Fifty Shades of Grey Turns Fans Into Fifty Shades of Red

In celebration to the upcoming film, I spent my week reveling in The New York Times best seller, E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey and I have to say that after reading it a second time I did not warm up to the story’s protagonist, Anastasia Steele, right away.

In the beginning of the novel she seemed to be a replica of Bella Swan (Twilight saga) with bland physical features and an annoying habit of constantly biting her lip. But within the first 20 pages I was left captivated by the alluring and mouthwatering Christian Trevelyan Grey; a business-savvy, gray eyed brunette and self-made millionaire, who crosses paths with Ana in the most non-cliché way.

From that moment on, we are transported into the luxurious world of Christian Grey, where the wine is sweeter, the sky is palpable and money is so excessive, it’s consequential. But like any great story, there’s a dark spot in this magnificent fairy tale. The godly Christian Grey has not only the fearful totems of a sadist hidden in the depths of his “Red Room of Pain,” but has such a sorrowful past it left me feeling wretched for days. With my unhealthy obsession for tortured male characters, I think it was no surprise that I would love the novel.

I think it was James’ intention to make Christian Grey unbelievably perfect. The story isn’t supposed to be realistic; it’s supposed to be an escape to an erotic wonderland. The lifestyle of Christian Grey seems intriguing and beautiful but then you have Anastasia Steele with this fear of uncertainty in boundaries, that leads you to question your morals and I think its through Ana that the reader becomes entranced.

I extend this recommendation to all my readers, especially men. I think the novel provides some insight for men and their sex lives, some depth into the brains of the women in their lives and their roles in relationships. I advise you to read the book—if you haven’t already—with an open mind.

James did a great job depicting Ana slowly losing her innocence to Grey and gradually becoming a woman. We are left with the ultimate cliffhanger at the end of the book, left parched and hungry for more. James has made our fantasies come alive in this 380 page tome, and now on the silver screen.

The controversial book will be hitting the big screen in a motion picture event so grand it may even put The Notebook to shame and I, as well as many of you, will have front row seats to the “tasteful” film premiering the day before Valentine’s Day.