Book to Movie Post: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

Yup, I read all 3 of the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy by E. L. James. Well, not really read, it was when I tried an audiobook membership with Audible.com. Pretty soon after joining I downloaded 50 Shades, how could I resist? And then immediately had to listen to 50 Shades Darker and 50 Shades Freed. Which just should have been entitled 50 Shades continued and continued some more; because really, it’s all just one long book. But never tediously long. No, quite the contrary, to my horror, I too fell in love with these simple characters and didn’t want to let them go.

For me, the books take me back to a life I left behind about 15 years ago. Not BDSM! I’m referring to Soap Operas and Romance Novels, was weened on them, starting from age 12. And 50 Shades of Grey just plays off of all the same themes – If Christian and Anna were on a soap in the 80’s early 90’s, they would have been called “A Super Couple”. These were the characters that we saw through thick and thin, ups and downs, presumed deaths, possible pregnancies, jealousies, intrigue and delightful, over-the-top romance.

I can’t say anyone on Guiding Light or As The World Turns had a “Red Room” exactly, but I’ve certainly read romance novels with plenty of “Kinky Fuckery” as Christian calls it.

Many news magazine pieces on 50 Shades, condemn the book for having an older man seduce a virgin and introduce her to a dark, sinfully sexy world. First of all, Christian is 27 to Anna’s 22. Secondly, no matter how erotically written the sex scenes – and I’ve gotta give it to E.L. for her wonderfully descriptive language when it comes to these passages – It’s still not dark. It’s not intense or brooding or sad or scary or edgy or sick and depraved. It’s just romantic rubbish and kinda stupid, but really delicious!

Why, oh why, did I never write down any of my fantasies, so that I could be sitting on a pile of money and fame now!?! It’s not very hard to imagine a handsome, capable, sexy man showering you with extravagant gifts, taking you to 4 star restaurants, falling madly in love and best of all – be a sex-pert! And when I say that, I don’t mean a player who’s been with so many woman you want to shine a germicidal blue light on him before even holding hands. I don’t mean somebody with 5 different baby mammas, or someone condescending to you in bed or too intensely demanding. Christian Grey isn’t any of these things, E. L. James got it right (write) he may be 50 Shades of F*!%ed up on some levels, but when it comes to sex and intimacy, he’s perfect. He takes Anna from steamy sensuality, to raw, hot intensity, to playful naughtiness, racy games, total abandonment, then to loving tenderness and back again.

That being said, I can in no way call these books a brilliant piece of literature. They are not particularly clever, there’s no unexpected twists and turns, or elaborate plots. Anna is supposed to be an English major, but her inner dialogue is repetitive and often obtuse. I really can’t see much difference between 50 Shades of Grey and anything else based in romantic nonsense – However, seeing this book sweep this country and many others, gives me a sense of validation for spending my formative years lost in such escapist drivel. And pathetically, feeling a pull to return.

While You’re Here – Post Update (2/15/15)

I’ve now seen the movie – Here’s My Review!

…As you’ve read, my look at Fifty Shades is about how much I enjoyed the books and movie as a guilty pleasure; but like many reviewers and a lot of viewers, I too scoffed at its prosaic tones and thought of it all as icing. Then my friend Diane pointed out to me that in terms of themes, EL James wrote a classic romantic tale of a wounded man and innocent woman meeting and falling in love, not unlike many such stories in literature – Jane Eyre for instance. Her words and a second screening of the movie opened my eyes to see past the icing to the cake. These two people want each other, but need different things, therefore the movie explores matters of trust and letting one’s guard down, on both sides. Why isn’t that enough for the movie to be about? The light BDSM and the over the top romantic gestures are engaging and endearing ways to narrate this “Rochester” and this “Jane” finding their way… READ MORE