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Fifty Shades of Grey
2012 Book of the Month Reads
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June: "Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades #1)" by E.L. James
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Adrianna, Owner of Cafe Libri
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Geez---I wish I had known this! I definitely would not have bought the first book, lol! Thank goodness I only bought book 1!
Mod
i have read only about 1/2 of the book so far and havent found anything wrong with the book...am i just that corrupt lol
Yeah i would have to agree with you Aerin i tend to be open minded as well and nothing surprises me to much. Yeah it is not very well written but it is a kind of a quick read if you ask me.
I get a huge kick out of Ana subconscious...shes so right about things and so wrong about others its so funny how she has these conversations as we all do that as well
Can you imagine the movie to this book haha. My grandma keeps asking me about the book and do i think a movie will be made. Those two things are very hard to find lol. I was shocked when she said she was a virgin. I mean its one thing to spank and then expect her to do all these other things. I mean introduce her to these things without scaring her. It is frustrating reading about her wanting more but he can only give so much for what she desires since she has not had a relationship like this one but never really even had one.
It is amazing to me that she has not had any type of boyfriend or any kind of relationship and i thought it was funny that he asked her has she ever been kissedI can picture it being on HBO for sure.
Mod
descriptions of sex in this book. What effect did the writing style and playful
tone of the book have on these scenes?
2. Discuss the feelings that surfaced as your read about submissive/dominant
relationships. Did it pique your curiosity? Did anything shock or offend you?
3. The book is marketed as "steamy erotica for suburban housewives". Is this
accurate? Do you think reading about intense sexual encounters enhances the
sexual experience? Of the many sex scenes discuss your favorite or least
favorite?
4. Discuss the meaning and significance of the book's title. What do you think
accounts for the overwhelming popularity of this book?
5. For the majority of people, the sex described pushes the limits of normal.
With this in mind, were you able to relate to the human condition underlying the
experiences? For example, did you understand the desire for this kind of
experience and why each character was drawn to this?
6. Anastasia was surprised when she enjoyed and wanted more of the kinky sex.
Discuss the implications of this? Do you think guilt or her lack of experience
played into these feelings?
7. Did you feel a strong connection to either Christian or Anastasia? Did you
find yourself siding with one more than the other?
8. What was your initial impression of Christian? As more of his background and
personality was revealed, did your opinion of him change? Did his actions in any
way surprise you? What is your favorite Christian phrase?
9. The author does an excellent job of weaving family drama into the story. For
example, Anastasia has a strong bond with her stepfather and Christian is
strongly attached to Mia and his parents. How important do you think this is to
the story in general? How important were these bonds to Anastasia and
Christian's ability to form relationships?
10. Discuss the relationship Anastasia had with her mother? Did her mother offer
enough of what is considered traditional motherly support? Was her influence on
Anastasia more positive than negative? How do you think her mother felt about
Anastasia's relationship with Ray? Do you think either Anastasia or her mother
had any regrets about the way things turned out?
11. There was a wonderful cast of supporting characters in this book. Who was
your favorite and why.
12. What actor do you see playing the role of Christian and Ana?
(Questions by Princeton Book Review)
Mod
Mod
My copy of the book just arrived a few days ago and I have just begun reading.
It seems the book is quite popular for an erotic novel. It has been marketed in
places where women shop alone, Kroger rather than the back room of a bookstore.
It has a plain grey cover rather than the lurid picture of a bodice ripper. And
it is written by a female author. Not unusual for a romance but unusual for
eroticism. It sold out quickly in our local Kroger and they brought in the two
follow-on workes in hard copy and they have now sold out.
It is described as an erotic romance on the back cover. I wonder how it may
differ from other Romance novels?
As to her writing style, I find it readable, simple, non-demanding. I was
quickly drawn into sympathy with the female protagonist. I like the way James
mixes dialog with interior monologue. Anastasia Steel is young, intelligent,
pretty. She is not sexually promiscuous and not prudish. I'm not sure I
approve of her "just friends" relationship with Jose. Is she stringing him
along for her own amusement or just exercising her right to make choices?
I have read the first two chapters and nobody is copulating. Interesting
restraint although Eros is in the air. Ana's blood is running after exposure to
the sex appeal and power of Christian Grey. We don't need crystal balls to see
which way this is moving.
My response:
I finished the book while I was on my way to Spain or something. I think the cover art does help with the sale of the book-- the traditional "bodice ripper" cover is being replaced by more subtle images.
I would say that the sexual descriptions marks it differently from romance novels, especially historical romances. Also, the kind of personal demons that Ana is dealing with in regards to Christian are much darker than in the lighter romances that I have read.
Finally, I am surprised that you seem pleased with Ana's character. She was THE WORST! And I feel really bad for Jose. There is more about him in the second book. Personally, I think he is a useless character...not really adding much to the drama, but he is someone that Christian can get irrationally jealous over while still remaining "cute."
For an erotic novel, it took a LONG time to get into any sexual activities. That surprised me...Initially, I was quite bored with the book.
Mod
The New York Times has all three books listed at the top of their best seller
list for both paperback fiction and e-book fiction.
Chapter three ends with no one removing clothing but through the interior
monologue of Ana, we know where this is headed. Jose Rodriguez sings
counterpoint to Ana's lust song. He glares while
Ana pulsates. Katherine Kavanagh warns Ana that Christian Grey was dangerous
and would pray upon her innocence. There is plenty of foreshadowing. We know
which way this is heading and that it may not go well.
James shows restraint for the writer of an erotic novel. She knows her readers
are on the edge of their seats waiting for the players to get it on. Had this
been an X rated movie, we would have see multiple connections already. She is
building sexual tension. She also has a masterful understanding of personal
doubts, insecurities as they contrast with our hopes and desires. I think her
use of stream of consciousness and interior monologue works these skills
effectively to stimulate and excite the reader.
My response:
Eh. I don't like all the interior monologues. It gets annoying very quickly. I didn't feel the build-up, personally. I approached this expecting erotica, but I believe it's more a cross between a romance/erotic book. In book 2, it's definitely leaning practically 100% into the romance side, all erotica left behind. :-P
Enjoying your comments, Jeffrey!
Mod
This author sold her soul to the devil to get these Fifty books published. The writing was juvenile to say the least. What was also apparent was that the author meant it to be written for a British audience but then substituted sayings and sentences to be appealing to the American audience. Also, I think all three books could have been condensed into one book. I don't understand the attraction to these books. They called the women reading these books "Mommie Porn." And the news said that women and husbands were running out to buy rope? Gag me! Donna
My response:
LOL!! Yes, I figured as much with all the emphasis on the classic British authors...I am so over classic literature, so Ana's references to them all to sound intelligent, after all, she is an English lit, was annoying (eye roll). English majors study other stuff too, ya know?
Yeah, but that whole "mommie porn" has been said about all romances, to be perfectly honest. It's too bad too.
There is a great research book about romance novels, two really, that we could add to a future reading list:
1. Reading the Romance: Women, Patriarchy, and Popular Literature
2. Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance
If this sounds like something members would like to read, I can add them to my future reading list (or yours). These books will make you look at the genre differently.
Mod
descriptions of sex in this book. What effect did the writing style and playful
tone of the book have on these scenes?..."
My answers to the discussion questions are embedded in the text!
ENJOY!!!
--- In cafelibri@yahoogroups.com, karana_20 wrote:
>
> 1. Talk about the genre of erotica fiction and the straightforward and graphic descriptions of sex in this book. What effect did the writing style and playful tone of the book have on these scenes?
I like erotic fiction, lol. I don't have a problem with them, but I would only suggest them to mature, older readers.
I didn't like the writing style, and I didn't really feel the playful tone either. The book started really slow, and it made me think that it wasn't an erotic book. Once the main characters got their kink on, I felt like the author had put on her "big girl" shoes finally, lol.
I would say that she tried to be playful, especially with all the inner monologue scenes. It failed for me, though.
>
> 2. Discuss the feelings that surfaced as your read about submissive/dominant relationships. Did it pique your curiosity? Did anything shock or offend you?
It did pique my interest as I often wonder what gets people interested in fetishes. I have some experience with what was discussed here, and I have some theories based on that experience and on what I have studied about psychology.
Nothing shocked or offended me other than the bad writing, lol!
I like sub/dom erotic books. It presents an interesting dynamic. However, I like the versions when the partners switch the roles once in a while as it seems like people would want to try the other role, kinda like Christian and his relationship with his former dom.
>
> 3. The book is marketed as "steamy erotica for suburban housewives". Is this accurate? Do you think reading about intense sexual encounters enhances the sexual experience? Of the many sex scenes discuss your favorite or least favorite?
No, I do not think that is true. I think any adult audience could read and enjoy the book.
Yes, I do think reading about it influenced the actual experiences.
I think my favorite was the one with the crop, but, to be honest, I was skimming a lot of the scenes as the writing was turning me off! LOL! I wanted to see when the characters would split because I knew it was bound to happen with this being a trilogy.
My least favorite was the first spanking scene...or maybe all of them. She was such a wuss, lol, imho!
>
> 4. Discuss the meaning and significance of the book's title. What do you think accounts for the overwhelming popularity of this book?
I actually liked the title, cover art, and significance with Christian's name. It was all rather classy for an erotica novel. And, to be honest, I seem to find some rather classy erotic novels, if that is not an oxymoron. I think the authors are more aware of the materials that are being presented, so they are careful to give it the look of authentic literature...that way people take the writing and authors seriously.
> 5. For the majority of people, the sex described pushes the limits of normal. With this in mind, were you able to relate to the human condition underlying the experiences? For example, did you understand the desire for this kind of experience and why each character was drawn to this?
Nope, not based on what was presented here...but of course it helps that Christian is screwed up, emotionally and physically, so to speak. And since Ana wants to "safe him," her innocent involvement is explained away as normal or ok.
>
> 6. Anastasia was surprised when she enjoyed and wanted more of the kinky sex. Discuss the implications of this? Do you think guilt or her lack of experience played into these feelings?
Nah, I think it is human nature to be curious.
>
> 7. Did you feel a strong connection to either Christian or Anastasia? Did you find yourself siding with one more than the other?
>
I liked Christian more purely because he had more sass than Ana. I found her and the other characters as flat and one-dimensional.
> 8. What was your initial impression of Christian? As more of his background and personality was revealed, did your opinion of him change? Did his actions in any way surprise you? What is your favorite Christian phrase?
My initial impression was that he sounded like the perfect dom character. I think his stalker tendencies are creepy...especially in book 2. His money made him too infalliable, imho. He can do anything cause he has all the money in the world. That makes him "perfect," to some degree. I know that Ana is supposedly turned off by his money, but then what is attracting her to him? His good looks didn't sound like they were incomparable to the other men in the book who seem interested in Ana. So why him? I don't get the attraction other than maybe it is something primal.
I don't have a favorite Christian phrase. I have a least favorite-- "laters, baby." LOL! He signs a lot of his emails with that and it sounds so un-cool for someone with all the money that Christian has. I figured he would have something slicker. :-P
>
> 9. The author does an excellent job of weaving family drama into the story. For example, Anastasia has a strong bond with her stepfather and Christian is strongly attached to Mia and his parents. How important do you think this is to the story in general? How important were these bonds to Anastasia and Christian's ability to form relationships?
>
What? Family bonds...? This was nonexistent to me. The only family bond of any importance is Christian's past, which will be revealed in book 3.
> 10. Discuss the relationship Anastasia had with her mother? Did her mother offer enough of what is considered traditional motherly support? Was her influence on Anastasia more positive than negative? How do you think her mother felt about Anastasia's relationship with Ray? Do you think either Anastasia or her mother had any regrets about the way things turned out?
>
No. Her mother acted way too young for my preferences! She was like-- go for it, and men are so literal. (eye roll) Talk about generic advice/sayings!
Why does this question ask me to speculate about a relationship/past that is not relevant? The only role of the parents is to show us that they approve of Christian. So, in the end, this whole relationship is condoned/will work out by book 3.
> 11. There was a wonderful cast of supporting characters in this book. Who was your favorite and why.
ICK! Another question I disagree with!
Jose and Kate had the most potential, but they were not developed enough. I wanted Kate to be the female counter to Christian, a dom herself. Maybe this will be revealed in book 3. She sure liked to boss Ana around! LOL!!
>
> 12. What actor do you see playing the role of Christian and Ana?
The "Twilight" actors....I don't remember their names....Kristin and...? Anyway...if that was to happen, they would have to make the boy who played Edward look a lot older, lol!
> (Questions by Princeton Book Review)
>
1. Talk about the genre of erotica fiction and the straightforward and graphicdescriptions of sex in this book. What effect did the writing style and playful
tone of the book have on these scenes?
**I actually will be honest I have never read any erotic fiction in my life not that i am opposed to reading that genre but never struck to be a fancy of mine. The straightforward and graphic description did not bother me one bit. The style of writing was easy to read but kind of annoying at some parts and could have done more with the editing process.
2. Discuss the feelings that surfaced as your read about submissive/dominant
relationships. Did it pique your curiosity? Did anything shock or offend you?
**The feelings that surfaced as I read the sub/dom relationships were very shallow IMHO. It seems like both are in complete opposite spectrum of each other. I was completely shocked though that she was a virgin. Kind of like the girl next door that should probably be with the store owners brother. Nothing shocked or offended me but the writing and her subconscious was to much.
3. The book is marketed as "steamy erotica for suburban housewives". Is this
accurate? Do you think reading about intense sexual encounters enhances the
sexual experience? Of the many sex scenes discuss your favorite or least
favorite?
**I did not have a favorite or least favorite. I was kind of thinking that all the sex should just end and the whole lip biting was annoying.
4. Discuss the meaning and significance of the book's title. What do you think
accounts for the overwhelming popularity of this book?
**I happen to like the title of the book i take it that there are so many levels of grey that we do not know about and cant wait to read the second book to see what else is to happen.
5. For the majority of people, the sex described pushes the limits of normal.
With this in mind, were you able to relate to the human condition underlying the
experiences? For example, did you understand the desire for this kind of
experience and why each character was drawn to this?
**I did not read anything that really pushed the limits for me yet. I was not able to relate to the experiences or desire to do these things and never really understood how people get into these things.
6. Anastasia was surprised when she enjoyed and wanted more of the kinky sex.
Discuss the implications of this? Do you think guilt or her lack of experience
played into these feelings?
**Yes because she is so afraid to let Christian down because she is so inexperienced. It seems like they are complete opposites especially the last scene where he really hits her and she realized that this isnt what she wants but something keeps drawing her back to him. I think its the lack of knowledge about his past and life that he is not telling her. When you dont understand someone it makes you all that more intrigued to stay with them to find out why they are the way they are or how they can do or want these things.
7. Did you feel a strong connection to either Christian or Anastasia? Did you
find yourself siding with one more than the other?
**I did not feel a strong connection for either of the characters. Anastasia was more then just worst then vanilla. Christian I feel is deeper then Ana but we have not yet found out his motives and what he wants.
8. What was your initial impression of Christian? As more of his background and
personality was revealed, did your opinion of him change? Did his actions in any
way surprise you? What is your favorite Christian phrase?
**My initial impression was how does this happen. He is a lil creepy in finding Ana and really would be weirded out by all of his capabilities when it came to money. I think what shocked me was that he was willing to be "more" for Ana but somehow it was like it was lost hope because once someone is in a certain mind set its hard to back them into another view of how things should be. The only one i can remember is laters, baby but didnt he steal that from his brother.
9. The author does an excellent job of weaving family drama into the story. For
example, Anastasia has a strong bond with her stepfather and Christian is
strongly attached to Mia and his parents. How important do you think this is to
the story in general? How important were these bonds to Anastasia and
Christian's ability to form relationships?
**I really dont think they had strong family bonds. It actually seemed quite awkward when her stepfather came. When she went to visit her mother it seems like she is a little immature like she was talking to a friend and not her mother knowing her background she doesnt seem the most stable at giving advice about relationships. Well on the outside the Grey family seems like the perfect cookie cutter family with a few secrets especially with Christian. I think when you are around dysfunctional relationships its hard to form your own perfect relationships.
10. Discuss the relationship Anastasia had with her mother? Did her mother offer
enough of what is considered traditional motherly support? Was her influence on
Anastasia more positive than negative? How do you think her mother felt about
Anastasia's relationship with Ray? Do you think either Anastasia or her mother
had any regrets about the way things turned out?
11. There was a wonderful cast of supporting characters in this book. Who was
your favorite and why.
In a way I really like Kate she had that attitude and really means business.
12. What actor do you see playing the role of Christian and Ana?
**For Ana I think either Reese Witherspoon or Katherine Heigl. Christian on the other hand would have to be Channing Tatum omg then i probably would wanna play Ana lol.
Mod
descriptions of sex in this book. What effect did the writing style and playful
tone of the book have on these scenes?..."
Great responses to the discussion questions, Amanda! I agree with you about the family...and the mother really did act more like a friend rather than a real mother.
On another note, I loved the suggestions that you made for which actors should play them in a film! With Tatum's newest movie, Magic Mike, I am sure there are TONS of ladies who would go see him in this film and wish they were Ana too!
I hope you don't mind, but I am going to cross-post your responses to the other versions of Cafe Libri . :)
Mod
I agree with Aerin's initial assessment of the situation. It just helps us remember that Ana is inexperienced, a virgin, uncomfortable with her body, etc.
~Serena~
--- In cafelibri@yahoogroups.com, "CK" wrote:
>
> I read the book a couple of months ago, so I'm going by my sometimes faulty
> memory here. I thought the author was perhaps using phrases like "down
> there" to keep reminding the reader of Ana's inexperience -- to show that
> Ana was unused to or uncomfortable with other terms for her body. I'm
> hesitant to believe the phrasing has some bearing on the label "mommy porn".
> Many a mom is familiar with pushing a baby out through her vagina and not
> through "down there". I've been around a lot of mothers and they are the
> least embarrassed individuals when it comes to discussing sex, childbirth,
> body issues, you name it. If indeed James chose her phrasing to target a
> particular audience, I'm curious what her thoughts were about it.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeffrey Taylor
> Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 7:40 PM
> To: cafelibri@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: Cafe Libri Re: 50 Shades of Grey
>
> I finally got to the first act.
>
> James keeps using euphemistic phrases like "down there" for vagina and
> things like applying a condom to "his length" rather than his penis. After
> writing detailed descriptions of sex acts, does James have some reluctance
> to call a vagina a vagina, or could the publisher have somle legal concerns?
> Either idea seems too hard to accept. Perhaps this is why her writing is
> considered mommy porn. Could James believe these words would be
> uncomfortable with her targeted readers?
>
> We have read the articles of confederation and learned that the 50 shades of
> grey refers to 50 shades of humiliation. We have also learned that the
> inexperienced Ana is a virgin which most of the readers must have expected.
> That problem is soon rectified but it makes more clear the level of
> manipulation that has taken place.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Mod
Does anyone have some favorite titles or favorite authors of erotic novels
they would like to share? This is not a genre I've done a lot of reading
in.
A couple of months ago I purchased "Fanny Hill" for .99 as an eBook. I
haven't read it yet. It is more from a literary historical interest that I
wanted to see what it was like. It was published in 1748 and according to
the Wiki, it's the "first original English prose pornography, and the first
pornography to use the form of the novel. One of the most prosecuted and
banned books in history."
It went the route of underground copies and eventually seizure of copies and
legal prosecution. The defense tried to argue that it was a historical
source and that it merely celebrated non-perverted sex and wasn't actually
pornographic. The prosecution, however, won the trial because it could
point out a scene in the book that involved flagellation (a Mr. Grey back in
the day? ;)
There's a funny quote from Henry Fonda in the 1968 movie of "Yours, Mine and
Ours" in which his character is talking to his stepdaughter and giving her
advice about boys because she's been receiving pressure from a boyfriend to
have sex. She tells him that things are different now than when he was a
boy. He says, "I don't know, they wrote "Fanny Hill" in 1748 and they
haven't found anything new since."
Mod
they would like to share? This is not a genre I've done a lot of reading
in...."
Did you read that one because Orlok was recommending it, Aerin? I remember him talking to me about it at one point or another.
My recommendations...hmm...I guess it would depend on what you are into. Anne Rice's "Sleeping Beauty" trilogy are supposed to be really good. I bought them, but I have yet to read them. I believe that Donna recommended them too.
If you want more about doms/subs, this one is pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Sophie-Circle-S...
I was also looking into a new author, but I haven't read anything by her: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/produ...
Some of the books published by Ellora's Cave can be good, but it is often hit or miss.
If you are interested in paranormal or vampire erotica, try J.R. Ward or Laurell K. Hamilton. I like both of their writings.
Mod
Good to see you back on the list.
I also like erotic fiction and I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. It can be
a harmless release for sexual desire and can become a shared erotic experience.
However, I abhor violence. What's it good for? Absolutely nothing. And
violence is insoluble in eroticism.
The book sure as hell starts off slowly. A young, intelligent, beautiful virgin
is panting after a possible suitor. I am losing interest before the first act.
But James needs time to persuade her readers that a person with all these
strength's will accept the abuse Grey is proposing for her. Ana is a willing
victim, yes, but still a victim. She has been carefully manipulated by a man of
wealth and power who is taking advantage of her weaknesses. She is becoming a
victim of her own inexperience. I am reminded of Komarovsky's exploitation of
Lara in Dr . Zhivago. Will this book take a similar trend?
I think the writing style works fine for me but I don't see anything playful in
this either. Sex is adult play and can take differing formats depending upon
the game the player's wish to play. Violence and exploitation is excluded from
all of these rule systems. That's just not playful.
Mod
I've never read "Dr. Zhivago," but it would be interesting to have a comparison of the two books, especially since you see some connections between the situations.
I really tried to read this. I rather enjoy a nice erotic romp. But the writing drove me crazy. I couldn't finish it.Adrianna wrote: "Just joining the conversation, Amanda and Aerin. Definitely not the content that bothers me...but the bad writing!! I also can't stand Ana. She is about as much fun as a wet dishrag. I can't imagin..."
Cafe Libri
Books mentioned in this topic
Reading the Romance: Women, Patriarchy, and Popular Literature (other topics)Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance (other topics)
Twilight (other topics)
Red Riding Hood (other topics)
Fifty Shades of Grey (other topics)
