Summary
Basically it is an erotic (yes you read it right) romance novel focusing on the world of a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and a to-die-for CEO with a dark past, Christian Grey. By to-die-for I mean, gorgeously beautiful, HOT, rich as
Grey has always indulged in BDSM relationship - Dominant-submissive one. He's a control freak for one minute, tender and loving another... fifty shades in total. (This is where the title derives from)
Steele, on the other hand, is the innocent, shy, bright, courageous young lady who has captured Grey's heart the first step she enters Grey's office to interview him.
Long story short, the first trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey focusing mainly on the issue whether Anastasia could accept the relationship Christian's offering her, considering her very minimal relationship experience.. the BDSM. This includes Christian's frustrations on how he can't -for once in his life- control a thing he wants, unlike his previous submissive. The second trilogy Fifty Shades of Darker reveals more of Christian's past. His ex-submissive, past dominant (yes he's been a submissive once in his life), conflicts on his and Ana's personalities and perceptions on relationship.. and life. Third and probably final of the trilogy, Fifty Shades of Freed focuses on their lives after marriage (oops, mind a bit spoiling here :p ).
Review
The best remark on this novel is probably how I managed to finish THREE novels in 2 weeks time. This amazes me since I could barely finish a novel in one week, in general. A reason could be because I read the e-book version which is more handy, practical, and attempting(?)
The Columbus Dispatch also criticised the book but stated that, "Despite the clunky prose, James does cause one to turn the page."*
This, I can't agree more. Despite the coarse language, this trilogy is an interesting piece of work. I love how the depiction of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele seem so real, yet so unreal. Real in terms it may possibly happen (or have happened) in our life, in reality now. Yet so unreal because it's so far from the world which I revolve in right now. The whole sensual, erotic relationship I can only imagine many ( or even most) of the bules - Westerners - could be in. I know I may be so wrong, but well that's why I say it's far from my world.
However the kind of romance they are having is heart-throbbing. It's as though they are made for each other- match-made from heaven I'd say.
This novel has kept me thinking of the thousand opportunities money and wealth can bring, the once-a-lifetime-make-it-happen ambition. The dreams that have the chance to come true. I think I'm confusing you with my description here but you probably know the idea. ;)
Overalls, I would say this novel has successfully kicked out the boredom in my 'lifeless' life right now.. at least keep me company ( thinking) for some moment. It's refreshing, exciting, thrilling, dirty, and um educating? Haha not the kind of word people would use I know. I guess it's realistic topic to touch on since it's going to be a part (sometimes even major) in marriage live. So it won't be so guilty if we can be more open-minded about the language, and mind our imagination. :D
* quoted from Wikipedia.en.org
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 in fun reading, refreshing, thrilling.
