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

Stopping after one.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I can't decide if it was the story, or the way the story was read that I liked less. The narrator was annoying, but so were alot of the things she had to say.

What didn’t you like about Becca Battoe’s performance?

Did not like the narration. The way she pronounced things was distracting, and her voice didn't suit the character in my opinion.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

None

Any additional comments?

I have friends that read these books and really liked them. They may talk me in to trying to read the second one, but I wouldn't buy the second audiobook, especially after reading the other reviews.

Great book!

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

No.

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

When Christian came back after the helicopter crash.

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

A more realistic experience.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Any additional comments?

Improved my relationship with my husband.

I loved listening to the 3 books narrated by Becca

What did you love best about Fifty Shades of Grey?

The incredibly passionate love story, it's not a porn book, it's a love story

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

none

What about Becca Battoe’s performance did you like?

I was initially suspect of her voice, because I firtst read the books, but as she went on, I loved her voice. It can be innocent and change as the story changes. She has a beautiful and captavating voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

Any additional comments?

Should AL James write more love stories that are this thrilling, I will buy the audible too

Satisfied my 'Twilight' withdraws.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would change some of the dialogue. It drove me insane to read Ana say "Holy F***" so many times, along with her constant refrence to her "sunconscious" and "inner goddess".

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

Twilight definately. Not just the story line, but some parts are almost an exact reanactment of scenes from the Twilight series.

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

Someone who could add more emotion and feeling. She sounded like a kid in high school reading in front of the class..very amature. Also, her doing the voice of Christian was very weird to listen to.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

Though the story is interesting, it was hard to really understand the "romance" between these characters. I could never really understand why Ana loves Christian. It all feels more like a shallow obsession between the two and less of a genuine love for one another. It all makes for a very sexy, erotic read, but not a romantic one.

Any additional comments?

I like the overall story, I espeacially loved the ending and how the writer was able to bring a deep understading of how messed up Christian Grey is and how conflicted this make Ana.

I tried...I really did...

Any additional comments?

I had written a review before they supposedly "remastered" the narration; which, Audible deleted when they offered the remastered version for download. I don't think slowing down the audio did anything other than making it even more annoying. The simple fact of the matter is that they tried to find someone who sounded like the narrator of the Twilight series and, in doing so, made the whole thing sound like some kind of child porn.

As for the story, I read it when it was Master of the Universe within the Twilight fanfiction world and for fanfiction, it was really good. The female lead said "oh my" so often that I wanted to never hear it again, but the storyline was good. I preferred "People Like Us" by justginger/people like us as a BDSM fanfiction storyline (TWCS) because the spin was positive as opposed to the negative approach within the Fifty Shades story. I am not a part of the BDSM community, but it bothers me that millions of people who are reading this story might only see the negative side of why a person might find themselves drawn to that lifestyle (as in prior abuse). Not that I think that is what the author is trying to portray but what I think the average person might come up with.

Regardless, the editors didn't help the author change enough of the "Twilight" references within the character personalities and the narrator sucks for this series. Sorry to be negative but don't waste a credit.

Gave it a second chance...

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

Yes. The first time I started listening to it I hated the author's snobby sounding voice, and it just didn't catch me. Then after listening to people tell me to try again, I did. It actually ended up being good.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Anastasia, because she was what you would call an untypical woman in this day in age. Mostly you have money hungry women who wouldn't think twice about taking a man for his money. All this woman wanted to do was help this man learn how good he was and how much someone could actually love him. Yes she had her "immature" parts, but not all women are promiscuous and have sex early. There are virgins out there. There are also some that just don't see the need to get into all the hype of electronics, and such.

Any additional comments?

All of you who have bad mouthed the book...I just think that you didn't have an open mind about it. Also who ever said that this was just a book about an immature girl in an abusive relationship has no knowledge of what a real abusive relationship is! Yes the author didn't use so many of the "normal" terms for things. She is from London for goodness sakes! Then there is the fact that there was the inner goddess. I thought it lightened parts of the story, gave it some humor. The author stated on a show that she wrote this book for her. The fact that it got such great reviews is because some people saw it that way and ran with it. Just because some of you don't have the same like as others doesn't mean it was a bad book. To each is own!

Great Story, disappointing Narration

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

No, I would suggest they purchase all three books to read.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed it all

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Very poor choice of narrators. Her voice is too immature, poor male voice. In one word, BORING. It would have been soooo fantastic if Natalie Ross and Phil Gigante would narrate this book. They could bring the sizzle that is lacking!

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

?

Wonderful book

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

Yes. It was better hearing it read to me.

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

Ana Steele-Grey.

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

Do you trust me?

Any additional comments?

This is a great, kinky story for the most adventurous of readers/listeners.

The Story pulled me in !!

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

I'm so glad that I read these books before I knew about the media hype and the connection to 'Twilight'. EL James is a fantastic writer. Making the characters hard to resist. I listened to all 19 hours of the book in one sitting... I couldn't stop listening.
The narrator did a wonderful job of telling the story!!

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the end of the book. I don't want to give anything away.

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

WOW. I don't often read a book that leaves me with such strong emotion. I told everyone I know about the book and the two books that follow in the series. Again, WOW.

Any additional comments?

I recommend to everyone I know to read EL James. Block out the media frenzy about the books and enjoy the characters that she built. Loved loved the books.

Fifty - Yes please! ;)

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

Yes! This was my first Romance novel experience and I'm so glad I read it! I was sucked in from the start - and let's just say it benefited my hubby as well! ;) LOL

What did you like best about this story?

Watching Christian open up to Ava as his walls came down...it was truly a LOVE story as well as being erotic!

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

I'm just getting into the world of audiobooks, but I must say I liked her alot!

Any additional comments?

This is a must read - even for those that are little skeptical!