Fifty Shades trilogy by E.L. James

Started by Damnedangel, April 22, 2012, 09:55:58 AM

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jaybee55

Does the line include a female blow-up sex doll that jabbers incessantly?  How about one that's the male equivalent of a Barbie doll (except anatomically preposterous)?
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Silverfyre

Quote from: jaybee55 on July 12, 2012, 07:36:34 PM
Does the line include a female blow-up sex doll that jabbers incessantly?  How about one that's the male equivalent of a Barbie doll (except anatomically preposterous)?

Ha! Fucking brilliant.


Shjade

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Oneiros

There was at least one company that came out with pale dildos that sparkled in the light and called the line "The Vamp" after Twilight came out, so I'm not surprised.

Oniya

I've seen a crucifix one.  References to the Exorcist were made.

As for the 'slate gray' aspect, that only reminds me of Ron Jeremy - I had to dredge his name out of the StoreHouse, because we constantly referred to him as the 'Great Gray Dick.'  No, not in a flattering way.
"Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women.~*~*~Don't think it's all been done before
And in that endeavor, laziness will not do." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Don't think we're never gonna win this war
Robin Williams-Dead Poets Society ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Don't think your world's gonna fall apart
I do have a cause, though.  It's obscenity.  I'm for it.  - Tom Lehrer~*~All you need is your beautiful heart
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Miss Lilly

J...Shjade...you guys crack me up!!

*dies laughing*
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Miss Lilly

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Kendra

ok I only started reading the book yesterday and for the many others who haven't could you all please put quotes from the books into spoilers.
I think I got a headache from all the bashing of the book here ... seriously I did but you're all entitled to your own opinions and I mine.

I like it.
It's not the best written book EVER and I certainly didn't know it had begun as a fanfiction but it passes a few hours.
It's a mindless escape and gave me a chance to just disappear from my own 'controlling' ways for a while.

So you all don't seem to like it, well there obviously is a gazillion others out there that do and hey I'm glad coz like someone else here posted, it's getting D/s out into the mainstream. I'm not finished book one yet and can't even begin to register what she could possibly have to put in three other books and not even sure when I finish the first if I'll even bother reading the others. My GoT is badly waiting for me to return but I like it.

It's like all those silly trashy mills and boons I picked up as a teenager wanting just a quick blast of mindnumbing easy read that wouldn't make me have to analyse every little detail. In actual fact ... it made me analyse myself and why I like control and hate relinquishing it to the point I'm seriously considering a solo rp not on 50sog lol that would be mental altogether but simply about submitting. Truly submitting.
I think for those who never got that side, who haven't switched before or are bad at it, its simply interesting.

Again it's not a clever book but I don't think its meant to be.
The first I heard that it had anything to do with Twilight was last night and now I am finding the similarities and really don't want to but then again I did like the first three books and detested the last.

Maybe its an age thing, maybe its just where an individual is in their lives emotionally, physically, mentally ... I don't know.
This past couple of weeks I've been soul searching a lot and this just seems to be pushing me to crave submission when I've never ever wanted to.

Who knows by the time I've finished the book maybe I'll absolutely hate all the characters but right now I don't.
Just please tell me Kristen Stewart is not up to play the lead in the movie  ;D

Aleph

Quote from: Will on June 12, 2012, 09:07:49 PM
So this book is in first person, present tense?  That's an... interesting choice.  Are there any other well-known novels written from that POV?

Also, this boggles my mind.


O.o

Is anybody else familiar with the American tune that was popular during the World Wars called "Over There"? It's suddenly become such a special song for me now...  XD

Oneiros

I honestly have no problem with people liking the book, as long as they admit it's just because it's trashy and it titillates them. I really don't. If I had stumbled across it in a pile of harlequin paperbacks for five cents in a thrift store I'd probably have picked it up and *gasp* Maybe even enjoyed it. Yes, some of the stuff I've read from it is very cringeworthy, but I still could've liked it for being silly and full of bondage and whatnot.

My problem is with people who gush about it going "Omg you guys, no, it's totally different, this is a serious novel and it's nothing like a trashy romance novel, this is a brilliant work of art and the artist is a genius!" Those are the people I have a problem with. This book is nowhere NEAR brilliant. Just admit you're having fun reading porn, and it wouldn't depress me.

I'm one of those people who sees things like declining attendance in art museums, no one funding intelligent movies because "those tickets don't sell", and books and music that are genuinely good barely selling while trash sells millions of copies and gets really disenchanted. I have a really hard time making friends in real life, because everyone gobbles up all the crap I can't stand and gushes about it like its amazing. I guess I was born in the wrong generation.

Kendra

oh goodness I think I'd crack up laughing if I were to come across any one gushing that it was a novel or a fantastic read but in today's society trash sells more and more ... unfortunately.

I have to admit I blushed reading some of it but I wasn't expecting the D/s angle, I mean I could predict it coming definitely but I genuinely wasn't expecting a book that lines the shelves where once Harry Potter sat to be so full on and in your face. I heard yesterday on the radio that a huge baby boom was going to result from reading these books, one guy phoned in to say his wife has never been so eager in bed before.

I know many of us are in certain communities and we're overly sensitive perhaps about how mainstream readers would view this books subject. It is beyond trashy, beyond ridiculous but I've found myself giggling in parts and cringing in others. I have to admit that at first  I did genuinely think she'd done some research into how a Dominant or Submissive might feel in their respective roles but the further I've read, that idea got thrown out the window. A part of me winced at him having the abusive background, I genuinely wished she'd made him Dominant because that is simply who he is. I know plenty of Dominants and switches who were never abused, so this did bother me. But I don't think the audience she has geared this book at know that world at all. Have seen glimpses of it in other movies or in music videos and now they've been hit full on with it.

I'm hoping that these people will just read it for the trashy holiday read it should be and not genuinely think this is how we behave.

jaybee55

#136
Quote from: Fedora on July 13, 2012, 07:28:02 AM
My problem is with people who gush about it going "Omg you guys, no, it's totally different, this is a serious novel and it's nothing like a trashy romance novel, this is a brilliant work of art and the artist is a genius!"

I have a bigger problem with people who fight back, tooth and nail, when I disagree with that opinion - while refusing to offer any sort of counter-argument beyond "everybody I know loves it".  Then again, I have this problem a lot when I disagree with what's clearly becoming the prevalent societal meme.  In many cases I've suggested alternative readings for comparison.  Maybe a little Anais Nin (not necessarily Delta of Venus) or Henry Miller or Marquis de Sade or Pauline Réage (i.e. Anne Desclos).  Even Anne Rice for those who can't tolerate an older style of writing.  Mostly they look at me like I've got two heads.

Quote from: Kendra
I genuinely wished she'd made him Dominant because that is simply who he is.

First: Sorry Kendra, I apologize for not making the quotes in my previous post spoilers.  My bad :(

Second: Thanks for the well-thought-out dissenting opinion :)

That said: I, too, find it not only sad but a bit disturbing that this character is the way he is because he's "broken".  Seriously, is it really necessary to make excuses for your character having a dominant personality?  Or to try to explain the why of it at all for that matter?

I've heard people argue that it's great to have D/s out there in the main stream, even portrayed imperfectly as in this piece of fiction... well, ok, hooray and all that... but if you tell someone you're a Dominant do you want their first comment to be: Oh you poor thing, were you abused?  Maybe I'm overstepping my bounds with these comments.  After all, I'm not a member of the community, a lifestyle practitioner, nor do I consider myself a true Dominant (just skewed to that side of the bell curve).

Ok, now an exercise for the class: Imagine that Grey isn't a god-like example of male humanity.  Instead he's mid-40s, 5' 9", slightly balding, has some pudge, and sweats too much.  Everything else you can keep the same (he's a corporate big-wig, dresses well, and has a liking for fine things, all that stuff).  Now read the book again.  Is this a fantasy about D/s... or something else?
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Iniquitous

QuoteI'm glad coz like someone else here posted, it's getting D/s out into the mainstream.

You might be better off saying something that is suppose to be D/s out into the mainstream. E.L. James wouldn't know BDSM if it bit her nose off.
Bow to the Queen; I'm the Alpha, the Omega, everything in between.


Oniya

Quote from: jaybee55 on July 13, 2012, 08:42:22 AM
That said: I, too, find it not only sad but a bit disturbing that this character is the way he is because he's "broken".  Seriously, is it really necessary to make excuses for your character having a dominant personality?  Or to try to explain the why of it at all for that matter?

I've heard people argue that it's great to have D/s out there in the main stream, even portrayed imperfectly as in this piece of fiction... well, ok, hooray and all that... but if you tell someone you're a Dominant do you want their first comment to be: Oh you poor thing, were you abused?  Maybe I'm overstepping my bounds with these comments.  After all, I'm not a member of the community, a lifestyle practitioner, nor do I consider myself a true Dominant (just skewed to that side of the bell curve).

Now, imagine us 'slightly submissive' types being compared to the woman in this thing. :-\  Can we have a Suvudu cage match between E.L. James and John Norman?
"Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women.~*~*~Don't think it's all been done before
And in that endeavor, laziness will not do." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Don't think we're never gonna win this war
Robin Williams-Dead Poets Society ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Don't think your world's gonna fall apart
I do have a cause, though.  It's obscenity.  I'm for it.  - Tom Lehrer~*~All you need is your beautiful heart
O/O's Updated 5/11/21 - A/A's - Current Status! - Writing a novel - all draws for Fool of Fire up!
Requests updated March 17

jaybee55

Quote from: Oniya on July 13, 2012, 09:48:02 AM
Now, imagine us 'slightly submissive' types being compared to the woman in this thing. :-\  Can we have a Suvudu cage match between E.L. James and John Norman?

* jaybee55 raises an innocent eyebrow, then mounts his Tarn, bound slavegirl across the back.

What?  I can't imagine what you mean.

(Sorry, couldn't resist.  I read a bunch of John Norman's Gor books when I was a teen.  NOW I understand what Kendra meant  ;))
Ons and Offs (incomplete)

Oniya

Aye, Gor is a similar sort of 'guilty read', but I wouldn't put it out there as an example of D/s to someone who was just hearing about it for the first time.  (Yes, I know there are Gor-lifestylers out there.  Still not the sort of thing to make a first impression on the mundanes with, 'kay?)
"Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women.~*~*~Don't think it's all been done before
And in that endeavor, laziness will not do." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Don't think we're never gonna win this war
Robin Williams-Dead Poets Society ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Don't think your world's gonna fall apart
I do have a cause, though.  It's obscenity.  I'm for it.  - Tom Lehrer~*~All you need is your beautiful heart
O/O's Updated 5/11/21 - A/A's - Current Status! - Writing a novel - all draws for Fool of Fire up!
Requests updated March 17

jaybee55

Quote from: Oniya on July 13, 2012, 09:58:18 AM
(Yes, I know there are Gor-lifestylers out there.  Still not the sort of thing to make a first impression on the mundanes with, 'kay?)

Just tried to imagine how that conversation would go, and trying to do it with a straight face... the tears are still streaming from my eyes from laughing so hard.
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Shjade

You don't have to imagine. You can see how it would go yourself. Just go to one of the many Gor-themed worlds in Second Life and play dumb.
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Will

Put aside all of the talk about how D/s is represented.  Just like Twilight, it's a glorification of a manipulative, unhealthy relationship.  That's not just a matter of taste; the quality of the prose is a totally separate problem.
If you can heal the symptoms, but not affect the cause
It's like trying to heal a gunshot wound with gauze

One day, I will find the right words, and they will be simple.
- Jack Kerouac

Chris Brady

Quote from: Will on July 13, 2012, 03:32:37 PM
Put aside all of the talk about how D/s is represented.  Just like Twilight, it's a glorification of a manipulative, unhealthy relationship.

It's worse than that.  It gives people the wrong impression of the BDSM Community.  It also reflects on E (to a lesser degree, but just as important) as we specialize in that sort of writing.  And yes, everyone who reads it will believe it.  Why?  Because it's got endorsement by both 'friends' and 'celebrities'.  Thinking that people will know the difference just because we do is incredibly naive.  No one wants facts, they'll believe all sorts of crap because it's from a source they trust.

THIS is why I hate 50 Shades.  Because of the damage it's going to do to our community.  Yes, we already got a lot of people who have no clue of how wrong they are, but now thanks to this crap we're going be getting, because E shows up as one of the top Erotic Roleplaying sites on Google.
My O&Os Peruse at your doom.

So I make a A&A thread but do I put it here?  No.  Of course not.

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Silverfyre

I think you are being a little too generalized there in your judgment that everyone who reads this trilogy will believe its depiction of the BDSM community.  Not everyone who reads it is naive and ignorant or is going in blind on what BDSM actually is.  I know a lot of people who are reading it for the sheer enjoyment of how trashy the novel is.  "Bad is good" mentality and all but quite a few of them know how laughable it is, despite what their favorite celebrities might be saying. 

A good majority will believe it, sure.  That goes without saying but not everyone will.  Not all people are "sheep"le.


Chris Brady

Quote from: Silverfyre on July 14, 2012, 12:56:55 AM
I think you are being a little too generalized there in your judgment that everyone who reads this trilogy will believe its depiction of the BDSM community.  Not everyone who reads it is naive and ignorant or is going in blind on what BDSM actually is.  I know a lot of people who are reading it for the sheer enjoyment of how trashy the novel is.  "Bad is good" mentality and all but quite a few of them know how laughable it is, despite what their favorite celebrities might be saying. 

A good majority will believe it, sure.  That goes without saying but not everyone will.  Not all people are "sheep"le.

A good majority is all we need to make things miserable for the rest of us.  And those are who I speak of when I say or imply 'sheep'.
My O&Os Peruse at your doom.

So I make a A&A thread but do I put it here?  No.  Of course not.

Also, I now come with Kung-Fu Blog action.  Here:  Where I talk about comics and all sorts of gaming

Stone

Quote from: Chris Brady on July 13, 2012, 06:31:38 PM
THIS is why I hate 50 Shades.  Because of the damage it's going to do to our community.  Yes, we already got a lot of people who have no clue of how wrong they are, but now thanks to this crap we're going be getting, because E shows up as one of the top Erotic Roleplaying sites on Google.

If the community is so fragile that a badly written, well-timed, sensationalized book can do the kind of damage you suggest, then the community needs work a lot more than the book needs criticizing. If you're not looking forward to the deluge of the "but E L James's book said this is what BDSM is and so it is shut up you old fart" hoarde, it's still fresh meat, you know?  O:)

This book will go away like Dan Brown went away after the movie. I'll be disciplining bad girls long after.  O8)
The sphere was solid with Plunkett, and only waited for someone to be in; like, like the meaning of a word waiting for a word to be the meaning of. - John Crowley, Engine Summer.

To manipulate a man is a careful project. Too light a hand, and he follows his own whim; too heavy a hand, and he will turn on you. - Thief II: The Metal Age.

Lilias

I fail to see how a misrepresentation of BDSM over a bunch of books is going to make things miserable for 'us' - I suppose that's the population of E (a large part of whom don't engage in BDSM, incidentally). We've been having people join expecting things we're not forever. Some appreciate the community and stay, others are dissatisfied and move on. I predict a riot more of the same, just with a different flavour. *shrugs*
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
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Silverfyre

Quote from: Lilias on July 14, 2012, 12:44:53 PM
I fail to see how a misrepresentation of BDSM over a bunch of books is going to make things miserable for 'us' - I suppose that's the population of E (a large part of whom don't engage in BDSM, incidentally). We've been having people join expecting things we're not forever. Some appreciate the community and stay, others are dissatisfied and move on. I predict a riot more of the same, just with a different flavour. *shrugs*

This.  We also have the added benefit of being able to choose who we roleplay and associate with here on Elliquiy.  I doubt I'm going to be writing with a "BDSM is only this way, like the goddess James said!" individual any time soon so it'll hardly be made miserable for me.