On a weekend get-a-way recently, Harper’s Other Dad and I spent some time in a used book shop. As is usually the case, we bought several books despite having a number of unread books stacked up in various nooks and crannies around the house.
One of my finds was a copy of 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James. References to this book seem to permeate the popular culture but I didn’t really know much about it. In fact, all I knew was that the story had something to do with some of the more esoteric aspects of heterosexuality. I was about to go on vacation. I like to read while on vacation. It was only $6. I thought I might as well see what about this book has attracted so much attention. Is it really the cultural descendent of Fear of Flying?
I should preface by noting I have little experience with the romance genre. I’ve heard the term ‘bodice ripper’ used, usually derogatorily, to describe novels written for and marketed to women. Desperate longing, breathless passion, heaving bosoms and all the euphemisms in the world; I thought these were the hallmarks of this type of fiction. Apparently I was right.
Similarly, I have little experience with reading erotica by and for women. I don’t know whether women find this book erotic. If so, I would be curious to know why.
The title refers to our protagonist’s love interest; the dashing and enigmatic Christian Grey. He is fabulously wealthy, fabulously powerful and fabulously good-looking. We know the latter with certainly because our heroine refers to his physically beauty incessantly. The disturbed and disturbing Mr. Grey wants to enter into a Dominant/submissive relationship with the bright but inexperienced heroine. He is to be the Dominant and she, he hopes, will agree to be the submissive. He must know a lot about this because he has a state-of-the-art dungeon in his fabulous penthouse in the sky and a prepared contract he wants her to sign stating the terms of their relationship. This is, of course, after she signs the nondisclosure agreement.
Over the next 500 pages she falls desperately in love with him as they negotiate their agreement. Because she is unlike any woman he’s ever known, he falls in love with her too. You see, even though he is only into power-exchange sexual relationships he loves opera and he is a wonderful pianist which allows him to play sad, wistful music after they have consummate one aspect or another of their passion. He alludes to a tragic childhood and a troubled adolescence which convinces our heroine he really just needs the love of a good woman to help him stop being “50 shades of fucked up”. He’s Dominant but still likes to share a bubble bath surrounded by candles. He takes her home to meet his family who are delighted he finally has a girlfriend and isn’t, as they’d speculated, gay. He makes it clear that he has never been with a man; “just not my thing”.
Eventually they actually engage in some of the esoteric behavior they’ve been negotiating about and there is a quick, albeit unsatisfying, conclusion. I say conclusion rather than resolution because there are two sequels and the book ends perfectly positioned to move on to volume 2.
I know I am not the reader for whom this book was written. I know too, that there are some limiting factors in my qualifications to evaluate this book. Maybe it’s better than I think. The movie is already being made. I am sure the score will have lots and lots (and lots) of strings.
Harper's Valley 
I don’t read this shit. gay male porn is much better! 🙂
Count me with Anne Marie, I don’t read het porn nor do I read gay porn. Too unrealistic. The protagonists are always “the most beautiful, handsome, and biggest”. But I do appreciate your review of this much talked about book. Like you I like to know what all the fuss is about the current “flavor of the month” but I just couldn’t bring myself to purchase straight porn. Thank you for letting me know what I was missing (or not). 🙂
Ron
To be fair, the book is not pornographic. I began calling it “Lady Porn” while reading it because it was written in such demur, “lady-like” language. A friend said he’d heard it described as “mommy porn”. There is very little coarse or explicit language…and no pictures or diagrams…thank goodness.
See if you can find the YouTube clip of David Sedaris reading an excerpt from this book — absolutely hilarious.
Thanks for the suggestion. What a hoot! If I’d heard DS reading it as an audiobook I would definitely have enjoyed it more.
I rather enjoyed haering you read choice bits out loud at poolside. The contents were droll but the presentation was stellar.
I remember reading sometime ago that women look for the big brute type men when it comes down to procreation. Apparently it is a deeply ingrained into the brain sort of response that come from our very distant past. Women wanting strong healthy children. Once that is achieved they go for other attributes. This book was read by many women friends and they love the kinky aspect of the book the BDSM etc… A bit like those women in Japan and elsewhere how love Manga with gay male characters. The world is strange I tell you. I would have love to hear you read passages of the book. You should do a voice post, so we can hear your melodious voice.
Thank you, Harper’s Dad……what I “assumed” this book would be seems to be exactly as you described it……saving me that $6 ……and I TOO have a number of un-read books stuffed into some odd places here ….. nice post.
This book started life as Twilight fan fiction, which says it all. I hate this book when as a 50 yr old het female I am apparently the target audience. I hate it because of the stereotyping, it’s Mills and Boon with more sex. Mind you I only read the first half, maybe the second half was better!.
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