Fifty Shades of Grey 'aka' Fifty Shades of What the hell is this?

[riath]

I'd like to start this review out on a serious note. I confess that I am quite disturbed that this book/series is being promoted as "romance". Nothing could be further from the truth. The character of Christian Grey is abusive, manipulative and above all controlling. This is what most people would classify as prima facie domestic abuse. I'm not

Comments

[unnecessary_]

I was thinking that I should read this just to make sure I'm complaining about things that should be complained about, but after reading your review I feel like I just want to spare myself. The flogging of the pregnant stomach did that. I am so distraught over how much people like this book. Two of my LJ friends read it and said it was "okay".

[riath]

Do spare yourself. I couldn't even read all of it and I was about ready to tear my eyeballs out.

"Okay" is better than the screams of "I looooooooove this book!!!" but not by much.

[faery_lights]

I will never read this. NEVER EVER EVER.

[riath]

That's a good idea. I sure wish I hadn't read what I did read of it. Eurgh.

[dissolvedgirl]

I started to read it today out of interest (I love erotica and I wanted to see what the fuss was all about/if it was really so bad for myself), and the writing is so poor urgh. The 'holy crap' repetitions were getting to me after one chapter!

And I am really disturbed by the idea of the young innocent virgin being manipulated by an abusive older man. Like you I have no problem with BDSM but it's the power thing that disturbs me here.

however traumatic a childhood you had does not give you license to punish and abuse women. <-- definitely. It's an explanation but it's not an excuse, and doesn't make it okay.

you just know that younger girls are picking this up and reading it, getting the idea that this is what romance and the ideal partner should be. It isn't and it's reprehensibly irresponsible for the author and the publishers to promote it as such. <-- THIS!! Same goes for Twilight as well.

I pity anyone that thinks it's a decent book/erotica.

[riath]

If the repetitions were getting to you after one chapter I can assure that you would be wanting to beat yourself over the head with the book by the time you got halfway.

Exactly, it's not the BDSM I have a problem with, it's the power and absolute control he has over her and every little thing she does. I've seen a number of comments in the blogosphere from people who are into the BDSM scene and they're pissed at how she's misrepresented them. They're angry that she is using BDSM as an vehicle to excuse Christian's frankly inexcusable behaviour. And I don't blame them, she didn't do any research and she is excusing domestic abuse.

[changeofthemoon]

How is it compared to the Anne Rice erotica? those are definitely pretty bdsm, but I admit I liked them (mainly because that's what they were, lol). The whole pregnancy thing sounds a bit gross though.

[riath]

I've not really read any Anne Rice erotica yet. The only thing of her's that I have read is Interview with the Vampire. I've got JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood on my 'to-read' list and I understand those are BDSM-geared erotica too. The few people I've seen mention them seem to think Rice is much, much better. At least I know she can write worth a damn.

[java_fiend]

I haven't read 50 Shades and have no intention of doing so but I have to agree with you based on what I do know... that it's being marketed as "romance" is mind boggling. Though from what I understand and again, I haven't read it, the main male character in Twilight is very abusive and manipulative... and that's marketed to kids. Which I think is even more horrendous, if true.

[riath]

Yeah I was creeped out by Edward's behaviour in Twilight but this is even worse if you can believe that. But this started out as Twilight fanfic and apparently all James did was change the character names. You could substitute Edward for Christian and Bella for Ana and the characters would be no different.

If this book was being marketed as abusive/dubious consent then I would just say it was poorly written and leave it at that. But it isn't and that's where my major problem comes in. I know it's pushed as "mommy porn" but of course the younger Twilight fanbase is reading it too. I saw one person on the blogosphere say they saw the 50 shades trilogy shelved in the childrens/teens section of the bookstore. *facepalm*