Does the success of '50 Shades Of Grey' prove that every woman loves a bastard?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

If that's the case I of course bow to your greater knowledge of Twilight

I'm not a mad fan of either series so I could well be wrong. The story I read had **** all to do with vampires etc. Actually I'd be interested to read the originals if that was the case.

"The Fifty Shades trilogy was developed from a Twilight fan fiction originally titled Master of the Universe and published episodically on fan-fiction websites under the pen name "Snowqueens Icedragon". The piece featured characters named after Stephenie Meyer's characters in Twilight, Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. After comments concerning the sexual nature of the material, James removed the story from the fan-fiction websites and published it on her own website, FiftyShades.com. Later she rewrote Master of the Universe as an original piece, with the principal characters renamed Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele and removed it from her website prior to publication.[7] Meyer commented on the series, saying "that's really not my genre, not my thing ... Good on her—she's doing well. That's great!"[8]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey#Origin_as_fan_fiction


all I know about twilight is that the chick who played the grumpy chick is hot

oh and so is the short haired vampire girl

Ficheall

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

The quote itself - yep not quite shakespeare quality.

Could you, perhaps, given an example of a well-written section?
I don't have any problem with the book - badly written porn has a place, as does badly acted porn. Fine. But trying to suggest it has some literary merit as a novel is a bit much.
I could say that I think the articles in Playboy are really good and worth reading, but even though Playboy may have millions of fans all over the world, I don't think that many people would be inclined to agree.


(I could be wrong here - I've never actually had a copy of Playboy - pretty much all of my porn ever has come from the internet)

Defiler Of The Coffin

Well it has been a rather unseasonably wet month

wandatowell

whendovescry wrote: »

Irish 50 shades of grey, courtesy of voteforlee on reddit:



Slowly he ran his finger down the middle, parting the pink softness, feeling the moist sticky centre. He loved a Mikado.

And what's the jam meant to represent??


Oh wait..................the dirty b@stard

Pantsface

"GIVE IT TO ME, GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!!!"

*faints*

Pacing Mule

Ficheall wrote: »

Could you, perhaps, given an example of a well-written section?
I don't have any problem with the book - badly written porn has a place, as does badly acted porn. Fine. But trying to suggest it has some literary merit as a novel is a bit much.
I could say that I think the articles in Playboy are really good and worth reading, but even though Playboy may have millions of fans all over the world, I don't think that many people would be inclined to agree.


(I could be wrong here - I've never actually had a copy of Playboy - pretty much all of my porn ever has come from the internet)

Not arsed typing a lot of stuff so I found something quoted on tumblr ie no explicit pornography and showing a relationship breaking down ..

He takes another step forward, and I hold up my hands.
“Don’t, please.” I recoil from him. There’s no way I can tolerate his touch now, it will slay me. “I can’t do this.”
Grabbing my suitcase and my backpack, I head for the foyer. He follows me, keeping a careful distance. He presses the elevator button, and the doors open. I climb in.
“Goodbye, Christian,” I murmur.
“Ana, goodbye,” he says softly, and he looks utterly, utterly broken, a man in agonizing pain, reflecting how I feel inside. I tear my gaze away from him before I change my mind and try to comfort him.

I'm not championing it as being worthy of a nobel prize for literature but I do think there is some substance beyond what it is portrayed as.

The_Thing

Surely it can't be as bad as the Peig Sayer's book which was on the Irish syllabus for the leaving cert during the 80's?

Pageant Messiah

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

Not arsed typing a lot of stuff so I found something quoted on tumblr ie no explicit pornography and showing a relationship breaking down ..



I'm not championing it as being worthy of a nobel prize for literature but I do think there is some substance beyond what it is portrayed as.

TBH I read Dragonball Z fanfiction in the late 90s that had passages better than that.

ejmaztec

The_Thing wrote: »

Surely it can't be as bad as the Peig Sayer's book which was on the Irish syllabus for the leaving cert during the 80's?

Peig Does Dingle?

Pantsface

ejmaztec wrote: »

Peig Does Dingle?

Was she not on the Blasket Island?

Pottler

So, is it settled? Do women like bastards? I sneakily think they do. Pity really.

IM0

no just that, they like bean flicking which most of us knew already

Varied

Deleted User wrote: »

I think this might have to go on the kindle just for the craic. I've a flight next week, it might keep me entertained, but I don't want people to actually know I'm reading it!

why oh why do you feel the need to read it "for the craic"?

Every woman or girl says this, just admit you like reading utter ****e.

Ficheall

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

He takes another step forward, and I hold up my hands.
“Don’t, please.” I recoil from him. There’s no way I can tolerate his touch now, it will slay me. “I can’t do this.”
Grabbing my suitcase and my backpack, I head for the foyer. He follows me, keeping a careful distance. He presses the elevator button, and the doors open. I climb in.
“Goodbye, Christian,” I murmur.
“Ana, goodbye,” he says softly, and he looks utterly, utterly broken, a man in agonizing pain, reflecting how I feel inside. I tear my gaze away from him before I change my mind and try to comfort him.

If I were to respond to this as I would automatically be inclined to do, would you understand that I was being sarcastic?

Potatoeman

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

Not arsed typing a lot of stuff so I found something quoted on tumblr ie no explicit pornography and showing a relationship breaking down ..



I'm not championing it as being worthy of a nobel prize for literature but I do think there is some substance beyond what it is portrayed as.

:eek: Wow, that’s some crappy writing. Just needs some heaving bosoms and a throbbing member.

Scanlas The 2nd

Ficheall wrote: »

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

The quote itself - yep not quite shakespeare quality.

Could you, perhaps, given an example of a well-written section?
I don't have any problem with the book - badly written porn has a place, as does badly acted porn. Fine. But trying to suggest it has some literary merit as a novel is a bit much.
I could say that I think the articles in Playboy are really good and worth reading, but even though Playboy may have millions of fans all over the world, I don't think that many people would be inclined to agree.


(I could be wrong here - I've never actually had a copy of Playboy - pretty much all of my porn ever has come from the internet)

Let me get one thing clear, do you think it is impossible for an erotic novel to be well written?

As for why it's so popular, part trend part women love being dominated by a sexy man, something it's hard for them to find in the real world or afraid to admit liking. I've yet to come across a woman who does not like to be spanked.

Pantsface

Ficheall wrote: »

If I were to respond to this as I would automatically be inclined to do, would you understand that I was being sarcastic?

only if you pant a bit

AhInFairness

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

As for why it's so popular, part trend part women love being dominated by a sexy man, something it's hard for them to find in the real world or afraid to admit liking. I've yet to come across a woman who does not like to be spanked.

Wow. Just...wow.

Potatoeman

AhInFairness wrote: »

Wow. Just...wow.

Her mouth said no, her body said yes but the restraining order said no again.

Pantsface

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

Let me get one thing clear, do you think it is impossible for an erotic novel to be well written?

As for why it's so popular, part trend part women love being dominated by a sexy man, something it's hard for them to find in the real world or afraid to admit liking. I've yet to come across a woman who does not like to be spanked.

You gotta try it for free once

If you can find someone willing

Namlub

Pantsface wrote: »

meh, its cool to say you've read it / enjoyed it "oh look at me i'm a bit risky"

It really isn't.

Tayla

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

As for why it's so popular, part trend part women love being dominated by a sexy man, something it's hard for them to find in the real world or afraid to admit liking. I've yet to come across a woman who does not like to be spanked.

If anything this book was all about him changing to be with her...there was very little dominating involved

Shryke

I read a couple of pages, I did not read the entire thing. The combination of terrible writing and bad porn made it seem like something written by a horny child. Repugnant tbh. It makes the works of Dan Brown look like Stephen King on top of his game.
I cannot be kind even in the slightest. If women want to masturbate to a pile of **** more power to them. My main problem would be that a better standard of book porn won't ever be reached if this is what makes a best seller.
It's a dark day for book porn.

Pantsface

Namlub wrote: »

It really isn't.

it is, hence all this silly mania

H2UMrsRobinson

I did try to read them and leave my prejudices at the door. Got through book 1 and 2 and just haven't the inclination to start book 3. I actually don't care about either of the characters at all. The writing is tiresome and repetitive and I don't think the author deserves the attention and most probably the cash she is getting. But fair fcuks to her, right place and right time and all that. I don't think they are all that filthy TBH, but then I've read all Nancy Fridays books so perhaps I'm a bit jaded. Some of the proclivities of the real women in her books simply boggles the mind.

Pantsface

Kerry Katona said they were the best books she ever read

I rest my case

Smidge

Pantsface wrote: »

Kerry Katona said they were the best books she ever read

I rest my case

:eek:

Namlub

Pantsface wrote: »

it is, hence all this silly mania

"silly mania" doesn't make something cool, it makes it popular. There's a difference.

Sarcasm Much?

First post here (hi everyone, go easy on me, I finally found a thread I can reply to )

So, as a woman in her early 30's who reads a lot of books I can say that I did enjoy the SOG series for what it is, candy floss for the brain!

Grey is rich, dominating and can make Ana come like a ..... err.....not sure how to finish that sentence, perhaps someone can help me out? lol

Anyway, personally I can say that the thought of being dominated by a powerful man really does it for me, and as for the kinky stuff.....well that certainly gave me something to think about

I would say that the reason it is so popular is because of Grey's fecked-upness (personally I like a challenge), the kinkiness of it all (I mean I'm sure I'm not the only girl who wants to give those metal balls/spanking a go ) and of course that all powerful, dominating man that I fantasize about (but would probably be way too much for me to handle in real life)

Of course it is pretty badly written, but sure, you can't have it all!

Just my thoughts on it's popularity.

TrixIrl

Real women vs the girls that read this shiite!

Potatoeman

Pantsface wrote: »

it is, hence all this silly mania

No it’s not. I don’t know anyone that would think that. The fact that it’s badly written should be what people are discussing.

Pantsface

Namlub wrote: »

"silly mania" doesn't make something cool, it makes it popular. There's a difference.

the silly people recommending it & banging on about it think they are cool reading it

MagicMarker

The only thing it proves, OP, is that some people will pay to read utter shíte.

The same people read Hello magazine, watch Jeremy Kyle, have a fake tan and wear glitter, and these are the fans that are under 30. The over 30's have/do none of this, but own lot of cats.

phasers

that book was shyte. The guy was a clingy, whiny little prick, the girl is a moron who spends her life blushing and biting her lip and the sex scenes were tame as hell. I expected something a bit provocative but it was all extremely run of the mill.

The fact that the bint who wrote this is now a multi millionaire makes me sad. And the inevitable movie trilogy will begin shooting soon.

I'm glad I torrented it, if I paid for that mess I'd be pretty pissed off.

Namlub

Pantsface wrote: »

the silly people recommending it & banging on about it think they are cool reading it

A lot of people seem embarrassed about reading it tbh, hence why it's selling so well on the Kindle (no book cover)

AhInFairness

Sarcasm Much? wrote: »

I would say that the reason it is so popular is because of Grey's fecked-upness (personally I like a challenge), the kinkiness of it all (I mean I'm sure I'm not the only girl who wants to give those metal balls/spanking a go ) and of course that all powerful, dominating man that I fantasize about (but would probably be way too much for me to handle in real life)

Of course it is pretty badly written, but sure, you can't have it all!

Just my thoughts on it's popularity.

With all due respect, do you think the people who are buying this book are aware of all that or are they just caught up in the hype?

From what I have seen, it's very much the latter. People know its a book, with sex, aimed at women. Thats all they know when they buy it. Sure, they could buy it and hate it but it's still another copy sold. It's popularity is based on the hype, not on any little kinks we might have hidden beneath the surface.

Xaniaj

Pageant Messiah wrote: »

it's beyond ridiculous for me to be on here defending a book All I ask is you give it a full read.

I've read the book...well just over half of it before I abandoned it. It was utter tripe and it was written like a teenage girl's wet dream.

FouxDaFaFa

It's so popular because erotica books are not generally accepted as mainstream. This one was "allowed" to be. Also, people don't have to dither around the "adult" section in Eason's any more to buy erotica, they can just download it to an e-reader.

The backlash against it is because, while there's nothing wrong with something light and fluffy for the brain, it's not very well written or edited.

I personally found the Christian Grey character to be creepy as fcuk. It goes beyond being a "bad boy" and into "demented stalker" territory.

Sarcasm Much?

Sarcasm Much? wrote: »

First post here (hi everyone, go easy on me, I finally found a thread I can reply to )

So, as a woman in her early 30's who reads a lot of books I can say that I did enjoy the SOG series for what it is, candy floss for the brain!

Grey is rich, dominating and can make Ana come like a ..... err.....not sure how to finish that sentence, perhaps someone can help me out? lol

Anyway, personally I can say that the thought of being dominated by a powerful man really does it for me, and as for the kinky stuff.....well that certainly gave me something to think about

I would say that the reason it is so popular is because of Grey's fecked-upness (personally I like a challenge), the kinkiness of it all (I mean I'm sure I'm not the only girl who wants to give those metal balls/spanking a go ) and of course that all powerful, dominating man that I fantasize about (but would probably be way too much for me to handle in real life)

Of course it is pretty badly written, but sure, you can't have it all!

Just my thoughts on it's popularity.

get yourself a few nancy friday books and read them.
real life fantasies and a damn sight more horny than a ****e written novel!!

christ on a bike!

Ah it's just a bit of craic, my girlfriend is an English teacher and a lover of high literature, has read and adored all the classics and drags me along to productions of Shakespear.

She still loved the book though, horribly written but completely unchalllenging and somewhat enjoyable - I like to read too but you can't look for a bloody challenge in every book, sometimes you ust want the easy read and there's nothing wrong with that

And if it gives her fizzy knickers I'm all for it. Except when I have to be up early

Edit : And who cares if you're just hopping on the bandwagon, sure there's a million more better written books out there, but read this one and you can chat about it with your mates cos they've all read it. F*ck me, don't over analyse everything

Blondini

.. Grey's penis throbbed like a yoke on a Knackers horse ...
"Lob it into me boss" cried Steele.....

Fap.

LH Pathe

Couldn't help but notice my formerly irish aunt who was over for the weekend had a copy by her bed, with a luton airport pricetag on.

Another who ditched the hubby once teh midlife crisis kicked in, with delusions of raaaaunchy S&M sessions with a younger guy!! Cougar town. Desperate ex- housewifes

krudler

Pantsface wrote: »

Kerry Katona said they were the best books she ever read

I rest my case

probably the only books she's ever read.

phasers

LH Pathe wrote: »

Couldn't help but notice my formerly irish aunt who was over for the weekend had a copy by her bed, with a luton airport pricetag on.

Eh, what were you doing in her bed?

Brain Stroking

I've noticed that most women i know who read it and liked it tend to see everything in their world in black and white. Which is ironic

Smidge

LH Pathe wrote: »

Couldn't help but notice my formerly irish aunt who was over for the weekend had a copy by her bed, with a luton airport pricetag on.

Another who ditched the hubby once teh midlife crisis kicked in, with delusions of raaaaunchy S&M sessions with a younger guy!! Cougar town. Desperate ex- housewifes

Which part was she?
From somewhere else or no longer your Aunt?;)

Shryke

phasers wrote: »

LH Pathe wrote: »

Couldn't help but notice my formerly irish aunt who was over for the weekend had a copy by her bed, with a luton airport pricetag on.

Eh, what were you doing in her bed?

Looking for her vibrator?

Blondini

phasers wrote: »

Eh, what were you doing in her bed?

He was flicking her well-thumbed volume ....


(see I can do the erotic literature too! Boom )

LH Pathe

The immersion needed turning on! sounds dodgy, but it wasn't like that. Some of you clearly craving a spanking too, have you read it as well

Da Shins Kelly

I'd like to think that most women grow out of the "trying to fix the bad boy" phase, but maybe they don't. For me, books like that are the epitome of trash. Reading bad literature is as bad as not reading at all. And what makes it worse is that those books are aimed at women and happen to be among the most anti-woman literature out there - the whole idea of creating a fantasy man who also happens to be ridiculously dominant and the female character pathetically submissive is just feeding ideas about gender imbalance and sexual control. Sure, that would be fine if it was somehow integral to the story and was trying to make a statement (as in, the novel is set in a time when women and men were unequal, or it's set in some grim future where things are unequal again, or a domestic abuse situation or some such), but the fact that this sexually unbalanced relationship exists just to fulfill fantasy kinda makes me sad, as a woman. I don't mind reading books about women in difficult situations if the woman is a character I can admire, but the fact that these women in these kinds of novels tend to be so submissive and obedient and instead take the man's lead rather than doing their own thing is disheartening, especially in this day and age. It's crazy that decades ago when women endured far more hardship that the so called "chick-lit" author Jane Austen was writing strong female characters, and now today's authors who enjoy far more freedom and respect are writing female characters who don't know how to do anything without a man and are submissive and obedient in almost every way. It makes me worry for the young girls who read Twilight and get ideas about how they should act and be around men from it. Women need to quit feeding into this stuff. There are much better, stronger female characters to relate to out there; characters that really show what it means to be a woman.

That isn't even getting into the ideas of ideal masculinity that these books promote.