50 Shades of Grey - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI mom of 2 


When you finish, will you PM me to let me know how it ends? A friend & I were talking, and we both really disliked the first one, but both did kind of want to know how it ended (but not enough to actually read the other two in the series).
My library now has over 1200 holds on the first one. The second two in the series don't have nearly as many holds, so I'm assuming that many who read the first don't go on to read the other two.

You bet. 

I was just wondering if I should read this, didn't know it was anything to do with Twilight, maybe I'll like it

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliadam 


It doesn't have anything to do with the characters in Twilight and wasn't written by that author.

I know that's not what she meant

I'm reading this right now, and am so annoyed at the main character saying, "Oh my" all the time.  I keep rolling my eyes every single time she says it, she says it way too much and I am not even half way through the first book.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deemom 

 

Must be a lot of sexually frustrated people in your town.  (Just kidding)

 

LOL!!

I read the first two while my daughter was in the hospital I had a lot of time on my hands. I can say they are poorly written and honestly the sex parts did not bother me but i'm pretty opened minded to stuff. I will read the final book I just want to know what happened to the characters. I looked at the books as more about the relationships and what was overcome by him and her. Not the best written books but i will finish because now I have to know how it ends but thats how I am with a book series.
 

The first book I read because of all the talk about the book.  I read books #2 & #3 cause I actually started to like the characters.  It was a lot easier to read after the first book.  Meaning the characters and storyline actually took shape then.  It wasn't strictly them having the same repeated sex scenes only slightly different.  I enjoyed the books and will probably at some point reread the trilogy.  

Gotta say, people, I liked it!  And, I do not think the writing is particularly bad, just a very casual style.  I liked the "Holy shit"'s, mostly because that's exactly what I would be thinking.  The sex scenes are decent (and let's be honest, that's 90% of the reason to read this book) - no heaving bosoms or berry lips to be found.  I'm halfway through book 2 and am sad that the author has skipped over some of the sex.

And, I feel that this book has made me think a lot.  About my own submissive tendencies, about my gorgeous, slightly controlling husband (of 18 years), about what I might like that we haven't explored yet, and larger issues, like what is it that's appealing about relinquishing control and trusting your partner, and how do you grow into an adult when your identity is so wrapped up in another's.  Christian's behavior, and their relationship, for all practical purposes is abusive (and I'm not talking about the spanking) and yet somehow, it's not.  What is it that makes this different?  Christian keeps telling Ana to tell him to stop when she hits her limits, but can anyone always know where the line is until it's been crossed?

I think just like "The Hunger Games" is a young adult story about a girl fighting for her life on the surface, and then underneath are layers of questioning and commentary about government and war and personal survival vs common good and what constitutes meaningful defiance and how can an individual change their personal destiny and/or the society they live in, I could, obviously, go on; similarly "Fifty Shades" has lots of layers.  And, this is where I feel it is greatly different than the "Twilight" books (the first of which I really enjoyed as romantic and fun, but they got less and less interesting as they went along).  Aside from critiquing Bella's choices and how those choices fit in our modern, post-feminist culture, I don't see much layering at all.

And, now, ladies, I'm sure from the above messages that some will (vehemently) disagree with me!  I'd love to read your thoughts!