****************************UPDATE******************************
UPON READING THE ENTIRE SERIES, MY OPINION OF E.L. JAMES AND HER BOOKS HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY. I DO NOT RECOMMEND READING THIS SERIES IF YOU ARE NEW TO BDSM. THIS IS A BAD PORTRAYAL OF THOSE OF US IN THE LIFESTYLE. TO LEARN MORE READ MY FOLLOW UP BLOG HERE
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I’m not exactly sure why I’m taking all the negative reviews about these books so personally. Maybe it’s because I can relate in so many ways to Ana in the story. Maybe it’s because I fear that when my books get published, I will be seen as “just another trashy romance novelist” or “following in the footsteps of E.L. James”. Who can say for sure? What I do know is that I need to STOP focusing on HER reviews and keep writing anyway.
But before I do that, I’d like to toss in my two cents here. I love the books. I love the writing, I love the silly emails between the characters, I love the story and I love that James brings light to the BDSM world (though really, that is some seriously soft core BDSM). There are of course things I would have done and written differently if they were my books, but that’s because I’m a different person from E.L. James. (I am so tired of people complaining about how she should have done this or that differently – of course they would, they aren’t HER.)
BDSM is NOT a new concept (contrary to popular belief). People have been dominating and submitting for as long as we’ve been on this planet. Even the bible tells women to submit to their husbands. BDSM in its most basic form, dates back as far as humanity does, though it’s been called many different things.
The idea of tying someone up, holding them down, pulling their hair, slapping their ass or what have you is NOT new. What IS new is the publicity BDSM itself is getting. 100 years ago we, as a population, were just ask kinky, but we didn’t talk about it in public, we didn’t compare notes with our friends and we pretended lust didn’t exist at all.
I keep thinking that people need some serious lessons in literature. The word “amateur” for example actually means “one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession”. Yes, Jame’s words are amateurish – but only in the sense that she wrote them for fun, not for money. The word “novel” means ”new and not resembling something formerly known or used”. That’s why we love NOVELS and not just short stories. They’re new!
And before I conclude I must address the idiots out there claiming that women can’t want both to be submissive and the rights allotted to them as citizens of the United States of America. Submission is a GIFT. It is not a requirement (any more, thank science). It is something I choose to give to my Master. Submission is completely different from being a total pushover. My strong willed, heady personality does not submit lightly and I certainly don’t submit to everyone with a dick. I am one of the most pushy, bullheaded, determined, headstrong women you will ever meet. I am loud in my opinions and fast to speak up for others. I am NO mouse. That is what makes my willingness to get on my knees for Master so special. It is something I just don’t do for everyone.
I am very proud to be an American woman living in this age, I take my rights seriously. Do not dare assume that because I submit to my husband, that I will submit to the government’s idea of what a woman should be, what medicines she should be allowed or what I am supposed to do with my body. For that matter, don’t assume that I will submit at all!
Fifty Shades of Grey is, in my opinion a great read. It is a work of fiction (obviously) and therefore it’s going to be a bit ridiculous at times. (For example, Mr. Grey making $100,000 an hour is hilariously out of reach for more than 99% of the world). It is not supposed to be a reflection on all things BDSM. It is a novel: new, exciting, and formerly unknown. The love story is unpredictable and whimsical. It is not your average “girl meets boy, they fall in love, fall apart, and then get married” book. (Well not technically anyway). I think that’s what most people like about it. This is a love story that expands across several novels and is not quickly, smoothly wrapped up in 800 pages or less.
If you don’t like the book, then fine, don’t like the book. But don’t you dare base your assumptions on all things relating to women, BDSM or books dedicated to a female audience off a single author’s perspectives. Do us all a favor and read at least a dozen more books before forming an opinion you’re willing to share with the rest of the world.
Fifty Shades of Annoyed,
–Autumn
