50 Shades and ignore if you have already discussed

I like the feminist version betterhere

I've read chunks of it. I nearly saw my breakfast again as I did so.

What disturbs me most is that you basically have an abusive relationship, played out on the pages, and women are crying out "I want that, too!".

I came across a saying once. "If you have to change who you are for a partner, you are in an abusive relationship." Sums this trilogy up perfectly.

Oh yes absolutely summerflower the dynamics are totally worrisome.
She is coerced into doing things she doesn't want.
the dodgiest thing is that it keeps going on how powerful and in control she is when she goes down on him. Which is a peculiar message and one propagated by pro-porn pro-lapdancing types. The idea that when women are doing these things, despite all evidence to the contrary, it is empowering for them, and they are in control. It's nonsense.
Lots of other problematical stuff as well. Still it is so badly written what can you do but laugh? It's not terribly sexy. What with him always warning "this is going to be quick" n all!!!

I agree that people with an interest in BDSM will be reading more hardcore stuff, but I don't think that is the point. (though I hope I don't see that in Asda either)

It's not just a book for women with lots of sex, as I understand it. It's a book for women with lots of unequal sex, which normalises unequal power relations.

Hi gnesher - it appears we are opinion twins :) (on this subject anyway)

What does the OP mean it is being "thrown about"?

People are choosing to buy it and then read it, that is their choice, how they choose to react to it whether it be positive or negative is again their choice?

They would release Erica Jong and Simone de Beauvoir if they thought it would sell.

I don't know if it is the submissiveness that is popular?
My survey of one mum at the school gates indicated that that was the thing she didn't like.
Maybe it's popular because it's a book for women with lots of sex - how many of those are sold in asda? How many are so famous for having lots of sex. Aside from the obvious 80s ones I can't think of any.
Seeking out sexual content is I guess something a bit more that some women wouldn't do? But this book is "everyone's reading it" so it's fine?
I would have thought that people with an interest in bdsm would be reading stuff a lot more hardcore than this - TBH I have a book by that series is it black lace - whch is way way more extreme and I think it is one of their more popular books.

All in all this book is easy reading dross with repetitive sex and ridiculous characters but what I will say for it is it's difficult to put down. Mind you I have always been one of those people who has to find out what happens at the end of books.

Maybe it is OTT, but I do genuinely find it upsetting that a book with this content is promoted in this manner. If my local Co-op usually had books with the newspapers, maybe I would feel less strongly, but they don't. They don't even normally sell books.

They are selling this book because, for some unfathomable reason, sexual content with a woman in a submissive position is highly popular and they can make some money from it - though actually, put that way, it's not unfathomable, it is just depressing.

If you have't seen it, this is hilarious

Jilly Cooper always has much more story (and more horses).

I am reading them at the moment
They are hilariously badly written
I keep reading bits out to DH
The sex is a bit odd - since when was a man saying "this is going to be quick" a good thing????? And similar.
Not keen on the infliction of pain which she doesn't actually want. not keen at all.
Having said that I do want to know what happens next!
It really is trash.

The woman at school who lent it to me seems to be slightly in love with the main character and said she liked the normal sex bits but not the others. Maybe there is a gap in the market for softer core books for women? I suggested she try jackie collins or jilly cooper although I haven't read them myself apart from one going around the classroom with the "rude" bits marked

Its not a very exciting cover though is it, not really the kind of book that a child would rush to pick up and nowhere on it does it say that it is soft porn. I know the content isn't child friendly but unless you're dd picked it up and read 5 or 6 chapters while you were paying she wouldn't have the foggiest what it was about. To feel so strongly about it that you boycott certain shops seems a bit ott imo.

Actually, I do have an issue with the fact that this is 'being thrown around as a book', to do with the throwing around bit -

for example, in my local co-op it is for sale next to the counter, at waist level, lower than the sweets. In my local supermarket, you need to get past the 3 for £10 stands of this book to get into the shop.

I have an 8 year old daughter who is an avid reader. I don't go into these shops any more because I don't agree with soft porn, particularly that which is about control of women (but that is a separate issue), being on sale where any child can pick it up and read it. It is totally inappropriate, and I am no prude.

I seem to be in a minority of one on this issue though. I hate, hate, hate the fact that wherever I go, I see it - but all I can say is that my shopping is getting a lot more creative and I am using more small, independent retailers, which is a good thing.

Why not re release Erica Jong and Simone de Beauvoir as wanky texts for people who never read books as well?

If anyone thought that they would sell and make money then I'm sure they would.

I don't know what you mean by thrown around as a book. It is a book. It might not be a very good book, or one that is to your taste, but that doesn't mean it's not a book (and why thrown around?).

I don't really see what your post has to do with feminism - you are just complaining that a book you consider badly-written is popular.

You will find in life that quite often things that are not to your taste, or that you think are not very good (two different things!) are popular.

janji - yes I should of! It was the only book I had on hols plus I thought it might get better. I was wrong!

I read them and quite enjoyed them, i must have a simple mind. Honestly why all the fuss it's just a book. If you don't like it don't read it but theres no need to let the fact that other people are reading/enjoying it wind you up.

I read it and can honestly say there is nothing sexy about it. If anything it made me want to sew myself up so no Mr Grey type can get any where near me

He can stick his contract and creepy stalker behaviour up his arse.

'I was so fuming that I wasted several hours of my holiday reading it....'

If it was so bad why not stop after the first 30 mins?

'Put on this rubber suit & mask,' I said. 'Kinky,' she purred. 'Yes. Plus you can't be too careful with all that asbestos in the shed roof.'

I was so fuming that I wasted several hours of my holiday reading it that I threw it in the bin at the airport. Friends are still buying it to "see what all the fuss is about". Its about a complete and utter pile of drivel, E James must be laughing her socks off.

50sheds however, now that's fabulous. "She gazed up at me wide-eyed from the shed floor and bit her lip seductively. Unfortunately it was her top lip so she looked like a piranha."

I am glad I have found a site where some women actily agree it is utter shit.

I read read the first chaper and found it to bee written simply for simple minds. (I have severe dyslexia and still find it easy to read)

I like to think of my self as a bit of a feminist. I would never read anything that don't make me use my brain. I don't like any books where the female needs freeing, rescuing or empowering by a man.

A friend mentioned it today and she said They mustn't have read much of that kind of thing before if they think it is good' I said she should have stopped at They mustn't have read much'......of anything before.
My only thought is that if it has made some women feel for whatever reason that they can read something a bit more smutty than they usually feel able, it is a good thing?

I looked at 50 Sheds, and the next day whilst browsing Amazon I was offered innumerable sheds for sale. I clicked on one, and now I have sheds everywhere on my screen.

How easy it is to fall into the trap of sheds.

Spend their time reading about it instead of doing it

Apparently sales of (ahem) toys have soared, you may find its becoming a How-To manual :o.

Of course you do. 20 million others, however....

Spend their time reading about it instead of doing it.......