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

Please note: This audiobook contains graphic adult content.

The book everyone is talking about. When Ana Steele meets Christian Grey.... Romantic, liberating and totally addictive, Fifty Shades of Grey is a novel that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

When literature student Anastasia Steele interviews successful entrepreneur Christian Grey, she finds him very attractive and deeply intimidating. Convinced that their meeting went badly, she tries to put him out of her mind – until he turns up at the store where she works part-time, and invites her out.

Unworldly and innocent, Ana is shocked to find she wants this man. And, when he warns her to keep her distance, it only makes her want him more. But Grey is tormented by inner demons, and consumed by the need to control. As they embark on a passionate love affair, Ana discovers more about her own desires, as well as the dark secrets Grey keeps hidden away from public view.

©2012 E L James (P)2012 Random House Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"In a class by itself." ( Entertainment Weekly)

"The book that made women want sex again" ( Mail on Sunday)

"It’s the book everyone’s talking about, becoming a word of mouth hit, topping the bestseller lists, and the film rights have just been bought to bring it to the big screen… a good steamy read. 4 Stars." ( Heat)

"E L James's erotic novel, one of a trilogy, has become a phenomenon." ( Telegraph Online)

"E. L. James is the talk of the book world thanks to her Fifty Shades... trilogy." ( Daily Mail)

"It has become the topic of choice for water cooler chats, school run tête-a-têtes and whispered conversations over the garden fence... Erotic novel Fifty Shades Of Grey is conquering best-seller lists around the world." ( Herald Scotland Online)

"Fifty Shades of Grey…is now a mainstream publishing sensation." ( Guardian)

"It's the definition of a page-turner… Ultimately, James’s exploration of the dynamics of sexual power is both troubling and intriguing, and women will undoubtedly be discussing it for years to come." ( Telegraph.co.uk)

"Fifty Shades of Grey isn't your average bonkbuster. It could change our sex lives forever." ( Fabulous, Sun on Sunday)

"..it was a proper love story… If my review has at all persuaded you that Fifty Shades of Grey might be more than just a kinky book full of sex, then I urge you to pick up a copy and try it - I'm sure you won't be disappointed! 5 stars." ( ChickLitChloe.blogspot.co.uk)

"This is erotic fiction that firmly falls into the by women for women category. I’ll be buying copies for all my girlfriends this year... an intriguing read 5 stars." ( Bookbag)

Loved Reading these, then love listening too.

Would you consider the audio edition of Fifty Shades of Grey to be better than the print version?

No not better but love the fact that I can listen to them where ever and when ever I want. But then I'm addicted to audio books.

What did you like best about this story?

Yes there is the erotic romance but it is also a very good story. Can't wait for further stories on Christian and Anastasia.

What about Becca Battoe’s performance did you like?

Her ability to be all characters is brilliant.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I fell in love with the 2 main characters and they made me both laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

If you loved reading this trilogy then I can assure you the audio version is just as brilliant.

Surprising and hot!

What did you love best about Fifty Shades of Grey?

Great theme. Surprisingly educational for a type of relationship so different to my reality! Definitely sex-life enhancing for me!

What did you like best about this story?

It does not end there.....more hot steamy scenes with a story and psychological twist in the next book.

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

Just this series.
Great performance of a book that must have been challenging to perform without pauses and lots of laughs I imagine!

If you could rename Fifty Shades of Grey, what would you call it?

Cannot think of a better title. The theme is consistent throughout the book (and series for that matter!)

Any additional comments?

Awesome audiobook!. No chance of me going to sleep on the road with that entertainment !

basic writing read well

this is not a book for those who appreciate good writing. the poor literature is made passable by a good performance

Becca Battoe reading EL James is divine combo ;)

Where does Fifty Shades of Grey rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was fabulous. Great story, great storytelling. Becca Battoe just brought the characters to life.

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

The time travelers wife read by Fred Berman, Phoebe Strole. They did a great job, but Becca was a cut above!

What about Becca Battoe’s performance did you like?

Her ability to really create characters with her narration. The mood and warmth or lack of she would create.

If you could rename Fifty Shades of Grey, what would you call it?

its too cool a name, I wouldnt call it anything else! Hat off to EL James! She's amazing!

Very engaging g series, a must read

I have really enjoyed this series. Love the characters and the way the books are written. Narrator is excellent. Found this series hard to turn of. Just wanted to keep listening. Highly recommended. :)

Fabulous

If you could sum up Fifty Shades of Grey in three words, what would they be?

Erotic love story

What did you like best about this story?

Everyone thinks it's about BDSM, when in actual fact it is a truly romantic love story

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

She is amazing. I have only listened to the Fifty Shades Trilogy and she plays each part with a completely different voice. Loved it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Everything. Laugh, cry, anger, broken heart, swoon, fall in love.

THE worst choice of narrator

What did you like best about Fifty Shades of Grey? What did you like least?

Can't answer this as the voice was so irritating I bought the physical book instead

How could the performance have been better?

The voice was just too whiney. It hurt my ears

I couldn't stop listening

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.

Sexy and cheesy

In a sentence, this was a steamy love story between an innocent timid girl and a millionaire with a disturbing past and an alternative view on sex.
While I am fully aware that this is no epic story, I cant help but like it. It is a cheesy, romantic, and sexy love story. I listened to the story simply as a form of entertainment, not to form political, religious or other views on it. Its just a story, and I liked it.
The narrator was good. She added emotion, tempo, and tonality well during her performance.

Fifty Shades of Grey

At first I found this book to be a bit amateurish. The writing sounded like it had been done by a young teenager. However the story soon got me involved. The interaction between the characters was funny and sometimes a little raunchy, but that isn't really what makes you want to keep reading. I don't know what it is about these books but you really don't want to put them down and then when the story is over you feel bereft. Like you have lost your best friends.

Excellent overall read, and the lady that reads them is very good. You feel the difference between the characters.

These will be books I will continue to listen to over and over again.