That "50 Shades" book

Although I gave this book a negative review from the perspective of one who knows a bit about these things, I do have to add that the book is entertaining in a rather perverse way. It's like watching a bad movie where you anticipate the dialog. Now that can be fun. But if you set out to read it, just be sure to set the bar low. Most of the time, you'll be rolling your eyes a la Miss Steele. Note there is a lot of sex in the book---straight vanilla, that is. It's been called "mommy porn" by some and that tag seems appropriate.
For those of us who are into TTWD the heroine's attitude is annoying, but actually understandable. Bottom line, some people are just not into it and never will be and if they feel that way, they should just walk away. What I dislike is this underlying drumbeat that he (Grey) is "damaged" and maybe can be "cured" so that he "is capable of love". There are 2 more parts to this trilogy and I suspect that Grey's rehab is the direction this will take. I could be wrong, though. Anybody read the rest of it?

I respect your judgement when it comes to quality lit, Rollin. There is too little of it these days. It has been awhile since I have read anything satisfying, let alone a story that involved spanking.
IC

I'm looking high and low for quality storytelling, and believe me, in the world of professionally written spanko lit, there is not much out there. This was of interest because it was mainstream, but it actually shows how the mainstream treats BDSM and related kinks.

You mean a taste for spanking, or a taste for Ms James' book, SNM? Either way, slightly puzzling response.

I mean the type who read and enjoy this kind of emotionally broken pseudo-romance. Several of my friends (as well as professional critics) have written reviews very similar to rollin's. There's also the fact that this started out as a Twilight fan fiction, and I've found Twilight fandom to be a very good litmus test for women who aren't worth my time.

Actually it was a popular beach book, being read by scores of married middle aged women. I saw lots of copies of it around the pool. Maybe after a steamy read they dragged hubby back to the hotel room for some afternoon fun, who knows? The one thing was, the girl's (Ana) response made perfect sense. She's smitten by Grey and the sex is mind blowing. He wants her too, but only on his terms which is this 90 day dom/sub contract. Well, she wants him only on her terms which is traditional courtship. So maybe I was a bit hard on her in my initial review. If you are an inexperienced vanilla and you fall for a guy and the next thing he says is that, ok, we can have a relationship, but only if you agree to be punished by me if you don't do everything I tell you---and it will hurt, what is her logical reaction?

His contract sounds like he's hiring a prostitute to be his sex slave and I suppose for a working girl this would be a pretty good gig. But for someone like Gidget? Can't see it.

I have actually read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it!! I am now onto part two which is also keeping me hooked! Even tho the spankings are mild, it is more the element of being controlled, dominated that the female protagonist objects to... which is fair enough... we are not all into BDSM type master/slave relationships. In part two the woman is actually enjoying the fun spankings because she is considered the male protagonist's girlfriend rather than his slave, and as the book progresses she is even initiating spankings.. partly to please her partner and also because she is turned on by the rough play. It is the idea of being punished and controlled and considered a slave that bothers her. Even though I am a spanko I can perfectly relate to that. As someone mentioned above the books are well written and it is great to see a trilogy centred around a spanking relationship entering the main stream! So hats off to E L James!

Yes it does show a total inexperienced vanilla's response to BDSM which is fair enough because the character Ana is an inexperienced vanilla. This of course isn't necessarily the writer's view. As the trilogy progresses Ana's attitudes change in respect to Christian's kink.... she loves him for who he is... and his declaration of love for her has made the difference to her mindset. She then accepts spankings but not true punishments and of course she still objects to being controlled. I don't see this as a fault of the plot-line at all as it seems perfectly feasible. (Am I tho only one sticking up for these books here? hahaha) I guess I am sorely outnumbered!

Rollin I am currently half way thru part 2.

The 'damaged' aspect of Christian's character is more that he doesn't like to be touched on his chest or back because he started life as an abused and neglected toddler, who still bears the scars of his early mistreatment. The way he badly explained his kink to Ana is that he gets a thrill from hurting his subs with corporal punishment. It is the notion that he would get a thrill from HURTING her that sends Ana running for the hills in part 1. This of course made her feel unloved and used (fair enough with such a bad explanation) However as the trilogy unravels we become increasingly aware that the male protagonist is not good at communicating about feelings, his past, and obviously his kink. SO yes he is flawed, but not because of his kink, more due to his lack of communication with the woman who loves him.

No, you're not, jools - check out my post on p1.....