I had to read it. I had to. How can you read the other three and not read this one? And I swore that I was going to read it on my Nook so that no one knew I was reading it and yet I bought a copy at COSTCO because it was cheaper than the Nook price. So, I've left it at home several times so no one would know I was reading it. Why? Because I was avoiding the swoons and the eyebrow raising that so often accompanies a reading of this book. Oh, I do so wonder what Dr. Hampton, my Human Sexuality professor from college, is making of this text?
Here's my take...
I read all of the 50 Shades books and I even watched the terrible movie adaptation of the series (yes...I found it to be ridiculous). I am not afraid to read these books, or others like it, and they do not embarrass me. People's reactions embarrass me because I feel as though outsiders who have never read a single one of the book are making assumptions about women who read them. That women are sex-starved, or are closet submissives. That we really yearn for sexual domination. Good grief. And what real gets my goat is the number of people who blog about or comment about the books (and movie) who have never even read them. Seriously? How you can have any opinion about a book you've never experienced?
So, in light of all of that, I go back to my original take on 50 Shades and Grey corroborates my initial reactions and feelings. EL James is brilliant because she has made a fortune capitalizing on a basic human emotion--our need to be wanted. Women love Christian Grey because he makes Ana feel wanted and we all want a man in our lives who makes us feel as wanted and as special. When we read these books, we are not thinking about Christian's weirdo fetishes, we are thinking how amazing it must be to be wanted so much by another human being. How amazing it would be to have someone buy you a new car because he fears yours isn't safe enough. How amazing it must be to have someone fly clear across the country to see you because he misses your face. How amazing it must be to have someone stare at you like you are the most beautiful sight he's ever seen. THIS is why women read these books.
Well...that and the romantic idea that women can change men. We know we can't really change men. Not really. But, but the end of the 50 Shades Trilogy, Ana sure has changed Christian. Ana and love changed him. Love took over and changed a truly disturbed man and women all over the world are eating this story up because proves that love can conquer all.
But ladies, it's fiction. And we have to remember that it's fiction. I have to remind myself the same thing when I read any book by Nicholas Sparks. Those men don't really exist. Neither does Christian Grey.
However, I will admit that it was interesting to read the first part of a very long story (Grey is 50 Shades of Grey told from Christian's point of view) from his point of view. Through Grey, you catch small glimpses of what made him turn to his controlling lifestyle and I do feel terrible that such a small boy had to see what he did for so long before Grace rescued him. As I was reading, I wondered if EL James ever considered telling the original 2 books from alternating chapters in order to capture both perspectives as the story was told. I also wonder if she will write two more books to finish out the story from his perspective. If so, I want to go on record as saying that I will NOT read those. I am finished reading about Christian Grey and Ana Steele.
My next book is Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman. I can't wait for it to arrive today. History in the making.
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
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