Book Review: Grey By E.L James

 

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Grey by E.L James 
Series: Fifty Shades Of Grey As Told By Christian, #1
Genre: Romance | Erotica
Age Range: Adult Audience
Format: Paperback, 576 pages
Source: My Copy
Published on June 18th 2015 by Vintage
E.L James: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Synopsis:
See the world of Fifty Shades of Grey anew through the eyes of Christian Grey.

In Christian’s own words, and through his thoughts, reflections, and dreams, E L James offers a fresh perspective on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the world.

Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.

Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him?

This book is intended for mature audiences.

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I finally bought Fifty Shades Freed in Blu-ray, so I thought it was time to reread the series before watching it. I think I’m going to review the first two books in Christian’s POV and then make book vs movie post about Freed since I haven’t seen it yet.

I decided to read this in Christian’s POV because 1) This one is in English 2) I prefer male’s POV and 3) old classmate of mine borrowed this book in Ana’s POV and never gave it back 4)I don’t have to deal with the whole inner goddess thing. I like that Christian thought that Ana didn’t have sense of style instead of getting all heart eyes when they met.

Anastasia aka Ana loves books but unlike me she likes classics like Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy. I don’t think I’ve ever even read a classic book. This makes her incurable romantic according to Christian. This was one of the reasons Christian gave her a ‘strike’. Other reasons were that she mostly wears jeans (seriously?) and wants romance.

Christian on other hand is control freak, he even ordered background check about her right after they met. I enjoyed his relationship with Elliott even though they never really hang out or talked or anything. The relationship just seemed– real.

The story starts when Ana’s best friend Kate (who I found intrusive) is sick and Ana has to interview billionaire Christian Grey for her. Then most of the book Christian’s thoughts go like: “I want her but I don’t deserve her. I don’t do hearts and flowers.”

I thought it was really sad that Christian had to save Ana from her friend. No matter how drank Jose was. That was not OK and I’m not OK how easily Ana forgave him. I didn’t really like how easily Ana’s “no” to Christian turned “okay”.

All in all I still enjoy this book but I’m still not that comfortable with all BDSM parts. I wasn’t sure between three and four stars but since I feel like I read it so quickly I ended up giving it four stars. I’m trying to give full stars these days instead of 3.5 stars for example.

Rating