eBook: Equivalent of 1237 pages.
Genre: Provocative Romance (words used by Author on her website).
Publisher: Vintage 2012 Trilogy Edition.
Source: Amazon Purchase.
First Sentence: I scowl with frustration at myself in the mirror.
Review Quote: "Revolutionised the genre of erotic fiction." (Observer)
My Opinion: Be ready to accept the fact the author was just writing a love story with a twist.
The much hyped trilogy has been sitting on my Kindle since publication. My daughter had giggled her way through them whilst staying with us in Italy. Her impressions though were not enough to encourage me to want to read at the time. However whilst on holiday myself this Christmas and with the film released this week, I decided it was time to give it a go! Reading with not very high expectations and determined not to take it too seriously. If one did so I can now understand why many people have become upset and angry about the Dominant/Submissive aspects, which unfortunately in real life can of course be part of a very abusive relationship. If you are going to read this novel you should be ready to accept the fact that the author was just writing a love story with a twist.
Volume One is dominated, sorry for the pun, with sex and not much of a storyline, however with volume Two and then Three this does improve slightly. I actually became interested enough in the characters of Christian and Anastasia to want to keep reading and laughing, which surprised me somewhat. Basically curiosity got the better of me, how was this romance going to pan out?
Thanks to the media most of us even vaguely interested in reading 'Fifty Shades of Grey' probably know a good deal about the 'story' so no need to go into any more detail.
Those of you that are remotely curious will either be picking up the novels or taking yourself off to the cinema. If you do decide to take either option you should also be aware and probably are that if you think you are going to be offended by the 'theme' and content then you are wasting your time. Remember these novels may not be great literature, but they are to a degree entertaining! The question is now, will I or won't I go to see the film?
For those of you that may be interested I am including a précis taken from Official Website
Volume One - Fifty Shades of Grey
When literature student Anastasia Steel goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.
Volume Two - Fifty Shades Darker
Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.
But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.
While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.
Volume Three - Fifty Shades Freed
When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.
Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.
Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.
Video Trailer from Author Website
Author Profile
E.L. James was born Erika Mitchell on March 7th 1963 in London to a Chilean mother and a Scottish father. She studied at Wycombe High School and The University of Kent. Before her success as an author she worked as a television executive. She lives in London with her husband Niall Leonard and their two teenage sons.
Biography taken from website
I'm a former TV executive, wife and mother-of-two based in the leafy suburbs of West London. Since January 2012 my life has taken an extraordinary turn with the runaway success of the Fifty Shades Trilogy. From an early age I had always dreamt of writing stories that readers would fall in love with – and my dreams have come true, thanks to you guys. Now that life seems to have settled down a little, I want to crack on and write my next novel – another adult, provocative romance. I do hope you will enjoy that too.
Thank you for all your support. It has meant the world to me. If any one were to ask me for my thoughts about this whole experience, I would say: life is not a dress rehearsal – seize the day and follow your dreams. I wish you the best of luck.
The biographical information photo and video used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and her writing.
Goodreads - Author Profile Erika James on Instagram E.L.James - YouTube Channel
Twitter Profile YouTube - Trailer Facebook - E.L.James - Author E.L.James - Wikipedia
Hi Linda, I did not get past book 1, in fact maybe half way through .. I could not be bothered with it. My daughter in law and friends have read and re-read and even re-read again !!! I will not be going to see the film either.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you felt Anne but cannot see how people can want to read it again and again!! I am still undecided about seeing the film. A friend in New York says she could hardly hear the soundtrack for the audiences laughter.
ReplyDeleteI liked it, once you get by the inner Goddess repetitiveness and all the sexual content, it is actually a romantic story. The media is going wild with it and some of the things people are saying and suggesting about those of us who dared like it really has been shocking. Each to their own. I am going to see the movie, I have to now after hearing all of these reviews that say it shows no romance and is all about abuse. Glad you checked it out and made your own mind up about it and will look forward to your views on the movie if you do choose to go and see it. Hope your well
ReplyDeleteLainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
I, too, loved these books and have reread them once. Much is said about the sex but no one ever mentions the abuse that Christian suffered - (as a child and then again as a teen by two different women) and how much his love for and being loved by Ana healed him. People only focus on the graphic sex.
ReplyDeleteI have read worse books and some of them touted by the critics.....I say if you enjoy reading - read what you like and to hell with what everyone else thinks! Reading is for the individual.
Linda, I liked your review! Well done.