sensitive on the subject as I wrote my dissertation on erotic literature, but I just wish people were exposed to the really wonderful stuff, written by women, that is out there. Read some Anais Nin, or the Sexual Life of Catherine M or Fear of Flying by Erica Jong, or any of the dozens of others, just spare yourselves the poorly written, second rate stuff. We all know imagination is a women’s most potent sexual tool & we deserve to explore it- we just deserve better!
Also- I’m definitely checking out those sheds!
This book makes me MAD. Absolutely hopping, spitting mad.
The watchwords of the fetish world are Safe, Sane and Consensual. Fifty Shades of BS is none of these. It is cliched rubbish that reinforces the view that people who are into this stuff are messed-up abuse survivors.
I am into this stuff. I was never abused. There are much MUCH better books and stories out of there – some of which I wrote! I can’t believe this complete RUBBISH is so well-received and it makes me angry! The characters are paper-thin, the sex scenes suck, it all sucks.
If you want to read this stuff, go on the Xcite Books website and find a decent book.
I honestly think this book would be a hell of a lot more erotic if Ana was the Dominant and Grey was the Submissive. Why can’t we explore female sexuality from that perspective?? I am half way through the first book and the “sexy” parts are actually embarrassing! Oh, and if I have to read “holy crap” one more time, I will scream!
Just finished the book and I have to confess that I really enjoyed it for a bit of light reading – I found myself addicted to the characters and thought it very humorous but I have to agree that it wasn’t as filthy as I expected. Not exactly the best example of English prose though…I hope the author has consulted her thesaurus before using the words ‘reverie’ ‘lip biting’ or ‘holy crap’…drove me a little bit mad to say the least! x