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It is rather improbable that you have not heard of “Fifty Shades of Gray”.

But what the book that has become a worldwide phenomenon is about?

Who Should Read “Fifty Shades of Grey”? And Why?

“Fifty Shades of Grey” explores the relationships between Anastasia and Christian Grey and paints an image of the BDSM.

We recommend it to all readers of romance and erotica, as well as those who want to know a little bit about BDSM and its “rules”.

E.L. James Biography

L. James is an English author that became a worldwide phenomenon after she published the trilogy “Fifty Shades of Grey”.

Before she became a full-time author, she was writing Twilight fanfiction.

Plot

The book starts by introducing us to Anastasia Steele, an innocent and self-conscious student of English literature. She lives with a roommate – Kate, who at the moment has the flu.

Kate, as a member of the school newspaper, was supposed to interview Christian Grey that day. However, because of the flu, she asks Anastasia to go in her place and do the interview.

Anastasia agrees; although she knows nothing about Christian Grey. However, that is soon about to change.

When Anastasia leaves the office, she has made an impression on Christian.

The next day he appears at her workplace – the hardware store, saying he needs to buy cable ties.

Anastasia uses the moment to tell him that the interview was great and her roommate is very happy with it, but that it would even be better if she had a photo of him to publish alongside the text.

Christian does not think twice and offers her a photoshoot.

After the photoshoot, Christian invites her for a coffee, to which she gladly agrees. She finds him attractive and at one moment she hopes he would kiss her.

However, he does not and instead tells her that he is not the man she should be seeing.

Some time passes, and after Anastasia finishes her final exams, she gets a delivery. Christian has sent her Tess of the d’Urbervilles, which is the book that she wrote about in her final essay.

She is surprised and does not know his reason for sending her the package, a thing she asks him after she goes out with her friends and drunk-calls Christian.

She hangs up on him, and he calls her to ask her exactly where she is. It does not take long before he arrives – just at the moment to stop her friend who professes his love for her of kissing her.

The next morning Anastasia wakes up in Christian’s apartment.

He tells her that she has to know something about him and shows her a room which paints a picture of his sexual desires.

He enjoys BDSM and tells her that he does not know how to be in a relationship other than that of a dominant sexual partner.

So, if she was to decide to start some kind of a relationship with him, she should know what she is in for.

He, therefore, tells her the rules of BDSM and gives a “non-disclosure” agreement that she has to sign if she wants to continue the relationship with him.

Anastasia wonders if she is fit for that but still decides to try it since she is curious.

However, there comes a time when she wonders about her limits, and the limits of Christian, so she asks him to show her how far it is possible to go.

As per her request, Christian whips her.

Anastasia decides that that is not a relationship suited for her and leaves back to her house and her old life.

The plot of the book is crafted in a way that allows for a fast read and psychologization at the same time.

Anastasia is self-conscious and does not have a lot of confidence in her appearance.

Although Christian finds her very attractive she does not seem to be aware of the fact herself.

Therefore, getting attention from this charming and attractive guy is somewhat of a big surprise for her.

Christian on the other hand, seems to care for Anastasia, but then the lines get blurred when we learn about his dark past and how he started living the life of BDSM.

He is a businessman and is a dominant force in the workplace. He keeps an eye on everyone and does not spare his subordinates.

However, this behavior, although has earned him popularity and success, does not earn him the respect of his employees. Instead, they just fear him.

This need for dominance is active in his private life as well: he is involved in BDSM, as a dominant partner.

The way that he looks at Anastasia (“like a hawk”) makes us think whether he considers her emotionally important or it is another way to satisfy his hunger for dominance.

He can see that she is innocent and takes a liking in him, so we wonder if they are involved in a consensual relationship, or in one in which he dominates over her and considers her a “prey”.

On the other hand, he always respects her boundaries and does not do anything without her accepting it first.

However, we have to question whether an inexperienced girl of her age can actually make the right decisions, pressured by his strong character.

Check out the movie, starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.

Fifty Shades of Gray Epilogue

Anastasia realizes that Christian is not the man for her, as he told her at the beginning of the book, but that is not the end. The two other parts of the book continue their story to an unexpected turn.

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“Fifty Shades of Grey PDF Quotes”

Our Critical Review

“Fifty Shades of Grey” is not a critically acclaimed book, but readers seem to love it immensely.

Personally, it was not my cup of tea, but if you are not looking for fancy language, and you enjoy romantic plot development, you will enjoy it for sure.

Emir Zecovic

Emir is the Head of Marketing at 12min. In his spare time, he loves to meditate and play soccer.