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

I loved it!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Annastasia, the heroine of the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he took up on the helicopter.

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

This book will rock your world!

Any additional comments?

This book was unexpected in so many ways. He is incredibly gorgeous, very rich, and very sexy. That alone makes it a fun read for lots of women. He is very talented and inventive in bed. More fun! When it gets to "the Red Room of Pain" I was very uncomfortable and wanted to go back to the fun stuff. I think men should read this to. They will get a new education in how to please your wife, just about anywhere!! How to make sex fun, and how to ignite your sex life. Oh well a women can only dream.....

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.

Awesome Book

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

This is my 3rd time listening to the book. Love the book. Can't put it down.

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

At the graduation where he is wearing the famous tie. OMG!!

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

Yes it was!!!

Great book

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

Top 5

What did you like best about this story?

The sensuality

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

The depth ness of the charictors

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

Made me Laugh and blush

Any additional comments?

Great for boosting ur libido ladies lol

BLUSHING!!!!!!

I'm not usually into super steamy books, but a friend of mine loved this book and thought I should give it a chance. I will say that after I got used to it I did enjoy the book. It had me in tears at the end, and the story was pretty good. However it was VERY VERY STEAMY, and repetitive in spots. Although I did enjoy the story I will admit I had to roll my eyes a few times at the pillow talk, and the way the narrator mutters the word baby... it made me lol a few times. Still I will admit that as soon as it was over I was ready for the second book. Have not started it yet so I cant tell you if the rest of the series is worth listening to, but I think this book is worth the credit..

Fifty shades of mediocrity

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

no. I like the print better, but audio lets me 'read' while driving.

What about Becca Battoe’s performance did you like?

Becca is an 'ok' narrator. The transition from one point of view or character to another was weak. She did not give enough emotion in her narration.

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

Yes, made me laugh at times.

Horrible Reader -- Becca Battoe

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

The content was ok but I was so distracted by the reader its hard to say.

Who was your favorite character and why?

n/a

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She reads in a monotone voice that has very little distinction between characters. She must be a failed actress because she can't use inflection or tone in expressing emotion. That was bad enough, but when I heard her pronounce envision, envicious, not once, but twice it became even more of a distraction. Also she pronounced disoriented, disorientated. Where are the producers to catch these things? I probably will not order books 2 or 3 just because I can't get past this reader, even after several hours of listening.

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

no

Any additional comments?

I listen to a lot of audiobooks as I travel often. I also use audiobooks when I walk. I have heard readers that I haven't cared for but given time I get caught up in the story and forget about them. It isn't happening with Ms Battoe. Her lack of ability is a major distraction to the content of the book.

Good read, TERRIBLE choice of Narrator Casting!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

While the "Fifty" series is a great get away from it read, I'm baffled by the choice of narrator. Without offense meant to Ms. Battoe, who is a talented audible performer, I was SO DISAPPOINTED in this narrator for the Fifty series. Anastasia IS a college grad aged gal, an maybe that's why the "younger" sounding choice for Becca Battoe, but it simply didn't work for me. I skipped the "audible" version of the final book, opting to read it myself. Sorry Audible, you missed the mark on this one, in my humble opinion.

twilight porn

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

achingly tantalizing

What about Becca Battoe’s performance did you like?

she did a good job with the voices and dialects for the other characters

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

when anastasia states she wants to bring him into the light

50 shades a great read but a horrible listen

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

it wasn't

What did you like best about this story?

A good book. A great read. A great story overcoming the trama of our lives against our future growth.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

the cocky childish inflection of the narrator really dimished my enjoyment of this audible. I have read all 3 books. I enjoy rereading and thought I would try audible. The narrator ruined it for me. Also the stupid inflection immitating Christian's voice made it utter rediculous. It reminded me of listening to stories in Kindergarten with the inflection.... that is if you can imagine your kindergarten teacher reading erotica. Just didn't compute.

Any additional comments?

worst narration ever for this type of book.