Fifty Shades - "We Deserve Better"

[Sydney's Mom]

It is no secret that I read romance novels. When I saw that the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy had hit the NYT Bestseller list, I thought I was finally vindicated! So I downloaded the books and read them over a weekend.

I hated them. I thought they were very poorly writen, and weren't very erotic for erotica. But they were bestsellers - obviously, I didn't know good writting.

But this writer for the Chicago Tribune thought the same thing:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...,4130651.story

So, did you read the books? What did you think?

[elemenoP]

Sigh. This book is generating so much chatter, on every message board and listserv I'm on, on Facebook, that I think I will have to read it just to form my own opinion.

eP

[Synamon]

I don't like vampire or romance books, so I am not the target audience for Twilight fan fiction.

I have to ask, if it was that bad, why on earth did you read the second and third book?

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by Synamon

I don't like vampire or romance books, so I am not the target audience for Twilight fan fiction.

I have to ask, if it was that bad, why on earth did you read the second and third book?

The first one ended on quite a cliff-hanger, so I bought the second. The second was terrible, but I thought it had to get better, so I bought and read the third. Unfortunately, I once read a book I didn't like, but forced myself to read the whole thing. Unfortuntely, in the last 15 pages, the book totally redeemed itself. So I thought, they are all on the bestseller list, I must be missing something. Nope. They got progressively worse.

I don't know how to do spoilers, so I can't tell you anymore.

[chilady1]

I am so glad to see this thread because I thought I was crazy for not liking this series. Like most, I decided to read these books to see what all the hub bub was about. I like a little erotica like the next girl and I have read some really, really good erotica that was well written, a good and engaging plot and a good mix of hot activity. That was not this book.

I agree with Syndey's Mom, who wrote this? A child? (I know that is an insult to children, my apologies).

Second, the story was totally and completely unrealistic. Christian is suppose to be a captain of industry, but all he seems to do is deal with his "issues" and get busy with Anna. Who the hell is running his company? I just couldn't buy a lot of the premises here.

I am so glad that my library had these books, because quite honestly, if I had purchased this series for even a penny, I would have demanded my $$ back. If you are even thinking about reading this series, PLEASE, say your time and money and find something else. That is time I will never get back.

P.S. For those of you who ask, why did I keep reading? Because once I start something (even if it is bad), I finish it.

P.S.S. And if the books weren't bad enough, I believe I saw recently that they want to make this series into a film, REALLY?

[Sydney's Mom]

I so agree. It makes me even more angry that I paid $30 to waste my time and insult my brain like this.

Now my library has them. There are 167 people signed up for the first book - this is a small consortiom of libraries - usually 15 is the max. I wish I could warn everyone.

[ProfCrash]

Most of the folks I know who have read it have said that they are a poor representation of the romantic/erotica literature and are pretty bad. Essentially, it was Twilight fan fiction that turned into a best seller. I have not read Twilight, but I understand that many folks say that the writing is pretty poor and that they are really not very good. But they found a devoted following.

Perhaps it has something to do with the basic plot lines of both series? There seems to be a market for people who like certain themes. (shrugs)

[fjtorres]

I don't pick my reads by popularity so I don't care if it's a "bestseller" or not.
What I have heard of it tells me it is not aimed at me nor do I care for the subect matter so, well-written or not, I've no interest in it.

I do hope that those who choose to buy it get their money's worth.

[QuantumIguana]

The books sell, so the author is obviously doing something right. I doubt I will read them.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

I don't pick my reads by popularity so I don't care if it's a "bestseller" or not.
What I have heard of it tells me it is not aimed at me nor do I care for the subect matter so, well-written or not, I've no interest in it.

I do hope that those who choose to buy it get their money's worth.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts as well.

[abookreader]

I dropped out 1/2 way through the first book. I really didn't even enjoy young, clueless woman in midst of sexual awakening stories when I was young and clueless myself. I really don't enjoy them now that I have a few decades of sexual awareness on me and I have absolutely zilch empathy with the characters. I tend to avoid BDSM erotica altogether because it just tends to evoke negative feelings in me. I don't resent that it exists or think it is wrong, I just don't choose to read it. So obviously, I'm just not a great target audience for these books.

My only comment is most of the people I've talked with who are interested in this book are totally oblivious to the deep world of erotic romance and fiction that is out there. They don't seem to know where to find it, they don't seem to know that there are plenty of normal everyday people who read it, and they ..... well they think this is something new and groundbreaking.

[Blossom]

I read the trilogy last week. Well listened to book one and read the others.

My problem with these books is a long list. Yes they are poorly written. No they are not a romance. I don't care how many people read and review this book. There is no romance here. What we have is a very sick man who is sociopath with serious mommy issues. We have a girl who has some real self image and self esteem issues and no spine. There is so much sex scenes that it gets boring. They are tame where Erotica is concern. Just very variety but boring. The storyline just runs out of steam by book three and nothing is ever resolved nor does Christian ever redeem himself in my eyes. Save your money for something better.

I absolutely love this review at Goodreads I think it sums up the absurdity of the series.

[Phogg]

I read a lot of romance, but none with erotic overtones.
Reading is my escape.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I read the trilogy last week. Well listened to book one and read the others.

You read as fast as my wife!

There is so much sex scenes that it gets boring.

And oddly, there was none in the sample.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I don't know how to do spoilers, so I can't tell you anymore.

On the tool bar above the window where you type messages, click the little picture of the eye with a red X through it, and then type. That's all.

If you don't see the eye with the red X, click the "Go Advanced" button below the window.