This morning, a Twitter pal asked if I had reviewed 50 Shades of Grey yet. I have been ‘tweeting lyrical’ about it and hadn’t really thought of actually reviewing it. Then whilst driving to pick up Littlest from nursery there was a discussion on Radio 2 about it. I took this as a sign and thought I would share my opinions about the book that seems to have taken the nation by storm.
I will start by affirming that this is MY opinion and you are all quite welcome to agree/disagree/not give a stuff about what I say. I heard about the book on twitter and it seems the internet has taken a large part of the responsibility for its popularity and success. I have met many people who have read the book and think it’s awful, and that just about sums it up. It isn’t well-written, but still – they’ve all bought it! Sales are booming; it’s no.1 in the Waterstones bestsellers. My friend actually had to order a copy!
So, the book. It has been dubbed ‘Mummy porn’ which I take to mean it appeals to the stereotypical bored suburban housewife for whom sex has been replaced with small children, laundry and chronic fatigue. I don’t really like the term (or the stereotype) but I am sure there’s an element of truth there. For those of you who haven’t read it, or even heard of it, it is the first book in a trilogy about a young rich bloke with a troubled background who likes to be a Dominant and only has relationships with Submissives who have to sign a contract and can cope with ‘the red room’ without a few gin and tonics to steel them up first. He meets and falls in love with Ana, a graduate who also happens to be a virgin. Convenient. She does her best to ‘do it his way’ but ends up wanting more….
It’s a bit of a thin plot isn’t it? And so, alas, is the writing. It is really poorly written – the plot, characters and detail are lacking.
Paddles and handcuffs and whips – Oh My!
Yes, it titillates at times, but to be honest you’d be better off reading a bit of Jilly Cooper. The ‘erotic’ scenes are pretty run of the mill, not particularly graphic and littered with exclamations of ‘Holy Cow’ and ‘Oh My’. As my friend said – she thought the only people who said ‘Holy Cow’ were Batman and Robin and the endless ‘Oh Mys’ made me wonder if I was actually reading the adult version of the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy does Dominance.
50 Shades of Grey is an easy read and likely to shock your Aunty Mabel (or maybe not). It seems to have put a bit of pepper back into a few relationships and has, at least, given the nation something to talk about that doesn’t involve the jubilee/olympics. Hats off to the author and may she bask in the sunshine of her success. However, a great literary read it is not. But, you don’t go to Macdonalds and expect a Michelin star dish. Likewise, this aint no booker prize candidate but really….who’s reading it for the syntax?
“Dorothy Does Dominance” cracked me up, you have confirmed my decision never to read this book.
oh my *snigger* that dorothy picture will never ever mean the same to me again….I think im with you and i havent read it. I think i saw someone on twitter say something along the lines of ‘thats hours of my life i will never get back’ after they had ploughed through it. That and your opinion is enough for me x
I’ve got a horrible feeling this is going to be suggested as the next book for our book club (meeting next Tues) so at least can go into battle armed and forewarned! Thanks Sarah x
It is our latest book club book – a wine-based decision. I read it, skimmed over bits as I got bored and am looking forward to something more substantial next time!! Fingers crossed!
Great review. I just don’t get it though. How can a book that isnt very well written and thin on plot be so successful. I read a few pages in a supermarket the other week and it didn’t look very good. Dorothy does dominance – class! That made me laugh!.
this post certainly made me laugh in places, I am currently on the second book and the plot like you said is pretty shit lol. For some reason its a book I can’t stop reading.
Ha! I’m half-way through the second book too….not enough how’s-your-father and need a magnifying glasss for the plot. *dusty kindle* #not a euphemism. Well, might be….
I’m just about to finish the first one. I agree with you the plot/character descriptions and vocabulary aren’t fantastic, however, it does have the ‘can’t put down’ quality for me. It has certainly got me to thinking what it is in this book that is so attractive to a reader. Although there is sex it is very repetitive after the first few romps. For me it’s the what isn’t said or done that makes it interesting. For instance the possibility of them turning their backs on s&m and going down the romance route… how boring am I?!
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