My husband bought me the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy for my birthday. I'm an avid reader, and the books are bought, paid for, so I started reading them, even though I'm not a fan of romance novels.

I have to say, I'm in shock. I'm not a woman that's conservative when it comes to sex. I'll try anything, but on my terms. In other words, I'm not a submissive, never could be. It's just not who I am. I have no issues with those that are, that's their thing, and to each their own.

The thing is, I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Right now it's like a car wreck on the side of the road. I don't want to look, because I know it will upset me, but it's there, and I can't help myself.

I am now over 200 pages into the first book, and I'm torn. The writing is horrendous, I could do better in my sleep. But that's not really the issue, well, not the only issue. I didn't expect great writing from a romance novel. I could write one in my sleep.

The think that's disturbing me is that I usually read books where I can identify with the characters. Because I am an independent strong woman, I tend to read books with strong female characters. I also like strong male characters. Not a pushover, not a sub, but a man that will stand up for his woman, but doesn't really need to because the woman can take care of herself.

This book is the exact opposite of what I usually read, and frankly I'm shocked that it's on the best sellers list, but then, why should I be shocked? The Twilight series is a best seller too, but the great novels never get recognition.

Still, the books have been bought, and at $13 a pop I feel compelled to read them. They were a gift, and frankly I want to read on, not because of the writing, but because I want Anastasia to break Christian Grey. I want her to dominate him, because that's what I would do. But so far, 200 plus pages into the first book, Ana is a weak, naïve pushover, and I'd smack her if I could. I'm actually cheering for Christian to punish her, just so she gets a backbone and gives him as good as he dishes out.

This book actually makes me mad. I don't know why. But it does.

Has anyone else read it? Any thoughts? You don't have to agree with me. I just want some honest feedback, and I'm a bit shocked that I'm asking for feedback on a book that I don't even consider worthy of reading. :(

Anyone?

I'm bumping this thread, since it's in a forum that doesn't get a lot of action. My bad, should have put it in adult sexuality, but really, it's about a book, so it belongs here, in no mans land. ;)

I've read reviews of the series and decided not to buy them or get them through the library (if a library even has them in its collection).

Years ago in library school we had to read American Psycho, a cousin to the book you're reading. I finished it only because there was a class discussion on it (my Censorship class) and I would be graded on the discussion and a test. I can't read romances either, even though some of my dearest friends are bestselling romance authors (and also clean and fairly literate). I once took a course on writing romances and had a lesson on writing erotica. I found out I'm really good at it, but have absolutely no interest in it.

All that said, 50 Shades is supposed to be one of the most poorly written books in existence. Supposedly, the series is well received because its time has come. One review says that "much of Grey's appeal is its Cinderella story—the rich-man-sweeps-innocent-beauty-off-her-feet female fantasy. And as in so many romance novels, beneath the hero's domineering veneer there's a vulnerability that only the heroine can penetrate, though not without some emotional maneuvering."

Alty, you are the first person I know who has read/is reading this series. I must hang out with the wrong crowd. It's supposed to appeal to young women, I've heard ("mommy porn").

LOL! Mommy porn is about right. I never would have even looked at this book if hubby hadn't bought it for me. To be fair to hubby, he's not a reader, but most of the books I read, he buys for me. Usually his taste is right on the mark, which is astonishing seeing as he doesn't read, and doesn't even want to discuss the books he buys me. This is really the first time he's failed when it comes to buying literature for me to read.

The thing is, he bought the entire series, at $13 plus a book ,and now I feel compelled to read them because they're not refundable. But this book is making me mad. Mad because it's so poorly written. Mad because the characters are so unbelievable, and yet so predictable when it comes to romance novels.

I'm just mad, and yet I'm reading it, because it's there, and it's like a train wreck, I have to look, against my better judgement.

I just find it very sad that this is the sort of dreck people want to read. This is the goop that makes it to the bestsellers list. It's a commentary on our times. It's very discouraging. What happened to the classics? There are tons of books worthy of reading, that are being written today. They don't make it to the bestseller list because most people aren't intelligent enough to give them a chance. They resort to this sort of crap. I think that's why I'm mad.

The "nicest" part of American Psycho is the description of using live gerbils as sex toys. It goes downhill from there.

The "nicest" part of American Psycho is the description of using live gerbils as sex toys. It goes downhill from there.

LOL! Good point.