Fifty Shades of Grey

[Kizzie]

So....'Fifty Shades' up for the National Book Award....

What do we think of that ?

It's certainly got the nation reading, well maybe half of the nation. Is it worthy of an award, if so why ?

[lost]

apparently its saved a number of traditional bookstores due to its paperback sales as women don't like to take their kindle into the bath.

[feral chile]

Well I'm a bit mystified by the furore over it - I read the first one and was really disappointed. I was expecting it to be a really disturbing book, exploring the dark side of human nature, our deepest darkest desires - but it was like a romantic novel with a bit of sex thrown in. Ane even that was written in a way that I didn't believe a word of it.

I'm no expert, but I do read a lot of fiction, and this one seems very poorly written. I find the Jack Reacher books way more sexy and with a better plot.

It's supposed to be a big feminist thing, too, isn't it? I don't get that either - the female character is a wimp.

Edited November 13, 2012 by feral chile

[bunique]

It's dreadful.

[kaosmark2]

Appallingly written books getting popular isn't a good thing. Harry Potter didn't get people reading generally, Twilight didn't. This won't. Awful writing.

And sex scenes in fiction are nothing new.

[Katster]

I haven't read it. Being a college librarian i have always said it doesn't matter what young people are reading, as long as they are reading. 50 shades presents me with a problem though, i think, but i guess i would have to actually read it to make an informed decision and i won't be doing that. What surprises me though is just how many people who have read it, people who have never picked up a book before in their life! Weird.

[Essex_George]

Well I'm a bit mystified by the furore over it - I read the first one and was really disappointed. I was expecting it to be a really disturbing book, exploring the dark side of human nature, our deepest darkest desires - but it was like a romantic novel with a bit of sex thrown in. Ane even that was written in a way that I didn't believe a word of it.

I'm no expert, but I do read a lot of fiction, and this one seems very poorly written. I find the Jack Reacher books way more sexy and with a better plot.

It's supposed to be a big feminist thing, too, isn't it? I don't get that either - the female character is a wimp.

[russycarps]

The only thing worse than music snobs are book snobs.

That being said, this is a book for thickos. See also: Harry Potter, Twilight etc

Things that appeal to the masses are generally dumbed down, lowest common denominator stuff, because people are in the main thick and stupid.

It's the same with music. Music that has mass appeal is shit and designed for the ignorant. Adele, Jessie J, take that etc.

If you like any of the things I have mentioned you are almost certainly a thicko. A boring, middle of the road, conformist thicko.

[TheGayTent]

The Jack Reacher books by Lee Child are pretty good. Easy reading and good plots, I have read most of them!

[t8yman]

my wife read the first 2, in about a week each - which is unknown for her. she also became a lot more adventurous as a result.

Hooray for 50 shades I say!

she also chucked reading the third, as she said the 2nd was a load of bollocks.

Edited November 14, 2012 by t8yman

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Well I'm a bit mystified by the furore over it - I read the first one and was really disappointed. I was expecting it to be a really disturbing book, exploring the dark side of human nature, our deepest darkest desires - but it was like a romantic novel with a bit of sex thrown in. Ane even that was written in a way that I didn't believe a word of it.

I'm no expert, but I do read a lot of fiction, and this one seems very poorly written. I find the Jack Reacher books way more sexy and with a better plot.

It's supposed to be a big feminist thing, too, isn't it? I don't get that either - the female character is a wimp.

[Essex_George]

Ditto. Though slightly soured by child selling the film rights to Tom Cruise's production company and therefore the midget playing Reacher - what a farce. I shan't be seeing it.

On topic - I haven't read 50 shades, but it would appear to me that most of my fellow commuters have over the last 6 months or so. Good writing or not, it's sold a lot of copies.

[eFestivals]

I can only assume that those that find it explicit have dull imaginations.

yep - they're not imaginative enough to find the porn they clearly like.

[Kizzie]

Katster you've pretty much summed up how I feel about it. My job is to get women with very low literacy levels or little interest in reading to read. Well I've cetainly done that. In the establishment where I work 'Fifty Shades' has become the hottest, most talked about, most passed around item for years.

This is all good but I too have a problem with it. I too haven't read it, I'm a literature snob Russy. I know it's badly written and I'd just skip to the filth. .

I think it's interesting that it's loosely called feminist, it's not what I'd call feminist unless it's about women feeling able to openly read soft porn and discuss it. I'm pretty sure it panders to the standard notion that women like their porn nicely couched in fluffy erotica. Dull.

I also wonder if blokes are feeling intimidated by all these women avidly reading secondhand sex like it's gone out of fashion.

[TheGayTent]

Tom Cruise as Reacher?? That will take alot of special effects!

[russycarps]

I also wonder if blokes are feeling intimidated by all these women avidly reading secondhand sex like it's gone out of fashion.

[Kizzie]

I find the fact that girls are watching porn online almost as much as men do these days to be more terrifying.

[abdoujaparov]

I find the fact that girls are watching porn online almost as much as men do these days to be more terrifying.

[russycarps]

I find that quite terrifying too though. I think the expectations from both men and women are becoming skewed. Are young people learning their sexuality from the internet? Is porn becoming a benchmark for what is essentially very natural behaviour? I don't know it confuses me.

[russycarps]

I'm not sure that I understand this comment. Is it terrifying that girls are watching porn, but ok for men? Or is porn just generally terrifying?

Genuinely confused

Edited November 14, 2012 by russycarps

[TheGayTent]

Some good points being made.

I am an Explorer Scout Leader and have been for a decade, so have plenty of contact with 14-18 year olds. It seems to me that young people are experiencing a lot more at a young age than people of my generation - a generalisation of course, but can only go on my experience.

I have heard stories from 16 year old girls regularly partaking in 3somes, mainly mmf. Girls and boys of the same age losing their virginity during 'daisy chaining' games. Cam sex, online masturbation etc etc.

These young people seem to be of the opinion, that this behaviour is the norm. I don't know whether that's true or not, but it does raise some questions.

I would add, as far as I'm aware, these activities aren't going on, during scouting activities. But we do try to create an environment where the explorers feel comfortable discussing any subject whether it be as a group or with the leaders.

Part of me wishes things were like that in my day - and part of me is very glad it wasn't. Clearly some of them enjoy their experiences and are mature enough for it to be fine. I have no doubt though, that some feel pressured into doing things they believe is normal to keep up with their friends. I don't think that's anything new though - its just the boundaries of 'normal' is being stretched further and further

[russycarps]

"daisy chaining games"

I have no idea what this is. I've never felt so old and out of touch

The rise of threesomes is massive, and as you say, it's always mmf. It just doesnt sit right with me at all

[Kizzie]

I think the answer is yes. Porn is seen as the norm to a lot of young people it seems.

Being sexually liberated is no bad thing, but a lot of porn is from a male perspective and it is worrying if young men are viewing women from this perspective in real life (and girls are viewing themselves in this way).

But this is coming from an old fart so I guess we need to give young people more credit, and assume they are capable of differentiating between porn and reality.

I did read an article about the pressure on girls to do things in bed other than "the norm" which was pretty disturbing though

[TheGayTent]

"daisy chaining games"

I have no idea what this is. I've never felt so old and out of touch

The rise of threesomes is massive, and as you say, it's always mmf. It just doesnt sit right with me at all

[abdoujaparov]

Being sexually liberated is no bad thing