I hopped on the bandwagon and completed the 50 Shades trilogy within a week! Are the books THAT great? Well no,they’re poorly written, unintentionally funny and sometimes borderline corny. All technical semantics and word sex aside, the core story is flawed but somehow E.L. James managed to lure  me into Christian and Anastasia’s’ journey to find the ‘ light.’

Many critics pegged Christian Grey as an abuser he is controlling,  demanding, even a little  despotic.  He makes it his duty to control Ana’s every move to ensure her safety. In instances where Ana challenges his control he sometimes gives in other times he f****s her into submission, where she is left satiated, and the balance is restored in their world.  They have a co-dependent relationship, bordering on unhealthy. Ana is drawn to her mercurial dark man and it is her hope that she can save him and bring him into the light. E.L. James has muddled the fairy tale archetype in her trilogy, possibly redefining it?

 

At the very core what draws me to this book is the foundation of their relationship. It is a ‘complex’ (using that word very loosely in this context) story of two individuals from entirely different walks of life. Polar opposites in every sense.  Christian is overprotective of Ana because she  is the vehicle to finding his humanity. This is why he is covets  her and feels the need to go to extremes to protect her. Critics crucify the book commenting that it makes Christian’s behavior appealing for women, and that  young women who read this should not find this relationship acceptable. On the other hand supporters of the book believe that it allows today’s  power-women  to embrace their submissive sides, and allows them to openly discuss their fantasies. There are valid points on both sides.Notwithstanding Christian Grey’s flaws, I find their relationship ideal. To be more specific the magnetism of the relationship is ideal. On their first encounter, their attraction was so strong almost palpable. Simply put they have amazing chemistry.This is not a new concept,but yet it is refreshing because settling has become the norm today.

 

My worst fear in life is that I will end up settling (personally/professionally).  Too often when I watch reality bridal shows I hear this recurring sentiment “at first I didn’t really like him as much, but he pursued me …he grew on me and now we’re in love.”  Every time I see a bride-to-be be utter those words sitting next to her fiance I do a silent prayer in my head and say dear God please don’t let that be me. LOL

 

I understand that love comes in different ebbs and flows, sometimes it is instant and primal, other times it may take a longer  to flourish. The last thing I want to tell my children or grandchildren is that I learned to love your Dad. CRINGE.It  is ok if other people took that route but that is not what I want for myself.  Settling can possibly be the outcome of ‘the chase – the less than interested woman finally gives into her suitors pursuit. The chase is all well and good but there should be some chemistry, some kind of passion. I hate indifference, it is one of the most annoying emotions. You have to feel something whether it is extreme like or dislike. Anything less is settling. Settling whether it be in your career, or personal life is too commonplace these days. It’s actually a bit scary.Magnetism that holds two entities together is a powerful foundation to any relationship. E.L James is on the bestsellers list because she was able to entrance readers into Christian and Ana’s magnetic struggle of a relationship. Subconsciously readers want that magnetism in their lives, they want passion. Maybe the Shades trilogy are on so many nightstands because James refreshed the concept of carnal chemistry into the collective  psyche of a culture that tends to settle too much? Just a thought.

 

Anyhow I’d like to see Ian Somerhelder and Alison Williams casted as Christian and Ana  the in the  film adaptation. Don’t mess this up Hollywood!