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Fifty Shades trilogy by E.L. James

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

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Rolo

Wtf?  No tribute to E.L. James at the opening ceremony?  I'm shocked!

Seduction is merely hypnosis with desire!

-KAI-

Dirty old man in training!
Sneaky Little Bastard!

Iniquitous

Bow to the Queen; I'm the Alpha, the Omega, everything in between.


Sabby

All I knew about this book was the few hot button responses. It's the new Twilight, it's just porn for women, yadda yadda, but I really had no idea... then I saw this.


Kendra

Sooo I finally managed to finish the book.
For something that is a basic easy read and that I should have finished in the space of a night or two ... I found myself putting it down repeatedly, feeling undecided about picking it back up again but doing so only because I just had to finish it.

I won't be buying the other two because quite frankly couldn't be arsed wasting money.
I held out hope that it would improve, that somewhere along the line it wouldn't be a BDSM parody of Twilight - I waited in vain  ::)

Usually any books I don't want to keep after reading them I either pass along to a friend or stack until I have a decent enough pile to bring to a charity shop or second hand book store; I couldn't bring myself to do that with this book. I genuinely didn't want to inflict it on any one else, so tossed it in the bin.

On the radio yesterday the presenter announced how women were leaving their husbands to find themselves their own Christian Grey; when a number of women were asked what they liked about this character they all said 'it was how he cared'
My gag reflex came into action big time.

One of my closest friends is on to book two and texted me all excited about the books wanting to know if I'd read them yet and if not to do so, it broke my heart to burst her bubble but I felt it necessary. She is a massive Twilight - Edward Cullen fan however so I should have seen this coming. She said she is waiting for Grey to tell Steele that he loves her, it's all about the romance of it all for her. The sex is not even an issue apparently, she just enjoys a good love story.
I told her to pick up Song of Achilles - the book I read after 50SOG and quite simply adored.

Thank you as well to whoever referenced The Story of O - have begun reading it via pdf and if there are any other novels that any one recommends concerning BDSM please pm me or post them here.

I feel now as if I need to bleach my head of EL James' version of it
hahah actually after reading the very last Twilight book, I remember I scrambled to find my Anne Rice books and practically hugged them to me!  ;D




TheGlyphstone

Quote from: Sabby on August 02, 2012, 02:27:01 AM
All I knew about this book was the few hot button responses. It's the new Twilight, it's just porn for women, yadda yadda, but I really had no idea... then I saw this.



Is that real? That's not much better than the apocryphal 'mewled like a mother hamster devouring her 3-legged young' quote.

Oniya

It certainly looks like a photograph of a book page, as opposed to the hamster quote, which was only ever in text form...

Looks like page 187 - any of you who have the book want to verify?
"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

BlackestKnight

#306
I didn't read the book nor do I have any plans to ever do so per say, but I like to read about peoples reaction to the themes of the book. I have a vague understanding of this book, basically a bit edgier twilight based around a BDSM culture , right? There seems to be a proven formula for writing these types of books and the success of books like this one makes me a bit cynical that men and women are truly capable of evolving beyond the man as oppressor, woman as submissive victim binary . Maybe a few here and there, but as a whole?  I wouldn't quite consider myself a feminist because I'm open to the idea that not all our expressions of gender are socially constructed. Our sexuality would be one such example, but that's a topic worth saving for another discussion.

  I'm speaking generally here but where does the line between domination start and abuse begin? It's nice to say people should value the types of egalitarian healthy abuse-free relationships that many in the BDSM community practice , but I'd imagine if the the same book were written with the roles reversed or one in which featured a healthy objectification free relationship it would not be nearly as popular for some reason. When I see songs like We found love and books like 50 shades and twilight encouraging dysfunctional relationships being pushed in the mainstream , the gentleman part of me just kinda dies and gradually I become this guy who just doesn't give a fuck. It seems like there's just too much fun in being a villain as opposed to being a bitch-less hero.

Oniya

The line is actually a very bright one for me, and is spelled out by the great Aretha Franklin:  Respect.  When the Dom/me fails to respect his(or her) sub, that line has been crossed.  Now, I like a good N/C story or dysfunctional pairing, same as a lot of people here, but when it comes to nonfictional BDSM (or other) relationships, the gentleman beats the villain in my eyes.
"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

Chris Brady

Respect also works the other way as well, which leads into trusting your partner no matter which end is holding the whip.
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

Isobel


I'm struggling with FSOG having just barely got through the first sex scene, but I plan to press on, eventually.  So far with the consent form and whatnot it doesn't seem at all taboo, just unconvincing.

As far as I can see so far, the big appeal of the book is the fantasy of an insecure woman not having to make any effort at all, but nevertheless finding herself unexpectedly beautiful and transported out of everyday life by a gorgeous man, into a world of wealth and sex.

The writing is stunningly bad, though the constant inner voice emoting does make it easy to tune into the character.  Then I get to him "Oh my" putting has hand on "my behind" and I'm out of it again lol.

I see it  has now overtaken Harry Potter in sales so it has something, anyway.  Something mysterious if you ask me!  But real, I guess.
Girls R Sexy!

Avis habilis

According to yesterday's radio news, one in every five books sold last month in the States was one of this series. A shuttered paper mill in Maine is restarting production to keep up with the demand. Tragically, I kid you not.

Will

Yeah, it's huge.  I've heard more about this series in my day to day life than I ever did about Twilight, to be honest.  My experience might not be the same as everybody's, but it's still pretty nuts.
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

DeamonAndae19

I've been trying to get a hold of a copy of the first book for some time now, but, with next to no funds it's pretty tough.

If anyone can recommend a cheap site (Not Ebay or Amazon) where I can find it, I'd offer some major thanks, due to the fact that I have the second book, yet refuse to even touch it, because I don't have the first.

jaybee55

*Sigh*

I write book reviews in my "spare time", so I read several dozen books that were published in 2011.  A few of them were breathtakingly well written (and I'd sell my soul to have that kind of talent).  One of them was even well-reviewed by the New York Times.  But sadly even the best NYT review won't increase sales enough to be even a pale shadow of what's going on with the Grey books.  None of these staggeringly talented writers will become rich or well known.  Publishing houses will not fight over them.  Their beautiful prose will not be aped.  Their lovingly created people and places will barely make a ripple on the pond of modern thought.  In many cases their books will not even show up in the mass-market brick and mortar stores, and certainly not on any Amazon "you gotta have this" list.  Instead we'll be hearing about Christian Grey for decades, and James will be traveling around the world giving lectures to college students and aspiring writers.  And make no mistake, book stores (physical and virtual) will soon be clogged with tepid softcore porn featuring characters just as odious and unrealistic as the aforementioned C. G. (not to mention Ana) - and publishing houses are already engaged in a desperate struggle to find the next EL James.

On a similar note: http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/07/science-music

I've decided to learn to play the violin... so I can play it as modern civilization crumbles around me.
Ons and Offs (incomplete)

Lilias

Quote from: DeamonAndae19 on August 03, 2012, 08:09:34 AM
If anyone can recommend a cheap site (Not Ebay or Amazon) where I can find it, I'd offer some major thanks, due to the fact that I have the second book, yet refuse to even touch it, because I don't have the first.

Try swapping sites like PaperbackSwap or BookMooch, where you may be able to get it for free. Beyond that, check your local charity shops. There may be other readers equally disillusioned but more charitable than our Kendra. :-)
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.
~Wendell Berry

Double Os <> Double As (updated Feb 20) <> The Hoard <> 50 Tales 2024 <> The Lab <> ELLUIKI

DeamonAndae19

Quote from: Lilias on August 03, 2012, 08:22:17 AM
Try swapping sites like PaperbackSwap or BookMooch, where you may be able to get it for free. Beyond that, check your local charity shops. There may be other readers equally disillusioned but more charitable than our Kendra. :-)

Thanks Lilias, I'll be sure to check 'em out :)

Oniya

Quote from: Chris Brady on August 03, 2012, 02:38:07 AM
Respect also works the other way as well, which leads into trusting your partner no matter which end is holding the whip.

Exactly.  I simplified my answer, since BlackestKnight spoke specifically of where the 'abuse' line gets crossed.  A sub who does not respect or trust his/her Domme is not as likely to take actions that would constitute abuse of their partner - although I'm sure I could craft a scenario given enough coffee.
"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

Shjade

Quote from: Avis habilis on August 03, 2012, 07:38:27 AM
According to yesterday's radio news, one in every five books sold last month in the States was one of this series. A shuttered paper mill in Maine is restarting production to keep up with the demand. Tragically, I kid you not.

Well, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Fifty Shades of Grey is actually a CIA influenced government experiment in unconventional means to bolster a flagging economy.

It all makes sense now.
Theme: Make Me Feel - Janelle Monáe
◕/◕'s
Conversation is more useful than conversion.

TheGlyphstone

Quote from: Shjade on August 03, 2012, 11:39:44 AM
Well, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Fifty Shades of Grey is actually a CIA influenced government experiment in unconventional means to bolster a flagging economy.

It all makes sense now.

Is that why there's a fnord printed at the bottom of every sixteenth page?

Oniya

I thought it was every 23rd?

It would explain the vague feeling of unease I get every time I think about it...
"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

Stone

Angelina Jolie wants to play the chick.

You know what? I'll wait for the movie on this one.  O:)
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.

Torch

Quote from: Stone on August 03, 2012, 02:14:58 PM
Angelina Jolie wants to play the chick.

You know what? I'll wait for the movie on this one.  O:)

Considering the main character is a college-aged virgin...that would be a bit of a stretch for Ms. Jolie.  ::)
"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle, when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."  Sir Roger Bannister


Erotic is using a feather. Kinky is using the whole chicken.

On's and Off's

TheGlyphstone

Quote from: Torch on August 03, 2012, 02:17:07 PM
Considering the main character is a college-aged virgin...that would be a bit of a stretch for Ms. Jolie.  ::)

Ba-dum-tish.

Stone

Quote from: Torch on August 03, 2012, 02:17:07 PM
Considering the main character is a college-aged virgin...that would be a bit of a stretch for Ms. Jolie.  ::)

Hollywood, man. Splash some vinegar on 'er and she'll be a torniquet, if ya catch the drift.  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.

Chris Brady

Quote from: Isobel on August 03, 2012, 04:19:33 AM
I'm struggling with FSOG having just barely got through the first sex scene, but I plan to press on, eventually.  So far with the consent form and whatnot it doesn't seem at all taboo, just unconvincing.

As far as I can see so far, the big appeal of the book is the fantasy of an insecure woman not having to make any effort at all, but nevertheless finding herself unexpectedly beautiful and transported out of everyday life by a gorgeous man, into a world of wealth and sex.

The writing is stunningly bad, though the constant inner voice emoting does make it easy to tune into the character.  Then I get to him "Oh my" putting has hand on "my behind" and I'm out of it again lol.

I see it  has now overtaken Harry Potter in sales so it has something, anyway.  Something mysterious if you ask me!  But real, I guess.

You know what it has that HP doesn't?  I can tell you in one word:

SEX

That's it.  That's all it needs.  Between the US (you guys are very lenient when it comes to violence, but show a nipple and people flip out like ninjas!  Up here in Canada, it's actually the other around, full frontal topless nudity?  No problem, 14 is old enough.  Some schlub gets punched, accidentally?  Oh my God, it's an R rated movie!) and a couple of the British Isle, that's all it needs to generate buzz.

Here's the real rub.  It's kinda like the Nintendo Wii.  Here comes some knew product, and everyone talks about it.  Doesn't matter if it's good or bad, it's being talked about.  And so you have people who are curious, and a lot of people don't know how to pirate so they will buy said product to see what all the buzz, positive or negative about it.  Doesn't matter if 90% of them throw it to the shredder, the Company has your money.  What you do to the product after you buy it is your problem, not theirs.

What WILL matter is what happens after they put out something new.
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