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Author Topic: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience  (Read 22634 times)

Offline Faaye

Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« on: April 21, 2012, 09:33 PM »
I just finished the first book of the 'Fifty Shades of Gray' trilogy (barely) and I can't say I'll be picking up the second or third. Ever.
I saw all the hype on tv about it, searched it up on Amazon, and ignored the hundreds of 'one star reviews.'
I should have listened.
I've never hated a book before, just majorly disliked, but this? This one did it.
I felt like I was trapped in a hole that just kept getting deeper and impossible to climb.
I reaiized by the third chapter that things weren't going to get better.
The heroine made me want to weep in denial that I was reading about her 'Inner Goddess' and the hero made me want to call the Secret Service for stalking and just being creepy.
Creeping isn't romantic.
The vocabulary and grammar were gut wrenching, and the unrealistic plot (sexy billionaire, not millionaire, but billionaire with a BDSM fetish and 21 year old virgin whose never masturbated, but orgasms at the drop of a hat) was embarrassing to read about.
This was apparently considered 'shocking erotica' by the Today Show...I've read more shocking erotica with a Captain Underpants Flip-O-Rama comic.
Basically, the only thing I can think of is WHY? Why did this lady write this book? What possessed her to turn a Twilight fanfiction into a published novel?
Author, lady, whatever your name is...don't quit your day job.
If my life was a Supernatural episode, all conflict would be resolved with food and Dean Winchester.
 
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Offline MissM

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #21 on: May 12, 2012, 04:32 PM »
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OK. You have a point. Christian Grey is sick and definitely many women don't like to be treated like Ana.

The only thing I can't understand is how people judge Ana - saying that she has no self-respect, she is a doormat, blah blah.
What if she gains pleasure out of this? What if she likes being treated this way. What if she never considers herself suffering because she enjoys being with Christian Grey?
I guess that makes her even a bigger shame?
But I think she would only be a shame if she didn't pursue what she likes because she didn't want to be called a shame and a doormat.

As I said I'm not criticizing the BDSM lifestyle, but the relationship depicted on the book. If she was merely a sub, hey, her choice. But she says she isn't a sub... So she simply accepts Christian's dominance outside of the bedroom because she "loves" him. That's disrespecting herself, that's shamefull and that's being a doormat.
♫It's The End Of The World As We Know It (and I feel fine...)♫
 

Offline Celeste1234

Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #22 on: May 13, 2012, 06:06 PM »
The first book was ok ish (I've read worse) but the last two!! My God!! I liked how the story started, by the time the second book showed up the characters got lost in "let's make everything plausible and selling-worthy", they lost their identity and  for me their growth was more of an unnecessary reinventing.

The first book caught my interest the moment Christian said "I don't make love.. I f@@@ ..hard". I told to myself ok here we go, something different, maybe a male character who stays true to himself for a change? Maybe a strong female character who fights for what she believes in and doesn't need someone to tell her what her set of values should be? maybe an H and an h who start loving each other DESPITE everything that's wrong in both their lives and not BECAUSE of wrong things in their life? Maybe an h who doesn't start dropping virginal climaxes at the push of a button? Maybe  secondary characters who don't hook up with each other? with ALL of them?

And the list goes on...honestly the character development is so wrong on so many different levels that I can't be bothered EVER reading these books again.

 
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Offline callialea

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #23 on: May 15, 2012, 08:11 AM »
@Faaye:

I agree with you, I read the book mainly because I saw an interview of Ian Somerhalder with Ryan Seacrest that maybe Ian will be the dom in the book as the book will be made a film and I'm a fan of Ian..but did not finished the book because the whole vocabulary used in the book was too shallow..

oh btw here is the link of the interview:

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;)
« Last Edit: May 15, 2012, 08:13 AM by callialea »
 

sparkling

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #24 on: May 15, 2012, 08:19 AM »
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I just finished the first book of the 'Fifty Shades of Gray' trilogy (barely) and I can't say I'll be picking up the second or third. Ever.
I saw all the hype on tv about it, searched it up on Amazon, and ignored the hundreds of 'one star reviews.'
I should have listened.
I've never hated a book before, just majorly disliked, but this? This one did it.
I felt like I was trapped in a hole that just kept getting deeper and impossible to climb.
I reaiized by the third chapter that things weren't going to get better.
The heroine made me want to weep in denial that I was reading about her 'Inner Goddess' and the hero made me want to call the Secret Service for stalking and just being creepy.
Creeping isn't romantic.
The vocabulary and grammar were gut wrenching, and the unrealistic plot (sexy billionaire, not millionaire, but billionaire with a BDSM fetish and 21 year old virgin whose never masturbated, but orgasms at the drop of a hat) was embarrassing to read about.
This was apparently considered 'shocking erotica' by the Today Show...I've read more shocking erotica with a Captain Underpants Flip-O-Rama comic.
Basically, the only thing I can think of is WHY? Why did this lady write this book? What possessed her to turn a Twilight fanfiction into a published novel?
Author, lady, whatever your name is...don't quit your day job.

WHERE did you get the book???
 

Offline Coalie Stanton-Love

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #25 on: May 15, 2012, 09:46 PM »
I agree with Faaye and won't be reading book 2 and 3.  The only reason I finished the book was because of my goal to complete any book I start this year.Just hoping that they don't make this book into a movie.
" I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. " Jorge Luis Borges
 

Offline MissM

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #26 on: May 16, 2012, 09:11 AM »
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I agree with Faaye and won't be reading book 2 and 3.  The only reason I finished the book was because of my goal to complete any book I start this year.Just hoping that they don't make this book into a movie.
How could they turn it into a movie? There isn't enough plot there, unless... it's an "adult" movie!
P.S.: Really sorry mods, I corrected it. Good job filtering my flawed language.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2012, 08:46 PM by MissM »
♫It's The End Of The World As We Know It (and I feel fine...)♫
 

Offline petlee

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #27 on: May 17, 2012, 11:27 AM »
Definitely creepy.
I barely made it through this….ummm, book.   Even if you ignore the grammatical errors, horrid writing style and sadly lacking plot, it is impossible to like anything about this book.  The way the author portrays the BDSM community horrid.  Just because someone likes a bit a pain with sex does not mean that some a**hole psychopath with anger management issues and should be taking out his anger on you.  (And that is just one aspect of the lifestyle.)  The heroine is weak, not submissive.  The hero needs to be in prison or a mental ward.  It is safe to say that “book’s” 2 and 3 will not be on my reading list.
 

betta_danu

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #28 on: May 21, 2012, 03:56 PM »
Ok what does H an h mean???

I read them. I haven't finished the 3rd book though. It just got tedious after awhile.
There were some aspects i liked though but things became too predictable and then i started to get annoyed by Ana.
The male lead is sick....i think that's what the author was going for. plus he was getting help for his condition, he himself knew he was sick. At least he kept his sick ideals to subs who were ok with it and he doesn't remain that way. He starts to change.
 

Offline MissM

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #29 on: May 21, 2012, 05:37 PM »
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Ok what does H an h mean???

I read them. I haven't finished the 3rd book though. It just got tedious after awhile.
There were some aspects i liked though but things became too predictable and then i started to get annoyed by Ana.
The male lead is sick....i think that's what the author was going for. plus he was getting help for his condition, he himself knew he was sick. At least he kept his sick ideals to subs who were ok with it and he doesn't remain that way. He starts to change.
H=hero
h=heroine
♫It's The End Of The World As We Know It (and I feel fine...)♫
 

Offline shani9

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #30 on: May 21, 2012, 08:10 PM »
Somehow these books have never interested me . I love all types of books but this one just never has gotten my interest. Its not that I don't love erotica cause I do. I just find that there is an art to writing trully erotic scenes. You don't have to throw in everything sometimes few words can say alot.  I kept hearing so much hype on them so I kept looking. Sometimes I find the more the hype the books sometimes are not worth it.
 

Offline Coalie Stanton-Love

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #31 on: May 22, 2012, 07:21 AM »
Just read this article online regarding Shades of Grey :sign0137: :33:

With rights to the book optioned by Universal and Focus Features, rumors now source that Ian Somerhalder of “Vampire Diaries” and Alexander Skarsgard of “True Blood” fame may play the part of Christian Grey.

In Ryan Seacrest’s recent news interview with Ian Somerhalder, the actor said upon being asked about taking the role if asked, “I absolutely would be up for it. It could be very, very amazing.”

Somerhalder may have competition for the role, though—Alexander Skarsgard in an Access Hollywood interview confirmed he’d be “perfect” for the part of the suave Grey.

Amanda Seyfried of “Mean Girls” and “Dear John” have been mentioned by the media as a possible star for the role of Anastasia. Lucy Hale’s name of “Pretty Little Liars” has also been thrown into the mix.

Who would you choose to play Ana and Christian in the movie roles for “Fifty Shades of Grey”?






" I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. " Jorge Luis Borges
 

londongal

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #32 on: May 24, 2012, 08:46 AM »
Very poorly written story imho...I read Gabriels Inferno and while it has its issues too its at least well written for the most part. Good for EL that shes hit the jackpot on such a sloppy book: seems like she just got lazy or got someone lazy to edit..
 

Lucyylu

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #33 on: May 24, 2012, 12:25 PM »
I heard all the buzz about this book, from friends and people online. My best friend read the entire series and LOVEDDD it. So I felt I should at least give it a shot and see if I enjoyed it too. My first issue is that I don’t like the main character. I find it really difficult to enjoy a book if I hate the main character. Ana Steele has about 3 personalities...
Her regular, awkward, irritating one every sees, her ‘inner goddess’ and her subconscious. She just annoys me so much. Now Christian Grey, I don't know what it is but there's something about his enigmatic, mysterious, sadistic (and sad) personality what drawn me in to his character and I think that's why I couldn't put the book down.  ;D   It’s not the type of “love story” I’m accustomed to or generally interested in usually, but I am glad I did give it a read.
 

moredstar

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #34 on: May 25, 2012, 08:39 PM »
Newbie here, who has read all 3 books. I am relieved that others feel the way I do about this series! It was one of the worst series of books I have read. I know, I know, why did I read all 3 when the first was bad? 1) I was hoping it would get better (it didn't) and 2) I hate to leave any series unfinished (even the bad ones). The story telling was bad, the plot was borderline absurd and frankly, there was very little erotic about it and I wish I could get that time back I spent reading it lol.

Just my 2 little cents lol

Simone
 

Offline Sacchi

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #35 on: May 26, 2012, 02:39 AM »
So, my question is why this book can make some people(this is the first time for me) REALLY hate it, meanwhile the other half REALLY LOVE it...?

it's kind of an issue for me..
8)
First Impression...must know it will be Totally important and I suck it up
 

Offline BookwormBelle

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #36 on: May 26, 2012, 05:40 AM »
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So, my question is why this book can make some people(this is the first time for me) REALLY hate it, meanwhile the other half REALLY LOVE it...?

it's kind of an issue for me.. 
8)

It's the Twilight thing all over again. I am on the firm side of ABSOLUTE HATRED of these books, but some of my bestest friends loooove them. The thing is, everyone has different requirements, dealbreakers, things they'll let slide, etc. 

I read maybe a 1/4 of the first book and was done for good. No coercing will ever bring me to read that drivel again. Between the inner goddess, her conscious subconscious (huh?!), her incessant lip biting, a million "Oh jeez's", his arrogance, narcissism, creepiness, stalking, manipulating, threatening, (SHALL I GO ON?), I wanted to bash my head against a wall to try and erase any memories of what I'd read.

I follow a blog that recaps the book in a hilariously mocking way and so, I know what happens - it never gets better. I've also thoroughly skimmed books 2 & 3 for the sheer pain of it (I guess the BDSM rubbed off on me) - they are even worse. A couple of quotes from the later books border on pedoph.... It's just bad. Really bad.  It's a train wreck. 

The only reason I can come up with for why my usually rational bff likes this garbage is because she is way more forgiving than I. That's it. That's my whole and only theory. Other than that, it's an unsolved mystery. 
"It’s the good girls who keep diaries, the bad girls never have the time." - T. Bankhead

“Lock up your libraries if you like, but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” - Virginia Woolf
 

Offline savanablue

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Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #37 on: May 26, 2012, 06:57 AM »
I haven't read the books but I did read 'The Original'?  if you can call it that, fanfic. According to the reviews, the books are the same just with different character names.

I read a an article where EL James quoted "I've raised the bar in writing." Uhhhh, what? If this story is raising the bar I'm seriously worried about what future authors who have read this will come up with.

I refuse to give any money to fund her horrible writing, repetitive chapters and just general annoyance with the self loathing and narcissistic characters. In fanfic, this story is acceptable for being so farfetched and unrealistic, but published? Just no. It should have stayed in FF land. At least people wouldn't have to pay for this garbage. How she got 5 million for this blows my mind.

My opinion only :)
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Offline jaffa cakes

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #38 on: June 10, 2012, 05:38 PM »
I also got into this one while it used to be fanfic...yeah I was reading fanfic a lot :) Well when this book/series started, the original one, it got popular very fast but I gave up on it before it was finished. I just couldn't stand it anymore. As a fanfic this was hardly acceptable due to bad writing and many other things (as was said in previous posts) but as a book/series standing on it's own no thank you. My thoughts :)
 

Offline LilyLee

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #39 on: June 12, 2012, 05:07 AM »
I can't really compare this book to Twilight books... I do realize it started out as fanfic, but seriously, even though I'm not a fan of Meyer's books, she knows how to write, while the Fifty Shades trilogy is just horrible, horrible writing. I'm horrified by the popularity of such bad writing, and especially of the topic... abusive relationship, which is in short the theme of these books.

@TallMocha - Is that Novak on your avatar?
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Offline jaffa cakes

Re: Fifty Shades of Painful Reading Experience
« Reply #40 on: June 12, 2012, 05:55 AM »
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I can't really compare this book to Twilight books... I do realize it started out as fanfic, but seriously, even though I'm not a fan of Meyer's books, she knows how to write, while the Fifty Shades trilogy is just horrible, horrible writing. I'm horrified by the popularity of such bad writing, and especially of the topic... abusive relationship, which is in short the theme of these books.

@TallMocha - Is that Novak on your avatar?
Yes it's Nole - Novak :)
And I agree with you. I'm surprised how many fanfic stories have been published lately.
 

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