Tuesday 21 May 2013

50 Shades of Grey/Trilogy - Worth the Hype?


I hate the term, but if you haven't heard of the Fifty Shades Trilogy, you have been living under a rock. Which may not be a bad thing. However, please before I get mobbed virtually through fan girls and guys alike - I don't hate it, I'm not about to bash the living hell out of it (Christian style,) this is merely personal opinion. Take it as you will, along with a pinch of salt and we'll all be cool.


'When Literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires. Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.' - Quote via here.
One of the sad things is that potentially this story has or was, well, potential. It has all the makings for a great book - but there was just something lacking. I felt it was rushed, if honest - how the characters went from A to B, then onto Z immediately, happily ever after, the end. On the other end of that argument, there is character development - which you can't argue, the characters do grow, change and adapt as fitting with this type of novel - but once again there is that lack. I swear, a better person than me will summarize in an eloquent manner but there is just that feeling of something missing.
Speaking of feelings, I was mildly offended by the sex scenes. I skipped them - not because I am a prude, but because minus the S&M factor, it was predictable. A lot of 'Oh baby, you're so wet,' etc and it just made me feel a little bored. I would skip to the next paragraph, with bold font and carry on with the story. I have no doubt a lot of you did too, don't deny it. 
Don't get me wrong it wasn't a slight about S&M, grey ties or sex in general. I didn't want 'hearts and flowers' in particular, I just wanted something more compelling to read through it - I dare say, the passion was there for some people, but after two or three times it was all a bit 'meh' - but once I've started a book, I can't very well leave it alone. My downfall. I envy those that can drop the book once they realize it's not a winner.
I haven't touched in detail about the plot, characters and general story because I won't spoil it - to some it could be a good read, actually, it might be a good holiday read - something lightly entertaining, not too worrisome and detailed. It just has the right amount of drama/humour/romance ratio - it's just sad that it could have been so much more.
So, is it worth the hype? Yes and no. It won't stay with me forever - there are better and definitely more compelling stories out there, but if you're going away to sunny climes and haven't read it yet (kudos,) take it away and indulge in some mild fantasy whilst getting a tan and drinking cocktails.