“I scowl with frustration at myself in the mirror. Damn hair- it just won’t behave.”
And my 'inner goddess' cackles sadistically because this is gonna be good, and by good, she means oh so very bad.
My first thought when beginning this novel was ‘cheap thrills.’ The author has mashed together drama and theatrics to create something for readers that search for more spice in their everyday lives. And it’s an easy read (and I am a slow reader) which appeals to those of us that don’t have as much free time as we’d like to. On the other hand to read this piece one has to struggle through the...
1) Horrible editing- sentences like, “I have never fitted in anywhere (127)” and “It’s only just not painful (78).”
2. Sappy/childish phrasing and spelling, “his oh-so-happy trail (265)”, "klutz (391)"
3. And the completely obnoxious, immature train wreck that is the female protagonist- she is almost 22 but acts like a giddy 14 year old when it comes to life and relationships, at one point thinking that pig-tails would turn a man off from sex. At another time she exclaims, “I might even get drunk! I’ve never been drunk before (54)” The narrative is perforated by her subconscious thoughts (and her inner goddess), most of which are redundant and unnecessary to the plot or character development.
After one navigates these pitfalls, they can reach the story beneath. The story of a naive, immature girl that falls for a man that has had possibly more than his share of hardships. Whether or not the story is a twilight fan fic (and research would say that it indeed is)the novel feels much like Stephanie Meyer's popular series. The immature, self conscious girls meets the confident but wounded boy, they fall in love and are forced to deal with tough problems in order to keep their relationship afloat.
If you liked this book you will probably like The Secretary (http://www.secretarythemovie.co.uk/ht...)
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From here I will play devil's advocate for Christian Grey (simply because I can and I like to argue)-
I have read in many reviews that this novel “romanticizes an abusive relationship.” I waited and I waited for Christian to rape, or otherwise injure Ana. This never happened. This leads me to believe that the average reader/critic does not understand and/or empathize with the dynamics of a BDSM relationship and has classified said relationship as domestic abuse. Below is a quote describing, briefly, the definition of a BDSM relationship...
“BDSM is a compound acronym for Bondage, Discipline, Dominance/submission, and Sadomasochism. Generally, it is used as an umbrella term for a consenting adult relationship that has some inherent inequality. For example, in a Dominant/submissive relationship, the Dominant person holds authority over the submissive person. Because of the inequality of these roles, it is important that both adults have discussed, negotiated, and consented to their roles (http://www.transcendingboundaries.org....)"
What is most important in this definition is the last piece, "discussed, negotiated and consented to their roles." In regaurds to physical abuse, nowhere in the novel does Christian touch, spank or ‘punish’ Ana without her consent. He draws up an agreement (including safe words and hard&soft limits) which the two discuss in depth, he gives her time to think it over, and only when she willingly agrees (verbally and physically) does he touch her. At one point he explicitly tells Ana that if she says no at any time, he cannot touch her and stresses to her the importance of trust and honestly in relationships.
Ex. “Anastasia, you can’t tell me what I want to hear. That’s not very honest… how can I trust anything you’ve said to me? (286)”
In reguards to emotional abuse, Christian is very open with Ana about his alternative lifestyle and lets her know that changing that will challenge both of them. Ana freaks out uncontrollably and lies about her feelings afraid that she will lose him.
The two do not know how to deal with one another. Ana has never been in a relationship before and Christian, as he says, has“always been with like minded people (288)” Anastasia, as a consenting adult, chooses to stay with him and try to work things out because she loves him. Maybe if she didn't always let her annoying conscience and inner goddess get in the way all the time, being self conscious and contrary at every turn, they would have a better shot.
Final Examples...
Part I Ana insists that she's Christians whore because he wants to buy her things. Even after he confesses that he want to be with her. “Up and down like a whores’ drawers (277)”
Part II- When Anastasia tells Christian that she wants to make love he responds, "I thought we did? 358"
Part III 216- “You’d think I’d coerce you into something you don’t want to do, and then pretend that I have a legal bond over you… You don’t think very highly of me, do you?”
“Relationships like this are built on honesty and trust”
Christian Grey is a man that has made the best with what he is given, you don't have to like him, you don't have to enjoy being 'punished' but you should respect him for his strength, his honestly, and his resilience.
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