50 Shades of Grey - Thoughts? Opinions?

[Trillian]

I've finished them. I slogged my way through. And it's left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I've criticized it before for the writing, the flushing/blushing, the stupid inner goddess, the "holy"s and the sex scenes.

But now that I've "read" all three, excluding the sex scenes in the last two books (skimmed past them), I find myself really unhappy about it for another reason - I am terrified that some woman out there is going to read them and think that it is some sort of normal relationship.

We all agree how messed up he is. But she still thinks she can save him. She wants to save him. We all keep reading, hoping she will save him and they will live happily ever after.

And they do. I won't say what it is, as this isn't the spoiler thread, but they do. And it is so unrealistic.

I just kept reading it shaking my head and wanting to say "run, Ana, get out of there!" How he treats her is not normal. It is not ok. And it is not acceptable. And yet she does accept it. Again and again and again.

His reaction to her big bombshell in book 3 is heartbreaking. He calls her stupid and asks if it is about the money. I'm sorry but does he not understand the birds and bees? If my DH had spoken to me like that, I'd be furious. And she is, but at the same time she is worried about how SHE has made HIM feel. She is worried for him, upset for him, etc. Every time he treats her like doggy do, she chastises herself for the situation, when most of the time he is completely overreacting to something, like her not changing her name the MINUTE she walks back into work after the honeymoon or the fact that she chose to go OUT (gasp!) with her girlfriend for a drink. She gets guilty. She is embarrassed and shame faced. She is terrified of his reaction, which is always monumentally out of proportion and generally involves some sort of abuse - verbal or sexual. How did he react when we went out? He flew home from interstate to yell at her and the cripple her, sexually. Over-reaction much?? Hello... That is not ok.

I just feel like its set women's lib back about 100 years.

Off my soapbox now...

Christ on a Bike! Yes! I wonder how triggering this has been for some women who have actually been in a relationship like this? It really saddens me that people can think this work of fiction is so awesome, but would you say that to a woman for whom this was her reality? Or would it be OK because Mr Grey just sounds so darn ****able.

[OceanPrincess]

Glad someone agrees Trill! I killed the thread for a while!

[Astrid]

Just started book 3. I suspect she grew up reading Jackie Collins with all the psycho ex, and broody ex employee after revenge stuff. It just seems so familiar.

[Ms_Fi]

For a fanfic writer it's not too bad, pretty much what I'd expect from 90% of fanfic (poorly researched, badly written with little attention to pacing and character development) but if she wants to be a proper author she needs to do a lot of work on her writing.

Still, she's making a fortune so all credit to her.

[blessedatlast]

I've finished them. I slogged my way through. And it's left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I've criticized it before for the writing, the flushing/blushing, the stupid inner goddess, the "holy"s and the sex scenes.

But now that I've "read" all three, excluding the sex scenes in the last two books (skimmed past them), I find myself really unhappy about it for another reason - I am terrified that some woman out there is going to read them and think that it is some sort of normal relationship.

We all agree how messed up he is. But she still thinks she can save him. She wants to save him. We all keep reading, hoping she will save him and they will live happily ever after.

And they do. I won't say what it is, as this isn't the spoiler thread, but they do. And it is so unrealistic.

I just kept reading it shaking my head and wanting to say "run, Ana, get out of there!" How he treats her is not normal. It is not ok. And it is not acceptable. And yet she does accept it. Again and again and again.

His reaction to her big bombshell in book 3 is heartbreaking. He calls her stupid and asks if it is about the money. I'm sorry but does he not understand the birds and bees? If my DH had spoken to me like that, I'd be furious. And she is, but at the same time she is worried about how SHE has made HIM feel. She is worried for him, upset for him, etc. Every time he treats her like doggy do, she chastises herself for the situation, when most of the time he is completely overreacting to something, like her not changing her name the MINUTE she walks back into work after the honeymoon or the fact that she chose to go OUT (gasp!) with her girlfriend for a drink. She gets guilty. She is embarrassed and shame faced. She is terrified of his reaction, which is always monumentally out of proportion and generally involves some sort of abuse - verbal or sexual. How did he react when we went out? He flew home from interstate to yell at her and the cripple her, sexually. Over-reaction much?? Hello... That is not ok.

I just feel like its set women's lib back about 100 years.

Off my soapbox now...

I haven't read any of the books and don't want to.. I have many friends offer to lend me their copies after quoting bits in the book.. NO way would I read it. I agree with you OP.. It makes violent controlling relationships seem romantic. I wish there was an emoticon for a vomit..

[Taurean]

I'm halfway through book 2 and kinda bored. Did others feel like this too? I really want to know Christian's story but that's the only reason I'm continuing to read TBH. I really don't understand what all the hype has been about Is book 3 any better???

[OceanPrincess]

Not really, T. But you read what I think so... Up to you. I skipped huge chunks of it.

[Aimz]

I stopped in the middle of book 2. Just felt do meh about it and doubt I'll finish it.

[Taurean]

Bummer. I keep hoping something really interesting will happen. I've started skipping over bits recently, it's just too much of the same crap!

What a disappointment.

[Little Chicken]

It tends to go like this...something interesting, blah blah blah, some sex, blah blah blah, some sex, some thing interesting, my inner goddess yadda yadda. You can safely skip through at least two thirds of the book.

[BrightSparkles]

I'm over it. Dh has been pestering me to read this so I started it on wednesday and im not enjoying it at all. This lifestyle does nothing for me except make me angry and the sex scenes, really??? Glad to see I'm not the o ky one!

[BrightSparkles]

Double post