By: Dana Bailey

Dana Bailey — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:17:35 +0000

Lori, I’ve read that both characters evolve over the next couple of books, and Christian’s backstory is revealed. And there is an explaination as to what attracted Christian to Ana… from what I understand it’s kind of creepy. You’ll have to let me know how the other two books turn out.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:44:18 +0000

I have recently started reading Fifty Shades mostly for the same reasons you did – what’s all the fuss about? This was the same reason I read the “Twilight” series. In my opinion, both Twilight and Fifty lack serious character development. I understand why 21 year old Anastasia and 16 year old Bella like their men – attractive, powerful, mysterious – but there is no explanation as to why Christian or Edward find the ladies so intoxicating (except for Bella’s wonderful smell). The only thing I can figure so far is that Christian saw a weak person who could be easily dominated in Anastasia, because that’s what I see.
Like Dana, I am having to to suspend my thoughts as a 35 year old and try to remember what it was like as a 21 year old. That’s helped. There is definitely mental abuse in both relationships – the men are controlling, dangerously jealous, and the stalking is very creepy. One thing that has irritated me in both books is the female protagonist being described by the men as “strong”; they are FAR from strong women. Neither can fully express their opinions to the men or anyone else. They do as they are told, which I guess from the point of a BDSM novel, is to be expected.
I do plan to read the entire Fifty trilogy to see how they turn out. From what I understand, Christian does evolve, which I would like to see. In one way, this series reminds me of the “Millenium” series because the reader had to read all 3 books to figure out who Lisbeth Salander was and how she became the person she is. I suspect that Fifty is similar, as the author is not forthcoming with Christian’s story.
I’m interested to read other readers’ opinions of these books.

Comments on: Review: “Fifty Shades of Grey”

By: Dana Bailey

By: Lori