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

More than 150 million copies sold worldwide.

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success - his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family - Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

This audiobook is intended for mature audiences.

Look for E L James’ passionate new love story, The Mister, coming April 16, 2019.

©2011 E L James (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

• Finalist, GoodReads Choice Awards, Best Romance

I would rather read the books myself

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The only thing I would change about this book is the narrator. I'm not into the "valley girl" attitude. It would be better if narrated by Brianna Bronte, Zoe Winslow or even Tavia Gilbert.

Romance and Great Sex - A Woman's Dream

Mostly women will enjoy this book but a smart man will learn from it. Awesome story and performance. I wish it was easier to tell when Anna was thinking to herself versus speaking.

Porn for 1

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

The Narrator was compelling. Her interpretation of dialogue, story and monologue was superb.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Meh.

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

No. But my god, I will. What a great voice. What great emotion! What an incredible narrator!!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Rated X.

Story good, but narrator was very bad

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

I would recommend the book, but not audio version. The narrator sounded rehearsed, not natural. It convinced me to get the other 2 versions in print.

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

Im new to audio books and narrators, but Im sure they could have done much much better!

LOVED IT!

I loved the story and thought the performance by the Reader was done very well too. I'm not sure exactly why some Reviewers were so harsh on their feedback of the Reader. The story had me captivated... I couldn't wait to listen!!

Excellent

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, the story was greatly depicted.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Anna and Christian of course.

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

Yes, Battoe did a great job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The last part of the book, when Anna realized she can't be everything Christian needed and wanted as a Sub.

Any additional comments?

N/A

Entrancing

Enjoyed it but got slightly annoyed with the 500 emails including title, name, date, time and signature . After the 10th read email it started to grate on my nerves. On the other hand the story it's self is gripping , funny, sad and well I'm dying to hear the next saga

Really??!! People loved this book?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

There was not a real story line to this book, it was soft porn and the author's language skills are seriously lacking

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

The storyline is too simple and does not have the complexity of a novel written for adults. I also found that James used the same language over and over, especially for the sex scenes making the whole novel boring and predictable.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She did not come across as an adult, she came across as a whiny, high-pitched teenage girl.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

If the characters were written a little more human, there is so little focus on them as people and characters and too much focus on Anastasia whining about whether sex with Christian is errotic or abusive, she's a very intelligent adult having an internal battle like a 5 year old.

Wow!!!

Loved it! Narrator was great! Would recommend and listen to again! Will listen to the next book in this series!

Its not that bad but......

Is there anything you would change about this book?

(Don’t read this could be a spoiler for you if you haven’t read it). Yes, a better description other than beautiful & so hot. To be honest, all I know is that Christian has golden brown hair, a nice body I guess and grey eyes. Ana is a pale brunette with blue eyes and Kate is a blonde and her family has money. More behind the relationship other than sex and Christian's problems. I loved the book but I can see where James is new to writing; the bad reviews aren't that far off. This could have been one of the greatest love stories but the story line is weak.

Would you recommend Fifty Shades of Grey to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, even though the storyline was weak and it reminded me of Twilight without the wolves and vampires. I enjoyed it, I just wanted more of their connection outside of sex and Christian's problems.

What aspect of Becca Battoe’s performance would you have changed?

The male voices were terrible, sorry Becca

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

Yes, a movie and the screen writer should be top notch.

Any additional comments?

Can a book be rewritten with new material? Just a thought; I’m sure she’d nail it the second time around