So last April, during the RT Booklovers Convention, when everyone was a buzz over 50 Shades of Grey, I thought, "Yeah, I'll never read it. If it's that popular, it can't be that good." Yup - that would make me a "snob." I'll admit that my tastes tend to veer towards lesser known authors, who write works with interesting, unexpected, and intelligent twists. But even the biggest health nut occasionally eats a candy bar....plus, the author and business woman inside of me wanted to see what all the fuss was about. This week, I shushed my inner book snob and purchased the Nook book version of the first book in the 50 Shades series.
Many of my writing friends and several bloggers have ripped this book to shreds. Lashing out (pun intended) that it is poorly written and that Ana (the heroine) is 'too stupid to live.' While some of their comments are pure hateration, I see their point....I mean, how many times can one use the word "hot" and not annoy critical readers. But, considering that it started out as fan fiction and grew into a phenomenon - I have to give E. L. James points. Specifically, for her execution of character development. I am currently reading book three, NOT because of the BDSM, but because I am eager to see how Christian overcomes his demons. I've seen so many of my friends swoon at the mere mention of the name Christian Grey then comment on how he just needs TLC. THAT, my friends, is called creating a great character! He elicits an emotional response....need I say more?
Side note: Besides the over use of the word "hot", my other distraction is the fact that when I read Ana's endearment of "Fifty", mentally I hear "Fiddy" - as in the rapper, 50 Cent. Now, Mr. 50 Cent has a wonderful smile and amazing laugh - wish us fans could see more of those elements of his personality, but then again, I'm not one for following celebrities....I've got my own life to live. But when I think "Fiddy" I have to pause and refocus, before I continue reading. LOL!
"S&M" by Rihanna
Oh, my....
Take my word for it, doing a Youtube search for S&M without adding Rihanna's name to the search text can lead you down a dark rabbit hole. Then, once I found Rihanna's video, I had to make sure I found the 'official' video without fan edited - ahem - extras.
Somehow, I felt this song and video was more than fitting. And while I don't consider myself to be a prude, some of the images are a little more than interesting. Rihanna is beautiful, of course, and she really knows how to work a latex outfit and blue lipstick. Plus, I would surely fall and break my neck (or at least badly twist my ankle) in the heels / boots she gracefully runs around in during this video. <sigh>
The song is very dance-able. I do love the tone of empowerment - she knows what she likes and she's not afraid to admit it - explicitly.
Take my word for it, doing a Youtube search for S&M without adding Rihanna's name to the search text can lead you down a dark rabbit hole. Then, once I found Rihanna's video, I had to make sure I found the 'official' video without fan edited - ahem - extras.
Somehow, I felt this song and video was more than fitting. And while I don't consider myself to be a prude, some of the images are a little more than interesting. Rihanna is beautiful, of course, and she really knows how to work a latex outfit and blue lipstick. Plus, I would surely fall and break my neck (or at least badly twist my ankle) in the heels / boots she gracefully runs around in during this video. <sigh>
The song is very dance-able. I do love the tone of empowerment - she knows what she likes and she's not afraid to admit it - explicitly.
I like it, like it, as well. Rihanna is hot and "Fiddy Shades of Grey" needs to be written!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Gina! I'll get right on that....and wouldn't it be funny, and not more than a little ironic, if some 50 Shades fan fiction became a best seller??
ReplyDelete