| First, I want to say THANK YOU to Chicks in Atlanta for naming Adventures with Alexandra Blog of the Week on their Facebook page! Check out their website because they are always putting on fun events around Atlanta – including their next big event on May 17!
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| Photo from here. |
I just finished the current “It-Book”, 50 Shades of Grey, this weekend. I was really interested in reading it because it was getting good reviews all over Twitter and the radio. Women were calling in to the morning radio show and telling everyone how life changing 50 Shades of Grey is and how it has changed their relationship with their husband/boyfriend/significant other. I thought I would give it a shot.
The book was nothing like I thought it would be! For those unfamiliar with the book’s premise, here is my quick summary: Anastasia Steele is a new college graduate ready to take on the real world. By chance, she happens to meet young, handsome, wealthy Christian Grey. At first, he warns her not to get too close to him, but then he seems to be the one unable to stay away from her. This is Anastasia’s first boyfriend, so she is easily swept up by Christian. As their relationship begins to blossom, Christian admits a dark secret to Anastasia – he is very into BDSM and cannot seem to function properly without it. For those that don’t know (and I had to Google it), BDSM stands for Bondage and Discipline/Sadism and Masochism. Yes, I was just as shocked as you are! While I heard it was a cheesy romance novel, I was confused as to how this is saving people’s relationships as they claim on the radio. The whole book deals with these two characters trying to compromise on their different lifestyles. I will say it did have some redeeming parts to it – like the last three chapters – but overall, I just don’t understand the hype.
I must admit that while I was cringing the entire time, the book is a quick read. I think I will read the other two books just to find out what happens to this crazy couple. Christian has had a dark and unusual upbringing which has shaped the way he currently is. Supposedly, the next books give more details into his past, and I want to know his secrets!
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| Photo from here. |
Supposedly, 50 Shades of Grey began as fan fiction (fans take the characters of their favorite books/movies/shows and create their own story lines) stemming from the Twilight books. As I was reading it, I could not help but notice a ton of similarities:
Both couples live in Washington.
Christian/Edward are overly protective of their girlfriends and want to know where they are at all times.
Christian/Edward both buy their girlfriends new cars for safety reasons.
Christian/Edward are both extremely rich.
Christian/Edward have deep, dark secrets.
Christian/Edward both wish they could read their girlfriend’s minds.
Both men are extremely jealous/controlling people.
Both girls are going through life changing events – moving and graduating.
Ana/Bella have parents that are divorced. Their dads are both low key and like to fish. Their moms are both remarried to new guys and living in the south (Georgia/Florida).
Sex plays a major role in both books – While Edward tries hard to avoid it, Christian can’t live without it.
Both stories discuss classic pieces of literature.
Both Christian/Edward have large families. Plus, their sisters seem to immediately bond with Ana/Bella.
As you can see there really is no denying that this is a spin-off of Twilight. To be honest, I would much rather read the Twilight books. In all their Young Adult glory, I like the innocense and romance that comes along with them. I don’t think I need to read any more adult romance novels in this lifetime! Let me know your opinion on the books in the comments below!
Until tomorrow’s post, as Christian would say…
Laters, Babe.
I have no read it, so I have no review, just the judgement of it: Dr. Oz even had part of an episode dedicated to how this book (and those similar) have help “jump start” married couple’s sex lives… Add creativity, etc etc. Most people in that audience shared (a little too much) about their new sex lives and a few commented on how there was emotional & relationship abuse and that alone turned them off. Pretty much I’ve only heard people raving about what it’s done for them, but as a whole the plot/writing was fairly mediocre. Either way, it’s not my cup of tea, and I won’t be jumping on this bandwagon.
I’m half way through the second book, and I must admit that I actually really like it now. If you take out all the “these-scenes-were-most-likely-written-for-pure-shock-value” parts, the underlying plot is actually pretty interesting once you get into the second book.