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

Nasal reading ruined it

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

I would recommend buying the book and reading it if this were your thing

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

The story is fine for what it is

How could the performance have been better?

A different narrator

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

No

I am in love!!!!

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

Yes I love the narrators voice. It fits so well with the character.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Christian Grey, super super sexy. He is so dark but yet there is a fun loving, romanctic kid like spirit inside.

Which scene was your favorite?

Charlie Tango

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

I just kept cheering them on. I was so afraid Christian was gonna go too far and Annastasia would be gone. I really wanted to see the relationship work.

Any additional comments?

Love it!!!!!

Overlook the Narrator!!

Any additional comments?

I Loved this book, and the entire trilogy for that matter. I do agree that the narrator does throw you off a bit, at first, but if you are able to keep an open mind and loose yourself in the words then you too will enjoy this. There are some overused phrases but again, keep in open mind. I highly recommend this book, don't let the comments about the narrator discourage you. Take the risk, you wont regret it!!

Dreamy love story!

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

It is a love story that every girl wants and more! It is too cute and it throws in very many interesting twists in the book.

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

I haven't read any other books like this one. This was the first of this kind

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

No

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

no

Any additional comments?

If you think this book is boring keep reading it gets better and better.

Performance was Excellent

Though I agree with many others that the narrator's voice took some getting used to, I thought she did an amazing job with the material. By the time I finished this book, I could not imagine anyone else as Ana.
The story, however, has many issues that become painfully apparent in audio format. Overused phrases, limited descriptive vocabulary, lack of depth in some areas. That being said, the email exchanges between Ana and Christian had me laughing, literally, out loud. Very witty and amusing. I wish Ms. James had demonstrated the same level of sagacity in the text for the sex scenes.

Overall, it is an enjoyable listen if you can overlook (overhear???) the too often used lines...(Oh my, down there, unexpected). I listened and looked forward to every email exchange!

Original narration was SO much better!!!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The new narration is terrible! Why the change?!

Would you ever listen to anything by E L James again?

Yes

How could the performance have been better?

Her voice for Grey is so awful! Hard to listen to! Her Ana voice is so not as sexy as the first!

Was Fifty Shades of Grey worth the listening time?

Not really

Fifty Shades of Grey - Book One

I loved this book...it took me a few chapters to get into it, but I will definately get the next one. The only negative to listening to it on audio is that the voices are all done by the same person and then there is 'erotic' dialogue and it sounds silly. But that's it. Other than that, I would recommend.

Not My Cup of Tea

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

I did not read the print version...

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something by Victor McGlothin

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The reader made it easy to follow along with her and her voice was easy to listen to... I HATED the emails; I cringed everytime they started with the back and forth.

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

Yes. I was moved by Anastasia's poetic love for Christian in spite of his issues... She was opened to loving him and was forgiving of herself for doing so.

Any additional comments?

I'm not a romance novel kind of girl. This book did have a little drama and a smidge of suspense to keep me intersted so it was not as sappy as most novels of its kind. I'm almost curious enough to read the other two installations but not quite... It was not a bad story, just not for me. Those who are romantics will fall in love with this book and undoubtly the series.

Thank You Audio for New Recording!

I would just like to say that I, for one, really appreciate audible.com listening to its customers and quickly making an effort to re-record this very popular book. I think it is without doubt better than the original. I read all the reviews protesting LOUDLY and decided to order it anyway. I thought, Good Grief! It can't be that bad. I started listening, determined to not be critical of the narration. After about two chapters. I cut it off and I just thought I wasted a credit. I couldn't take it and it kind of creeped me out and annoyed me at the same time. It REALLY did sound like an eight year old valley girl reading an adult novel. The new version is MUCH better. I think it is very comendable that you would act quickly and respond to your listeners. Thank You! I am now able to finish this book and see what all the fuss is about!

Very entertaining, but not well written.

What did you like best about Fifty Shades of Grey? What did you like least?

Great story, but not well written and poorly cast

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

Her voice got on my nerves, poorly cast

Was Fifty Shades of Grey worth the listening time?

Yes, great story