50 Shades of Grey

[LearningFreedom]

Anyone read, or in the process of reading, this book? It's being hyped all over the internet, media, etc. The reviews I'm reading are quite split... anything from "this is base porn" to "awesome and riveting! I couldn't put the book down!"

As for myself, I'm not interested in reading fantasy books about a twisted sex life.... reality is a severe enough teacher! But I am curious about all the hype and controversy this book has produced. Apparently it is slotted to be made into a movie in 2013... go figure!

[Persnickety Polecat]

From what I understand, it is horribly written -- even worse than Twilight, which is what it was based on. That's enough to make me not want to bother. I am usually not a big fan of romance novels anyway (or, you know, written porn, lol), but badly written porn? No thanks.

[elfdream]

It started out as a Twilight fanfiction that somehow got published. I've read tiny bits and-morality issues aside- the writing was enough to make me want to gouge my eyes out.


Personally I think its a joke played on the American public.

[C_Fresh]

(07-13-2012 01:24 PM)elfdream Wrote:  It started out as a Twilight fanfiction that somehow got published. I've read tiny bits and-morality issues aside- the writing was enough to make me want to gouge my eyes out.


Personally I think its a joke played on the American public.

That would explain why I've heard of it referred to as '50 Shades of Suck'.

[dramaturge]

Everything I've read about it is that it's a) terribly written and b) a reinforcement of terrible gender roles despite the escapist sexuality. That pretty much makes it not a thing I want to read. If I'm going to read bad gender role reinforcement porn, I'll just pick of a Danielle Steel. That's at least mediocre writing. hahaha

[Sharon]

My friend has it on her nook, and we talked about lending it to me. Before we did, tho, I said, "let me take a quick look at it on your nook."

I read the first chapter, and hated it. No sex happens in the first chapter, so it's not like I was offended by the content. The writing style sounds like a 15 year old girl's journal. There's so little respect for established grammar. I just. Ugh. Terrible writing.

But then I said, "let me search for a sex scene. Maybe that part's well written." It's not. It's really, really not. It's still written by an apparent 15 year old girl.

And, of course, they are basically the same characters they were in Twilight. So if Bella & Edward made you grr, this will, too. Grey gives the girl truckloads of money and clothing and so on--basically, assuring her every material want, in exchange for his every sexual want. (50 Shades of Pretty Woman)

just my impression based on a limited read.

[JordanMaria]

(07-13-2012 01:32 PM)C_Fresh Wrote:  

(07-13-2012 01:24 PM)elfdream Wrote:  It started out as a Twilight fanfiction that somehow got published. I've read tiny bits and-morality issues aside- the writing was enough to make me want to gouge my eyes out.


Personally I think its a joke played on the American public.

That would explain why I've heard of it referred to as '50 Shades of Suck'.

50 Shades of Suck is a website. Check it out. It's hilarious!

[senda wales]

My roommate is reading it and says that it's just... funny to her. Not in a good way. I think it's the "terribly written" part that is cracking her up.

On the other hand, I met someone on a plane who LOVES it. She says to approach it like it's light and fluffy reading material, like a nice easy read after a long day at work.

[LearningFreedom]

Well...... unfortunately, I haven't entirely escaped the "Twilight" fanfare!!! My two teen daughters have watched the movies and keep "replaying" them in conversation to me. Granted, they ARE 12 and 14 so are not totally put out by the "horrible writing".

ACKKKK!!!! I thought it sounded bad enough from the public reviews I was reading, but now to be told about the horrible grammar and the close comparison to the "Twilight" series too!!!!! That is just too much. I will definitely NOT be reading this book! Not even to satisfy curiosity. Thanks all for the warning.

[WanderingTraveler]

I will not be reading them even just to find out for myself what they are like. I have struggled with porn enough to know not to go back into it willingly. Even if the writing is too bad and laughable to be considered "good porn".