Well...that was different - my eyes!!!!

[dangermousie]

On a complete random whim, I tried Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James (it was a rec of a rec of something else I got on Kindle)

I was looking forward to a fun romance novel.

Ummmm.

Ummmmmmm.

Note to self, read reviews first.

I have a ginormous, innate loathing for dom/sub stuff - it's irrational, but there it is. if someone tried that on me, they'd be missing limbs. The movie Secretary makes me want to scrub my skin off.

Guess what this book is about?

Heroine is a college senior who meets super-rich, super-screwed-up and super-kinky 27-yr-old hero and they embark on the most messed up relationship I've ever had the privilege to read about in a romance novel. Thankfully, though heroine is OK with dom-sub games, when s/m comes in, she ditches. The aaaangst. Also, I think heroine kinda looks like hero's abusive mother which is a whole other level of wrong.

If people are into BDSM or anything else as long as it involves consensual adults, it's their right, but reading about it for entertainment in graphic fashion and being supposed to root for the relationship - Good Lord.

I read this in increasing, horrified fascination, like looking at a trainwreck. I kept wanting to tell the heroine to run run run and I cheered when she dumped the hero at the end, after very sensibly telling him 'look, I don't mind bondage but you are into inflicting major pain and I am not into getting it, so this ain't going to work out, because even if you decided you liked me enough to give your preferences up, it isn't going to last because you'd be suppressing what you need, so find someone compatible.' But we are clearly supposed to think this is OMG!tragic when it is not. And there is a sequel in which they get back together - I flipped and they seem to find some sort of compromise and she is being very "I am going to need to get reassurance from your shrink" sensible, but seriously. Just no. I logically understand that it works for them but I am simply too vanilla for this.

I need to scrub my brain with bleach.

Bleach!

It's well-written BDSM erotica but (1) I was not looking for erotica or (2) BDSM. I wanted something like a modern Pride & Prejudice. Talk about shock.

Yes, I will make a drama post soon. I am taking a little break. Though if this is what I come across during it, maybe I shouldn't.

Comments

[ancarett]

For a modern Pride & Prejudice? Two of my other friends have recommended "Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star". It's getting some good reviews and sounds rather not so scary as this book.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, thank you, this sounds a lot more my thing.

there is a reason i have this icon

[sisterjune.livejournal.com]

I love power games (in fiction), its hard to find a good erotica that does it right. it focuses too much on kinky sex and not enough on the actual cerebral shit going on in those situations. one of my favorite blogs was about a female dom someone who was like that in her personal life an didnt do it for a job, it was really fascinating and sexy reading. I liked secretary even though I prefer lady dom male sub dynamics, it was still a really interesting look at a more deviant/uncommon sexuality. i guess i like my sex a little dark and creepy what can i say? lol. i tend to get bored when its really vanilla. but if its devoid emotion i get super bored too. so yeah.

Re: there is a reason i have this icon

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

You might like this then - it's well-written and is in their heads a lot but I am muuuuuuch too vanilla as this book has proven conclusively.

[puion.livejournal.com]

Mousie, you can give Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire a try. I can't help but like it.

http://www.maryse.net/books/rock-stars-bad-boys/book-review-beautiful-disaster-by-jamie-mcguire.html

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Read it before and adored it :)

[fivil.livejournal.com]

I find consensual power dynamic roles interesting and understandable but the pain stuff, and the idea that when one part of the couple wants the pain-infliction and the other one clearly doesn't, but the one who does still does it to the other? Ick. That's mildly disturbing. And highly off-putting. :|

I enjoy your adventures in romance novels but I can understand why this put you off of them for a moment. I'm not a sadist so I wouldn't want to see you suffer through any more trainwrecks. :D

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

See, to me s/m is a lot less freaky then mental power games because soul >>> body, imo.

I don't have a problem with how they conduct their relationship tbh - he never lies or leads her on, and actually before they do anything but smooch, he explains the deal which is (a) I like you (b) but I only do bdsm and also no romance (c) I'd love you to join in but if you can't, I won't push.

And then if he tries something and she doesn't like, he doesn't push her to do it again or anything, and if she says 'nope, don't want to try' he doesn't push it either. Ultimately, he realizes he likes her more than extreme stuff so they work out a very mild version which only keeps the 'b' part of bdsm.

But the thing to me is I just find it f-ed up anyway.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

Mousie- I was recommended this too b/c supposedly the hero was crazy in love and possessive/jealous but I never read it because of what I heard about how much the hero hurts the heroine... I'm all for a dominant hero but if he lays a hand on the heroine, forget it, physically hurting the one you love, is not love!! Did you know that 50 shades actually started out as a fanfic for Twilight!- ewww Anyway if you want comforting sweet reads, you should go for Lisa Kleypas' books. I always like the reread Devil in Winter after I read a horrible book- I really love the sweet heroine and the selfish rake of a hero who becomes redeemed, you would have to read the previous book to know how much of a villain the hero used to be, but I didn't really care for that book...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the rec!

Btw, you may like the sequel to this. He doesn't do any sm there and is still obsessed :)

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

BTW, The Maiden Bride by Deborah Simmons is another comforting book with a crazy in love hero- the hero wants revenge in the beginning but can't help but fall in love with the heroine to his major annoyance

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[iheartkleenex.livejournal.com]

Kinda unrelated question, but do you have any recommendation? Any favourite books or anything?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

A ton, but what genre would you like?

[iheartkleenex.livejournal.com]

I guess some romance. I never read any good romance books, and mystery if you have any favourites.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I will think and get back to ya :)

[(Anonymous)]

Dear DM,
For Regency delight, may I humbly recommend 'What I Did For A Duke', by Julie Anne Long. It is SO freaking lovely, it will stop your heart in places. The hero is nearly twice the heroine's age, but so very intelligent and realistic and just, oh, all around likeable. And TALL.
Happy reading :-)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that sounds awesome!

[kainee.livejournal.com]

Yeah I feel the same way as you. Not really into BDSM although I understand the whole dom/sub thing but really not into S&M, just not my fetish.

LOL, it's amazing how Pride & Prejudice is this major archetype and single-handedly built this genre for Jane Austen rewrites/continuations & inspired work. I guess it helps that fanfiction can be published because her work's in the public domain. It makes me so impressed with Austen for managing what she did when she did in the time that she had to do it.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

I am more of a Bronte person but Austen was v.v.v. impressive.