Grey by E L James

Laveila wrote:

I still have the 50 Shades at home. I am thinking about selling it, but its in English, so not sure how easy it would be to sell it in this country, where lot of people have intermediate knowledge of English in many cases.

Or take it with me when visiting a friend this summer in the UK and donate it to the first charity shop I pass by

9 in 10 people I know claim their English is just perfect and that they watch English-language TV series and movies all the time. You should be able to unload it onto someone with no problems whatsoever. (And if their knowledge turns out to be... erm... not so perfect but rather "intermediate" instead, I would say the writing style of the FSOG series is not exactly "advanced", either. They should be fine. ![](upload://h7LJ67OOrR57VDYrj5ZEwwHAfLG.gif))

Skitty wrote:

Secretty wrote:

Imagine if JK Rowling released the first Harry Potter book from Snape's point of view? Everyone would of gone "Meh, who cares?" and rightly so. Don't understand why this book is getting a free ride on this. It's the same way video game companies, or movie companies, can't think of a new, interesting concept so just do a rerelease of a film/game that did really well.

Must say I'd definitely read the Harry Potter books from Snape's point of view! ;) More chance of getting me to read that than the FSOG books.

----------

I tried to read the first FSOG because I really like the idea of being into erotic novels - I'm not immune to the charms of reading naughty things, but coudln't stand the writing style. It's so.... unsexy.

Read a little bit of the new book via someone live-tweeting it as they read it, so that's not a very fair overall view, but I was surprised at how similarly it's written considering it's meant to be from a different character's perspective. From how they both seem to think and talk in cringingly awful cliches, I guess the main characters are perfect for each other.

But I do also appreciate that some people love it, and good for them. I wish I could find an erotic book that I liked too!

It's very sweet of you to say that the characters are made for each other. Lol. The obvious answer to that is that the writer only knows one style of writing and therefore you can't differentiate between characters. :P

To be fair, once I wrote that first comment, I realised it wasn't a great example. Snape is probably one of the more interesting characters in the book, so a story from his point of view would probably go down very well. But it's the principle of it and less about what content would be included. In the end, it would still be JK Rowling cashing in on the success of Harry Potter because she wasn't able to be a success with anything else. As it is, she's gone on to write a few other books, so good for her.

I can accept sequels and series of books telling a new story. But rewriting the whole story from someone else's point of view? That's just lazy. It's a lack of creativity usually reserved for the gaming or movie industry. If a series is finished, let it die. Write something new. Some new characters, new plots. Fifty Shades of Grey was her opportunity. She's made a name for herself now. A new franchise would sell on her name alone. She could show the world what a good writer she is (well...potentially is). I would kill to be in the position she's in and yet she squanders it because she's too scared, talentless, or just plain lazy to move on from a series that has already meant she never has to work again.

It's just a waste. Just wait until "The Greyest of the Grey" is realised and is from the point of view of the pizza delivery guy who see's the couple for half a second during the plot.

TLDR: Generally, my point is Shakespeare never rewrote Hamlet from Horatio's point of view. ;)

Briona87 wrote:

Laveila wrote:

I still have the 50 Shades at home. I am thinking about selling it, but its in English, so not sure how easy it would be to sell it in this country, where lot of people have intermediate knowledge of English in many cases.

Or take it with me when visiting a friend this summer in the UK and donate it to the first charity shop I pass by

9 in 10 people I know claim their English is just perfect and that they watch English-language TV series and movies all the time. You should be able to unload it onto someone with no problems whatsoever. (And if their knowledge turns out to be... erm... not so perfect but rather "intermediate" instead, I would say the writing style of the FSOG series is not exactly "advanced", either. They should be fine. ![](upload://h7LJ67OOrR57VDYrj5ZEwwHAfLG.gif)

Hahahahaha well, I work in international company so there maybe, but! I do not want people to know what I read in my free time for kinky books lol

And my experience with the perfect English is bit different lol At least the spoken part. I even have friends who barely used English since grammar school because their all colleagues are Czech, or Slovak, and they might have just used it while enjoying holiday. And if I ask my foreign colleagues, they would also have different view of the 9 out of 10 :-D

But I may try, if I dare. Maybe post it on Aukro and see if someone buys it. Its true its not that hard to read, but I do not remember how difficult is the vocabulary, most likely not, since writing style is terrible.

Bit wondering if the translation is bit better or not...

I don't have it yet but has anyone else had more of a read? Would be curious to see what you think!

Lovehoney - Paige wrote:

I don't have it yet but has anyone else had more of a read? Would be curious to see what you think!
I've finished it and personally whilst it started slow once I got into it I liked it. It was interesting. I now need there to be more! In my opinion it has finished too early.

I've just downloaded it to my Kindle.

I want the 10 hours of my life back!! Worse book I have ever read if I'm honest.

My OH is enjoying her copy. Sales appear to be picking up as well as a well known book store chain in Bury had already sold out and a notice on the door saying so.

Also watched the extended version of the Movie last night . We have got the Blue Ray version with all the extras ( a birthday present to my OH from the Sister in Law) . One scene I did notice that was extended is the riding crop scene as it shows him giving her a swat on her pussy. That bit did get my OH crosslegged with the old dagger looks at me implying if you try that your dead meat! :)

I am a fan of the FSOG series and I loved this book. There are other authors that have taken the same story and written it in separate books from the point of view of other characters. Tara Sue Me, for example, wrote The Submissive Trilogy the first book was from the woman's POV and the second book was the same story from the man's POV (I found this fascinating to read) the third book brought the entire realtionship together in a more concrete way.

I personally loved reading Grey. But I can understand why there are those who do not like these books. The language is simplictic and the author tends to use some of the same phrases over and over again. However, I was able to overlook that because I love the story.

I can also understand why some in the BDSM community are upset with these books (the first book, in particular). But I think these books have opened up a whole new world for some people. Now, I'm not saying that curious people should use FSOG as a BDSM training manual, but maybe the books have opened up a whole new conversation.

little p. wrote:

I am a fan of the FSOG series and I loved this book. There are other authors that have taken the same story and written it in separate books from the point of view of other characters. Tara Sue Me, for example, wrote The Submissive Trilogy the first book was from the woman's POV and the second book was the same story from the man's POV (I found this fascinating to read) the third book brought the entire realtionship together in a more concrete way.

I personally loved reading Grey. But I can understand why there are those who do not like these books. The language is simplictic and the author tends to use some of the same phrases over and over again. However, I was able to overlook that because I love the story.

I can also understand why some in the BDSM community are upset with these books (the first book, in particular). But I think these books have opened up a whole new world for some people. Now, I'm not saying that curious people should use FSOG as a BDSM training manual, but maybe the books have opened up a whole new conversation.

I agree with everything that you say there. For us personally it got my wife talking about her darkest desires . I has suspisions before that she liked my patting her on her backside but I didn't see the bondage thing coming . Whilst she is not into being trussed up by rope she does like being restrained including being spreadeagle to the bed. Without these books I am not sure if she would have been confident about talking about these desires .

Unfortinaely ,particularly with the media, BDSM does have a stigma attached to it. With these books and the film it has lessened this stigma with many couple practising the odd kink. I was reading some time a go that one of the largest call outs for a US fire brigade was to free people from handcuffs in the bedroom .

I agree that the standard of English , certainly in the trilogy isn't brilliant and this has come from my freends wife who is an English teacher in a school. But that hasn't put her off reading them .

Black_Magic wrote:

kitt


I gave up after three chapters it didn't hold my interest ahe came across as a drip he wasn't attractive in my head at all now Malcolm Tucker mm different again I wouldn't mind being handcuffed spanked then roughly taken by him.

I loved Malcolm in The Thick Of It, he has just a way about him! ;)

Agreed Peter Capaldi is brilliant as him, now Fsog with him would be alot better.

80 days was a better and less represented series. Written by an author who clearly did her research properly and didn't once use the word 'sex' to describe a damn vagina!!

I was 14 when my mother first handed me "Fanny Hill-memoirs of a woman of pleasure."

I can recall getting through most of it, not bothered in the slightest by how articulate or old fashioned it was. (Perhaps this set some sort of standard..)

I struggled with FSOG, didnt get passed 100 pages! If I could equate it to anything, it would be like having my eyes sanded back using the most abraisive paper you've got and then gouged out!

I found it too simply written, repetitive, and bloody hell! Ana came across as so pathetically weak it was irritating.

That being said- I would still like to know how Christian viewed it. Though I have already been told by many not to bother.

I'm not sure if I will be picking up a copy any time soon..

I watched the film and found it extremely cringey and wooden with the chemistry between them both. Admittedly I have actually read all three books (saying that, I barely got through the end of book 2 and book 3 was even worse) so I decided to try again with book 2.

Nope, barely hit chapter three before the "my inner goddess stuff" started to irratate me, its a lot more poorly written than I remember and going off the LH reviews on Grey so far, the typos and how its written again would bug me.

I kinda agree with the cashing in on things.. where does it end though? books.. film.. inspired sex toy range. Kinda ridiculous, but look how far J.K Rowling is going now with her "new Harry Potter details/backstory on the Potters*.

I do need this book!!!

Although i do have two beautiful new books to keep me company for now thanks to the wonderful sex toy fairies on here :)

I'm halfway through Grey, and I don't know Christian any better than I did from reading the trilogy. They are so poorly written. It is an exact rehash of the first FSOG book. It's like she's writing it page by page exactly the same as the original but from Christians POV. I really thought we'd explore more about his relationship with Elena, his childhood etc, but so far I don't know anything that I didn't know before. I'll finish reading it, I have never not finished a book (except at uni!), so will stick with it and hopefully it will surprise me. Hopefully watching the film tonight or tomorrow, but not holding out too much hope!

Wildcherry wrote:

Nope, barely hit chapter three before the "my inner goddess stuff" started to irratate me, its a lot more poorly written than I remember and going off the LH reviews on Grey so far, the typos and how its written again would bug me.

I kinda agree with the cashing in on things.. where does it end though? books.. film.. inspired sex toy range. Kinda ridiculous, but look how far J.K Rowling is going now with her "new Harry Potter details/backstory on the Potters*.

Mh, I'm not a big reader of erotic fiction, but my OH loved fsog and I thought I'd take a look at the first book to see what the fuss was about; not withstanding the god-awful characterisation and dopey dialogue, the grammar and spelling errors made it practically unreadable! Did the book even pass under the nose of an editor or proofreader?!

You have a point about JKR, but at least she's expanding on her 'universe' by telling an untold story and hopefully, like the Potter series, there'll be characters that you at least care a bit about and see some development throughout. Yes, she may be milking it a bit, but at least her series has a trace of originality, interest and development. Nor will every other paragraph be littered with spelling and grammatical errors!

Lovehoney - Jessica wrote:

I was 14 when my mother first handed me "Fanny Hill-memoirs of a woman of pleasure."

I can recall getting through most of it, not bothered in the slightest by how articulate or old fashioned it was. (Perhaps this set some sort of standard..)

I struggled with FSOG, didnt get passed 100 pages! If I could equate it to anything, it would be like having my eyes sanded back using the most abraisive paper you've got and then gouged out!

I found it too simply written, repetitive, and bloody hell! Ana came across as so pathetically weak it was irritating.

That being said- I would still like to know how Christian viewed it. Though I have already been told by many not to bother.

If its the book I'm thinking of I loved that read it years ago. But FSOG is just drivel.

The first book was bad enough and the next two were even worse, if they hadn't have been from the library I'd have taken them into the garden and set fire to them !
Haven't seen the film, only clips ( there appears to be absolutely no sexual chemistry between the two actors ) , don't find the male lead remotely sexy .
As I found the characters in the first book to be unbelievable and irritating I don't think this new one will be much better, well at least not for me.

Char99 wrote:

I'm halfway through Grey, and I don't know Christian any better than I did from reading the trilogy. They are so poorly written. It is an exact rehash of the first FSOG book. It's like she's writing it page by page exactly the same as the original but from Christians POV. I really thought we'd explore more about his relationship with Elena, his childhood etc, but so far I don't know anything that I didn't know before. I'll finish reading it, I have never not finished a book (except at uni!), so will stick with it and hopefully it will surprise me. Hopefully watching the film tonight or tomorrow, but not holding out too much hope!

Having just finished it I too feel we have learnt little more than we knew before. But given this stops just where the first book did I can see EL James milking at least 2 more books out of this.