Usually in my book reviews, I try to review something that might inspire someone to read a good novel and experience or shy away from a piece of literature.
This time, that is not the case.
“Fifty Shades of Grey,” by E.L. James, is a book that has been begging to be reviewed for months. When hearing of its massive success, I bit the bullet and went out and bought the book.
Based off of “Twilight” fan fiction, the book features Anastasia Steele, an independent single English Major in college hoping to go into publishing. Doing a favor for her roommate, she goes to interview the all — powerful, mysterious Christian Grey — a young billionaire who immediately has an effect on Anastasia.
So far the typical klutzy girl who falls for a suave, handsome, rich man who has some reason he cannot date her seems standard fare. Then, you find out why Grey can’t date Anastasia. It’s true that he is interested in her, but only as a subservient sex slave.
This is where things get weird.
Of course, Anastasia gets him to agree to date her and they have a tough time adjusting to a normal relationship with a dominant billionaire. They have a wild sexual relationship, full of ups and downs (so to speak), but I won’t give away the ending, especially since the story continues for another two books.
This book is just plain disturbing. Grey is a control freak who won’t let Anastasia drive her own car or speak to a friend alone, and Anastasia’s naiveté is startling and unsettling, just like her unwavering dedication to Christian.
If someone tells me that I cannot touch them in odd spots (for instance putting a hand on his shoulder), has a “red room of pain” in his house called “the playroom” and flies his private helicopter to make sure I arrive somewhere safely with his bodyguards, I would run screaming in the other direction.
The writing is mediocre, and the plot just gets odder and more convoluted as the books go on.
Save yourself the time and money and pass up these books in Barnes & Noble, lest you scar your brain with images of ice cream and ties you never wanted to think about.
1/5
