The book I read over the weekend is FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY. You know, the book everyone is talking about. I initially had zero interest in reading it. But then I downloaded sample chapters and I was hooked. I’m completely surprised by this. But I found this book totally compelling and intense. I could see a young woman falling in love with this damaged man, and struggling with her decision.
Although I’m not sure I would have liked the book had I not known that it did not have a traditional happy ending.
A good friend of mine tried twice and could NOT get into the book. Different tastes, right?
And as much as I enjoyed this book, I doubt I’ll read the next two in the trilogy. I think this book was enough for me.
But here’s what I want to talk about: Male “professionals,” like the doctors with TV shows, who look at a runaway bestseller of FIFTY SHADES and analyze why we women read it. One doctor type I heard theorized that women have a secret desire to be dominated and controlled by men.
Please see me rolling my eyes here. I just hate that condescending attitude.
Here’s the truth for me: I was fascinated by a world I don’t understand or live in. For instance, some of this book covered negotiating the dom/sub contract. Something I know nothing about. I was interested. It’s just that simple.
And by the way, I told Wizard about that theory of women secretly wanting to be dominated, controlled…he laughed. Hard. Then he spent the rest of the day trying to order me around. He then proclaimed me a total failure as a submissive.
Yeah, that wasn’t news to him, LOL!
Here’s the thing–this book isn’t for everyone. Few books are. But I really, really don’t need so called professionals trying to make judgements about me from my reading choices.
Okay I’m off my soapbox!
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:43 am · Link
Thank you. I had no desire to read this book until last week and all the hype about it. I may give it a shot now.
Can’t wait to tell my hubs about that stupid doctors opinion on why we read what we do. After he go up off the floor from laughing. He’d comment on how I haven’t a submissive cell in my body. According to him I have total control all the time or else :).
Thanks again :).
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:34 am · Link
I keep hearing about this book, but I’m still not interested. It just doesn’t sound like something I’d enjoy. But that doctor? What a loon (or should I say ‘quack’). The two women I know read it (you and Karin) are definitely not the kind of gals secretly hoping to be dominated. And yeah, that’s anecdotal evidence and I don’t have a large enough sample to make a scientific determination, but it’s enough for me. I wonder if Pseudo-Doc took into consideration a reader’s urge to be transported away from their own lives. I’m guessing not. He had a hypothesis and ran with it – probably to up his TV ratings. Bah.
:end rant: In other news, there’s snow on my husband’s car this morning. It was 80+ degrees on Sunday. WTH?
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:45 am · Link
Ok, I know I’ve been living in a vacuum lately, but I haven’t even heard of this book! Guess I’ll have to check it out although it doesn’t sound like something that I would normally read.
It’s a pet peeve of mine when people judge others for what they read.
But, that doctor takes the prize. If women read this material because they secretly want to be dominated, I guess men who read Ian Fleming’s Bond series did so because they needed to fantasize about getting women because they were ineffectual in that arena? Geez!
But then what do I know. I’m just a dumb blonde who reads romance novels.
April 3rd, 2012 at 10:38 am · Link
So glad you decided to share what caught your reading interest. I have tried to read this story since it was a little Twilight fanfiction called Master of the Universe (or MotU). I could never get past the first couple of chapters before I put it down.
This just does not seem to be my kind of story. Now that you said it doesn’t have a normal happy ending, I am going to stop trying. I am all about the HEA.
I wonder what the docs would say about us reading the paranormal stories that we read. Dragons, Wing Slayers, demons, vampires and werewolves would really give them something to analyze.
For my 2 cents worth, I like the HEA. We don’t get that very often in “real life”. Romance novels, even ones about sub/dom, are just a continuation of the fairy tale HEA that we were fed as children. And there is nothing wrong with that. This coming from a smart (if I do say so myself) brunet (well today, tomorrow I could be a redhead) scientist with a major in Biology and 16 years of experience in a scientific field.
Novels save me from the science.
April 3rd, 2012 at 11:39 am · Link
Viki, I’m sure your hubs and Wizard could compare stories about us, LOL!
Trying downloading a sample to read before deciding on the book.
April 3rd, 2012 at 11:42 am · Link
B.E., snow? Sheesh, talk about weather swings!
You know how these talking heads are–filling space and trying to get attention. The arrogance of it annoys the crap out of me. And deep down, I really think they are channeling THEIR fantasy on us
(Now I’m guilty of judging, but I don’t care!)
April 3rd, 2012 at 11:45 am · Link
Julie, the novel is “shocking” to the mainstream evidently. I didn’t find it shocking, but what do I know? I read romance novels too!
Like I told Viki, download a sample first then you’ll have a better idea. From what I’m told, people either like Anna, are annoyed by her or bored. I think you can get an idea of what you’ll think from that sample. (I got it from Amazon on my Kindle, but I think you might be able to download it to your computer too)
April 3rd, 2012 at 11:48 am · Link
Labrat11, wait this story was in another format before this? I didn’t know that. Or did I misread what you said?
I love finding out how different people react to a story. I find that much more interesting that blowhard docs trying to get attention. Reading is such an emotional connection, a chemistry, and it’s either there or it’s not.
I know you’re smart! Even without knowing your background
And generally speaking, I prefer HEA too, or at least hope for an HEA. But I tend to read across genres now and again, so it’s not a deal breaker for me. However I totally respect that it is for you. We all need a break from real life!
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:18 pm · Link
Jen, yes, Fifty Shades was an original Twilight fanfiction called Master of the Universe. A few years ago, it was the big buzz in the fanfiction circles. So many people read it, that the author decided to retool it (changed the names of the characters from Bella and Edward) and publish as three novels and sell the deal for seven figures. Crazy how things start, isn’t it.
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:18 pm · Link
I haven’t heard of this book either. So Julie’s not the only one living in a vacuum. Maybe I’ll check out the sample chapters on my Nook.
And that TV show doc, what a flippin moron! I’ve read some romances w/ a BDSM theme in them. I generally enjoyed the stories, but that doesn’t mean I want to try it or that I want to be dominated. I’d like to see a man try. I can always use a good laugh
And, Jen, I think you’re right. It probably is HIS fantasy.
Julie, love that theory about men who read Bond! ROTFL!
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:52 pm · Link
Yeah, you’re right. I won’t be reading this one.
The pundits lost me when they started calling it “mommy porn.” And what those so called experts know about D/s relationships. Interestingly, it is the submissive who has all the power, at least according to an acquaintance who lives the lifestyle as a dominant. Yeah…way more than I wanted to know.
I read a lot of different genres and I don’t have to have a HEA but, I couldn’t even get through the sample of this book. Glad you liked it though.
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:58 pm · Link
Jenn – I’m getting it from the library. That way if I don’t like it I can return it swiftly to someone who might enjoy it while not costing me a penny :).
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:13 pm · Link
Labrat11, that is too weird! I can’t begin to see them as Edward and Bella! But you know what, good for the author!
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:14 pm · Link
Dawn, we could have our own reality show of men trying to dominate the weak, submissive romance readers
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:18 pm · Link
Silver, I had to erase my first comment regarding those pundits. Talk about idiots. Let’s just say that people let their jealousy, fear and envy show in those comments.
I did like THIS book, but I know if I kept reading, I’d get really annoyed and feel like it’s all being dragged out.
So you have a cold? (I saw that elsewhere). Are you feeling better?
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:19 pm · Link
Viki, you’re a wise woman. I really can’t predict if you’ll like it or not.
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:37 pm · Link
Dawn, not my theory, just extrapolating the doc’s theory to a different genre. Sarcasm is my friend.
I downloaded the sample chapters while sitting in the bathtub this afternoon waiting for the tornado storm systems to blow through. A girl’s got to have her priorities….
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:20 pm · Link
Julie, hey we have the same friend in Sarcasm!
Aren’t electronic readers (when charged) awesome? Let me know what you think of the chapters.