50 Shades of Grey

SPOILER ALERT! 


Although E.L. James is no literary genius, for some reason I was unable to put down her trilogy. The similarity between the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga is uncanny. For example, both novels are set in Washington. Christian Grey, while not paranormal (although he might as well be, for all the power that he has) is ridiculously rich like Edward Cullen. Both are supposedly Greek gods of youth in terms of attractiveness. Anastasia Steele, like Bella Swan, is romantically inept, never having been in a real relationship before meeting their romantic (and in Ana's case, sexual) partner. Ana, like Bella, is rather ordinary and for them, their beauty goes unnoticed by most (in Ana's case, many boys find her attractive, although she doesn't see it that way). Christian Grey and his siblings Mia and Elliot Grey, are adopted, like the Cullen/Hale siblings. Grace Trevelyan, Christian's adoptive mother, is a doctor, like Carlisle Cullen in Twilight. Anastasia, like Bella, is in constant danger (for example, when Christian's ex-submissive Leila Williams tries to attack Bella, and later on, when Jack Hyde tries to molest Ana and harm her after Christian has him fired from SIP). Christian, like Edward, is determined to keep Ana safe and protect her, making her sacrifice going out and spending time with friends (Ana isn't allowed to have a drink with her best friend Kate, like Bella wasn't allowed to go see Jacob at the reservation.) The list is endless. 


Although this novel, in my opinion, is better than Twilight, it is definitely more for adults rather than for teens. Sex occurs quite often in this trilogy between Christian and Ana. They are quite dirty, if you know what I mean. If you don't fancy reading a BDSM novel, then it might not be the book for you, but it's not just about the bondage and the flogging and spanking. Their relationship goes beyond that. I thought the BDSM would turn me off too, but it didn't. It wasn't as bad as it seemed, except in the end of the first novel, where Christian whips her with a belt. That sounded painful, and most probably was, too, if Ana left Christian after the incident. 


If 50 Shades of Grey is ever made into a movie, I am quite curious as to how the producers will include the constant sex scenes. The book is like Twilight, only with sex. It's like Twilight for moms. 


However, while Christian was sweet and romantic, via emails and texts and vacations, etc., he was quite controlling of her and very possessive. For example, when Ana had to go to New York with her boss Jack for business, Christian, while correct in his theory of Jack's desire to have sex with Ana, refused to let Ana go and, because he had purchased the company (becoming its' boss), he made up a rule on the spot that said that traveling costs had to be permitted by the head, namely, Christian, meaning Ana wasn't even allowed to go anyway by company rules. He gets very jealous easily and doesn't like when Ana hangs out with other guys, like her friend Jose.  


I could continue with my thoughts and opinions about the trilogy, I'll just let you guys read it and judge it for yourselves. Just be prepared for lots and lots of sex!