Only a few years ago, E. L. James took the literary world
by storm with her Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy
(FSoG), and brought erotica and BDSM to the mainstream.
Almost everyone will have heard by now of this series,
and GREY was certainly one of the most anticipated books
in a long time. Whether or not you have read the books or
seen the movie, you have most likely read about FSoG. The
three books relate the story of young, innocent Anastasia
-- Ana -- Steele, who is about "hearts and flowers" and
Christian Grey, the charismatic, broody billionaire, who
needs to take Ana to the dark side; FSoG was told from
Ana's point of view.
GREY is a tricky book to review; in a way, it's a damned-
if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation regarding the
reviewer's infatuation with Mr. Grey or lack thereof. I
read all of FSoG when the third book came out, and when I
heard about GREY, reading the story from Christian's
point of view was a given. First of all, unlike countless
women, Christian was never a "book boyfriend" of mine; I
don't do book boyfriends much. Second, had I been Ana, I
would have given him the boot right away, but still I was
intrigued enough to read all three books. Would I
recommend FSoG, probably not; do I recommend GREY, yes!
Strangely enough, the first chapter of GREY didn't bode
too well, but it very soon picks up; readers should not
be deterred by the very beginning, which is not a good
representation of what follows. Christian Grey is a
pathetic, bossy jerk, or so it always seemed to me,
however Ms. James successfully delves into his tortured
mind, and I was very pleased with the depth of character
development the author provides and knowing who is
Christian Grey; his mind is not a exactly a pretty place
to peer into, and that is what was needed and missing the
first time around. The tone of GREY is much better suited
to the subject matter, and Ms. James' writing is crisper
and tighter; no "inner goddesses" here! GREY is much,
much darker than the original and it's entirely
appropriate; I feel that GREY succeeds in places where I
didn't "feel" it in Fifty Shades of Grey.
GREY does not cover the whole of FSoG, but only the first
book; I was surprised and a bit disappointed at that,
however upon finishing GREY, I'm quite pleased. I surmise
it means that I can look forward to two further
instalments in this parallel series, and as I did have a
few issues with book three Fifty Shades Freed, I am very
much
looking forward to two more books. Very well done, Ms.
James and "Laters, baby"!
See the world of Fifty Shades of Grey anew
through the eyes
of Christian Grey.
In Christian’s own words, and through his thoughts,
reflections, and dreams, E L James offers a fresh
perspective on the love story that has enthralled millions
of readers around the world.
Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world
is
neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that
Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of
shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget
her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he
cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he
has known
before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—
past the
business prodigy
and
the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded
heart.
Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood
that
haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual
desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing
that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the
fragile hope she offers him?
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