Review of half of "Fifty Shades of Grey"

[lexin]

I'm attending a slash event (not a convention, it's not really big enough for that) at the end of the month, and in preparation for it I'm reading Fifty Shades of Grey.

Comments

[mcamy]

It was so crap, but it was like crack to me. Like watching a bad soap opera that was so bad it was enjoyable. If I could write something like this and make so much money with it, I would totally do it.

[lexin]

Well, yes, if I could write something like that I totally would, too. But I hope mine would be a bit better!

[shezan]

Yours would be MILES better. Which would probably be the problem.

[randy_o]

You probably already know that Fifty Shades of Grey was originally a very AU Twilight fanfiction series. The author just changed the names of her protagonists and a few other details and sold the story commercially.

I haven't read FSoG, although I've skimmed a bit of the original fanfiction. I'm amazed that anyone buys this crap.

But coincidentally, I've just gotten round to holding my nose and reading Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty trilogy, which dates back to 1984. I rather think we have Rice to blame for the trope that every 'erotic' story must have a very strong D/s undertone. I found certain phrases that set my teeth on edge in later works, including the description of the female protagonist as 'spoilt' and the idea that crawling around naked and having one's arse paddled daily will result in one being 'greatly enhanced in wisdom and self-control'.

Don't be looking for any kind of logic in this kind of fiction. It's pure fantasy.

[lexin]

I did know that FSoG was Twilight fanfic, I'm just not sure that the person who asked me to read it in preparation for the discussion did. I shall find out when I get there.

I've never read Anne Rice, but I have to say that the D/s trope does worry me rather. It's like they believe women can only be fulfilled in the presence of the stunt cock, and while I'm not sure the writer intends that to be taken seriously, some people do seriously believe it. Honestly - google "quiverful" if you don't believe me.

[randy_o]

Don't bother reading Anne Rice. She seems to have dashed this trilogy off just to make a quick buck.

I'm sure you recall my freak-out over a story that seems to have been patterned after Rice, right down the the use of 'spoilt' to describe anyone who likes to retain a shred of personal dignity. I've since learned (or should I say 'learnt'?) toread this sort of thing with a clinical detachment.

You're right -- it sets people's teeth on edge to see women being used this way as if it's a good thing, and it troubles me to see our 'erotic' tastes molded in this way.

But have no fear -- Rice is equal opportunity in this regard. In fact she seems to prefer writing about the men finding joy in submitting utterly to one another. She's also more interested in the spanking than the sex. The various paddlings get the most description, while the coitus is often glossed over as an afterthought.

[catalenamara]

Congratulations. I made it through the first chapter and had to stop.

[lexin]

I am currently three quarters of the way through, and very tempted to stop there. It's awful.