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

Just poor all together

What disappointed you about Fifty Shades of Grey?

Everything, I find this book to be demeaning toward women. It encourages the submission of women for "love," not an acceptable mantra. Actually since the characters and conversation are so incredibly rudimentary, it is worse, it encourages the submission of women for sex. Its really just a sex book, so if you want to read about rough sex, buy it. However it is not a piece of decent work by any stretch of the imagination.

What character would you cut from Fifty Shades of Grey?

All of them. Each and every character in this novel is superficial with no depth at all. It is really startling that this main stream, best selling fiction.

Any additional comments?

Overall this a sub par book, that is poorly written, most of it is impassible as English. Character development is non existent and the conversation rivals that of the most basic tween novel. It encourages the dominance of men over women in the name of "love" and literally provides absolutely no compelling motive to do so, except for sex.

Couldn't take it anymore

Would you try another book from E. L. James and/or Becca Battoe?

No, I admit it I bought it because of the hype. Lessons learned always listen to the sample. This is the worst narrarator I have ever heard in all of my years of listening to audible books. If it were a paperback book or hardcover I would use it as a doorstop. Instead I use it to put me to sleep at night. The endless email readings are better than counting sheep. Do yourself a favor and save your money, unless you need a sleeping aid.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I bought the trilogy but doubt I will make it through them either. I just started a new series that blows 50 out of the water. Grabs you from the beginning and is truly erotic, try The Immortals series on for size. The narrator is great, an authentic Scottish accent to boot. When Emma talks you forget the narrator is a man. Cannot wait to get back to it!

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

Almost anyone would do it better, but the writing is so immature I doubt a different reader would make it any better.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Fifty Shades of Grey?

I am still wondering why she wasted her time writing it.

Any additional comments?

Unless you are into a controlling freak who is into bondage and leather walk away and save your money. It rang too close to my first marriage for comfort. Control freaks are not my thing.

Love the story, hate the voice :/

What would have made Fifty Shades of Grey better?

Having a narrator who didnt sound like one of those annoying teenagers who say like every five seconds. Her pitch was up and down a lot and when it flowed over into christians character it was even worse.

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

The crossfire series, similar character set up

How could the performance have been better?

She didnt sound like a mature adult at all

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Fifty Shades of Grey?

None

Any additional comments?

I rarely complain about the narrator but this was just too much. She has a nice voice, just not one i care to listen to for hours on end. When they choose s narrator for a book don't they listen to oh i don't know.... The voice? The only image that keeps popping into my head is of someone i saw on reality tv that sounded like this, ruined it for me completely. Her pitch was not steady. It changed often in the space of each word, she made many words sound like they had an extra syllable and even made a lot of sentences sound like a question because of her pitch change. :/ very disappointed in this purchase. I apologize if this comes across and harsh or rude. But when you have a book you enjoy its hard to see it ruined because of poor choice in narration.

Narrator is the WORSE

I love this series. I have read it more time than I can count. I even enjoy the movies. I listen to audio books on my daily commute. Sooooo the fact that I cannot get through this audible version is crazy! The narrator is the absolute worse and the sound of her voice is worse that nails amplified on a chalk board. Someone get this re-recorded and I will pay again for the updated version. My ears are bleeding!

inappropriate voice for the material

The story is weak to begin with. The child-like voice of the narrator was wholly inappropriate to the subject matter.
That element made an already awkward book even more awkward.
I returned it - thanks Audible for that option, for members.

Terrible narrator

Wasn’t a great fit for the narrator. I’ve read the books but her voice almost kills it for me.

NO NO NO- WTF?!

How is this even a best seller?! I'm struggling so hard not to laugh. I think I'm getting a headache from all the eye rolling I'm doing. It is horrible!! The writer keeps saying "oh my" every five seconds. it's written honestly like a fan fiction by a 15 year old. Shit I could write a better book! And the reader has vocal fry!! DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!

Woow what a waste of time

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

gluttons for punishment

What could E. L. James have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

less porn and more closure

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

The performance was fine, the material is what what was lacking

What character would you cut from Fifty Shades of Grey?

none

Couldn't get past her voice

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

She sounded like she was 12. Total turn off.

How could the performance have been better?

An actress with more maturity to her voice. Yes, she still needed to sound like an innocent, but I know lots of 30 year old woman who still sound innocent.

Terrible narration

I couldn't get pi ast the first chapter with the person narrator. Terrible voice, terrible reading. TERRIBLE