Fifty Shades of Grey

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

It is incredibly difficult not to roll your eyes and exclaim "as if" when you listen to this book. The story line itself as an idea could be worked with. However characters are simply ridiculous. In a year 2011 it is simply impossible to be Ana. The language used in the book is also odd. So many repeats and the attempts at creating the funny lovable character - huge fail. All the internal personalities and their names.... Seriously who calls their internal ego “inner goddess"? I am amazed at a line up of very excited people who loved this book. I have pushed myself to finish it.

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

This book definitely needs more research done on the topic. Its needs deeper characters and more realistic set up. After all this is not a science fiction!

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

As a narator there was nothing wrong with Becca. Although her reading of male characters did make me laugh at times.

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

Just a string of cliches, shallow characters, no plot worth mentioning. One reads on to catch the raunchy although implausible sex scenes.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Envy by Sandra Brown

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

No, nice voice but her reading gives the wrong emphasis on words. She acts out too much and her portrayal of male voices is embarrassing.

Could you see Fifty Shades of Grey being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not for TV. Sex is the only interesting part and that couldn't be done on TV.

Any additional comments?

Disappointing as the name held so much promise.

What would have made Fifty Shades of Grey better?

A plot! Less repetition. Anastasia may have been surprised by some events but the reader was not. If the sexual episodes were cut then the book would be about 2 hours listening. It was like coming up for air when the book eventually ended.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Certainly not the sequel to 50 shades of grey!

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

Becca did a splendid job with the material given. Can't shoot the messenger and she was really very good at bringing the book to life.

What character would you cut from Fifty Shades of Grey?

The inner goddess and the subconcious were soooo annoying. Between the IG high fiveing and the subconscious wagging finger and tapping her foot we are left with the vulnerable but worldly Anna, ready to try anything rather than remain a virgin, and "oh my" ,having multiple orgasms at every turn of the page.

Any additional comments?

E L James has stated that this trilogy is the result of her middle-aged fantasy. She's certainly tapped a vein and deserves all the accolades she receives; thanks to her readers.

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

The content of this story was just so pathetic, I didn't even bother to listen to more than half an hour of it.

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

It was so predictable and silly. I did not find this book arousing. I bought this booking thinking it might be sexy, but was very dissapointed.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No, I think someone else could write a much sexier book than this.

Any additional comments?

I think it's time that a good author took up writing sexy books. There is obviously quite a lot of money to be made and people interested in reading this type of book.

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

It depends on what you expect. I was reading this to find out what the fuss is all about & frankly I'm at a loss....the story is just ok but the writing is bad. Predictable plot, shallow characters & almost unbearable narrating make this an effort to finish. If you can turn your brain off you might enjoy it.

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

What genre is this in? I was expecting alot more with the references to "mummy porn". I can name books in completely different fields with hotter scenes. As for the so called romance...hmmmm, it almost fools you into thinking there is some.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Becca Battoe?

Doubtful. This narrator makes all the female characters sound like they belong on the 90s film 'Clueless', she mispronounces words as well as emphasising the wrong ones.

Do you think Fifty Shades of Grey needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes as it ends without being resolved & it's not that type of book....there are 2 more of course

Any additional comments?

I'm sure I'm not the only one to see the similarities to Twilight. It's so obvious at times that I found myself rolling my eyes in disbelief - one scene was practically word for word to a Twilight one! Overall it's good enough to finish & I enjoyed it for what it was but not in my list of favourites. I'm really not sure why this has been so hyped up.

What disappointed you about Fifty Shades of Grey?

What is all the hype about

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

Possibly

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

Probably not

What character would you cut from Fifty Shades of Grey?

What characters they were all pathetic and not believable

I did not think this was a style of book that I would like. However, when I started listening I couldn't stop. The book is charming, funny with lots of very erotic sex. The characters are very believable and the narrator did a fantastic job.

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

Never ever again..

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

Where do I even begin. I listened to about 2 hrs of the book and couldn't take it any more.
I know this book got lots of bad reviews but so did Diana Gaboldon's Highlander series.
I gave that a try and was hooked. Thought that this would be the same too.
God was I wrong.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The Narrator did her best, but you can't really do much for a crappy book.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

nothing at all.

Any additional comments?

Someone shoot me for even trying to listen to this book

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

If you are a 20 year old girl who like, speaks, like, omg, you know in that teenage american way you may like it. As a nearly 40 year old it was embarrassing! If this girl blushes one more time or trips over falling on her face one more time I shall scream. It is a Mills and Boons for teenagers. Maybe it was just the narrators voice. Maybe reading the book would be better. I don't think so. The target audience is definately late teenagers early 20s.

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

If I had known it was a Mills and Boons genre I wouldn't have read it.

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

Shocking. That is as a 40 year old. If I was 18 I would probably have loved it.

Any additional comments?

For anyone over the age of 22 don't waste your money.

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

Becca's narration was superb.

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

N/A

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

Becca brings the story to life. She does all the characters voices so well. Great job

If you could take any character from Fifty Shades of Grey out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Anna. She sounds like a really nice, easy going person. As long as Christian was in another country!