Shades of Grey

[danthepoetman]

I wish I would allow myself to read such things. But I’m way too obsessed! It seems to me there are sooooooo many interesting and important books to read. I’m not capable of losing one reading minute to something like that. I suppose I sound terribly snob, but it really is a neurosis. I can’t fight it.

[Prospero]

Dan - you an intellectual elitist effete left-wing liberal commie snob. There... I am sure that hits the right note with some of the members here.

I agree actually - but read some of it out of a need to engage with popular culture.

[danthepoetman]

Best analysis of my neurosis so far. Maybe I should slip you $120, Prospero. I will also follow the prescription, reluctantly but in the hope of a recovery…

[freedom]

I shared the biases of most of the posters regarding this book. However, several girls at work were all "you have to read this" and I read a couple books per week anyway so I gave it a go.

The quality of the prose is very poor, no argument there at all. But the characters do become engaging after awhile. The claim that it is "porn literature" is perhaps fair, if you do the math on how many sexual acts occur per day you are likely to start feeling very inadequate (maybe that's just me though).

One of the key things to remember, and that no one ever seems to mention, is that it was originally fanfic based in the "Twighlight" world. This EL James obviously got strong feedback for her fanfic and a publisher decided to take a chance on her. This probably explains the weak writing and the woeful editing, especially of the first novel.

But in the end who really cares?! If people enjoy a book then they enjoy a book, what business is it of anyone else? Perhaps young women are reading "kinky-fuckery" scenes the same way we (assuming mostly male membership of HA) watch porn videos, so what? If "porn" is dressed up as lit does it make any difference, I don't think so.

To each their own, and let no one judge.

[danthepoetman]

But in the end who really cares?! If people enjoy a book then they enjoy a book, what business is it of anyone else? Perhaps young women are reading "kinky-fuckery" scenes the same way we (assuming mostly male membership of HA) watch porn videos, so what? If "porn" is dressed up as lit does it make any difference, I don't think so.

To each their own, and let no one judge.

Agreed. If anything gets people to read, it’s good in this day and age. And we already live in a blown up culture, in which everything is published for every possible kind of taste. Never has culture been so diversified in history. However deficiency it might count, our culture has achieve a state of total accessibility and plurality. It's certainly one of the greatest achievements of our society. And therefore you’re right: to each his/her own.
I was just joking in my previous posts. Of course I respect every one’s choices and tastes.

[bassman2546]

It's all marketing, people. The publishing company saw something that today's woman (who doesn't surf porn or read hardcore erotica) would find interesting in a softer nature and, as they hoped, those women ate it up. God forbid they read the word pussy or cock. That just wouldn't be right, would it? Note to self. Stay away from any woman who has these books sitting on her coffee table.

[freedom]

Note to self. Stay away from any woman who has these books sitting on her coffee table.

DISAGREE! The girl who finally convinced me to give this book a chance is the sexiest little thing. My mind has ranged over all sorts of scenarios now knowing she enjoyed it......

[Wendy Summers]

Dan - you an intellectual elitist effete left-wing liberal commie snob. There... I am sure that hits the right note with some of the members here.

I agree actually - but read some of it out of a need to engage with popular culture.

As the Tick once said, "Culture belongs on the end of a swab in the hands of a qualified physician."

I'm predicting now your engagement to pop culture won't last. I bet you won't even take it to the altar.

It's all marketing, people. The publishing company saw something that today's woman (who doesn't surf porn or read hardcore erotica) would find interesting in a softer nature and, as they hoped, those women ate it up. God forbid they read the word pussy or cock. That just wouldn't be right, would it? Note to self. Stay away from any woman who has these books sitting on her coffee table.

If it's on her coffee table... she's sending a message #tiemeup

[loveboof]

One of the key things to remember, and that no one ever seems to mention, is that it was originally fanfic based in the "Twighlight" world.

Yeah apparently she just swapped vampires with rich corporate people.

To be fair, Twilight would probably be better without the vampires too...

[Wendy Summers]

Yeah apparently she just swapped vampires with rich corporate people.

To be fair, Twilight would probably be better without the vampires too...

It's not the vampires which bothers me... it's the glittering...