Hello faithful readers!
Well, those of you who might actually read this. It's been nearly a year since I last blogged, but I read something recently that compelled me to write something much longer than the average facebook post, so this seemed like the best place to do it :)
So, anyhow, I just finished the book "Fifty Shades of Grey" by British author E. L. James. There are two other books in the series, and I've already started the second one. The books have caused quite a sensation, and mention of them is all over the internet. I admit, when I read that they began as "Twilight" fan fiction, I was unsure what all the fuss was about. I borrowed the first "Twilight" book from a friend, and I couldn't get past the first five or so pages, the writing was so contrite, and really downright horrid. So I had no desire, at first, to read something spawned of that drivel. But friends and family were raving about "Fifty Shades" on facebook and I became intrigued. I downloaded a sample on my kindle and began to read, and by the time I got to the end of my sample, I was hungry for more.
****************SPOILER ALERT***************'
So what is all the fuss about? The books have taken Erotica and BDSM style sex to the mainstream masses. I'm a complete romance junkie, normally of the British, period variety, Victorian era or Georgian. So I was amazed when I found myself hooked on a modern, erotic romance. But hooked I am and only the desire to write this blog post is keeping me from picking it back up to read some more.
I've read several articles about the books, and also unearthed a spoiler today from book three :( But it is interesting to see all the different comments on the books. The reviews I saw on Amazon were terrible, many people who made fun of the books, the writing, the story, etc. So what is making it so appealing to so many if there are that many that have read and then disliked it?
I've read a lot in my time, from romance, to epic fantasy, to mystery to horror. I've always had pretty eclectic tastes. So I will remark that the writing isn't the best I've seen but it isn't the worst either. *cough*Twilight*cough* There are even some quirks that people seem to complain about that I liked. I enjoyed the email exchanges between the main characters, right down to showing the actual email format. That is how many of us communicate these days, so why not? It brings reality and a relatable quality to the story. The emails are witty, fun and give excellent insight into the characters. There are things that are easier for us to say when typing from behind a computer screen and I think those exchanges free the characters to show us something deeper about themselves.
Some folks complain about the constant inner dialogue of the heroine, calling it 'tortuous'. I liked it, because again, it gives you an insight into what she's thinking. Who wants only action in a story? I like hearing about the thoughts and fears of a character.
Yet another trait, and one which I noticed because I am married to a British man, is the smattering of British vernacular in the language of what should be a complete American character. Most people aren't going to notice it, because most people have no idea how British people talk. So what's the big deal? Books don't have to be 100% accurate to be enjoyable.
Of course, the thing that people want to talk most about is the kinky sex. Oh My! lol, really, we're all adults here people. What I read in that first book, is mild compared to what can be found on the internet with a simple search. Not that I look up that kind of thing, but I've stumbled across it and there is some scary stuff out there. Christian Grey's 'Red Room of Pain' so dubbed by Miss Steele, is mild compared to what is out there.
But when you read the books, the tortured past of the hero, and the heroines valiant effort to bring him from the dark to the light, is what stands out to me far more than the sex. Do I enjoy the sex scenes? Yep! I'm not a nun! ;) But what I look forward to most is the interaction between the main characters, the arguments, the deep discussions, the slow and agonizing process of drawing the demons out of Christian. The love. I'm a hopelessly incurable romantic. And I'm a sucker for a good love story. And this is a good love story. There are many ways of falling in love, both the long, slow, getting to know one another process, and the hard, fast, head over heels crazy falling in love. Both have validity, and both are equally interesting to me.
So I guess my point is this, don't go into reading these books, if you choose to do so, with a preconceived notion of what to expect. I started reading it expecting it to be all sex and no substance, but boy was I wrong! I also never believe reviews until I've read or seen something myself. I know what I like, and I'll make my own decisions, thank you very much. I don't need the masses, or worse yet, the critics to tell me what I should and shouldn't like.
If you've read the books you're probably smiling and nodding your head right now, if you haven't, I'm sorry if I spoiled anything for you, but I did warn you! Not my fault if you kept reading ;)
Well it's late folks, and I think I had better get off to bed. Please feel free to comment here or on my facebook page (I'm more likely to see it on facebook) and start a discussion. I'm very curious to see what my fellow Grey fans think as well. Who can't wait for the movie? Me!! :)
Goodnight folks!
