And So It Goes
I finished the rather large PDF version of Fifty Shades of Grey. Well, I did not actually read the entire thing; I found myself skimming much of it. The sheer amount of intimate information was just too much for me. I was literally tired of reading about it! And that is the truth. I wouldn't say that I am a prude. I just couldn't bear to read any more details. TMI!
I also found that I had no idea about toys, if you know what I mean. Of course who hasn't heard of canes, whips, handcuffs, and restraints, although I have admittedly never used them. (Shocking that I haven't, right?) But as to other paraphernalia, I was in the dark. Because this is a family blog, I am not even going to mention some of the objects I read about. I cringe just thinking of some of them, that is for certain. That Red Room of Pain really was outfitted well, if you are into that kind of thing.
Did I enjoy the book, though? Yes, and no. The PDF version was essentially a fan fiction version of the story, using Isabella Swan and Edward Cullen as the main characters. I would assume that some editing did occur before the published version went out. Of course, E. L. James changed the names to Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. The author also changed the location. But I am curious about any other changes. For those of you that read or are reading the published version, you will have to let me know if the editors took out the 1000 instances of oh my, he's hot, she's ready, or multiple other phrases that popped up too much and too often. Again, this is a family blog, so I hesitate to go much further into any other phrases that might have stood out. I got a little distracted by those phrases; the dialogue wasn't as polished as much as something a practiced author would churn out.
Part of the story that I did enjoy came at the end of my PDF. I don't know about the actual published product, but the PDF had a couple of outtakes at the end, parts of which were told from the point of view of Edward/Christian. A friend of mine didn't like that point of view, as she found it disturbing. I, on the other hand, really enjoyed reading about his point of view. I think if E.L. James had written the entire book, perhaps alternating points of view with her chapters, she could have had a real psychological thriller on her hands. It was interesting to me why Cullen/Grey is the way he is, and what his past would reveal. But since the story is pretty much from the point of view of Isabella/Anastasia, you miss out on details that could reveal a great plot.
I also wonder about the reality of the female character. Don't get me wrong, I did like her ability to stand up to Edward/Christian. At first I thought she was going to be a real wuss, somewhat like the Isabella character from the original Twilight. Isabella pretty much relied on everyone else to save her. Anastasia doesn't necessarily do that. But, she is a young, naive, virgin when she meets Christian. I find it a bit difficult to digest and believe that she would jump into such an extreme type of relationship when it was her first one. If a hot specimen of manhood such as Grey had approached me at her age, I'd have likely run the other way!
Anyway, I just admitted to reading "mommy porn," right? And I am still standing! I don't feel guilty about it in the least, although I made sure to keep the tablet away from the kids when I was reading. I do have to tell you, though, that it felt a bit strange when my sister told me that she threw me under the bus. "What do you mean?" I said. "Oh, I told mom you suggested that I read it." Hmmm. I am going to assume that my mom will forget about that conversation entirely.
I also found that I had no idea about toys, if you know what I mean. Of course who hasn't heard of canes, whips, handcuffs, and restraints, although I have admittedly never used them. (Shocking that I haven't, right?) But as to other paraphernalia, I was in the dark. Because this is a family blog, I am not even going to mention some of the objects I read about. I cringe just thinking of some of them, that is for certain. That Red Room of Pain really was outfitted well, if you are into that kind of thing.
Did I enjoy the book, though? Yes, and no. The PDF version was essentially a fan fiction version of the story, using Isabella Swan and Edward Cullen as the main characters. I would assume that some editing did occur before the published version went out. Of course, E. L. James changed the names to Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. The author also changed the location. But I am curious about any other changes. For those of you that read or are reading the published version, you will have to let me know if the editors took out the 1000 instances of oh my, he's hot, she's ready, or multiple other phrases that popped up too much and too often. Again, this is a family blog, so I hesitate to go much further into any other phrases that might have stood out. I got a little distracted by those phrases; the dialogue wasn't as polished as much as something a practiced author would churn out.
Part of the story that I did enjoy came at the end of my PDF. I don't know about the actual published product, but the PDF had a couple of outtakes at the end, parts of which were told from the point of view of Edward/Christian. A friend of mine didn't like that point of view, as she found it disturbing. I, on the other hand, really enjoyed reading about his point of view. I think if E.L. James had written the entire book, perhaps alternating points of view with her chapters, she could have had a real psychological thriller on her hands. It was interesting to me why Cullen/Grey is the way he is, and what his past would reveal. But since the story is pretty much from the point of view of Isabella/Anastasia, you miss out on details that could reveal a great plot.
Anyway, I just admitted to reading "mommy porn," right? And I am still standing! I don't feel guilty about it in the least, although I made sure to keep the tablet away from the kids when I was reading. I do have to tell you, though, that it felt a bit strange when my sister told me that she threw me under the bus. "What do you mean?" I said. "Oh, I told mom you suggested that I read it." Hmmm. I am going to assume that my mom will forget about that conversation entirely.
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