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

Poor narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

The love story.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The voice, didn't perform it well, and too many times all the voices blended and were bland.

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

Not really, a bit too repetitive.

WOW What an erotic story!

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

Yes and I already have recommended it to 4 people who have started reading it.

What did you like best about this story?

How captivating it was. I'm normally not a reader of books or novels, but this one blew me away!

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

No.

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

Oh yes, each and every one of the moments that the author, in detail, described the love making. It made me feel the same inside.

Any additional comments?

I was a little disappointed that I couldn't read along while she (the audio) read and the fact that I couldn't speed up the reading. I feel that being able to read along with the audio gives a person a better perspective on the subjects and overall picture/story of the book.

Many thanks to AUDIBLE.COM !!!

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

Decent,smart,liberal

What did you like best about this story?

Two noble and quite smart characters being VERY free to explore what is lying deep in their souls

Which scene was your favorite?

The first interview

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

No

Any additional comments?

Besides the content of the book itself I would like to express my gratitude to AUDIBLE.COM making this novel available for listening with a VERY crystal clear flow...

Better than expected...

Any additional comments?

Lets start off with the positives. The narrator was a good choice. Her voice fits perfectly for Anastasia. After hearing alot of "stuck up" people cry about the nook being nasty or all about abuse, I was surprised at how good the actual STORY was in the book.

Yes. There is sex. But maybe people were reading a different version than this one because the first scene doesn't come until halfway through the book. To be honest the first half of the book was extremely slooooowwww. Not exactly boring but slow.

Now lets get into my complaints. Anastasia Steele. Not gonna lie... she really irritates me in this book. To me she is so annoying. I did get attached to her which made buying the second book a definite. But she is like a whining little sister who you want to shake and say " Welcome to the real world... where the heck have you been all these years?"

The story line is alittle unrealistic with the college virgin who has never really kissed a guy. Really? Is that a Seattle thing?

And then theres the ending... luckily all the books were out by the time I took on the series. But if I had just read this book without knowing there would be a second, then I would have been pissed. The book literally just cuts off in the climax of the story ( LOL, no pun intended)

So I suggest only starting this first book if you are committed to get to the second. And those who are listening just for the sex you'll have to bear through the first half of the book... but believe me it gets there.

Ahh...awful narration.

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

NO!

What did you like best about this story?

The entire story

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

Right now you couldn't go wrong with anyone else.

Any additional comments?

I am only 1:09:29 into the audiobook, and I am already mimicking the voices. She made Christian sound like a ladies man who can't get any ladies, a guido more or less (because she makes all of his lines sound like cheesy pick up lines) and she tried to make every day conversations between everyone else sound 'sexy'. It's truely aweful.

good book

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

no, the voice of the narrator is not like how i pictured the characters and threw me off a lil.

Who was your favorite character and why?

christian, he's so sexy and bold and connectable.

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

only 50 shades book 2. I don't like her in either

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

yes... no comment. lots of surprises... and so hot

Not as Smutty as Everyone Thinks..

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

pretty good...

What did you like best about this story?

It wasn't all smut..it's actually a good story of love...

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

no and she was pretty good. Would have to say one of my favorites now..I will seek out her other work.

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

made me hot...

Any additional comments?

I really like that there was a story behind all the sex...actually quite good.

WOW!!!! my first NON business book read! A+++++

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

#1 I have had my account for years this is my first NON-business book read. I am hooked. Becca Battoe was the most brilliant reader I have ever heard. I wish there was 50 more books like this. Only complaint. I have no idea what to listen to next!

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

OUTSTANDING! Becca made me love audio books!

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

Not for kids. heheheh

Enjoyable but not sure worth all the hype

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

Yes, I think I would recommend because it was enjoyable. Not sure it's as bad as everyone is making it out to be. No worse than a romance novel really. I just think the subject matter may be a little more taboo. I have to say I did not re-download the book after the narrator change. I enjoyed the innocence of her voice. It fit the character, so not sure what everyone complained about!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fifty Shades of Grey?

When he pulled the tampon out of her before having sex with her.

Little to no moral fiber...

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

and that's just how I like my erotica. The plot wasn't amazing in this book but there was lots and lots of sex and that ain't bad. I really like having someone read smut to me. I wasn't going to read it because it's too mainstream for me and frankly I really don't see the big deal but 50,000 horny housewives aren't wrong, it's an alright book. Great if you aren't hoping for something it's not. I wasn't looking for the next War and Peace so I am satisfied.

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

Sure if that's what they're looking for.

What three words best describe Becca Battoe’s performance?

Im-ma-ture.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

If it were played out in my bedroom.