Unlike pretty much every other woman on the Metro platform, I haven’t read any of the Fifty Shades trilogy, but of course everyone is talking about it, and anyone can check into Goodreads and get the low-down.
I’m aware that Fifty Shades of Grey started out as Twilight fan fiction—which is fine! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with converting a fanfic into a novel, if you change enough about the characters and premise to make them your own—but the more I hear about it, the more it sounds like a ripoff of Secretary. The principals sound like they’re strongly based on Lee Holloway and E. Edward Grey and at one point in their journey used the names Bella Swan and Edward Cullen.
Furthermore, I’m waiting to hear about why it’s frequently characterized as “mommy porn.” If it’s the Twilight connection, okay, but that still leaves the question of what exactly is Twilight’s appeal to women with kids. If it’s something other than the Twilight connection, I’m waiting to hear what it is. Inquiring minds want to know.
#1 by Tracey on July 16, 2012 - 7:16 PM
Have you seen this review of it on Goodreads? http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/340987215?auto_login_attempted=true It’s hysterical.
#2 by alysonmiers on July 16, 2012 - 8:12 PM
Yes, I saw that. The animated GIFs are very funny.
#3 by A.D. Duling on July 17, 2012 - 8:41 AM
I too have not or will not read this trilogy…I too am scratching my head about why this is so popular. Half say its horrible writing and the other half gush over it…this is new news to me….thanks for the share Alyson.