Is it normal that i'm this ashamed that "50 shades" got published?

Once upon a time when I was reading a magazine, there was an article about a book series called "50 Shades of Gray". In this article, it described how in such a short amount of time that this series, written by a mom in England, managed to become so popular and how it's also improved the sex lives of women.

Now, I'm 19. I'm assuming that the intended audience for this series was an... older audience. An audience that's into BDSM. Now, I'm not into the BDSM kink, so just the concept of the series automatically told me that it wasn't for me. But my curiosity got the better of me, so when I was in a book store, I read the first chapter to see what it was all about.

And... my god.

Just the FIRST chapter- no, the FIRST PAGE, I knew it was bad. Really, really bad. It was awful. God awful. Yes, I know that it was originally Twilight fanfiction. And it READS like an awful Twilight fanfic. It is horrendous. TWILIGHT is better written than this book. That's right, I said it- TWILIGHT is a better written novel. In fact, I'm more ashamed that 50 Shades of Gray got published because it was written by an adult FOR adults.

I know it's porn. I know it's not suppose to be a masterpiece.

But I've read GOOD porny fanfiction online. And by GOOD, I mean that they were better written and actually took the time to develop the scenes to make the characters interesting before the inevitable "climax", if you will. So yes, I've read FANFICTION that WASN'T published and had the names changed that was better than this garbage.

I'm not saying that I think 50 Shades is bad because of its premise, I'm saying it's bad because of the writing. And the fact that the characters are Mary and Gary Stu. Yes, even by the first chapter, I could tell that they were that bland. I'm ashamed as a casual reader that this "novel" got published, I'm ashamed as a reader of fanfiction this got published, I'm ashamed that something this awfully written can get published that easily while other writers who have natural talent struggle to get a publishing company to publish their novel.

It is without a doubt one of the worst things I've ever read.

Voting Results
75% Normal
Based on 12 votes (9 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 18 )
  • belbel000

    What guidelines do you use to consider whether or nit a book is well written?
    What did 50 shades have that made it worse than Twilight? (Being worse than Twilight is quite an accomplishment)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • flax

    This book series is amazing. You're 19, don't be so quick to judge.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • Even though I'm 19, I can still judge what is good writing, and what isn't. And I can tell that this series is just merely some self-insert piece of fiction that doesn't deserve the amount of attention that it gets.

      The "you're 19, don't be so quick to judge" would work on a classic piece of literature like Moby Dick or The Heart of Darkness. That doesn't work on poorly written pornography written by a stay at home mom.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • flax

        Have you even read it? It's fucking amazing.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
          -
        • WOW, now I'm SURE you're trolling because I did mention in my post that I read the first chapter, and that was all I needed to confirm that the book is awfully written.

          In my opinion, amazing novels don't have a Mary Sue and a Gary Stu as their protagonists.

          Go troll somewhere else.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
            -
          • flax

            Dickhead...if you actually
            Read the book you would see there is more to the story. Dumbass troll is what you are, not me.

            Comment Hidden ( show )
          • valueduser

            HAHA, the first chapter?! Seriously? I'm 17 and I've read the WHOLE triology. Read the WHOLE book and I'm sure you'll understand. Maybe YOU'RE the one trolling. You can't judge a book or its story by the first chapter - FACT. Now go back to 'reading' your Mr. Men books.

            Comment Hidden ( show )
              -
            • But I CAN judge how well a book's written based off of the first chapter. It's not the plot that makes me ashamed of its existence, it's the writing.

              Comment Hidden ( show )
  • NoraBaker

    So, you didn't cum? :(

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • LOL. I didn't make it that far before I put it down xD Maybe one day I'll read the entire book, but I heard that the sex scenes really aren't that great.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • valueduser

        You should read its entirety, the whole triology; the contents of the book(s) picks up. It's honestly not as 'sex filled' as everybody is making out; I've defiantly read/seen MUCH worse within a book. 50 Shades is no big deal, in my opinion.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
  • anonymous9250

    Are you kidding me I'm 19 finished all the books in 4 days barely slept this books are amazing it it way more than the sex its the story the sex is just a bonus this are the best books i have ever read I'm just pissed that the author added a chapter in Christian POV and did not write the books in his point of view as well you really need to read the book all the way you are judging to early

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • Troooooooll, you are a trooooooooll.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • anonymous9250

        Yea about that i hove no sense of hummer I'm a very serious person i don't "trooool" as you put it

        Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Gasmasker

    I was instantly attracted to it because of its interesting name and themes. Well, let's just say it was yet another case of the "bad book, great title" phenomenon.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • NotFloydzie

    Is it really that bad?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • valueduser

      The real answer: Read it and see. Everybody seems to have their own opinion on the book. I hate to use this term but it's like Marmite... Love it or hate it.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • dappled

    I'm a Kindle user and it keeps being marketed to me as something I should have as an Audible download, so nobody will know I'm reading it. Maybe I'm just a bit jaded but my mind immediately thought, "because it's crap?"

    Comment Hidden ( show )