A decent story would have made this better, or even a legitimate protagonist who had an ounce of self-worth and maturity. This is the most poorly written and least sympathetic character I've read in a long time - I really just wanted to punch her in the face until she got a clue about anything.

I wanted to know what the hype regarding this book was about, so I took a chance - shouldn't have wasted my time/money! I should have known better, considering it's loosely informed by the "Twilight" series - the main character, as in "Twilight", is a whiny half-wit with zero self-esteem and no sense of self-preservation. And the story itself is entirely ludicrous (perhaps that's a symptom of the Romance genre, which I generally avoid at all costs, but again, curiosity got the better of me) - never in the real world (or even a well-crafted literary world) would a highly successful, apparently supremely attractive man fall for such a mindless drip. I've had enough of the low self-esteem, "I'm unworthy of this man", clumsy, unsophisticated female leads! Even the minor characters were worthless and added nothing to the story. The fact that this book is so popular is an incredibly unfortunate comment on American society (or at least on American women).

Anything but a book written by EL James or narrated by Becca Battoe.

Anyone else. This narrator had a horribly irritating voice that made the character even less sympathetic and much whinier than she was written.

Not for me.

What a great disapointment.....after all the hype I was so excited to get going on this book but what a complete waste of my time. The narrator sounded like a breathy schoolgirl trying to immitate a mature sexy woman...not so. And the writing is maybe high school level but maybe not even graduation level? Won't bother with the other 2 books thank you very much.

Only gave it 1star rating as I couldn't go 0

This has to be one of the worst books I've ever listened to. I couldn't even listen to the whole thing. A lot of the reviewers complained about the narrator, but I couldn't stomach the story itself. I didn't realize it was basically a porno and not even well written porn at that. The author needs to come up with some other lines instead of repeatedly using the same ones such as "I peeked at him through my lashes". Is that even possible?! I wish I hadn't wasted my time or money!

I don't know why I bought it. I guess I was compelled by the hype and the promise of over the top tales of .... whatever. I hated it. The characters were STUPID and unconvincing. It was awful. Like awful on top of awful, handcuffed to more awful. I'm not sure who the target audience for this book. I'm going to go sanitize my ear buds. In the future I plan to deny I ever listened to it.

I purchased this book because it was a bestseller. I figured that if it was, it would be good. Boy, was I wrong. Repeatitive and boring. Maybe I just cannot relate to a stupid 21 year old girl. The story had potential but once again the heroine is a simpering idiot. The reviewers who gush about this story, have no idea what a good story is. I cannot believe this is a best seller. Is it to much to ask for something well written and sexy?

I have no idea

The story just drags on an on with very little headway

Its hard to have a good performance with a bad story

Most all

I just really hated this book.

This book is terrible. I have tried to listen to it 3 times and can't get past the first part. I am glad to read that I am not the only one who hates the narrator. Annoying and winey!! If you enjoy that then this is your book

no

Get a different narrator.

The Submissive

Get a better book....I want my credit back!!!!

I think this audio book deserves NO rating at all but had to select at least 1 star to be able to write review. Don't waste your time downloading or buying this book! I don't understand why everyone thinks this book is so wonderful. The narrator was beyond awful, I only listen to the first 20 minutes of this book and couldn't stand to listen anymore. Also the story was so boring and unbelieveable!! I learned my lesson and will always listen to an sample of a book before using any of my credits.

Awful!

No

Don't waste your time reading this book!!!

H- No

Terrible writing, cringe inspiring dialogue, boring characters, Christian Grey is annoying, Ana has no brain cells.

Doesn't matter who reads it, the book is cheesy as heck.

all the sex scenes, Christian needs to STFU during sex, all the dialogue, every "OH MY" and "HOLY CRAP" phrase, every mention of Ana's Inner Goddess, and Subconscious.

I didn't know it was fan fiction, it is written by a total amateur. I want my credit back.

Exceptionally undiscerning romance novel fans. Apparently, fans of the much better, though still awful, Twilight books, and their evil fanfic spawn.

No. Once was quite enough, thank you.

Yes. As I said in the title of this review, I don't think any narrator could have saved this awful book. The writing was terrible. The dialogue was insipid and extremely unrealistic. By halfway through the book, I wanted to kill the protagonist's "inner goddess," but that isn't the narrator's fault.

I suppose it would be cheating to say "all of them," but there were no major characters I didn't find unrealistic and annoying. Anastasia is remarkably naive, but suddenly knows words she shouldn't know, and understands concepts that should be well beyond her junior high level understanding of the world. She often tells us about her high GPA, but is actually amazingly stupid. Of course, no review can leave out Christian Grey, the 29 year old billionaire, who is gorgeous (Ana tells us this on almost every page), a sexual dynamo, flies his own helicopter, altruistically feeds the poor ... it goes on and on. I had no problem with the dungeon in his apartment; that was the most realistic part of his character! I did wonder who cleaned that room, since the housekeeper didn't seem to know about it. And then there's Ana's filthy rich roommate, who was Valedictorian of her college class, editor of the student newspaper (and apparently still running said publication post-graduation). The closest thing to a realistic character was Grey's driver, who had only a minor role.

This is a truly awful book. I have to assume it was put on the bestseller list by people who don't typically read books, but are more likely consumers of movies and reality TV. Unfortunately, people like me who ignored the reviews to "see what all the hype is about" contributed to these numbers, thereby feeding the problem of semi-literate people writing and publishing books. Next time, I'll listen to my "inner god," and not waste my money.