I tried. I really did. But the writing is SOOOOO terrible. If she "bit her lip" or talked about her "inner goddess" one more time, I was going to scream. And seriously, what recent college grad doesn't have an email address? She had to wait for him to make one? That just makes no sense. LOL. I just didn't see any real character development at all. She relied much too much on the... "private" part of their relationship and less on developing them as people really in love. I also have some other issues with the book and the way they portray people who make those, um, choices, to have relationships like that. (Trying to keep this a "G" rated as possible... :lol I don't think everyone who lives that lifestyle is damaged, and to me, she implies that in the writing. The big debate now is who will play Christian in the movie version?! LOL
I know a lot of people that have read it. My mom (she's 80) read it. A few days ago my 22-year-0ld told me she wanted to read the books. If she does I will read it just so I can have a conversation with her. So far, everyone I know that read the book (except one) liked it! I guess it has mass appeal.
Bandnerd, definitely not up there with the classics, I get what you're saying. it's one of those books where you have to know that going in, I think. It's like when you go to a movie knowing its not going to be an award winner, but will serve its purpose. Apparently it's the fastest book to become a top seller-winning out over the Harry Potter series! I don't know who will play either main character in the movie,but I read an article where Kristin Stewart wants to nominate herself and I threw up in my mouth!!!
As difficult as it may be to imagine, many of the girls in my daughter's senior class are reading it this summer.... Wide appeal, indeed! I read that Emily Clarke (Daenerys from Game of Thrones) is being considered for the role of Anastasia. I love her to pieces, so that would be cool. Kristen Stewart is repulsive, but she can bite her lip... lol. For Christian, there's lots of talk of Ian Somerhalder. That would be a nice choice!
It's weird to see this post, because I just started reading it today! I only read about 10 or so pages, so I am not to the point that I can't put it down. I am looking forward to reading it, though! I vote Channing to play the lead!
NO Kristen Stewart! I can't stand her, so I def would not see the movie! Ian would be a great choice, too!! I love him in Vamp Diaries!!
Yes, yes it did. One of the forum members had the original PDF and showed me. And yes, I've read the books. I have no shame in admitting I read Twilight, 50 Shades and every other trashy romance novel out there geared at young adults and adults. As a teacher I have to read so many classics and literary books that it's fun to take a break and read something simple and trashy
I tried, and I couldn't finish it. Then I tried again, and I did finish it only because the Internet was down at my house for a week and I'm not much of a television fan. I thought it was awful. The writing was bad, and there were weird, repetitive details like the ones I fuss at my middle school girls for putting in their writing. I didn't find the "dirty" parts all that interesting, actually. It was also longer than necessary. I'm not even trying the second two, and I'm mad that I spent $10 to buy the first one.
I came searching for a post about this a few days ago, glad to see one finally popped up. I also read the books in 6 days and believe me it would have been much faster if it was not the last week of school when I started it. I agree the writing was terrible, but I was immediately hooked. As for who should play Christian, I think Alexander Skarsgard would be good for that role.... I definitely agree with the taking a break and reading something trashy....definitely a fun read.
Yes...and she self published it Bc no publishers would buy it....I'm sure shes laughing all the way to the bank now.
It definitely is a series that is just a means to get away or pass the time. The writing was bad...it made it hard to continue through at some points. band~I love her too! Of course, I'm a huge GoT fan too so that shouldn't be a shocker. And I'd go see the movie just to see Ian on the big screen. Hottie!
I tried to get through the first book and I just lost interest. I thought the character develoment was terrible and I didn't feel any chemistry (besides physical) between the main characters. I also didn't relate in any way to any part of the book, so I think that's what I initially caused the disinterest. I kept waiting for the "Edward" moment. Sorry to be a downer; I wanted to like the book. I REALLY like mindless, fluff novels. I love Twilight. I love Nora Roberts and The Shopoholic series. The inner book nerd in me feels compelled to finish the series, so I might give it another shot and change my opinion. I did laugh at the obvious similarities to Twilight. As for the movie, I can totally see Ian Somer-something playing the lead. This would not be a good role for Kristen Stewert, because of her affiliation with Twilight.
I have heard so much about this book is it a "chick book?" I know it probably not my kind of book but I am curious.....
Okay, don't throw virtual paper wads at me...but that's one reason I am not interested. I would not be okay with my husband reading "daddy porn", so I wouldn't feel comfortable reading this. I'm really...uptight that way. Plus too many have complained about the writing quality, and of course the general plot doesn't interest me.
You have to go into it knowing it's not a classic, but that it's an easy read for pure enjoyment. One of my friends was super snooty when I asked if she'd read it and I just don't get that...if you can't stand it, don't read it! I agree with having Dany from Game of Thrones...she would be good. Kristen Stewart is just too..I dunno, I personally just can't stand her. Yeah it started as some Twilight spinoff, but I don't think the stories the same. I mean, if you want to go into how the story is a spin off of something else, isn't that pretty much every story now? Shy girl meets broken man, shy girl wants to fix broken man, broken man intrigued by shy girl, magically realize they have fixed each other. The basic premise is the same, but it's the details etc. that make it unique. I don't think that necessarily makes it a poor book choice.
I guess I'm a prude. I read excerpts from the book and decided I would get my jollies somewhere else.
Went on an interview and they asked me the last book I read! Lol. Obviously I talked about a different one
:lol: I know it's billed as 'exotic fiction'. Not something I normally pick up. I thought there'd be more in there, but I don't think it's anything more than any other fluff novel.
I've read the first one and just bought the next two today. A couple of my friends / coworkers are reading them with me. The one who has finished all three already says that the storyline is much more developed in the second two. I enjoyed the first one, but wasn't totally hooked on it the way other readers seem to be. When I got to the end though, I did feel compelled to read the next one to see how things turn out. I'm eager to begin the second one and see how it compares.
I'd kind of like to see what all of the fuss is about...but I don't want to spend money on the books!
I read them all in a few hours after my co-teacher was raving. The bad writing got to me, but I read quickly, so no big loss. I like a lot of,romance novels, but not usually erotica. There is a lot of beautifully written erotica in print without reading these. But if Ian Somerhalder is in the movie, I'll have to go see it.
I read them... Thinking they would get better. Never did. It was too much like a romance novel- with a "Happily ever after" ending. I was hoping for something different. Plus, I found the "initimate scenes"- eh.. Not very exciting. My hubby has found my running commentary on the books very amusing.
I'm resurrecting this thread because I just finished the series. I read the first two, then took a break for several other books before going back and reading part three. Am I in the minority that I find Christian Grey to be one of the most vile "leading man" characters...like...ever? I should state that I wasn't an Edward Cullen fan either, but Christian's constant use of the word "mine" whenever he touched Ana, his constant anger at her for "defying" him for these minor things, his jealousy over every man within twenty feet of her....it just cries out danger to me. Look, I get that it's fantasy, and some women feel like it's romantic to "fix" a broken man, but my fantasy men have their s*&t together. That's what makes them a fantasy!
I don't see the appeal either. I read all three because they only took me a little while, but between the bad writing and the bad characters, I don't get the hype. If people want erotica, they should go somewhere like the Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog and dig up some reviews/recommendations for quality writing.
I read all three books over a weekend and I liked them. But, I'm known to like fluff books, so that was no surprise. I agree, to a point. There were quite a few spots where I was angry at how he acted AND how Ana reacted to it. But, I have to remember where the character came from. Christian is modelled after Edward from Twilight. I read the Twilight novels just before the first movie came out. I was teaching Grade 9 and my students were going CRAZY over them. So, I read them. And I have never been more disgusted in my life. IMO, Edward is abusive and Bella is caught in his...gravity, I guess, for lack of a better word. It sickened me that my students hoped for that type of relationship for themselves. There were so many times that I wanted Bella to stand up and be a strong female character for my girls and she just...didn't. For me, the difference lies with the audience. 50 Shades is marketed to adult women whereas Twilight was marketed towards teenagers (girls, in particular). I assume that an adult woman can see the controlling aspects of Christian and either put the book down, if it makes them uncomfortable, or realize that Christian and Ana's relationship is flawed on a fundamental level, but keep reading for the parts that they do like, or can connect with (like I did). I don't think the majority of teen girls have the life experience to do that.
I finished the last book a couple of weeks ago. I really liked them. I get sick of reading juvenille fiction all year, and these books were such the complete opposite that I think it was part of the appeal, lol. Sure, they were trashy and the writing was pretty bad at times. Really, how many times can Ana say, "Crap, double crap" or bit her lip, lol. Sometimes it's nice to read things I don't have to think about too hard to figure out! There's a knockoff - Bared to You - that sucks. It was the worst $8 I've ever spent. At the end of school last year, another teacher was talking about how she was reading Shades of Grey and was telling me what it was about. I was thinking how I'd never read a book like that. Beth
Lol, it was really bad. It's hard to explain - it's like the author knew she was knocking off Shades of Grey but trying really hard not to do it all the way and went too far overboard with the characters and what happened to them. Anyway, it was just bad, bad, bad. It makes the writing in Shades of Grey look like an American classic! Beth
