Fifty Shades of Grey
(Note: This is a copy of my 2-Star Amazon.com review.)
I cannot give a one star review to any book, no matter how
pointless. As a struggling writer, I admire anyone who can produce a finished
book, regardless of whether I like it or not. However, I am still shaking my
head over this novel and the attention and devotion it has caused. Other than
the frequent and descriptive sex scenes, there is not much about this book that
makes it noteworthy or compelling.
I can’t say I wasn’t warned. My poor review is not based on
the subject matter (BDSM) or the titillating nature of the writing. If
anything, I was disappointed because the writing didn’t live up to the promise
of the subject matter – innocence corrupted. And I was disappointed that there
was no resolution to the story arc, such as it was.
Ana’s inner dialogue was perhaps the most irritating aspect
of the book. The author knew enough to design multiple, varied sex scenes, but
never figured out how to use multiple, varied words and phrases to narrate her
main character’s thoughts. Ana is truly a broken record. Her character, a
college graduate hoping to go to work in publishing, thinks in monosyllabic
italics. Oh, my and Whoa seem to describe her deepest
thoughts. And she interrupts the sexual action every few seconds to tell the
reader what she is thinking. She is usually thinking Oh, my.
I was told it was smut, trash, soft porn – call it what you
will – so I was prepared for the sexual nature of the book. I don’t disapprove
or object on that basis.
My problem is 95% with the abysmally poor writing. The other
5% of my disappointment is that there was no “payoff” or “twist” that made my
patience worthwhile. The ending came as a blessed relief.
Without a doubt, some of the sex scenes are memorable, but
in hindsight only. Ana’s inner dialogue, play-by-play narration and narrow,
repetitive powers of description detracted greatly from the building action.
I’m glad to know firsthand what the fuss is about, so in
that sense I’m not sorry I took the time to read the book. However, I certainly
won’t bother with Shades 2 and 3.
5 Minute Book Reports
| Title | Water for Elephants |
| Author | Sara Gruen |
| Setting | Depression-era USA, in flashback from present |
| Main characters | Jacob, Marlena, August, Uncle Al, Rosie |
| Genre | Romantic fiction |
| Pages | 350 |
| Audience | Age 15 and up, aimed at women, some historical interest |
| Link | Water For Elephants |
| Summary | Jacob, just shy of his veterinary degree, loses his parents and finds himself penniless, necessitating his joining the circus as an animal caretaker. Meets Marlena, beautiful and tragic equestrian performer, married to sadistic August. Emphasis on special value of circus in America during Great Depression, and moral codes of the day, which may or may not apply at the circus. Favorite aspect of book: POV of Jacob as an old man with nothing but memories and time to ponder them. Least favorite aspect of book: predictable. |
| Rating (out of 10) | 7 |
Title
|
Atlas Shrugged
|
Author
|
Ayn Rand
|
Setting
|
1950s USA
|
Main characters
|
Dagny, Hank, Francisco, John, James
|
Genre
|
Fiction
|
Pages
|
1079
|
Audience
|
15+
|
Link
|
http://atlasshrugged.com/the-book/
|
Summary
|
The industrial world is on a downward spiral, thanks to wealth redistribution laws and “fairness” policies. Dagny tries to save her family’s transcontinental railroad, and by extension the builders and producers of the country, while her brother James and his cronies create regulatory roadblocks in the name of the “common man.” Hank runs a steel company that is being dismembered by the government, while he develops a new metal that could revolutionize the world. Francisco squanders his family fortune and allows investors to follow him off a cliff, while playing the role of harmless playboy for the cameras. And somewhere in the dark, someone has put the brakes on progress and convinced the few creative individualists remaining to drop out of sight and leave the world to the vultures. Will Dagny leave her beloved railroad and relinquish the power to change the system? Will Hank sign over his brilliant invention to the government to protect the woman he loves? What was Francisco really doing with his money and his mines? And who, for the love of God, is John Galt?
|
Rating (out of 10)
|
7.5
|
Strengths
|
Sweeping vision with fully imagined society; creates believable sense of urgency; speech explaining philosophy very thorough.
|
Weaknesses
|
Stilted, repetitive writing style; stock bad guys; unrealistic characters; speech explaining philosophy too long.
|
Title
|
Bridget Jones’s Diary
|
Author
|
Helen Fielding
|
Setting
|
1990s London
|
Main characters
|
Bridget, Daniel, Mark, Sharon, Jude, Tom, Mr. and Mrs. Jones
|
Genre
|
Romantic fiction
|
Pages
|
288
|
Audience
|
Mature
|
Link
| |
Summary
|
Bridget is a 30ish London professional, single but hoping for love. Starts a diary as at new year as means of turning over new leaf, and records daily weight, cigarette – calorie – alcohol intake and hilarious antics in her day-to-day existence. She’s funny, vulnerable, lacking in discipline but bursting with love, just for the wrong man. Favorite aspect: dry British humor and author’s way with words. Least favorite aspect: it ends.
|
Rating (out of 10)
|
8
|
