Fifty Shades of Grey

Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

By: E. L. James

Narrated by: Becca Battoe

Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

More than 150 million copies sold worldwide.

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success - his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family - Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

This audiobook is intended for mature audiences.

Look for E L James’ passionate new love story, The Mister, coming April 16, 2019.

©2011 E L James (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

• Finalist, GoodReads Choice Awards, Best Romance

More than the sensational

What made the experience of listening to Fifty Shades of Grey the most enjoyable?

Story was laying the foundation for the next two books. Loved the total. Was a little to graphic.. tended to become bored with the explicit sex. Seemed to be unnecessary.

Get a new reader

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I am totally disappointed in the narrator. She sounds like a 16 year old girl stuck in high school. I would think for this type of book she would sound more like an adult. Having a hard time getting into this book.

OMFG!!

What made the experience of listening to Fifty Shades of Grey the most enjoyable?

I blushed and gushed and all the rest that comes with it. I was completely thrilled to find out there were 2 more books. I loved loved loved this!!

What other book might you compare Fifty Shades of Grey to and why?

It doesn't compare!

Which scene was your favorite?

Oh my. Thats hard to say I had tons of favorites. The one that made me cry was when she left 50. I knew it was going to come to it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Almost all. It was very hard to put down. I was eager to read more and hear Christians voice in my head.

Any additional comments?

Fabulous job to the author and becca for reading it!

Love this Book, steamy love sytory @ its best!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would highly recommend thsi book but to a mature reader!! The audible version takes you on an romantic, erotic journey! It's as if your watching a movie!

What did you like best about this story?

The romance

Interesting story

What did you love best about Fifty Shades of Grey?

I liked the story. It is pornography, without a doubt. But the set up was believable.

What three words best describe Becca Battoe’s performance?

Juvenile. I would have like to hear a more mature performer.

Stop after this book

Which scene was your favorite?

Many of the scenes in this book are not appropriate for children.

Any additional comments?

I know you may want to listen to the next book after this one, but this book is the best in the series. The others are basically the same as the first.

So excited to download this book!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I LOVE the story. It draws you in quickly and is compelling. HATE the narration. Ugh!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Becca Battoe?

Anyone! That "valley girl" inflection was beyond irritating!

Any additional comments?

I should have taken the time to sit down and read this one. The narration ruins the experience.

Intoxicating

If you could sum up Fifty Shades of Grey in three words, what would they be?

Is my life

What other book might you compare Fifty Shades of Grey to and why?

None....This book discribes my life and how he swooned me and the deep demons within my husband. I entirely related to the feelings Ana was going through. The ups and downs and at the same time being on a pedestal as a princess. His dark demons from his abusive childhood that he fights with everyday. His addictions are different than my husband's but all the same, addiction to sex.

Which scene was your favorite?

He just couldn't be without her. Oh! And the plane ride. I would love to glide like that!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me see my husband's side of feelings and more empathy for him. Making our life better when I make him communicate when it used to be hard for him about what he is feeling and can't control it but talking helps. He wants to be better.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to read the rest of the series. A person that has had a dramatic childhood can be exhausting but the rewards in your heart are great. We've made 10 years so far and hoping he can make a lot more. God Bless

AWESOME!

Would you listen to Fifty Shades of Grey again? Why?

Yes I would listen to it again. It had me totally involved and captured. I loved the characters and the story line.

What other book might you compare Fifty Shades of Grey to and why?

I can't think of one to compare it to currently.

Have you listened to any of Becca Battoe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Becca is great.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Hot, Erotic, Thrilling!

Any additional comments?

This was a fantastic series! I hope the author gives us MORE!

Dull teenage quasiporn...did not finish book.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really...there is no action or trama...if you call lenghtly descriptions of sex with cliche characters a good story...well... we are not the same type of readers. I was painting my kitchen listening to this book, but stopped it in part two. It got repetitive, and dull.

What was most disappointing about E. L. James’s story?

Lack of depht into the characters, too much time in coitus descriptions and too little time developing the story. The heroine is an English major who spends too much time saying "On my!". The "hero", or "antihero" if you could call it that, does not get interesting. I spent about five hours listening to this, waiting to hear when it started getting real...or at least plausible...until I gave up. Maybe it is just my taste in books; maybe I just enjoy a better story that is not for hormone agitated sixteen year old girls thinking only about how it would feel to be in bed with the ideal of all ideals man (with dark, but misunderstood mind and intimacy issues), or maybe I would like to actually listen to a good story that keeps me awake until the wee hours of the night, because I want to know what happens next.

What does Becca Battoe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator has a nice voice. I would not have been able to paint my kitchen while reading a book, but I could do it while listening to Becca Battoe.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I would not. I would wait until the movie came out on TV, and I don't mean on Pay per View, but regular TV, just to see if the movie builds up drama better than the book did. There is got to be something to justify why all the fuzz about this book was about...right?

Any additional comments?

Dissapointed.