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

Great story. Horrible narration

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

Even with the modifications to the narration (slowing and deepening her voice) she is still rather annoying. It is such a great story I will just purchase the book so that I can take in the entire story.

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

This book sort of reminds me of a vampire story except Christian is a living breathing human. His secret life mixed with his good looks makes him the guy she wants to hate but can't resist the power he has casts over her.

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

Not sure. Becca made it sound more like a Judy Bloom novel! I wanted to go dig out ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME MARGARET.

Great listening while driving.

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

I listen to the story while driving. This is my first book I have purchaed on Audible.com. I read a LOT in my work so I have little extra time for pleasure reading. I am in the car driving about 6-8 hours per week. Listening to Fifty Shades has made my driving go by faster although I drive slower so I can hear more of the story at one time! I have enjoyed it. I like the story line.

As read by a tenth grader

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

If it weren't for the fact that this was my book club selection, I would have stopped listening half way through.

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

I would probably read something by this author again, but not if it is read by the same performer. The story line was intriguing but I am not nuts for reading about addiction. Substitute cocaine for sadism and you might see what I mean. This author is glorifying someone's pain...making it erotic and entertaining. For many this is a turn-off.

Excellent book

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

Yes. It's a great story

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

When Mr. Grey tells Anna that he also wants something "more". That he is changing because of her!

Which scene was your favorite?

When she found out he follows her to Georgia

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

Yes... I didn't want to stop

Any additional comments?

I'm almost in the end and can't wait to find out what's gonna happen with them

Enjoyed

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

It is the first and only audio book I have heard and I am hooked!

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

I would compare it most to a female version of Penthouse Letters lol.

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

The tone. You can hear shutters in ones voice which you simply can not read. Their is raw emotion which is driven into the listener.

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

50 Shades of Grey: Making Women Wet since 2011.

Wanted more!

Couldn't stop listening. Listened at home, car, work. Great story line, great narration, great characters.

Great story, now i can relate in forums

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

I've only listened to one other audio book and Fifty Shades of Grey is the best since I don't really have a lot to compare it to. The voice of Rebecca has the narrator was great but her voice was irritating to some women that listen to the story.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the character of A. Steel. I also liked Grey's effort to do whatever he wanted to due to his success. I'm that same type of person without the money of course so I can relate to him carrying and wanting to be a provider and having total control over the relationship minus being a dominate.

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

Kate

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

No I had to listen to this book in several sittings.

Any additional comments?

none

Intrigued

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

I have listened to this about 5 times since I got it! I am so intrigued by Christian and Ana because they both are so in love with each other. They both have self esteem issues that need to be worked out and that is part of their charm. Ana pushes Christians buttons to the limit and he gets so angry but he can't stay away. Christian is very immature when it comes to their relationship, but because of how he was raised. sex is his escape and coping mechanism when problems arise. This is an excellent book and I truly enjoyed it.

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

OMG! I have so many! The very first is when Ana is drunk and calls Christian.

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

I have not heard her before. She is o.k. Since this is my first audio book, I have nothing to compare it to. All I can say is that it is not what I expected. For some reason I thought male characters would be read by men and female characters would be read by women.

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

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

I was a little hesitant to read this book because everyone just said it had a lot of sexual content. After reading and listening to this book several times, I am hooked. I love the main characters and the mystery of Christian Grey! I enjoy Ana's subconscious and inner goddess comments and actions! We all have them inside and it was fun learning their thoughts as Ana goes through her daily routines!

Absolutely love it! I can't stop listening!

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

Intriguing and mesmerizing! Exciting and filled with lots of questions that I want answered

What did you like best about this story?

The characters

Which scene was your favorite?

the exchange of the emails (entertaining)

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

Laughed alot!!

Any additional comments?

Must read!

Her voice!!!

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

intriguing, spellbinding, referable

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

e-mails

How could the performance have been better?

Use of different voices. The male performance should have been male.

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

I could feel her confusion and lust

Any additional comments?

That was the first of the trilogy. Does the other two also use this same voice? I don't think I can take it!