7 Jun
Books, Music & Movies
2

Book Club: 50 Shades of Grey

So, I’ve been thinking about whether to feature these books in the book club column for quite some time now. I’ve read so much about  them in the last couple of months; I just had to get them out of plain curiosity. I know all about the surrounding controversy, I’ve read it all, from critics who say the books aren’t any good to those who praise them, from an article in French Elle magazine that labeled them “mommy porn” (DivaMoms are fans), to the hilarious Ellen video where she tries to read an excerpt, the funny SNL skit and an even funnier blog called “50 Shades of Suck”. They are the books everyone has been talking about; the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy (and a #1 New York Times Bestseller at this point).

So, I got all three books on my Kindle and started reading them about three weeks ago. Similarly to when I read Twlight in college (50 Shades of Grey has also been labeled as a Twlight like fan-fiction adult novel by some) I finished them all in about a week. And I will say this much. Just like the Twlight series the books are very entertaining and a perfect beach read in my mind, if you’re looking for a few books to take away on your holiday. They’re easy to read, fun and sexy… And, similarly as I felt with Twilight, the writing isn’t what I would usually call spectacular, it’s good story telling; the books get you interested, you want to know what happens next and what happens to the characters in it, and yes you enjoy the steamy love story between  the shy Anastasia Steele and hunky (and messed up) millionaire Christian Grey. Personally, I think if you take it for what it is, you’re bound to enjoy it. Especially during your summer holiday (or next weekend for that matter :-) ).

POSTED IN: Lifestyle Treats > Books, Music & Movies
  • Zoe Lovrinc

     I’d have to say that I vigorously disagree with descriptions of the book as ‘mommy porn’, a
    light ‘summer read’ and such. These are the kinds of assertions that deterred
    me from reading it for a couple of months. As you can see, I succumbed to the
    temptation. Although it could be read as a fun, undemanding peace of art, it still
    is art to me. I find it most fascinating that a book, which encompasses such
    clichés, everything from a female student, an intellectual who doesn’t grasp
    her beauty, to the rich and powerful and, yeah, oh-so-sexy mogul barely
    reaching his late twenties (!) can entrance you into this dark foreboding world
    which most of us fantasized about but never dared enter. The first one of the
    series is by far the most thrilling but even the subsequent ones don’t leave
    you bereft; characters evolve and you get a better sense of their inner demons.
    What I found most appealing about E L James’ style is that there are only
    subtle insinuations of what happened so your own twisted mind can fill in the blanks.
    Even the whole wedding scene is not a far-stretched one where you are forced to
    suffer the whole ordeal (speaking as a happy divorcee). The only true hindrance
    to the series is the blissfully happy ending which I, personally, detest. But
    still, the voice change at the end is evidence of the authors genuine mastery
    of storytelling and it comes as a refreshing twist promising (this is my
    hopeful optimistic side speaking) another one of these
    summer/light/pornographic/ gems.

  • Anonymous

    Hi Zoe, thanks for your comment. Personally, I’m not sure why the term “mommy porn” stuck (I’m not a big fan either). I would have most likely read the book and thought the same even if I wasn’t a mommy. As I said I think the storytelling in this book is great (because it gets you, and me, really hooked and interested) but I wouldn’t label the writing itself as material I usually find amazing. The way it’s written if you will.

    I would label it an easy beach read because I actually thought that it’s written in that easy going way beach reads are usually written in. But like I said, I love a good beach read and I thought that if you take this book for what it is, it might get easier to get around all the controversy surrounding it. I really appreciate your comment and perspective and I was happy to read how you perceived it. 

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Hi there and welcome to Style Lemon! My virtual universe of all the daily little bits and pieces that inspire me. From fashion and beauty trends to cooking and travel. From stuff for the little ones to reading for the big ones. When life gives you lemons…  More

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