Friday, May 11, 2012

50 Shades of Sickening

With grad school over and a couple cross-country flights lined up, I've been especially excited to get caught up on all the books I've been hoping to read but simply haven't had the chance to dive into yet. One of the series I considered picking up, especially given all the recent hype, was the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, which has been getting tons of coverage in the news, via comedy skits and more.

However, after reading page upon page of cringe-worthy excerpts on various websites, I can definitively say that this is one series upon which I won't be wasting my time or money. From the complete absence of polished writing and editing to the presence of what I consider to be some truly sick, disturbing and not even remotely "sexy" content, I must say that I honestly just don't get everyone's fascination with Fifty Shades.

Image Source: Amazon
Don't get me wrong. I definitely enjoy reading a good romance novel from time to time and think there is nothing shameful or wrong with a bit of playful BDSM content. However, I personally draw the line at clear-cut misogyny and abuse, which these books certainly exemplify. Although there were many passages that bothered me, the one that really pushed me over the edge in complete and utter disgust was the following from the end of the series:

*SPOILER ALERT*

Christian lies beside me, his hand caressing my belly, his long fingers splayed out wide. "How's my daughter?" "She's dancing." I laugh. "Dancing? Oh yes! Wow. I can feel her." He grins as Blip Two somersaults inside me. "I think she likes sex already." 

-- Fifty Shades Freed, Epilog.

Um, I'm sorry, but say WHAT?! This passage strikes me as being sick and deranged on more levels than I can possibly begin to express within such a short blog post. So, rather than going off on what could easily become an endless rant about this and other similarly disturbing passages, I'll just end by saying that all in all, the positive hype surrounding this series completely blows my mind and not in an even remotely good way.

What do you think about this series and its bestseller status?

20 comments:

  1. I think you read my post about it. Not a fan of the first book, I'm reading the second only b/c I heard it's much better than the first. The plot is a bit more interesting but I still just don't like the characters. I don't know why women get all hot and bothered over this guy whose main positive characteristics are that he's hot and has money. Big deal. He's abusive, jealous and controlling and certainly not someone I would fantasize over. So I don't really get it either.

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  2. WUTTTTATATATA??!?!? I have a huge problem with incest/child abuse/etc and this sickens me. I had no idea it was "like this." And I have stood up for its BDSM content due to my "non-vanilla" background with burlesque, but GROSS. Just. Sick.

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  3. I totally don't get everyone's obsession with the books either!
    So gross. Not something I need to waste time reading!

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  4. That excerpt has left me speechless.......thanks for the warning on the book!

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  5. I just started reading the book to see what the hype is all about, but haven't gotten far enough in it to be able to provide an opinion. I thought it was interesting, and appreciated the fact, that it did have a disclaimer on the back of the book that it was an erotic romance and was for mature audiences only. Was a little shocked places like Target had it in stock as I have heard some libraries are not including this book on their shelves. I figured it might be harder to find at my local stores.

    It would be great to share what books you are interested or have recently read. I am always looking for new books to read.

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  6. Thank you for the review! I've been trying to get my hands on a copy for a week now and have had no luck (no one seems to buy books anymore and I don't want to waste money on it, ha!) and now I'm glad I haven't! While I'll most likely read it at some point, I'm not going to rush anymore!

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  7. I must be living under a rock, because I've never heard of this series. Maybe it's for the best, though - I certainly won't waste my time now!

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  8. Was going to join the bandwagon!! But maybe I will slow down:-)

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  9. I read the first one, not really knowing what it was about and will not continue with the series. It wasn't the sex that bothered me, but the poor, poor writing. it is a quick and easy read, but seriously, so bad.

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  10. So I heard about this a few days ago, but only about how the author is apparently a super bestseller and how her books have been really controversial, they've been banned in some libraries. Now, I'm very anti-censorship and think people should read whatever they want to read, but GAH proliferating and praising atrocious writing is unacceptable! I swear, most "bestsellers" only become that because of the hype they get from being labeled controversial or racy.

    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights
    the shop of worldly delights

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  11. I was never interested in this book after what I had heard from many of my friends, that excerpt is unreal. I do not understand how things like this sell! xo

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  12. Reading the third book now, and can't believe the gross ending! I double checked to make sure it's real and it was!!!

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  13. Oh my goodness gross. This is not only gross but also just wrong. I am glad you decided to pass on this book and spend your newly discovered time and hard earned cash on another book.

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  14. Just wow! I wonder why it is so popular then?

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  15. i heard lots of talk about this book, but it doesn't sound like anything awesome.

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  16. WOW thats really...um SICK! The first word that popped in my head was, "GROSS!" And now Im thinking, "Did I really just read that?!" Im grateful for your review because now I won't have a care to read it either!!

    Hope you had a great Mothers Day! xoxo

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  17. wow! that really is disturbing, I completely agree. I KNOW that I"m going to feel the same way, but I just have to read it, at least the first book, so I can debate about it with others who have read it. It was the same with Twilight, I hated it all the way through, but I'm glad I read it so I can form my own opinions about it for myself...I just have to go get my hands on a copy of it, and I don't want to buy it...but it has like 1000 holds on it at the library!

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  18. lol very disturbing! I have not given into its popularity at all..

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  19. Oh no! This kind of upsets me a little bit, because that excerpt has been taken totally out of context!
    I just finished reading the series, and whilst it was nothing out-of-this-world amazing, it was a really interesting story with intriguing characters.
    I did read that scene mentioned above in the actual context of the book, and it is not 'sick and deranged' in context.
    It is my understanding that you have not read the books?
    I appreciate that you have an opinion, and I too am totally against misogyny and abuse aswell (thankfully I don't know anyone who is) but I do feel this review to be a little out of order if you have not read the books yourself.

    Please don't take offence to this comment as I do not mean it in an offensive manner, I simply feel this is just a little unfair.

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  20. You have a lot more sense than I do because even after reading about how horrible it was, I still wanted to read it. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

    And that piece from the epilogue? SO GROSS AND UNNECESSARY. Not that the rest of it was any less gross or necessary. You were smart to not waste your money. Now I'm just out $30 and pissed off. :)

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