Fifty
Shades of Grey has given me little to analyze, no great plot to praise,
no complex characters to critique. The writing, while technically
adequate, is stylistically deficient, and for readers with any
experience in decent literature, the story is intolerably trite: Smart
but inexperienced girl (Anastasia Steele) meets handsome and
cosmopolitan millionaire (Christian Grey). Despite Anastasia’s deficit
of social standing, Christian is smitten. As the relationship develops,
Ana discovers that Christian’s life has been less than perfect. And it doesn’t
go too far beyond that.
I’m sorry. Is my snobbiness showing? Let me temper it with some genuine praise:
As far as erotica goes, Fifty Shades of Grey is good. Really! While one must concede that the literary competition in that genre is meager, James does a fine job of keeping the sex hot but not lewd. Her lexicon is tasteful, void of porn-style raunch and cutesy references for genitalia, but she doesn’t sound clinical either.
I’m sorry. Is my snobbiness showing? Let me temper it with some genuine praise:
As far as erotica goes, Fifty Shades of Grey is good. Really! While one must concede that the literary competition in that genre is meager, James does a fine job of keeping the sex hot but not lewd. Her lexicon is tasteful, void of porn-style raunch and cutesy references for genitalia, but she doesn’t sound clinical either.
I’ll
moralize for a moment about Christian and Ana’s dominant/submissive
roles. Frankly, the concept of the compulsorily submissive woman
nauseates me, but Ana’s submission is - technically - voluntary. Still,
she’s naive and deeply emotionally invested. She clearly fears
Christian at times and feels stifled in her self expression.
Psychologically, she’s quite entrapped.
Yes, the sex scenes are titillating and ... uh ... educational. You’ll likely take away several useful ideas. But, unfortunately, it gets repetitive. Ana bites her lip and agitates Christian. (A hundred times.) She reaches for his chest and he refuses her. (Over and over. And over.) She swoons when his pants hang on his hips. (Almost every time she sees him.) He revolts when she rolls her eyes. (On practically every page.) Her breath “hitches,” he touches her “sex,” she hears him tear “the foil wrapper,” and she gasps, “Oh, my!” (Ad nauseum.)
Yes, the sex scenes are titillating and ... uh ... educational. You’ll likely take away several useful ideas. But, unfortunately, it gets repetitive. Ana bites her lip and agitates Christian. (A hundred times.) She reaches for his chest and he refuses her. (Over and over. And over.) She swoons when his pants hang on his hips. (Almost every time she sees him.) He revolts when she rolls her eyes. (On practically every page.) Her breath “hitches,” he touches her “sex,” she hears him tear “the foil wrapper,” and she gasps, “Oh, my!” (Ad nauseum.)
 |
| E L James |
While
Ana and Christian’s physical interactions are unquestionably erotic,
they toe the line of battery at times. Fifty Shades of Grey ends with
the question of abuse unresolved, but James left me too apathetic to
continue the series and see how - or if - there’s a healthy conclusion.
Eh... I’ll just wait and watch the movies. Maybe.
It's sad that you read books only to pick them apart. What a shame that you take reading so seriously! In books two and three, the characters develop as does the storyline. However, as a self proclaimed, literary snob, you're to busy picking them apart, to just sit back and enjoy. I'm certain EL James and millions of other woman are concerned. Not!
ReplyDelete^^^^^^ Ha! well said!
ReplyDeleteIt's sadder when people don't identify themselves when making critical remarks on the internet. It's also sad that "Anonymous" doesn't take reading seriously. Is reading supposed to be akin to eating Doritos? I'd never read this book (I'm obviously not the audience), but I'm glad you read this and gave it an honest reaction. Try some older stuff soon (like pre-19th century.)
ReplyDelete^^ Well said! Accurately spelled, capitalized, and punctuated too!
ReplyDelete^^^^ And the arrogant snobbiness continues.
ReplyDelete^^ Another good speller! Excellent!
ReplyDeleteIn the first comment by Anonymous above is the foolish statement: “What a shame you take reading so seriously.” Indeed it’s the very fact that Nina takes reading seriously that enables her to write reviews that are insightful, concise and worthwhile. What a shame Anonymous can’t appreciate quality when she sees it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dirk! You're obviously a very intelligent person. (-:
ReplyDeleteI could not have written a better review for this book! I must say that it is because I take reading so seriously that I refused to finish the book. I gave it exactly 20 pages and realized all that you wrote would follow. I've never read an "S&M" book before, so this would have been my first one, but I found the words to be juvenile at best and infantile at worse! How these books are selling the way they are is beyond me! I just read that they are being republished in hardcover now before Valentine's Day! Oh joy!
ReplyDeleteI will shamefully admit that I did go see her at a book signing here in NYC so she could sign all 3 of her books for me. Who knows, if I'm ever in need of some cash I could probably get a pretty penny for them? lol
I agree, Erica, but I only got to page 16. S&M is erotic? Give me a break.
ReplyDeleteAs for selling those signed first editions, watch the prices on eBay and wait till they almost peak. I sold a lot of my Stieg Larssons too soon...
This may ease some of the tension among your various commentators. Relax people. Maybe take a nice bubble bath... :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/MK8Lr_HL3eY
Thanks, Rick! Laughing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the wonderful book! I finished it a few days ago and cannot get it out of my head. It is pure magic. It was everything I hoped it would be and much more. Thank you so much. You are a great writer..EL james
ReplyDeleteI am so glad i enjoyed Christian and Ana's story.Thank you so much.You Are a great writer... EL james
ReplyDelete