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

A story that goes nowhere

What would have made Fifty Shades of Grey better?

This story would have been better had there been more lively, interesting characters. There is too much time hearing the voice of a vapid, inexperienced, somewhat ditzy young woman who is the toy of an empty, sullen, perverted old man.

What could E. L. James have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The author could have considered giving more insight into other aspects of the character's lives rather than focusing solely on their abusive relationship.

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

Listening to this narrator is clear the worst part of the experience. It is like hearing a thin voice bar girl squeak out the dumbest boyfriend story ever. Hearing her channel the voice of male characters is particularly grating and makes those characters sound like Saturday Night Live cartoons.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I spent most of the time listening with a great deal of irritation, mostly because the main character is so dumb.

Bad book, bad narrator.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The story, OMG so dumb. And the narrator's voice made me sick. She sounded like she just drank a gallon of milk on a hot day.

Awful !

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Can't think of any reason that any semi-literate person would enjoy this book. My first reaction would be to say that someone looking only for titillation might enjoy the book. But even the sex scenes are poorly written. There is just no redeeming value here at all.

Has Fifty Shades of Grey turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, I've read and enjoyed other books in this genre, because they were well written, had well developed and believeable characters, were at an adult reading level, etc., etc., etc. Anne Rice's "Beauty" trilogy being an example. Even Ms. Rice's fantasy characters in a fantasy land were much more believeable than Ms. James' characters. This book was awful not because of the genre but because it was badly written, infantile, and had completely unbelieveable characters.

What didn’t you like about Becca Battoe’s performance?

I have to be cautious here, because she had such drivel to work with. But it seemed to me that her interpretation, tone, inflection, etc. made the characters even less believeable than the author had.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger and disappointment certainly. It also saddens me that a book as badly written as this could be such a sensation. Speaks volumes about who is reading it.

Any additional comments?

I can't say it enough, so I will say it again. This book is awful.

Not a fan of this

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Dont think anything will work

Would you ever listen to anything by E. L. James again?

Not sure just hope its not like this

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

The narrator was fine

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger this book was not sexie at all not a turn on

Any additional comments?

I will not listen to the 2nd part

OH MY! Like nails on a chalk board!!!!!!

Any additional comments?

Kills the mood but I have hope for the next one. Please, Please, Please, let the next one be better.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Would you try another book from E. L. James and/or Becca Battoe?

No I don't think so. Others who have read the whole series tell me to hang in there it gets better. I guess my feelings are I shouldn't have to hang in there to get to the best part of the story.

What could E. L. James have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Less email, more development of the characters other that "how perfect and hot" they are

What about Becca Battoe’s performance did you like?

Fine

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I hated the endless emails....part of the reason I read is to get away from day to day stuff- like email.

I couldn't get past the reader

What would have made Fifty Shades of Grey better?

A different reader. This reader made me feel like I was listening to a very bad high school play. I couldn't get past part one.

Would you recommend Fifty Shades of Grey to your friends? Why or why not?

no.

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

,

What character would you cut from Fifty Shades of Grey?

k

Any additional comments?

no

HAWTGAWBAGE

Would you try another book from E. L. James and/or Becca Battoe?

I wasted my credit on this one! It is my own fault! I tried reading the book about 2 years ago and could not finish because it was awful! The writing sucked! If you are saying, fuck and holy shit, why in the world would she substitute ass for "behind"?!!! Stupid!
It was just to much and boring! Weird that I say that about an erotica book!
So fast forward to present day. With the movie coming out FSG is hot again! My friends and co-workers beg me to give it another shot. So "smart" me says hey I have an Audible credit, I'll use it on that! May be easier listening than reading it, right? WRONG! I have skipped past a few chapters to catch up where I think I left off in reading 2 years ago. I don't like the narrators voice and when she does Christian's voice I cringe!
And you the elementary use of words.....smh! I can't finish this either and so hate I wasted a credit on this crappy book!
This book may be EVERYTHING to the bored housewife, or neglected girlfriend...but I cant for the life me understand why? Maybe I am dead inside(shrugs) but I don't get it.
I can not for the life of me get past the over usage of "there" for vagina, or holy shit! blah blah blah or the whining she does. Over FSG! But if you like enjoy!

Would you ever listen to anything by E. L. James again?

NO

Would you be willing to try another one of Becca Battoe’s performances?

NO

Tortuous to endure from beginning to end.

Just plain awful in story, narration and vocabulary. REALLY had to make myself finish it and it tortured me all the way through.

Why did everyone like this?

I will never comprehend why this book was a hit. Everything from James' immature writing style to the impossibly boring story, and loathsome characters made this book a waste of my time.