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

To Many E-mails

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

I have not read the book so I cannot comment on the honestly. I would guess I would speed read the E-mail portions- because I could - a little hard to do when having it read to you.

What did you like best about this story?

It is an interesting look from Anastasia's point not having any clue about the lifestyle of Christen-

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

She does a good jobe of switching characters. Believable in the varied emothions.

Don't know what the hype is about... (SPOILER!)

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

Not really. I mean, if I was looking for a trashy romance novel or trying to get aroused, maybe, but I was looking for entertainment for my ride to work! That being said, I did listen to the whole thing, so it wasn't awful, obviously.

This book was about sex... plain and simple. I don't know what all the hype is about. Yes, the guy has issues and yes the woman is an idiot, but seriously? Why is everyone so excited about it? Is it because of the sex? Has noone read a trashy romance novel recently? I mean, they do still write them, right? And they haven't changed all that much, I am assuming, so what makes this anything other than that? Don't get me wrong, I like the romance novel for a day on the beach or home on a cold winter weekend... but for keeping me interested and entertaining my brain as well as my... well, you know... this one didn't do it for me.

Do women love this book because Gray is the epitome of the guy every woman wants to change, or heal in some way? Is it because secretly women want to be hurt while having sex, or raped? Well, I can tell you, it's no fun being twisted up about sex... and I don't like that he thinks it is ok to subject a woman to his whiles, just because she is infatuated with him. If he is not planning on giving her the attention she wants, then he shouldn't be taking advantage of her misguided feelings for him.

By the end of the story I was really mad at the female character for putting up with him and thought that Gray was a jerk for leading her on. SPOILER and I was totally like, "it's about time!" when she left. Not interested in reading the next one if she is going to just subject herself to more abuse for this horribly selfish man.

Um...yes it's enjoyable...but

Well now (fans blushing face), that was an interesting listen. The story definately had threads of Twilight-likeness to it. Ultimately I was able to separate out the two stories pretty well. Interesting and erotic to say the least. One thing that kept me from adding a few more stars to the review is Ana's inner monologue. It's partially the author's fault and partially the narrator's fault for the annoyance I think. "Oh my" "Oh my" I'm a bit of a geek and every time she said "Oh My" I thought of George Takei... awkward!! But the frequency with which she says it and the way the narrator speaks it was grating. Of course that isn't enough to stop me from downloading books two and three...

CAN"T PUT IT DOWN!

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

Yes deffinately! Once you start reading you can't stop. Its not just a steamy romance book, it has a great story line. Of course the STEAMY romance is huge in the books, but it's also very addictive.

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

So far, NONE! I haven't read a book like this yet, but I'm deffinately looking.

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

No, but she was great. I think she done a great job protraying all the characters.

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

I laughed and cryied throughout all the books. Their are alot of hillarious parts, especially when her thoughts are going wild and their emails to each other.

Don't listen to the bad reviews on the narrator!

Any additional comments?

The reviews about the narrator are not true....The people who said she was too young must have read the book first and already had an opinion in their mind of who she was and how she sounded. ANA is only 21. Becca Battoe is an awesome narrator!! Don't miss getting this well read story from someone's bad opinion on how old the narrator sounds! IT IS WORTH YOUR TIME AND CREDIT!!!

That's a first!

I like many, bought this audio when it was first released. Of course being used to certain taste in my audio books I was completely turned off by the book and the narrator. In addition, this was before audiobooks offered the return policy. Recently, i have found myself looking for all favorites to listen to once more, when i stumbled on this book. I had completely forgotten I had this book; i figured since i spent my credit on this let me just hear it through to the end.

If you are attempting to read this book, have an open mind. Quite frankly it is an erotica, this might be a deal breaker for many people. I have read a few reviews calling this a "twilight spin-off" or similar to twilight. If this is what is driving you to by this book don't waste your credit. There is nothing supernatural or even remotely close between the two other that 50 shades refers to Seattle, Vancover, Portland area. And if like me you live in Seattle, well, how you take the description of our city well, I leave that to you.

I don't want to give away much on the book but know that it has the boy meet girl scenario. Alot of sex (terms that even I had to google!). The guy in the book has some serious "issues". The girl in the book is the defination of confusing bordering on annoying. But if you have an open mind and keep with it, hopefully you will get into the book and be entertained as I was.

As far as the author. I think she has a sense of humor. Yes, at time she is repetitive but this is a first person narration, the character was bound to have repetitive pharses and quiet frankly I smiled every time "laterz babe" was used. The book is entertaining and there is more happening in the book other than sex. If you have ever been in a relationship where you were frustrated and you didn't understand what you are feeling and why you are feeling a certain way this book goes there, however, don't expect a drastic change at the end hence the trilogy. This story needs to move with time in order to be credible and relatable in my opinion.

Finally the narrator, well like i said at first i did not connect with her, however, after i listened through a few minutes she finally managed to get into my imagination. The way she sounds, her narration, her pace defined Ana in my mind. I love the fact that this nararror is constant on all three books that is awesome! I think i might try her in other books. I am more connected with Rosalyn Landor or Anna Fields and such hence connecting with Becca was key if i was going to make it to the end of the book.

Overall, I know there are some really bad reviews so far, but if you sample the book, research the book first then you will have an idea what to expect. This might not be the book for you. I personally loved it. I loved the story, wished for maybe a little less sex in the book but i was connected and entertained and as such worth 4 stars. I will definately be buying the next book!

invigorating story

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

absolutely, the tone of the story left me wanting more

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

I've never read anything like it

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

Anastasia< I felt like she was my friend telling me about her life as though I was there living it with her

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

Leaves you panting for more

With all the HYPE I was expecting more!

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

I don't know - I can only hope!

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

Well, every time Grey FINALLY let down his guard, THAT'S when I got excited that she might get him to buckle!

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

I have nothing to compare it to - she was ok

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

OMG ~ NO! The book was TOO LONG!

Any additional comments?

I was horribly disappointed with the ending - CUT SHORT & sweet! Yet she tended to go on & on & on with those stupid emails, which became monotonous & I wanted to get past them. I would have rather the author spend more time on the ENDING!

Exciting

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

Yes. It is so intreging and like a movie there is always something new the second time.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the details of the characters. I could picture the
In ever sen of the book, almosike I meet two new friends.

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

Christian.... Sexy, misterious and interesting.

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

I wouldn't make a movie it would not do the book justice.

I want my Fifty Shades!!!

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

I have listened to this book 3 times already. It is a good story and the sex isn't bad either, lol. I find myself looking up some information about things in the book.

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

Watching Christian's shades unravel under the seemingly innocent Anna.

What about Becca Battoe’s performance did you like?

She does really well but sometimes I wish Christian sounded more like a man.

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

Yes it was.

Any additional comments?

I have read this book so much that I just can't put it down. I find something new every time.