Book Review: FIFTY SHADES TRILOGY by E.L. James

Book: Fifty Shades Trilogy

Author:  EL James

Publisher:  The Writer’s Coffee Shop

Category:  Erotic Fiction

I finished reading all three books a few days back but have been procrastinating in writing a review.  Mostly because I am torn.  I don’t know if I like, love or hate this trilogy.  But that’s what I appreciate about Fifty Shades, it brings out a gamut of emotions that you can’t help but read them again for clarification.  I know millions have read these and more are considering to.  So before you do, read this review.  To start, here are the book descriptions:

Fifty Shades of Grey

“Anastasia, you should steer clear of me.  I’m not the man for you.”-Christian Grey

“I have rules and I want you to comply with them.  They are for your benefit and for my pleasure.  If you follow these rules to my satisfaction, I shall reward you.  if you don’t, I shall punish you and you will learn.”- Christian Grey

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
 
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Fifty Shades Darker

 “This is me Ana. All of me and I’m all yours.  what do I have to do to make you realize that? To make you see that I want you any way I can get you.  that I love you.”- Christian Grey

“You are so precious to me Ana. I was serious about marrying you. we can get to know each other then. I can look after you. you can look after me. We can have kids if you want. I will lay my world at your feet, Anastasia. I want you, body and soul, forever.”- Christian Grey

Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. 
 
But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.
 
While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

Fifty Shades Freed

“I want everyone to know that you’re mine.”- Christian

“I am yours. look.”- Anastasia

“It’s not enough.”-Christian

“What do you mean?”- Anastasia

“I want your world to begin and end with me.”- Christian

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.
 
Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.
 
Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.


**********SPOILER ALERT**********SPOILER ALERT**********

I have heard Fifty Shades of Grey being called Mommy Porn and even Twilight with BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism and Masochism).  Both are very apt descriptions as the book and its 2 sequels are full of kinky sex.  In fact every few pages have the two protagonists Anastasia and Christian going at it like rabbits.  Reading it, I felt like a kid peeking through my fingers while watching a horror movie. The sex scenes in these books are such that an ordinary person will either be fascinated or disgusted. 

Of the three, Fifty Shades of Grey was the hardest to read.  it took me a total of 3 days to finish the book.  It’s not that the writing was bad.  On the contrary, E.L. James’ reference to different books and use of uncommon words (hoplophobe, priapic…) shows that she is well read and highly informed. Her descriptions though border on repetitive: nose touching, Christian’s hard body, his happy trail blah blah blah… it does get ridiculous, especially since these are recurrent in all three books.

 

Author E.L. James

Another point I didn’t like are Anastasia’s Inner Goddess and Subconscious.  They are referred to so many times it seems like they are the 3^rd and 4^th main characters in the story and It made Ana look like she had multiple personalities. it was disturbing.

The characters of Christian and Anastasia are so similar to Twilight’s Edward and Bella in everything except for the BDSM.  Both Christian and Edward are over protective, jealous, possessive, rich and extremely gorgeous. Ana and Bella are both awkward, from a middle class family, insecure, hard headed and constantly in awe of being the object of the irresistible man’s affections.  Sometimes I just want to bang her head against the wall for being so weak….or both of them.

Now, on to the positive.

Yes there is a reason why these have become a phenomenon with millions of copies sold all over the world.

Believe it or not, it is surprisingly sweet. 

In trying to assess my reaction to both Twilight and Fifty Shades, I see that it’s not just the characters that are similar.  It is its core, which is TRUE LOVE against all odds.  In both series, the protagonists are very open and vocal about their emotions.  I can’t even count how many times “I love you so much, you are my life…” and the like are scattered all over the books.  So naturally women swoon because it is every woman’s fantasy (or at least the majority) for a man such as Christian (without the kinky stuff) to be in love with her.  He is almost the perfect man.  And to be the object of such intense protectiveness and love just doesn’t happen in real life.  So yes this tickles women’s imagination. Plus it grips on women’s natural inclination to help and heal those who are wounded and needy, which is exactly what Christian is. Add to that the very graphic description of their sex life. WOW.  Most of the time I didn’t know if I was supposed to close my eyes or just skip the “good” part. Fifty Shades is like Twilight on steroids.

This is a Feel-good trilogy (double meaning? Um…yeah!) because every single thing just works out in the end.  Including the other characters’ lives like Kate (Ana’s Best friend) with Elliot (Christian’s brother), also Mia (Christian’s sister) and Ethan (Kate’s brother).  Plus the ending of Fifty Shades Freed has complete closure so no questions need be asked. Everyone is happy and healed.  Again, this touches on women’s need for a happy ending, or at least my wish for it.

So do I recommend Fifty Shades?  Depends.  If you have the stomach for Kinky F*****y, why not.  Once you survive the first book, chances are you will be desensitized enough to like and even appreciate Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.  But do beware, read this at your own risk…. And away from kids. You REALLY do not want them to peek into the world of Ana and Christian.

The Fifty Shades trilogy is an assault on your senses so think hard and deep (pardon the pun) before buying. Fair Point Well Made? Yes Sir Christian, I think so.

Laters baby....