50 Shades Trilogy

Those are just awful! Taken out of context like that, they are terrible!

I just told someone else that exact same thing. And there was much better lines in the series they could've used. OMG & the pictures!!! With so many pics available on the web I know they could've found better ones.

that was horrible!!! I think they chose those bad pictures on purpose to prove the point.... . Oh well we still enjoyed it.... but yeah I don't want to think on it too much!!

I DVR'd Dateline but haven't had a chance to see it yet. I heard on Chelsea Lately that they are considering Ian Somerholder? (from Vampire Diaries) as Christian possibly.

I watched that video of Chelsea & Ian talking about it. I read/heard somewhere that EL James has the final decision on the actors/actresses in the movie & that she wants to use unknown people. Not sure if it's true or not though. I've read/heard so much about the series & I don't remember where I read/heard that.

Can they even make a movie out of this that conveys the emotion? Most of the story took place in Ana's head. And who is going to stand in line at the theater for tickets? Not ME! OMG....

I personally am not the least bit excited about a movie. If it's a big screen movie way too much of it will have to be cut out for it to work even with an R or NC-17 rating. Now, in my opinion, I think a mini-series on late night HBO or one of the other movie channels would work much better. Cable TV can get by with a lot more than the big screen. I would consider watching that but have no interest in a movie. I'm not a fan of movies anyway & almost always the movie is never as good as the book & usually the story is even changed some.

HBO might work. I don't care much for movies, either. But I love things like Game Of Thrones and The Borgias on cable. They can be very gritty though. Sometimes I wonder about my own tolerence. Sheesh.

Do I really want to read this series? Reviews are either love or hate and not all you guys are that impressed with it. Maybe I should leave this one till I catch up on my TBR pile. Or when I'm in need of some good mummy porn as I have heard it described.

I loved it. No, it's not the best writing I've ever read but there's something about it that made me not be able to stop reading once I started. I heard it described as the "crack" thing that some other books/series have that makes people addicted to them. In the article I read some of the books/authors mentioned that have the crack thing are the BDB series & Johanna Lindsey (a historical romance author). I've read both of those & can say that they are both addicting. At least for me they were. Once I started reading them I couldn't get enough. I think the mommy porn label is going a little too far. It's really not all that explicit or erotic compared to a lot of books available. However having said that the series is definitely not for everyone. You're right. People either love it or hate it. But one thing I have noticed is that a lot of the ones that hate it didn't even finish the first book. There are so many things that happen that I highly recommend that people read the whole series before they decide whether they like it or not. I wasn't all that crazy about it at first either but for some reason I couldn't stop reading & I ended up loving it.

I'm one of the ones that didn't LOVE it.... but I didnt hate it either. I agree that they are relatively "crack" worthy; a nice guilty pleasure. There were some things in book 1 that I didnt like and wasn't sure if I wanted to continue to read but Autumn convinced me to.... and I did end up enjoying the rest of 1 and the others as well. There is A LOT of repetition so the haters usually complain about the quality of writing and the lack of editing. They are actually really quick reads and funny along with the um "kinky fuckery". I think you would enjoy them GC.... go for it!!!

I agree with sabby, Greencat. I loved the story, but I know others that just sort of liked it or quit in the middle. Only way to fnd out is to read it. I said earlier, and I will repeat.....like readerchic said, it isn't the best written story I have ever read, but.....damn....the woman can tell a good story. A good editor might have actually hurt the story. I don't know. Maybe not. Personally, I wouldn't want to change much. A few less references to Christian's hair, maybe.

I don't think I would change anything except the repetition in the books. Other than that and a couple of unanswered questions I liked how EL James told the story. If an editor had gotten a hold of it she or he might've changed it too much. I just think it needed a little cleaning up. Some of the words she used that aren't really used in America could've been changed. Just stuff like that. But as far as the actual story I liked how she told it.

I like how she told the story, too, readerchic. I might have cut a few references to his hair and maybe a few references to how his pants hung off his hips "in that way". We got that he was hotter than hot and she loved certain things about him enough that they became distractiong for her. Hmmmm.....maybe they shouldn't have been cut after all. Maybe that whole "distracting to her" comment I just made is what it was about. It was distracting to Ana, and since we were in her head, it was distracting to us. Maybe, with it's faults, the story was written just like it should have been. Who am I to argue with the best selling books of the year?

GC, I finally got around to reading them. Yes, read them when you need some mommy porn. It's an apt description. I'm with Sabby, I didn't love them or hate them, but I enjoyed the read and they move very quickly. Probably the best thing to come out of reading these books, is some of the conversations I have gotten into with my girlfriends. I'm still reeling and laughing about some of the things we discussed. I've known these girls most of my life and we don't often read the same books, so when we met over margaritas last week and the books came up, the conversation became outrageous.

cali----tell us! I am one of the 50 Shades lovers. I loved it. Loved it.

:D 2shay, I don't know how funny this will be, but some of the memorable moments were when we found out one gal's ex was into some BD stuff. If you had met the guy, it would have been shocking news. One gal was ready to buy carabiners for her bedroom. There was a lot more sex talk where we debated if orgasms were actually possible from some of the scenes. One of my friends assured us that in her experience, it was entirely possible. LOL. It was a fun, fun night.

Cali--If 50 Shades hasn't done anything else, it has women talking to each other about sexual expectations! And, hopefully, a lot of women will find out the difference between sexual play and violence. I would like for everyone to read this. Men should read it. Do you know how many women have remarked that they would just love for their husband/boyfriend to show so much protective attention in public? The hand on the small of the back while walking through a public area seems to be one of the most "erotic" moments for some women. I totally get that. There is a lot of that male potectivness that resonates.

I totally agree Cali most of the reason I started reading them was to see how many people that on FB were that I dont believe are avid readers and I just too curious to look away. I wis entertaining!!!!

Shay when I first started dating my husband, when we would start walking somewhere every now and than he'd circle around me to the other side; for no apparent reason I could understand. After multiple times of this I asked him what he was doing.... he said in Mexico he was taught that the man always had to walk on the outside (street side) of his lady, one reason was for protection; if any danger came the man had to confront it first. And the other reason to my astonishment was almost like a claiming, that I was no longer free (or offered to the world) but spoken for... HIS!! As you can imagine at a very impressionable 22 (much like Ana) I practically swooned in his arms after that little explanation and thought it the most romantic gesture ever!! Especially spoken in Spanish it just sounded so..... sexy!!!

Sabby...that is very romantic. My dad always walked closest to the street. He put mom and me furthest from "danger". I don't know when that practice stopped. It never should have. Even public hand holding is a public "claiming" that used to be a pleasing and comforting thing for most women. The opening of a car door was protective as well, not just good manners.

ETA: just finished Maya Banks' Sweet series. Everything from fairly tame D/s to some pretty hard core BDSM. I liked these stories, and can truthfully say that I would still shoot a man who "hit" one of my family or friends, and would never buy that a bound woman is giving consent. But......a lot of the D/s stuff is interesting at least. And....I understand why the men like it, but I can't accept that the women are anything but emotional victims. Now...If a couple of guys want to be tied up and beat the hell out of each other. Well..fine. If a Domme wants to tie a man up and beat the crap out of him and call it "love and trust", you go girl! Whack him one for me! I hate women submitting to men. They betray us all. Oh...I hate the act, not the women. There are some levels that don't bother me, some that do. Tricky stuff. I need to find a f/f BDSM or a Domme with a male sub book. I think I could really enjoy reading about a strong Domme beating the shit out of men for fun!

I don't think a woman doing what she finds sexually liberating is a betrayal of women. Having the freedom and rights to do what we want doesn't mean we can't want to submit sexually or enjoy the sexual aspects of pain.


I also think the public practice of men protecting women stopped with the women's rights movement. Many women don't like portraying women as needing protection. We are viable in our own rights.

Ooohh yeah I got to agree with Fae on this one completely!! Once again thats why I was cringing at times reading 50 because I hate the idea that only "fucked up" individuals can engage in this lifestyle or the woman that choose to submit are "emotional victims". Maybe that's why you felt so strongly that Ana was somehow abused by her stepfather.... because from your perspective its the only justification for her having submitted to Christian?

I am absolutely certain that most of the women who like to "submit" are the ones you least expect it from. I think thats why 50 has become such a hot topic; I think women who privately enjoy "kinky fuckery" can feel less..... marginalized, and those who haven't tried it well I'm sure they've come up with a few ideas. I mean I think you have to compartamentalize how this lifestyle is played out; they are called "scenes" and "role-playing" for a reason.

I think many of these "chivalrous" acts that are now viewed as old fashioned, is sad to see them fade away. I mean yes I understand what your saying Fae and it makes sense; but before we weren't only talking about physical weakness, women were considered intellectually and emotionally inferior and of course lets not forget financially dependent so I think thats the all encompassing "protection" that men portrayed to give. But I think with the loss of these gentelmanly gestures there has been a degree of respect towards women that has been lost with this younger generation. Do I need my hubby to open the door for me all the time or pull my chair out when I'm going to sit no of course not but occasional gesture is sweet. Plus if we were ever attacked by lets say zombies I would have no shame hiding behind my 6'2, 240 lb. hubby to protect me.... just saying!
I'm actually convinced that this is why stories like Twilight and 50 have resonated so much with teen girls and young women. They have no frame of reference to compare to so they see these acts of possesivness by these characters as something desirable/romantic. When we know better that Edward was a stalker and lord dont get me into Ethan's 50 shades of fuckupedness behavior. Anyway I'm confusing myself and am probably making no sense anymore must go to sleep..... night y'all!

Well, kinky fuckery doesn't bother me. Even bondage doesn't bother me. Punishing women is what bothers me. And, yes. I do think that only a fucked up woman would allow a man to punish her...with some very big exceptions. I think sensual spanking is freakin' hot! Floggers? Maybe. Depends. Toys? Oh, hell yeah! Lots of sexy stuff. Canes and whips? Not just no, but hell no. If it can leave a whelp....no. If it can, even inadvertently, cut the skin? Not no, but hell no. If I knew it was happening to a woman in my family I would spend every waking moment trying to put the sob in jail. I live in Texas, so it probably wouldn't stick. Men get by with all kinds of abuse against women here. Sooooo.....I would probably have to enlist the aid of a few friends and kill him.

Okay. Okay. Now, here's the deal. The real problem isn't about women who like a little kinky fuckery. It's about the public perception. Just because "this" woman likes it and consents, doesn't mean that "that" woman does. "That" woman is being abused and because the new perception is that some women like this stuff, all women should like it....leaving abusing bastards to get by with even more crap. Too many women will never step forward because they don't know the difference between sexual play and violence. The legal system may not be able to untangle the web of what constitutes consent. Some people view marriage as consent for practically anything. It has only been in recent years that "date rape" has been recognized as rape! I happen to know several women who were "date raped" as young women and even their own parents didn't believe it was rape. More like buyers' remorse. This whole dynamic of BDSM can really muddy the waters of sexual abuse. Here in town, just last year one of our county commissioners beat the shit out of his wife, raped her and put her in the hospital. His defense? She told him no. He pleaded guilty of marital rape, did one night in jail and paid a 1000.00 fine. Well, he had to resign as sommissioner. How can we ever stop this sort of crap as long as there are women who "submit'? The legal system sure as hell can't figure it out.

ETA: In essense, women who "submit" are enabelers for abusers. Most men don't know how to be a Dom. Most men are just being asshole when they hit. "Submissives" are giving ALL men the go ahead to beat the shit out of women.

I haven't read the books yet, but this thread sure makes me want to! I need to get back in the habit of getting back on here more frequently! I missed you folks!

We miss you, too! Lots of opinions about 50 Shades. I loved it, some liked it and some didn't care for it at all! One thing's for sure......we have talked about it a lot! It ramped up my interest in BDSM. Some of the BDSM stories are really good, really sweet....in a pretty HAWT and SEXY way. Some of it leaves me with a case of the dry heaves. lol Mostly, though, like a lot of m/m, there are some great stories and writers lurking around out there in a fairly obscure genre. Well, not so obscure anymore, since 50 Shades.

Women who submit are in NO WAY RESPONSIBLE for the fucked up acts of rapists who don't understand the word no. I like to eat spicy food, does that mean I want a man to shove jalapenos in my mouth? No. It's the rapists and abusers fault. EVERY TIME.