The book club has officially launched. Our first book is 50 Shades of Grey.
I have read the first four chapters. The main character's voice seems to waiver between naive (poor writing) and intense (better writer), and this seems to be intentional. I was hooked at the hardware store scene in chapter 2 when Grey selected his second item to purchase..."oh," I thought.
I just started tonight. I love the quote "the growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership". I got into it much easier than I thought I would. Now I'm off to read.
ReplyDeleteWell, ladies, just you wait and see what happens... Oh, mercy. I am at the end of Chapter 9. Shall I say, "Oh, mercy" again? I think so.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit intrigued with the shopping list from the hardware store, too. I am still struggling with the writing style of the author for the most part. I think the main character, Ana, is easy to like.
So I strongly recommend that you download the Flower Duet song mentioned in Chapter 5 as he gives her a ride in his car. Here's why...I was really struggling with her level of innocence as a 22 year old. You know I'm a feminist, so I just kept getting irked about the fact that she not only has to be submissive (but likable, Traci), but she also has to be pure. Grrr. HOWEVER, then as I read on, I thought, "I get it, this is a fantasy book." I mean if you, or most women could go back, would we really be with Billy in the backseat or after the prom? Wouldn't it be great to start fresh with a gorgeous billionare. What a concept - do all fantasy books do this? Guess that's why they are called fantasy. Also, as I'm sitting there judging her innocence, I start listening to this Flower Duet song I've never heard, and I realize I'm relating to a discovery (beautiful music) at the same time the character discovers it. Pretty powerful way for the writer to connect the character to the reader. Now I'm downloading every song they mention to listen to while I read. I'm on Chapter 6, she's drinking white wine and signing the contract...
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm on Chapter 17 and need to pace myself! Nice suggestion - I'll download it tonight and listen. I am with you on the whole innocent piece. I was actually irritated because I found myself thinking, "Here we go, another story that sets these expectations and desires that are unrealistic and makes people feel like their real lives are dull and unfulfilling." But I think the perspective on it being a fantasy is a good way to look at it. I think that the author is able to adequately create an interesting (if not annoying) male character that has money, is sexy, and seems to be quite confident, but also has secrets and vulnerabilities and occasional tender moments that make him desirable in a completely different way.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do think that many women are attracted to the concept of being submissive or "owned" by someone that they can completely, entirely trust. Or perhaps it is just the ability to trust someone so much to the extent that you can let yourself go with (to?) them. I have to admit that I was slightly envious of the little girl at the Folk Festival who was so trusting of the person holding her that she threw her arms out and her head back, not holding on at all. (Which I thought was a very beautiful moment, by the way.)
But yes, I think that the rememberance of feeling innocent and the thought of how you'd do it all over in a better way if you could is something many women will (and probably do) relate to - or fantasize about as they read this story.
I do have to add, though, that the theme of "hot girl who doesn't seem to know she's hot" has run its course a bit. Listen to me being snitty. :)
By the way, clever name for our blog, Ms. Brandi!
ReplyDeleteChapter 8: Oh...my.
ReplyDeleteLol! Just you wait.
ReplyDeleteOk. In true Traci fashion, I whipped (pun intended) through the book and have finished it. I can't wait to hear where you're both at and what you're thinking!
ReplyDeleteI am only in chapter 9 but hope to make some progress tonight. As I read his contract I was thinking, don't sign it." And I found myself wanting to modify it, so I was relieved that she did. I have to admit that the MacBook gift made me think, well maybe I'd sign on for a month."
ReplyDeleteShe's driving home from dinner still undecided. I recognize her. She is a control freak as much if not more than him. Her problem isn't the contract: it's that the contract doesn't define a relationship exactly by her definition.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm over 65% done. She's at dinner with his family. It kind of tough to write about this book, for obvious reasons, but also because I fluctuate between being disgusted and thinking she needs to flee this abusive relationship, but then when she's with him, thinking it's not as bad as it is in her head when she's not with him. I think I hope she signs the contract before the end of the book - but I'm not sure...
ReplyDeleteWell, I have been bad. I have finished all three books. I just finished book three about two minutes ago.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Brandi, in thinking at times she just needs to go and get out of the relationship. If she were my friend, I would be horribly worried and sad for her, I also think that things are maybe more severe because you know her thoughts - what is in her head; and, I think that while she isn't as controlling as he is, she is just as temperamental and at times terribly irrational.
I still think there are several components that are irritating. Maybe I am just bitter right now because of my own circumstances, but romanticising some of the elements of their dysfunctional relationship, converting every argument into heat for sex, establishing ownership of each other...
I do like her sub-conscious and I want one like that. :)
I finally finished (just book 1). It's much like a relationship because I'm not sure how I feel about any of it. In a way, Christian was the more sane of the two. He was going to let the contract go and he wanted more. I think he umderstood that the red room was a play/pretend room. That part didn't bother me about him so much as his need to tell her how to behave, "sit," for example, in his parents' living room. In a way, her constant need to be in a fight with him bothered me more than anything, and I don't think he was "beating" her when she gave him permission.
DeleteSo, when I finally got to the end, I thought, "good riddance to both of them." I don't know if I want to hear from either of them again. Is it worth reading more, Traci?
Also, Traci, since you've been waiting patiently for me and Tanya, would you like to choose our next book?
Brandi, I think you actually hit the nail on the head. Ultimately, I agree that Christian is the more sane of them, but his commands bothered me as well. And while I liked Ana at the beginning, she increasingly irked me more than he did.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I agree with a lot of the reviews that said something along the lines of the writing not being so great and the relationship being dysfunctional and all of it being a bit unfortunate, but there's something about just finishing the series and getting the whole picture and story.
Honestly, when I finished book 3, I had the "good riddance" thought myself. If you feel ready to move on, let's look at a different book! Really, books 2 and 3 are a lot more of the same.
Let me think about the next book and see what I can find! :) Although I already saw the movie, I am interested in reading Snow White and the Huntsman. Is that of any interest to you two? If not, I can pick a different one. ??
Or... Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter?
ReplyDeleteSnow White and the Huntsman appeals to me. How about you, Tanya?
ReplyDeleteI read Abe lincoln VH, and I LOVED it. I read it really fast, and totally recommend it. Would be happy to Talk about it if you decide to read it.