Book Review: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades #1) by E.L. James

Genre: Adult (Contemporary Romance/Erotica) 18+
Date Published: May 25, 2011
Publisher: Vintage

When literature student Anastasia Steele 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.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

This book is intended for mature audiences. 

Fifty Shades of Grey is the first book in the Fifty Shades trilogy by E.L. James. I never planned on reading this series. Way back when this was a Twilight fan fiction, friends were telling me to: "Read it! Read it! Oh you have to read it!" So, I gave in and read the first few chapters. I wasn't impressed. Then it gets published, and even more people tell me to read it. No thanks. That's okay. Not my thing. But then, it had to get a movie deal. Well... you know I have this crazy need to read a book before I see the movie. Why do I even want to see the movie? No clue. Dumb curiosity I guess, but now I have to read the book first. So, here I am.

First of all, how is this book not plagiarism? Does it get excused because it started out as fan fiction? I don't know, so for now I'll just assume Stephenie Meyers' people would have taken care of things if there was a need to. Not my monkeys.

I don't like book characters to be messed with by anyone other than the author. So, needless to say, I don't like fan fiction as a general rule. With that being said, this book wasn't as awful as I expected it to be, but it still wasn't great. The story itself was okay, but the writing style bothered me quite a bit. Mostly because of the repetition. Ana's internal monologue is full of "He's so hot." and "My inner goddess did this." and "my subconscious said that." It was distracting and yes, very annoying.

The best parts were the banterings and conversations back and forth by email. Those emails kept the story going.

Christian's lifestyle is not one that I find remotely appealing, but I get that some people are into it. Ana, clearly isn't, but she likes him so she gives it a try. He had his tender moments. Many of them actually. And I loved that about him, but he needs to be in control and have his room of pain. Thankfully, there wasn't as much of that as I expected, (the way my friends talked... they never left the red room. So, I was glad that wasn't the case.), but what there was didn't set well with me. At times, Ana tried to grow a back bone, but then she'd give in. One step forward, four steps back. And just when I thought: "Yay! She's finally growing a pair!" Well.. she disappointed me again. I know we all have this need to fix the wounded bad boy, but it should never be at the expense of our own self worth, and it certainly shouldn't make us feel how Ana felt. I think that's what bothers me the most. It's great if everyone is having fun.. otherwise? Not so much.

Will I read the next book? Probably. Why? Because now I want to know what happens.

After watching the movie: I wrote the above review before seeing the movie. I watched the movie last night, and I have to say, I enjoyed the movie a lot more than the book. The movie eliminates all the repetitive internal monologues. There were no chatty subconscious or inner goddesses to sit through. Ana was much more likable as a character too. If they make more movies, they need to keep this screen writer.

That scares me... you scare me... I am completly caught up in your spell, considering a lifestyle with you that I didn't even know existed until last week, and then you write something like that and I want to run screaming into the hills. I won't of course, because I'd miss you. Really miss you. I want us to work, but I am terrified of the dept of feeling I have for you and the dark path you're leading me down. What you are offering is erotic and sexy, and I'm curious, but I'm also scared you'll hurt me- physically and emotionally. After threee months you could say good-bye, and where will that leave me if you do?

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.

To learn more about E.L. James and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.