Wait. This book was supposed to be a Twilight fanfic? Oh wow. Wow wow wow.
My respect for it has now gone even deeper down the toilet than it was before. >.> I haven't read much of it. Downloaded a *cough* free version of it and went through to see how smutty and demeaning it was to women.
My take on this book is that it's basically porn. I've read several erotica novels over the years, but it really bugs me that one this graphic has become main stream. These kinds of books are meant for a woman in a dark room alone if you catch my drift.
Then all of the BDSM stuff. I mean, oh great. More women being taught that being hit is supposed to be fun and having a man control them is good.
Last edited by ElysiumFate; 08-31-2012 at 07:11 AM..
I heard tons about the book and although the story didn't really sound like something I would like I tried to give it a read. I really did. I hate judging something based on what other people have told me. I've found some very wonderful gems by not listening to other people's opinions. Sadly, Shades of Grey was not one of those gems. If you haven't read it yet do yourself a favor and don't.
Okay, so I know that I am a little late to the ball game on this one but hey, I still have to put my two cents in.
First off, it disgusted me how they do not warn you that the novel is erotica on the back. Now I know I could have googled it and such, but many people around me were talking about it and how amazing it was and yada- yada- yada. So I went out and bought the entire series, thoroughly excited to read this Twilight fan fiction that had somehow changed itself up enough that they could post it. And then I opened the book.
I managed to read the first novel and even start into the second one, but I was so annoyed with the sex scenes, I mean it would have been one thing if I had of been intentionally buying a smut novel that I hoped was porn with some BDSM tossed in for fun. But I did not. I spent almost forty dollars on the series expecting it to be a good novel set that I could devour.
The only good thing I have to say about the novel is that it had a lot of classical music that a person could then look up. And because I mainly skimmed the novel because it disturbed me at times, I was able to enjoy the music.
All I can say is all the hype that popped up should not have. Girls much younger then me were reading it and in my opinion this novel should actually have an age restriction on who can buy it and take it out from a library. Nothing that graphic should be allowed to become so mainstream that middle school girls want to read it so they can have another Bella and Edward love story.
I attempted to read it at a Barnes and Noble. But I felt really dirty afterwards.
The sequels are not any better. it really is a messed up/smutty book.
All I can say is all the hype that popped up should not have. Girls much younger then me were reading it and in my opinion this novel should actually have an age restriction on who can buy it and take it out from a library. Nothing that graphic should be allowed to become so mainstream that middle school girls want to read it so they can have another Bella and Edward love story.
IMO both "love stories" are equally dangerous for middle school girls to read.
I think the thing that pisses me off the most, is that it grossly misinterprets a BDSM lifestyle. Anyone who reads that will get the wrong idea about BDSM. The author is talking out of their ass and doesn't know a thing about the lifestyle :|
So, after reading some of your reviews, I'm now terrified to read the book. I've been reading a... not counterpart, per se, but it's another book that's hit the shelves in the same manner, but with less hype. "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty" So far, I've enjoyed that one, but my stereotypical, non-reading, jock of a sister read 50 Shades. I don't know if it's because of her age, or if it's because of the content, but the fact that she read the whole thing got me curious to say the least... At least I now have low expectations from it.
And coming from the lifestyle myself, I'm even more terrified... lol.
It's pretty badly written, and you can tell in quite a few parts that it really was meant as a Twific. I enjoyed the book as an erotica novel, but that's it. It wasn't good or decent. It was just an erotica novel and when the...ah... red friend shows up and my pms starts coming around then I like it more. Guilty pleasure. Christian is really possessive and 101% a stalker, but the book openly admits it. Unlike how it shows in the Twilight books where it's disguised as love. It's a messed up book and at least it openly states it is. I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars. And I'mma also agree with Pweep. The author doesn't have any idea about a real BDSM relationship. AT ALL.
I think it's worse than Twilight to be honest, and at first I thought it was a lame attempt at a teen erotica/porn book.. I don't understand how women in their late 20s, 30s and 40s can enjoy it. The book portays a really innocent and vanilla love life. It can't even be compared to real life nor other erotica novels or novels with erotic parts. Christian is a manipulate stalking bastard that seem to be like a total virgin at the same time, just like Edward in Twilight. I get really frustrated at how badly it's written, it's devastating that it's a top seller! On top of that, it's an insult towards BDSM. I was only able to read it since I couldn't stop laughing, it should've been an erotic comedy instead.
haven't read it yet but honestly the negative criticism is keeping me away from it, specially the fact that it is a weak writing... not really to interested to waste my money over sexual context... i prefer Paulo Coelho's Alef :)
It didn't interest me at all when I heard about it. I really didn't want anything to do with it once I found out it was once a Twilight fanfic before the person used their own Original Characters in it.
I admit to reading them all, and they get progressively worse. It is a completely inaccurate representation of BDSM and the characters are boring and underdeveloped.
Ok so I haven't read it but I know a lot of people who have and they never told me that it was like twilight. How is it a twilight fanfiction? I'm very curious. I really don't know if I should waste time reading what do you think I should do? Read it or not read it?
It was originally a fanfiction (from FF.net I'm fairly sure), but the author changed the names and some phrasing and published it. I can't tell you to read it or not, since I personally haven't. My mom bought the first three in a set, completely unaware of what it was, and has officially "banned" me from reading them (really, I could if I wanted to, but it doesn't sound like my kind of thing :P)
I like the series. I mean, if the book has a good romance and a good plot, I'm easily impressed. I don't think it's a good thing to be too critical about a book. We all have our own different tastes and there are people who think certain books are good and certain books are bad. 50 Shades of Grey is one of my favorite series. I never get tired of rereading it (though I take my time). 50 Shades of Grey is actually the first book I've finished in less than a week. Yay for the new record! I'm stuck on 50 Shades Darker though, I'm waiting to get the money to buy the last book so I can finish the series once and for all. It bothers me when people talk down on it though. Some people are just too critical about something so mainstream/popular.
I'm currently in the middle of the second book.
I absolutely love them!
It might just be because I'm interested in some pretty weird stuff,
but I also think they are really well written.
The main character is way too easy to connect to, I've shed many tears because of it.
I think the thing that pisses me off the most, is that it grossly misinterprets a BDSM lifestyle. Anyone who reads that will get the wrong idea about BDSM. The author is talking out of their ass and doesn't know a thing about the lifestyle :|
This is why I don't like them. They give the lifestyle a really bad name, then you have all those going around who THINK they know what its like to live the lifestyle. For being someone who has been in the lifestyle I can tell you this book is nothing like that. THose two are in a completely unhealthy relationship which is the COMPLETE opposite of a true BDSM relationship which is built on complete faith and trust in your partner.
---------- Post added 12-24-2012 at 02:56 AM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shiverpass
I like the series. I mean, if the book has a good romance and a good plot, I'm easily impressed. I don't think it's a good thing to be too critical about a book. We all have our own different tastes and there are people who think certain books are good and certain books are bad. 50 Shades of Grey is one of my favorite series. I never get tired of rereading it (though I take my time). 50 Shades of Grey is actually the first book I've finished in less than a week. Yay for the new record! I'm stuck on 50 Shades Darker though, I'm waiting to get the money to buy the last book so I can finish the series once and for all. It bothers me when people talk down on it though. Some people are just too critical about something so mainstream/popular.
I am not critical because its mainstream. I adored both harry potter and Twilight.
I am critical because its an insult to anyone who truely knows the BDSM lifestyle.
It makes me angry.Long before I knew it was just a piece of fanfiction with the names changed it just pissed me off. My friend, who normally shares the same taste in books as me, suggested the book to me back before it had a sequel. She was all hyped up about how much I was going to love. After a couple of pages I had to put the book down and ask if she had a concussion. The writing just wasn't to the standers she normally required of her literature. She assured me that though the writing was weak I was going to just love the sex scenes. I didn't. Overlooking for now that PWEEP was correct when he stated that it was a vastly incorrect portrayal of a lifestyle choice. I prefer far more descriptive works. Like a post on tumblr stated- and I wish I could find it again- 'there is better smut out there on the internet and it's free.'
Gonig back to the slap int he face of any one who has any kind of BDSM kinks. This is a dangerous book. cute little middle and high school girls are going to read this and think- hopeful not too large of a percent- that this is how that type of relationship goes. It's not. If anything being involved in a BDSM relationship is more about trust. You have to have complete trust in your partner and the main female doesn't, she honestly sees all of it a pain and is afraid of him.Though a female who won't stick up for herself is just insulting to me. The main male does nothing to sooth her fears in or out of the bedroom.If you get off on hurting your partner then it's fine IF they fully agree to it going into the relationship properly educated. To me the main male character was more like a psychopath then a Dom. I wouldn't be alone with him that's for sure.
I'm in the middle of reading the first one. (: So far so good. My mom bought them for me for Christmas 0.0 NOT something I would of expected her to buy me. XD I dont think she knows what they are about.
EDIT: XD It was originally a fanfic? Well that explains alot cause I thought the characters were very similar to those from the Twilight series. Guess it's for all those crazed fans that got ill and threw the book when it didn't have any "sexual details" :P
I am critical because its an insult to anyone who truely knows the BDSM lifestyle.
This. 100 times this. I wont even pick it up because it disgusts me that people actually seem to think this abuse is what my lifestyle consists of. Things that have spawned from it are worse. Like that cosmo article. I shudder. Every time I have someone ask me if I've read it and they have to tell me how great it is, I tell them I refuse to read abuse. I'm sure everyone I know thinks I'm anti-BDSM or something. If only they knew.
It's not even the book though. There are a lot of BDSM fantasy books that aren't taken so seriously that I have no issue with. They don't portray BDSM the way it really works. It's the fact this one is so popular and (at least some of) the people reading it can't separate abuse from a consensual relationship. I think it's the lack of understanding abuse that really disgusts me about this, rather than the book. I've know people who have been in non-consensual situations. The fact people think it's okay... gah. I still wont touch it with a 50 foot grey poll.
I have, however, seen commentary on it. Despite my disgust for it, I still get a laugh out of it.
I hated Twilight and I hated this book series. I was able to stomach alittle bit of it, however, when I heard Gilbert Gottfried and George Takei read it. THAT made it almost worth it, but not quite. lol It was still hilarious, however.
If only they knew. 
