Fifty Shades of...What?!?!

First off, I have to say I really like the main character, Anastasia Steele.   Overall, I find her character to be simpatico and her development to be the reason I keep turning the pages.  After all, the story unfolds through her eyes, we see it through her viewpoint and it is because of her that we are intrigued.  Without giving too much a way, the ending of the novel leaves me wanting more, more, more as I call out with Anastasia, which leaves me grateful there are two more books to follow.

The other characters, including the enigmatic Christian Grey, are a bit disappointing, as in they appear to be a bit one dimensional in description.  However, the man Grey appears a bit more promising for further reading as we learn of his relationship with the mysterious "Mrs. Robinson". The interest in BDSM, as Grey continues to point out, helped him get over early childhood trauma.  For this reason, I do not see the portrayal of this sexual interest depicted in the negative, as some would protest.  No, its Grey that insists he's "50 Shades of Fucked Up" (a nice touch) not because of his sexual interests but due to his early upbringing and that its the sexual dalliances that are helping to heal him.  In my opinion, this does not show BDSM in any sort of negative means, although to those who partake it may appear differently and may also come across differently in the film.

I found the growing relationship of that of Grey and Steele expressed only in words yet not shown through actions.  Aside from their sexual explorations, the development of the relationship seemed more about them saying "how much they cared" yet did not seem to show those budding feelings.  Through Anastasia's confusing jumble of feelings, I saw them both trapped in the popular twenty-something mindset that sex equates love, a notion I have only too recently shed.  However, true to both of their admitted pasts, her innocence, his pain, this confusion does not seem too misguided.  Perhaps the sequels will help clear this up.

Another very fascinating dimension that 50 Shades has brought to the fore-front is that of gender roles in relationship and society.  Should a woman allow herself to be submissive to a man? Is the man always dominant? What does this mean in today's world, both sexually and platonically?

For these reasons, I believe 50 shades deserves more recognition than any other 10 cent grocery store "romantic novel" would generally.  I would go so far as to say it deserves a rank above, just how high above remains to be seen.  I do not see the name of E.L. James resting besides such classic authors as Charles Dickens or CS Lewis or even JK Rowlings, however, only time will tell.  The nature of Anastasia's coming to terms with her darker side while living in a feminist mindset as well as Christian's psychological issues gives one pause and desire to give this trilogy a well-deserved look.

Love Me Like You Do