That's how I feel about Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James. I almost feel stupid for not liking what everyone else is pretending to love. Why do I say pretending with such confidence? Because I am almost positive that at least fifty percent of Fifty Shades's fans are just afraid to admit that they did not enjoy the book. Now don't get me wrong, I am fairly certain that some readers have sincerely enjoyed reading the book\series. However, most of them are under the impression that this book is original, daring, and risqué. But take it from someone who has studied Le Marquis de Sade in her French literature classes (the author for which the concept of "sadism" was named after), that this concept is far from new. Sade wasn't even the first to come up with it in the 18th Century, and he certainly wasn't close to being the last to write about such a topic. Many women in love with Fifty Shades probably haven't ventured much into the erotica section of their local bookstore. Can't say that I have either, but I know it's there, and contains many novels with topics similar to the one James explores in her book.
To be honest, I would be ready to bet that there are much better erotic novels than Fifty Shades of Grey. First off, I would be partial to any one of them who didn't include a controlling, abusif, arrogant male character. Just the thought that women are actually in love with James' character, Christian Grey, makes me worry about our current female population. This character actually utters the line: "A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled. I'm very singular, driven. I like control - of myself and those around me." The fact that women respond positively to this makes me question the advances feminism has actually accomplished over the years.
Also, I am not a fan of E. L. James' writing style. She is very repetitive which makes the messages that she is trying to convey seem redundant. Also, I think that if she was aiming for a classic love story, I believe she could have chosen better diction. Word choice says a lot about an author and I must admit that the words "double crap" on every third page do not impress me at all.
All in all, I'm sure it is pretty evident that I did not enjoy this novel. Do not hold your breath for a review of the second or third book in the series, as I am not even attempting to read them.
