I admit I’ve taken a couple
of weeks to write the review of the final of the “Fifty Shades of Grey”
trilogy, the current favorite naughty books, not because I needed to ponder
over what I think, because there’s not much to add. Now I’m happy to be free of Fifty Shades.
For “Fifty Shades Freed,” the
sexaholic-wealthy couple Ana and pervert Christian are now happily married
newlyweds continuing their BDSM (or whatever it is) lifestyle from the South of
France back to the US. There’s a lot of
eyes darkening, “Oh my!” (Cured me of
that statement unless I reference these books now), and there’s something about
Ana forgetting her birth control and her Le Femme Nikita moment at the book’s
end. When all is said and done, Ana and
new-nice-guy Christian is a happy couple watching their kids and still having
over-the-top…never mind.
I think two elements are the
main criticisms: 1) The sexual content,
especially the methods used 2) The
absolutely silly story.
The story, I’m sorry is
stupid. But, so what? This is fantasy
romance, handsome billionaire, lust at first sight, admitted pervert, what’s
not to like? Sigh. Unfortunately, there’s not enough substance
to the story to create much opinion either way.
It’s just empty. The author
throws in some topics at the end that are really “thrown in,” like when Ana
realizes rich hubby Christian ships jobs overseas. Gee, “Holy
Cow!” So after all of this
hanky-panky, the writer is teaching us political
talking points?
The plot to me is just to
bridge the erotic content. So what’s so
bad about that? Erotic books are out
there, why is this one considered so offensive to some? I’ll admit I don’t read much (any) erotic
novels, so I have nothing to compare. But regarding the sexual content, I’ll
make a comparison with the very-R-rated “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.
R. Martin (just the adult stuff, Martin fans), “Fifty Shades” sex is couple,
adult, consensual, and married (by the end).
As over-the-top as their activities may be, there’s no prostitution,
rape (but there is permissive assault), and no underage sex, except Christian’s
learning of the BDSM lifestyle from an older woman when he was fifteen. The scenes to me run together, but it clearly
works for many readers.
Overall the final rating to
me is two stars, being generous. I don’t
like giving writers low ratings, but I’m hardly in a small club. For the curious, I still suggest to adults to check this out on your
own. And I don’t deny Ms. James: Her work, her books, her success. Good for her.
You know, you are the second reviewer I have read to say similar things about these books. I have not read the trilogy, and based on reviews, I won't be. I just think it's sad when a reviewer has to say "I'm free of this book!" like it was some sort of medieval torture to read. And maybe it was. Glad you survived the ordeal!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment! Yes, by the end it felt like an ordeal. I kept hoping the story would improve.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine actually recommended this book to me, so I picked it up. I found myself giggling by the middle of the first book because it was the story line was just ridiculous. Unfortunately for me, I have this horrible habit of finishing a series once I've started it (mainly hoping it improves)and I have never been so relieved to be done with a book in my life. I have read some bad books in my day, but I must say the Fifty Shades series is one of the worst. It was the first skanky adult book I've ever read and will probably be the last because of it. I will be kicking my friend later.Your review is dead on.
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