Fifty Shades of Grey ~ E. L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey is one of those word of mouth books everyone is suddenly talking about.  I just heard about it the other day and was curious.  The person I heard about it from was afraid it might be a little too hot for her to handle.  A couple others had the book but hadn't started it yet.  Someone else I asked said isn't that the kinky sex book?  So I read the description and thought why not.  I downloaded it to my Kindle and away I went. Now I  enjoy a good romance and  I've dabbled in the erotica genre. Though to be fair there isn't really a genre I haven't dabbled in at one time or another, with the exception of political science, which I just can't stand.  So back to the book.  It was...ok, with a potential to be slightly better.  This review will include some minor spoilers, but not anything that isn't already being discussed.  So reader beware.

The story is told from 21 year old Anastasia Steele's perspective.  This lovely, inexperienced, sheltered young woman meets gorgeous, young, dynamic billionaire Christian Grey.  Sparks fly and soon Ana realizes that she wants Grey.  Grey wants Ana but he has specific needs when it comes to sex.  The book spends some time trying to build up the mystery to reveal that Grey is a "Dominant" and only has relationships within certain parameters.  Those parameters are discussed at length throughout the book.  In fact more time is spent discussing the BDSM particulars than actually doing them.  So, the sex.  Yep, it's there.  Alot.  But, as I said, for all the build up, the characters don't really engage in anything except the most basic BDSM play  More sensational then substance.  That said I think a number of husbands and boyfriends will see a benefit from this book without ever having to turn a page.

This book is a very quick read partly because the writing is not great and partly it gets a little repetitive after awhile.  On the other hand, it sucked me in and I just keep going to see where was going to go.  I stayed up way too late reading it.  I finished it in two sittings.  Any book requires a suspension of disbelieve.  This one more than others.  It didn't hit me while I was reading until after I'd finished and stepped away from the story.  Both characters are pretty stereotypical and one dimensional.  Plus I found Ana's "responses" and extreme "natural aptitude" slightly unbelievable.  Not to mention the total and utter physical perfection that is Grey.  Now one aspect I really enjoyed was the emails flying back and forth between Ana and Grey.  Any character development that happened, happened in those emails and I thought it was an interesting technique.  I don't feel an overwhelming urge to run right out and get the next one, so I know I'm not an E.L James convert. 

On a side note my sister and I are both big "Friends" fans and one bit kept popping into my head after I finished this book and making me laugh.  It's from the episode called "The One With Rachel's Book"

Rachel: (gasps) You found my book?!
Joey: Yeah I did!
Rachel: Joey, what-what were you doing going into my bedroom?!
Joey: Okay, look I’m sorry, I went in there to take a nap and I know I shouldn’t have, but you got porn!
Rachel: Hey-hey, y’know what? I don’t care! I’m not ashamed of my book. There’s nothing wrong with a woman enjoying a little…erotica. It’s just a healthy expression of female sexuality, which by the way, you will never understand. (She goes into her room.)
Joey: You got porn!