Search - Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, Bk 1)

I also did not understand why it was so popular. I couldn't even finish the book it was that bad. It was WAY to sexual for my taste, and had really no plot or purpose. The writing is average, nothing special. Don't waste your time reading it.

I wanted to like this book. I really did. It has so many fans and glowing reviews. But after 3/4 of the book, I wasn't left with an understanding of why it has been so well received. Instead, I was scratching my head. I have a love for emotionally charged BDSM romantic fiction, Fifty Shades of Grey was not was I was looking for. To be quite honest, I found it boring and the narrator was so very annoying.

The author obviously has talent and a love of words, many, many words, some of which are misused and redundant. This book could have used a very thorough edit. It's overwritten, the protagonist is the epitome of a Mary Sue and the pacing drags. I found myself skimming to get to the meat of the story, hoping Ms. James would finally alleviate the boredom and give me something, anything, to keep me reading. Unfortunately, that never happened.

I know this book started its life as Twilight fanfic and it really shows. Ana was very similar to Bella -- banal, flaky and irritating with her endless maudlin ruminating. Christian was very like Edward if you simply changed vampire to dominant. He was also creepy, controlling and immature. Sound familiar?

As I said, I really wanted to like this and I'm disappointed I didn't.

After hearing about this book, I was intrigued. So once I received it I could not wait to begin reading. It was hyped up to be an erotic tale, "mommy porn", if you will, but that was no where close. The book has two main characters, Christian and Ana. It is a dark, hollow depiction of the life of Christian. Sadly I feel like a great story has been lost the the over zealous need for sexual satiation of the readers. It is a beautiful story of how one woman not afraid of being true to who she is and her needs of a true love help a damaged, shut down Christian entertain the notion that he just might be able to love back for the first time in an intimate relationship. I strongly recommend that the readers, read between the lines on this one, as you will miss a beautiful love story if you don't.

It was certainly different than anything I had previously read. I enjoyed the "shock and suspense" of the story.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It has its explicit moments, but it also has a great story. The characters are well written and have depth. The repartee between Ana and Christian is very good with underlying meaning. The author writes very well. When you can picture in your mind the scenery and places described in your mind, it really makes the book come to life. I look forward to reading the next book!