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

LOVE IT

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

I'd rank it in the top ten. I've listened to all three and each got better. I listen to several books a week and have listened to all of the Fifty Shades multiple times. Maybe more than once is the key!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Christian is my favorite, although I think he'd have to be Superman to perform so frequently.

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

I like Becca Battoe. Her ability to change her voice for so many individuals in one scene was great. When I read the reviews, I feel like I read a different book and heard someone else read. I'm glad I didn't read the reviews before I got the book for sure.!!!

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

Both!! I was sad for Christian being so negative on himself but there were some funny things too.

Any additional comments?

I'm waiting for E.L James' next book and I hope Becca reads it!! I do agree that some of the writing could be more realistic. I don't think a virgin would go quite so active so soon.

The reader needs to listen to Davina Porter!

This book is good, bit the reader is atrocious! She slaughters the French- horrendous pronunciation! And when she is supposed to be speaking in a male voice- she sounds like a girl. UGH! She needs to listen to Davina Porter read some of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

Davina Porter is believable as a man or a woman, she gives each character their unique voice, accent, etc. and is a pleasure to listen to!

I like the characters in the 50 trilogy, but get a different reader!!! She is AWFUL!

Didn't know what to expect

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

Can't do it

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

I was angry that it ended the way it did. I thought Christian would yield. At least it sets up the next book fairly well.

Could of been so much better.

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

I cant honestly say that I would.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The background of Mr.Grey was very intresting.

What three words best describe Becca Battoe’s voice?

not for this! I started to read this in paperback but then switched to listening, I rather reading it myself.

Any additional comments?

While the leading lady was a little head strong she was still lacking in my point of view. This book had great potential to be the greastest book but it did not live up to all the hype for me.

This was my first audio book and I was impressed!

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

The audio edition was amazing!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course ANNA! She is so young and a strong character.

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

She brought each character to life!

in my opinion poor narration

Any additional comments?

The book is pretty good but the narration is bad. I am terribly disappointed with the delivery.

The story was fine, narrator got on my nerves

Would you listen to Fifty Shades of Grey again? Why?

No, I would not because the narrator really got on my nerves.

What did you like best about this story?

The end, when Ana finally woke up and despite her feelings and infatuation for Christian, she left him. I hate seeing/hearing young woman be stupid.

What three words best describe Becca Battoe’s voice?

She sounded really young and was not good at other character voices.

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

Channing Tatum as Christian Grey.

Any additional comments?

Too many details (signatures, date, time, to, from, ext.) for every single email within the book. And there were a lot of emails. It got to the point that I was hating the emails and the narrators voice.

Poor choice for narration

This is my first disappointing purchase from Audible. I really wish I had purchased the print book instead of this audio book.

I understand that things like this come down to personal preference, but I did not care for the choice of narrator. The narration is stilted and awkward. She pauses at places that seem unnatural and the accents seem way off. If Anna's mom is from Georgia, why is there no hint of southern drawl to Anna's voice? (I'm only on the first part of book number one, so that may be explained further into the story.)

Bottom line - I'm not going to listen to the entire book. I will stop at a store on the way home and buy the paperback.

The narrator is absolutely fine....

Would you listen to Fifty Shades of Grey again? Why?

Most likely not, but I don't usually reread books either.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I like that it is set in the Pacific NW.

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

I was surprised after reading all the horrible reviews on her narration because I think she was pretty good and I am a narrator snob. I am reading the third book on my Kindle and it is not as enjoyable as listening to Becca Battoe reading it.

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

The end, made me want to listen to next book right away just to see what happens.

Any additional comments?

Becca Battoes narration is not bad, listen to the sample and you can hear for yourself.

Good read, Bad Listen

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The book gives a little more than most romance novels with an edgy s/m twist. The hint of twilight fan fiction is there but not overwhelming enough to be distracting. The narrator for this audio book on the other hand was awful. Her voice is trite and her emphasis echos dumb girl from the mall I really don't want to talk to. Pretty much ruined anything sexy about it.

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

Daniel Steel meets Twilight.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

High flighty emphasis and over enunciation leading me to literally stop on occasions because I didn't like her voice.