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

Get to the story already!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. If you're looking for a steamy book, you'll get your fix in the first few chapters. If you're looking for a story line beyond that, forget it!

What was most disappointing about E. L. James’s story?

The main character is a weak, helpless female. She lets Christian dominate her in the bedroom- fine! That's a personal preference. However, she also lets him run her life, boss her around, and keep secrets from her. How annoying!! There is serious possibility for an interesting story, but instead you get sex scene after sex scene after sex scene.

Which character – as performed by Becca Battoe – was your favorite?

The reader did a great job with all characters. It could have been very awkward to read this book and act it out- but it wasn't!

Do you think Fifty Shades of Grey needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The follow ups are no better.

Any additional comments?

Don't waste a credit.

Great

I loved the book and listening to it! I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to hear the other two!

Wow! Should have listened sooner!

I was so skeptical of this book. I thought why not give it a try and if I don't like it I will stop. It sucked me in and I really enjoyed listening to it. I was worried about reading it since I had been in an abusive relationship similar. It was nothing like that and a very well written book. the narrator did a wonderful job.

Enjoyed...

I love the story line. Very exciting all the way to the end wish it would have been a male and female narrator.

I've read watched and listened to 50 shades 50x

I am utterly addicted to this story, I have read the book, listened to the audiobook and watched the movie. I love stories like this. I must say that I got incredible butterflies the first time Anna and Christian kissed in the elevator and that it diminished greatly after throughout the whole book.. I was clinging onto those butterflies the same way Anna was clinging onto Christian.

The more you are used to two people doing certain things, the less special and erotic it feels, maybe that's why also alot of people didn't like the book. Also I don't understand the reason why they didn't like the writing or story though. I think it was written greatly by a literary genius, that can use the exact needed words for the exact situation. Love how Anna's subconscious battles with her, I didn't see that part in the movie so it was a great surprise in the book.

A lot of people are also complaining about the narrator, but I grew accustomed to her after 3 hours into the book. It takes some time when you already read other audiobooks before. Then I was like: Rebecca Batoe actually is great for this. It just sucks of course that the males can't be narrated by males, but that's normal in an audiobook.

I don't know if i want to read the second and third book though, I was always only interested in the first. That one is so romantic and cute.

Thank you for writing this masterpiece, EL James <3

Worst narrator ever!!!!!!

The book is what it is… Some people take issue with the subject or the genre. However the problem with the audiobook is that the narrator is literally The worst! It’s like a 15-year-old girl who has no talent for narrating, has limited voice capabilities, and is the most annoying narrator I’ve ever listen to. please stop hiring her!!!A southern accent always seeps through and whatever Male voice she’s trying to do sounds similar to Efforts of playing the part of the bears and Goldilocks while reading a fairytale to a toddler at night. It makes the whole book more laughable and Seriously just ridiculous, especially because she’s narrating provocative sexual scenes. I hate that I bought this. And honestly it’s the narrator’s fault. Get a new job.

Loved the movie loved this more

So much better than the movie. Not because movie wasn’t good but there is only so many feelings you can convey on the screen. Listening to the book makes you feel like you are living it

Needs a better performer

I am disappointed in the performance of this book. All of the male characters sound like rich 80 yuppies, even the Hispanic kid. Very dissatisfied.

Love it!

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

5/5 stars

What did you like best about this story?

The entire story except the end.

Which character – as performed by Becca Battoe – was your favorite?

The main character of course.

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

It was very well written. Simple to understand without fancy words. Thats what I liked about it.

Any additional comments?

I would like an ending that match the story.

Don't listen to feminists

If you are a feminist, do not read this book. I'm my trying to be rude but you will not like it, I promise. If you are not (like me) you may enjoy the book. I thought it had a wonderful story line and was very interesting. It also gave a slight insight into BDSM. Enjoy!