Fifty Shades of Grey... have you heard of it? Read it?

Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
The name of the original fanfic was "Master of the Universe"... Google my pretties...

Also, Dr. Drew called it an abusive relationship, video linked HERE. It's a LJ entry, and in Drew's defense one poster comments, "To be fair, Dr. Drew's not saying all BDSM relationships are abusive, just the one specifically described in the book."

It's becoming a perverse source of pride that I've read none of it.
05/08/2012
Contributor: Errant Venture Errant Venture
^ Ha!

I have to say, I'm getting rather annoyed with this book, now. I tend to keep myself to myself, but if people ask me questions, then I'm okay with answering openly. So when a few friends asked me - following their reading of this trilogy - about how I could be into such a thing as BDSM (as they say, 'I'm such a nice guy')? I have to explain that what occurs in the books (at least, from what I've read and from what they've told me) isn't an accurate depiction of BDSM. It's more than a little annoying.
05/09/2012
Contributor: BG529 BG529
I would like to know why everyone keeps comparing this to twilight??? This is a totally different story...
05/09/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by BG529
I would like to know why everyone keeps comparing this to twilight??? This is a totally different story...
Because the characters were originally Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. The story was Twilight FanFic, which is probably why everyone got all moist and googly-eyed over it to begin with.

When the opportunity arose, E L James removed "Master of the Universe" (the original title) from the FanFic site, changed the names of the characters, sold the rights to a publisher, and laughed all the way to the bank.
05/09/2012
Contributor: BG529 BG529
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
Because the characters were originally Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. The story was Twilight FanFic, which is probably why everyone got all moist and googly-eyed over it to begin with.

When the opportunity arose, E L James removed "Master ... more
well, she must have change a lot more than just their names....
05/09/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by BG529
well, she must have change a lot more than just their names....
No, not really... DearAuthor goes into great detail about the similarity between Fifty Shades and "Master of the Universe" and there's really no room for debate: they are 89% the same thing according to computer analyzation.
05/09/2012
Contributor: Feisty Feisty
been so busy, haven't had time. but now that school's over its def. on my reading list and i can't wait!
05/12/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Your time would be better spent with one of the Cleis Press titles available here. May I recommend Please, Sir?
05/16/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
I guess since they couldn't get Ellen he was the next logical choice ...

Gilbert Gottfried Reads Fifty Shades of Grey
05/18/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
It was only a matter of time before it came up in Dan Savage's column:

May 16, 2012

He wrote:

"Full disclosure: I may be the only sex writer on earth who has yet to read Fifty Shades of Grey. While I plan to avoid reading Grey, just as I've avoided watching "2 Girls, 1 Cup" (and for similar reasons, i.e., I'm easily nauseated), I think it's wonderful that this book is inspiring a whole new generation of American women to get their kink on."
05/18/2012
Contributor: ghent529 ghent529
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
I guess since they couldn't get Ellen he was the next logical choice ...

Gilbert Gottfried Reads Fifty Shades of Grey
now thats funny!
05/18/2012
Contributor: mmmmm mmmmm
Got around reading the first book have to finish it
05/18/2012
Contributor: EskaSarynn EskaSarynn
Like most people here, the minute I heard about this book on the radio I was immediately repelled. I pretty much figure that any erotica that's condoned by social media probably isn't that great. -shrugs-

However, it has been suggested to me several times, and at this point I kinda just want to see what the fuss is about. So, I've picked it up to read.. not bought, mind you. Just... acquired. XD So I guess we'll see!
05/22/2012
Contributor: solitudinarian solitudinarian
Heard of it, highly doubt that I'll ever read it though.
05/22/2012
Contributor: puddi puddi
Quote:
Originally posted by Errant Venture
I wouldn't recommend it. For two main reasons: First - the sex scenes are really quite bad (I've read far better on here). The BDSM is stereotypical and unrealistic. Second - it started out as Twilight fanfic. There's a cardinal rule in ... more
Not to mention it totally has that "Creepy erotic fanfiction" vibe

it's pretty poorly written, and hilarious more than anything else.
05/24/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by puddi
Not to mention it totally has that "Creepy erotic fanfiction" vibe

it's pretty poorly written, and hilarious more than anything else.
"it's pretty poorly written"

Having only seen quotes on YouTube and 50 Shades of SUCK, I would agree.

Yet it has sold 2,000,000 copies so far.
05/24/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Et tu, Brute?

05/25/2012
Contributor: Passion plum Passion plum
I read the first two books. I really want to read the last one. I liked the plot of twilight and background but thought the writing was so-so. That being said I think Fifty Shades of Grey was better written.
05/25/2012
Contributor: jennifur77 jennifur77
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
I read about Fifty Shades of Grey today and I am curious. So far I've seen it likened to Eat, Pray, Love and Twilight just with lots of extra porn. Has anyone here read it? Plan to read it?

There is more information on the Huffington Post ... more
I just ordered it today and can't wait to read it!
05/26/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by Passion plum
I read the first two books. I really want to read the last one. I liked the plot of twilight and background but thought the writing was so-so. That being said I think Fifty Shades of Grey was better written.
"I think Fifty Shades of Grey was better written."

You and I have very different tastes.
05/26/2012
Contributor: Taylor Taylor
Quote:
Originally posted by jennifur77
I just ordered it today and can't wait to read it!
I did too. I liked Twilight and I like BDSM. I don't know anything about the book other than it contains those two things, so I'm hoping I'll like it. I just ordered it yesterday since I saw EF was selling it, so I hope I'll get it early next week.
05/26/2012
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
Et tu, Brute?

I am going to pretend I didn't see this. Otherswise, I'll never look at my Lelo flogger the same way again.
05/26/2012
Contributor: Owl Owl
I've heard so much talk about it I might have to see what it is all about myself.
05/26/2012
Contributor: interestingstuff interestingstuff
Quote:
Originally posted by puddi
Not to mention it totally has that "Creepy erotic fanfiction" vibe

it's pretty poorly written, and hilarious more than anything else.
I agree. Having read a whole lot of fanfiction, it is really, just another fanfiction. As for the quality, it is not bad- for a fanfiction. As a book, it is too heavily based on the qualities attributed to the typical fanfiction versions of the Twilight characters. Really, all she did was change the damn names. I've read better twilight fanfiction erotica, that can probably stand on its own without the Twilight influences a hell of a lot better than Fifty shades, but, we are stuck with Fifty Shades of Grey, or Fifty Shades of Cullen.
05/27/2012
Contributor: interestingstuff interestingstuff
Also, I think that part of the reason why it's so popular is because of how the sex evolves in the story. Christian Grey is one hell of a kink, but gets mellowed out by Ana, who is willing to try (insert yourself into the shoes of the character, most of the pple reading who is new to kinky thing), but ultimately rejects his most kinky desires. She helps to fix his psychological problems which made him so desperately kinky, then they do things that are pretty kinky, but not scary kinky for the shocked inexperienced people reading following the story. It's that idea that she "fixed" him, diluted his darker desires. Why can't he just be hella kinky?
05/27/2012
Contributor: Breas Breas
I just recently purchased it. Haven't received it yet. I'm looking forward to reading it!
05/27/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by interestingstuff
Also, I think that part of the reason why it's so popular is because of how the sex evolves in the story. Christian Grey is one hell of a kink, but gets mellowed out by Ana, who is willing to try (insert yourself into the shoes of the character, ... more
"She helps to fix his psychological problems which made him so desperately kinky [...] It's that idea that she "fixed" him, diluted his darker desires."

The BDSM community must love this aspect of the book.

@Yaoi Pervette
Yeah, it made me cringe a little. Really EF? Though I can't say I blame them. If you look at the popular search terms on the home page, "50 Shades" tops the list.
05/27/2012
Contributor: LaSchwartz LaSchwartz
I have heard or of it and I really want to read it.
05/27/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Errant Venture
I wouldn't recommend it. For two main reasons: First - the sex scenes are really quite bad (I've read far better on here). The BDSM is stereotypical and unrealistic. Second - it started out as Twilight fanfic. There's a cardinal rule in ... more
The fan fic thing; is that like, a law?

I don't have any plans on reading it, I've got plenty of good erotica already.

But, if someone was able to take the time they... spent on writing fan fic and actually was able to get published and make money from it I say more power to them. At least it's worth something to some people.

I don't understand the whole fan fic thing at all, but I think if someone gets published, even if I don't personally like the genre, they probably did a decent job. They made some money off of a hobby. I don't see a problem with that.

I'm just not interested in reading it. It's not because I think I'm too oh-so-hip as to NOT be able to enjoy what 'the masses' like, because I'd be a hypocrite, I LOVE Stephen King. Many people hate his work (having never read it) because he appeals to the masses. I just haven't fount this particular book intriguing enough. I'm not one for "romance" novels in any form.

But, I refuse to dis a book I haven't personally read.
05/27/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
The fan fic thing; is that like, a law?

I don't have any plans on reading it, I've got plenty of good erotica already.

But, if someone was able to take the time they... spent on writing fan fic and actually was able to get ... more
The problem with making money on FanFic is that you're making money off of someone else's creations: their characters and the world they've built.
05/27/2012