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50 Shades of Grey


Katrina1968

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I'm up to Chapter 11 of the first book so far and I have to be honest, it is actually offending me a little bit and I don't know why all the women love this 'Mr Grey'. It is probably because I'm a bit more of a romantic type and using the 'f' word instead of having sex or making love, it really does upset me :/

I'll continue reading but hopefully it'll get better.

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Just in case anybody is interested. I have finished '50 Shades of Grey' and do not intend on reading the other 2 books. I feel like I have wasted a good few hours of my life! I don't know if there is just something wrong with me being the only woman in the area to hate but it was awful. Don't waste your time on it!

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I'm currently reading the second I'm enjoying them. Really quick reads. There completely different to anything I have read before. I don't think its fair to judge the books on the first few pages or even couple of chapters as its not at all as I expected the books.

 

Someone posted about them saying 'she rolled her eyes' and 'she bit her lip' too many times but if you read the book I will realise that they are his turn ones and pet hates so are used against him

 

Or even judge by the first book, the second one was really better IMO.

LOL regarding the eye rolling etc., yes, exactly.

 

I chuckled when I read this, pontalba, as such an appropriate subtitle for the book! :giggle2:

 

LOL No pun was intended, but still.........yup!

 

 

Just in case anybody is interested. I have finished '50 Shades of Grey' and do not intend on reading the other 2 books. I feel like I have wasted a good few hours of my life! I don't know if there is just something wrong with me being the only woman in the area to hate but it was awful. Don't waste your time on it!

 

Oh, I'm glad you posted. :) NO! Nothing wrong with anyone's opinion of the book(s). To each their own kettle of fish. :D

I'd be interested in why you hated it though.

 

This book / these books seem to spit opinion down the middle! I think the discussion about them is likely to continue for some time to come.

 

It would be interesting to see some sort of stats on the ones that really loved it as opposed to those who hated it with regard to their other reading habits, or lack thereof. Rumors fly. :o

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It would be interesting to see some sort of stats on the ones that really loved it as opposed to those who hated it with regard to their other reading habits, or lack thereof. Rumors fly. :o

 

That would be interesting to look at, especially as a book can become a best seller without being a best book in the eyes of many. Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' really seemed to split opinion as I recall, but sold in the millions.

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That would be interesting to look at, especially as a book can become a best seller without being a best book in the eyes of many. Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' really seemed to split opinion as I recall, but sold in the millions.

 

Exactly. I wonder what it is that propels books like that? As you mention DVC, and now 50 Shades. As my mind has gone completely blank, what other books do you remember that have been both reviled and flown off the shelves like hot cakes?

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I'm glad to see a forum where positive and negative reactions can coexist peaceably. Congratulations! You are doing something right, especially considering the fervor with which some opinions are held!

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Oh, I'm glad you posted. :) NO! Nothing wrong with anyone's opinion of the book(s). To each their own kettle of fish. :D

I'd be interested in why you hated it though.

 

Simply because you can't get through more than 2 paragraphs before another awful sex scene, it repeats it self constantly. And I found it offensive because he kept saying he was going to 'f**k her hard' where is the romance for goodness sake?? It just made her appear cheap with no self respect. That's my opinion :D

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Two people I know (one work colleague, one ex-colleague) have read all three of them - and neither of them are 'readers' (their own words) - in fact, one of them hasn't read a book since she left school. Anything that gets people reading is a good thing - especially if they go on to read more as a result. :)

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Two people I know (one work colleague, one ex-colleague) have read all three of them - and neither of them are 'readers' (their own words) - in fact, one of them hasn't read a book since she left school. Anything that gets people reading is a good thing - especially if they go on to read more as a result. :)

 

I have found this too. There are daily mentions of the book from people I have on facebook who have never mentioned reading anything before and I don't think have read anything properly since school but there has been a sudden boom of all kinds of people reading these books. Even though I am not the biggest fan of the book (I wrote a little review of it in my blog) it does make me happy to see people reading who wouldn't usually. I just hope they continue to read afterwards :)

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I read all three of the series a few months ago and thought they were great reads. As people have said, not particularly well written, although having said that they're easy to read which probably contributes a bit to why non-readers stick at them too.

 

I've read comments popping up everywhere saying how it degrades women, cheapens them and is just titillating porn. I have to say I disagree. Nobody did anything sexual in this book they didn't want to. By the end of the series I felt we had gotten an insight into the mind of a troubled man who used S&M as a coping mechanism throughout his adult life to deal with a traumatic experience. He in no way demeaned or degraded women, he adored women. In fact the women were the ones in charge, he had to have their permission in every aspect of their 'contracts' and were very well treated. By the end of the series, we see how Christian himself discovers why he is the way he is and how he grows and changes with his love for Ana.

 

The principle character of Anastasia does start out rather meek amd mild, easily led and a bit too blushy. But as with Christian, she grows into a stronger person and we discover that she does have views of what feels right for her, she is in fact strong enough to say no and doesn't succumb to his every whim. While still remaining open and loving, she knows how to set the boundaries while possessing the desire to try new things.

 

The most ridiculous term I've heard about the series is 'Mummy Porn'. I find this tag rather degrading, it suggest that as a mother I am in some way dirty for reading it, and totally shameless for enjoying it. I'm shocked at some of the comments about the book from those who have not read it, or those who read it and were too busy being offended by the sex scenes, they failed to grasp the underlying story and power switch between the two main characters. I find it tedious when I read negative opinions where the person has not even read the book, but main stream media has seemingly removed their desire to form their own opinion. Ironically, as a prolific reader, so many negative comments in the mainstream about a book would spark my interest and make me curious to see what all the fuss was about ...go figure!

 

I understand it's not for everyone, it is pretty graphic. But then so are some books about serial killers with their graphic descriptions of mutilations, or horror books with their graphic and gory horror scenes. As for the hype, it reminds me of the Twilight series in that respect; both not particularly well written but having armies of both fans and haters.

 

My opinion? I thoroughly enjoyed both series' :)

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I read all three of the series a few months ago and thought they were great reads. As people have said, not particularly well written, although having said that they're easy to read which probably contributes a bit to why non-readers stick at them too.

 

I've read comments popping up everywhere saying how it degrades women, cheapens them and is just titillating porn. I have to say I disagree. Nobody did anything sexual in this book they didn't want to. By the end of the series I felt we had gotten an insight into the mind of a troubled man who used S&M as a coping mechanism throughout his adult life to deal with a traumatic experience. He in no way demeaned or degraded women, he adored women. In fact the women were the ones in charge, he had to have their permission in every aspect of their 'contracts' and were very well treated. By the end of the series, we see how Christian himself discovers why he is the way he is and how he grows and changes with his love for Ana.

 

The principle character of Anastasia does start out rather meek amd mild, easily led and a bit too blushy. But as with Christian, she grows into a stronger person and we discover that she does have views of what feels right for her, she is in fact strong enough to say no and doesn't succumb to his every whim. While still remaining open and loving, she knows how to set the boundaries while possessing the desire to try new things.

 

The most ridiculous term I've heard about the series is 'Mummy Porn'. I find this tag rather degrading, it suggest that as a mother I am in some way dirty for reading it, and totally shameless for enjoying it. I'm shocked at some of the comments about the book from those who have not read it, or those who read it and were too busy being offended by the sex scenes, they failed to grasp the underlying story and power switch between the two main characters. I find it tedious when I read negative opinions where the person has not even read the book, but main stream media has seemingly removed their desire to form their own opinion. Ironically, as a prolific reader, so many negative comments in the mainstream about a book would spark my interest and make me curious to see what all the fuss was about ...go figure!

 

I understand it's not for everyone, it is pretty graphic. But then so are some books about serial killers with their graphic descriptions of mutilations, or horror books with their graphic and gory horror scenes. As for the hype, it reminds me of the Twilight series in that respect; both not particularly well written but having armies of both fans and haters.

 

My opinion? I thoroughly enjoyed both series' :)

 

Hallelujah and pass the ammunition! Well said Charm. :D

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Fashionable? Who knows, but they certainly are vilified all over the place. OTOH, they are flying off the shelves, so someone is reading them in spite, or perhaps because of the vilification! One has to laugh at human nature, yes? :)

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I still haven't started on 50 Shades! But a woman at work was talking about it today; she usually only reads light romances, but is loving this and really enthused about it. She said it really kept her reading as Ana is a likeable character who you want things to work out well for, and Grey is intriguing because you want to know more about what has made him this way. As an added bonus, from what she says it has greatly spiced up her (ahem) "home" life! She says her husband can always tell if she is reading a racy bit as she actually blushes, and that she can't wait for her teenage kids to go out so they get some peace and quiet! :)

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I had Book Club last night. Of the seven of us, 5 have read or are reading it, including our oldest member who is in her late 60s! She said she had to have a dictionary by her side to find out what some of the stuff meant! She's bought them for her daughter-in-law for her birthday and wrapped them with some bubble bath and all she's written on the label is 'enjoy'! :lol:

 

She also said that not only is it for her d-in-l but it's also for her son! ;)

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I only found out about this book a couple of weeks ago when my friend pointed it out in a bookshop and I'll admit I feel quite embarrassed for not knowing what was the amazing Fifty Shades of Grey! It seems this book is causing/has caused quite a commotion so far! So I decided to purchase the book and am currently on the fourth chapter.

 

I haven't enjoyed it as of yet but I really do hope it gets better! And after reading some of the comments on here I hope I change my mind about Anastasia as I feel I haven't connected with her yet (Ok, that's probably because I'm only on the fourth chapter but still) :smile:

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I haven't enjoyed it as of yet but I really do hope it gets better! And after reading some of the comments on here I hope I change my mind about Anastasia as I feel I haven't connected with her yet (Ok, that's probably because I'm only on the fourth chapter but still) :smile:

 

I read the entire thing a month or so ago, couldn't connect with Ana the entire way through it. In doing so it took away some of the enjoyment for me, I just found her irritating. I still enjoyed the book overall though. I wrote about it in my blog (links in my sig below). Overall though I found it enjoyable enough, not as shocking as some of my friends seem to find it but I wouldn't mind giving the other two a go at some point, just out of curiousity to see if the series gets any better.

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I actually found the 2nd and 3rd to be better, especially the 3rd that contained the resolution of the story. In all truthfulness, the trilogy could have been only one book. It was way too drawn out. Except for some set-up in the second, I'd say skip to the 3rd....but if you did that some of it probably wouldn't make sense.

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I think that's a problem I had with it, nothing really happened. I've heard bits of what happens in the next one and it made me laugh but I suppose i'm gonna have to actually read the others to see if things actually make sense following the end of the first. I think I would've prefered it if it was just one book . . .

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I find people who are being the most vitriolic are those who have not yet read but deem themselves too intelligent to read it or better than the book.

 

Sometimes vitrol covers an insecurity or fear.

 

Personally, I think that the erotic content is romanticising what is actually an abusing and deeply disturbing relationship.

 

The point of the story though, to me, is redemption of Grey, and as Ooshie brought out, informed consent is everything. That is reiterated many times over in the books.

 

 

I think there will always be abusing relationships of every flavour, including plain old vanilla. A bdsm relationship undertaken with informed consent by both parties can build a deep bond and be deeply trusting and loving.

Edited by Michelle
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