Christian Grey of the Fifty Shades of Grey sensation, has officially made the big time. With all of the latest media attention, it looks like he’s found a whole new slew of readers, and “Fifty Fanatics”. As popular as this series already was, and as die-hard as we are, we knew it was only a matter of time before Christian would soon become everyone’s obsession. Being on the NY Times best sellers list, book clubs discovering and devouring this series, and spreading the word… we knew he’d be HUGE. It’s inevitable. Christian can only be destined for greatness. A Master of the Universe, indeed.
But, of course… we feel like he’s “ours” don’t we? It feels like we found him first.
Jamie: I am so happy for Grey, but is it weird that i feel jealous sharing him with the world??? lol i thought he was my little secret!! lol
Penny: Lol, Christians gone mainstream…
Valerie: Hate sharing MY Fifty. 😉 But, alas…mustn’t be greedy.
Makes me giggle, because the “Master of The Universe” (MOTU) readers, before the series was retitled “Fifty Shades” probably think the same about us.
Krista: I used to read MOTU when it was being put up one chapter at a time and I’ve read the Fifty books. There were a few small changes but from what I remember it’s mostly the same, except for the names. 100% of the overall plot is the same.
And with that possessiveness comes elation and excitement with all of the latest attention he’s getting. But what about his detractors? I was disheartened when I realized that the majority of his critics hadn’t even bothered to read the book, and were proud to boast such a thing.
The media articles and videos were stirring up some serious reactions in our Facebook group…
Chris: not sure what to think about THAT review…ugh :(. Dr. Drew was saying negative things about the book but did not read and any of them PLUS he is a guy! duh!! I dont care what anyone thinks….I thought her books are steamy and fantastic. Hopefully, the review will peak curiosity and more people with buy the books. No such thing as bad publicity ;).
Jamie: Ok, I am not sure I like the way that story was told. I mean, WTH…they act like the story is that Christian abducted Ana and robbed her of her virginity while beating the crap out of her. I feel bad for EL James b/c they made her out to be some sort of sick story teller instead of the genius she is! How dare they bag on our Fifty!!! LOL!!!
Maryse’s Book Blog: *sigh* I need to blog about this… ASAP.
Brandie: I think you do Maryse. It feels like our little world has been infiltrated;)
Brandy: OHH NOO that is one of my all time favorite books. I LOVED it. But you have to be open minded to understand it and the whole BDSM lifestyle if you are close minded you just won’t get it. But like with everything you will have people that love it and hate it.
Ashley: Dr. Drew admitted that he hadn’t even read the books, so was he even allowed to give an opinion????
Jackie: Just watched it. I’m actually annoyed. Not one of them mentioned how Fifty develops through the books. They made it all seem like he beat her senseless and she gets off on it. There was no recognition of how disturbed he was and how he fought so hard for ‘more’…
How can one possibly understand what a book is about, and grasp it’s meaning, if they haven’t even bothered to read it? Under normal circumstances, opposing sides to an issue have at least some knowledge and comprehension of said issue and can properly and thoroughly debate it. How can one expect to give an unbiased professional opinion without knowing the actual subject matter at hand. A quick briefing/cliff notes version of the series was enough to come up with an opposing argument?
*hrmph* I think not. Because, in this case, the opposition’s “briefing” seems to have been related to a few key-words that swayed them to an obvious and biased decision. This book wasn’t about that. It was about so much more.
But, I may be digging too deep. I can’t help but wonder if I’m playing right into a reaction as intended upon, by said media hype. In fact, this was likely just a simple case of “Okay so everyone loves the book?… Who can we get to say it’s bad?”, inciting arguments and forcing defenders to come out and do their thing. A surefire way to keep the segment interesting and the buzz going. Either way, I think the opposition copped out with an easy, quick and possibly overused “social issues” argument that seems to fit the book genre, without having to have done the actual homework.
So, fine, I cant help myself. I’ll play. I’ll defend it:
I would like to point out that just because the sexual content and BDSM nature is prominent in the series, that is not what these books are about. The “sex-spin” the media ran with made these books out to be hardcore, trashy, bedroom fodder.
You guys missed the point.
This series is about so much more than that. In fact, while I recall there being plenty of sex, and sure, some uncomfortable intimacy issues explored, the actual heart of the story easily outshines the “sex-factor”. Easily. Sure it’s steamy, it’s exciting, and it’s daring. But why we loved this book so much, and why we connected to it so deeply, is that we saw someone broken struggling to become whole again. We experienced and struggled with each moment, each tentative boundary broken and repaired. We cried in pain, and we rejoiced in the self-discovery and healing of the main characters. This author didn’t simply give us formulaic “shiny on the outside” book, that we could read, enjoy and easily forget. She gave us an amazing story that is deep, intense, and at times shocking. She invited us all the way in, making this series unforgettable.
And THAT, my fellow readers, is what this series is about.
Interested in the series? Of COURSE you are!! With all of this buzz, ya gotta be dying to try it 😉 —> E.L. James – Fifty Shades Trilogy Reading Order
Here are my book reviews, however for those new to the series, I recommend only reading the first review, so as not to spoil the following books:
- Book Review – Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James (book#1)
- Book Review – Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James (book#2)
- Book Review – Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James (book#3)
I was wondering why the waitlist for it on Paperbackswap.com went from around 50 to over 300. 🙂
Maryse, Thanks for defending Fifty Shades! I agree 100% that this book series is NOT (shouty caps..tee hee) for everyone but we loved it! I have been waiting for your review and I was NOT (tee hee) disappointed. I knew you would put into words how we all are feeling. Cant wait to see the movie!! Wishful thinking? Laters ….sorry I couldnt resist 😉
yup totally agree with the Fifty defending. We all need to agree to disagree and if alot of people don’t like it then more Fifty for us right?!! wait , no what? hee hee…
on the other hand have you tried first grave on the right by Darynda Jones? It’s great 🙂 It’s funny and sexy -not Fiftyish but not everyone can be 🙁 AND it has a good story
Jeannie – yep!! The paper books are sold out on Amazon! I think you can still get them used on Amazon though.
Chris – that movie is going to cause another uproar, I’m sure. LOL!
Bookster! Yep! I couldn’t help myself. I had to jump on the defense bandwagon.
And I’ve been hearing Darynda Jones’s series is fantastic! I’ve just put up the next upcoming book in the reading order guide (October 2012). Glad to know you loved it too.
Perfectly said Maryse! The sex was really secondary to the unfolding relationship and healing.
Well said Maryse!!!! I was really bummed after watching the Today show. It’s refreshing to know that Ms. James has well-informed, intelligent, and thoughtful people like you in her corner!
Well, no surprise really. The news just hypes up what’ll get attention. The story behind it is secondary to them. They have to spin it to be all about bdsm or it wouldn’t garner as much interest, as we know any publicity is good publicity…
Well, it definitely increased sales for E.L. James. Yay for her! It’s the number #1 seller in three categories on Amazon right now… as it deserves to be.
I know there was a lot of sex, bdsm.. etc.., but it felt like that was background noise to the inner psyche of Christian. Out of all the scenes in the book, the one that I cannot ever get out of my head was when he kneeled in front of Ana when he thought she was going to leave and that right there is why the books are so good, his journey through healing his whacked out psyche. Anyway, good blog, Maryse! These will always be on my favorites list.
I think it’s kind of sad that the media is playing it up like it’s porn. Obviously they don’t understand there are more levels to “romance” novels than just generalized romance.
Romance
Erotic Romance
Erotica
I would put Fifty in with Erotic romance, but it’s sexual content isn’t even that outrageous for the genre.
Thank you Maryse,You defended Fifty perfectly!!!!!!
I always end my texts to my husband with “Laters Baby”. ‘Nuff said. Love OUR Fifty!! This book is sooooo much more than erotica. If the media is missing that then I feel sorry for them.
My FB book club discussed the ridiculousness from the Today Show since it aired…Clearly, Dr. Drew did not read the series or he would not have responded so atrociously. We love our Fifty!
Yep you guys!! All for shock value, and sensationalizing the part of the book that was just a SMALL part. The “sex” was on the outside. It’s an obvious intrigue, and of course THAT part of story has some raising eyebrows…
But all you have to do is READ the very first book to understand this is SO MUCH MORE.
Just like Christian was looking for… MORE.
i started the first book this morning i have a feeling i won’t be getting alot of sleep the next few days
angie… you won’t. You’ll turn into a “sleep-zombie” from the lack of it. I’d love to hear what you think of the series once you’re done!
I love your defense Maryse, but I have to say that my intelligence has been incredibly insulted by that Dr. Drew or whatever his name was. I’m also highly insulted on behalf of EL James and any woman that MIGHT have been interested in reading her books or interested in BDSM, that now may not or is afraid to be due to his unsubstantiated comments on a book he admittedly hasn’t even read. I don’t usually make comments, but I had to say something this time. Most people don’t know anything about BDSM and if they do, it’s all whips, chains and subjugation to them (as demonstrated by our good dr.). It would be nice, if for once, instead of insisting that they know what’s best, that they at least try to be informed. I honestly don’t even know how to articulate my upset, but that’s all I have for now. Maybe it makes us NOT forward-thinking women, which is laughable and highly debatable, but what’s wrong with a woman rejoicing in her being a woman? Since when is it not ok for a woman to be the soft to a man’s hard? Is this not how nature made us? That doesn’t mean I want a man to beat me. I just want to FEEL like a woman when I’m with him. Obviously he (the dumb doctor drew) doesn’t understand this. I’ll be kind and not call into question his manhood (or the interviewer’s womanhood for that matter). Let’s not even get into his obnoxious and constant interruption of the other woman and her graciousness and not returning that obnoxiousness. Sigh. I’ll say again (like I seem to keep having to say throughout my life), what’s right for YOU, may not be what’s right for ME. We’re all different. What’s extreme for you, might be commonplace for me and vice versa. Doesn’t make it wrong. Doesn’t make it right. Just different. Get over yourself. Know what you’re talking about before you judge or GTFO.
Catherine… I agree! As I mentioned on my Facebook page when I watched the somewhat disparaging Today Show video:
“Maryse’s Book Blog: …all I can say is talk about alienating your viewers (I’m speaking of the talk shows, and articles about the series). If one of their viewers/readers DID enjoy the book, like we did, they just totally made her/him (I know there are male readers who enjoyed it too) feel bad for liking it. That’s not cool.”
I’m not ashamed to say I LOVE alpha-male characters. It’s what I naturally gravitate to. It’s what hooks me (obviously, we all know this, because I’m on a never-ending hunt for such books).
Of course, Dr. Drew might have an “opinion” about that, but after he unabashedly gave an uninformed/biased opinion on Friday, I’m not so sure how much “stock” I put into what he says anymore.
Just saying’ 😉
Uhg, I don’t want to share our Fifty with the world! lol I feel like he is my dirty little secret and I want to keep him in my closet lol
Melissa, ditto! He’s out there now… *sigh*
I did notice the “fifty fever”. made me smile ;).
Yep, Chris… it was very appropriate. 😉 Had to use it!!
I have to say, I just got goose bumps reading the last paragraph of your defense of Fifty Shades. Could not have said it better myself. Absolutely spot on brilliant Maryse!
Did you share this with EL James? I think she would be so deeply touched by all this. I know I am.
Bravo Sister, Bravo!!!!!
Thank you Jamie!! *hug*
Maryse, you are doing us all and Fifty proud. I rolled my eyes the whole time watching that piece.
Catherine, well said.
I love this page because I get to rant about Fifty and everyone here gets it. I love love love alpha males especially when they are as beautiful (inside and out) and powerful as this awesome book character, Christian Grey. Like Ana I would do anything for this man (almost anything.. I have some hard limits too.) Anyway, if some people don’t get that.. fine but I still love this trilogy. Fifty Shades rocks! My inner goddess is charged! I want more Christian. From a turned-on fan 😀
Did anybody also like the music selection in Fifty Shades? My favorite song now is Kings of Leon Sex on Fire and I have created a FSoG playlist on my iPod. Listening to the music takes me back all over again *sigh* Sade’s Your Love is King is now ringtone for my hubby lol jeez what a confession 😀
I am boycotting Dr. Drew, phhhhhh men, Maryse I think something is “terribly ” wrong with me. What you ask well I have come to the conclusion I only like men in books. I even like the books with the faces chopped off. Teehee
Patricia I’m too beginning to think that men in books are way more cool.. or maybe I need to enrich my circle of men LOL Nahh! These book hunks can’t be beat 😀 Go Fifty!! Booo Dr. Drew!!
I think people just like to hear themselves talk (Dr. Drew…*pointing at you*). Overall, people should decide to read it based on what they feel. Screw what people think or feeling put down because of the so called “anti-feminist” message. I think it was very empowering for Ana. She did have the power in that relationship. To potential Fifty-lovers: Do you want to read the book? Read it! Feeling ashamed of your baser urges? That’s the good thing about e-readers—no damning book covers for the world to see. It’s your own little private world. 😛
I lucked out and found that book on this blog when I was wondering what to read after Beautiful Disaster. I guess I’m a little resentful because I searched and searched for a book that would shock, surprise, entertain me etc. Now these ladies will hedge thier purchases based on the talking heads on the Today show. Ah well. Such as it is…
I hate sharing MY Fifty. 🙂
Valerie! I just heard that Dr. Drew was on his own show yesterday and going on about Fifty again. He says he read it this time, and supposedly most of his panel, and his WIFE disagreed with him. haha! *his wife read the book and liked it*
Oh and look at you ALL talking about MY Fifty. *hrmph*
I just finished the entire trilogy and I swear I didn’t want to finish it because I would have to come back to the real world. The only thing I accomplished this past week was living with Ana and Christian. I cried, I laughed, I cheered (and got turned on — Christian is such a hunk) and I couldn’t put the book down. I LOVED IT……
I am new to writing. While fighting lung cancer I finished my first romance novel. It’s not near as good as Fifty, but if I didn’t win my battle I wanted a dream that had been on my bucket list accomplished. The point is I know the energy and love you pour into a story. Fifty was written from the heart and it is FANTASTIC.
I would estimate that between all three books there is close to 350,000 words (or in that range) and you get some flip band critic that has never written a book in their life taking an author apart because they found five words they wouldn’t have used or they would have used them differently.
These books are like my dirty pride and prejuidce!
Great way of putting it, Laura. Agreed! 😉
Pebble
Christian is quite something, isn’t he? How someone so (occasionally) volatile can make us swoon so much. I think it’s because it doesn’t come easy from him, and when he shows his insecure, loving and scared self, it makes it that much more special. We relished his growth, and each step of the way was leading to such a wonderful person. A great reading experience!
*hug* and congratulations on writing a book!!
Maryse….James has done an outstanding job creating this character. You somehow know from the get-go he has depth. He’s also a bad-boy with class. I’m 68 (and no Mrs. Robinson), but I would have liked to turn back the clock and strolled away with this man for eternity. It was amazing how a first author drew this man out. I found him protective vs. controlling, I loved his humor, he certainly was generous, a sensual lover with imagination and mix in powerful and smart with a nice a** and how can you go wrong. Loved the way his jean hugged his hips 😉
It was interesting to me (a new author) how far you can really detail your characters. My hero was also a bad-boy and many of the experienced authors told me I couldn’t show his bad side. I ignored it and went with my heart and James novel with Christian proves you are better to bare it all. With her story I not only was totally drawn into their world, but I also learned a lot about my own writing and if gave me confidence in some of my original ideas.
I loved Fifty so much I’m buying the entire collection for my sister as a gift. I had lunch with her today and all I could talk about was Ana and Christian.
Good Morning America just had a story about the Fifty craze. It is kind of sad. The secret is out. Good for the author but whenever the public gets their claws into something, the media can ruin it. Some movie exec will buy the rights and make it PG13 so it can make more money. Christian and Anna are definitely not PG13.
Pamela. I heard that it is highly likely that they will be turning this into a movie. It’s been optioned and all that.
I cannot begin to imagine who would play those roles. It will be a feeding frenzy of actors and actresses wanting the role. Maybe they will go with unknowns.
I read the 3 books in 5 days and I am completely obsessed with it! I want to read them again and again. The author writes such a wonderful story. My children have asked me to stop talking about Christian…seriously I am obsessed. Thank God he is NOT (shouty caps) real. I want everyone of my friends to read it so we can discuss it constantly. I love how the last book let us see into the future. It helps give some closure…can’t wait for movies to see just how much of my vision and a directors vision is the same/different. I did find the perfect looking Christian…Jessie Pavelka.My favorite parts of the books—their emails back and forth!
Ah, Laters, baby!!!