Anonymous wrote:I couldn't get past the pathetic writing or stupid names. Christian GRAY, Anastiasia STEELE (which is gray, wow, how clever).

They originally had different names.

I couldn't get past the pathetic writing or stupid names. Christian GRAY, Anastiasia STEELE (which is gray, wow, how clever).

Because a lot of people ain't that bright.

Rape fantasies have been popular in romance/erotica for decades. Not consensual, but pure rape.

I'm not saying that's what 50 Shades is. I'm just saying that there are plenty of women who like to read things they would never want to actually do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Claiming that 50 shades is "abusive" and glorifies abusive relationships. I mean there is a huge line between bdsm and abuse. It's one thing to smack your wife, but when a couple is into that sort of thing... It seems like a non issue.

That's the thing, OP. This is not the story of "a couple" who are "into that sort of thing." This is the story of "a man" who is into that sort of thing and "a woman" who is ambivalent (at best) with the idea. She does not want to be controlled. She does not want to be hit. She does not find those things sexy, but she does them anyway, because that's what he wants. That is not a healthy model of a good relationship, regardless of what's happening in the bedroom. I agree there is a huge line between BDSM and abuse, and this book describes the latter, not the former.

I read the books because I like to know what I'm criticizing. The writing is bad, it's transparently Twilight fanfic and I knew immediately why the BDSM community had a problem with it.

Well, wait. The way you describe it doesn't sound appealing at all. So why are women all hot and bothered by it? If it reads as abusive, then why is it so popular?

Anonymous wrote:I learn something new every day on DCUM. Didn't even know there was a boycott.

Me too! I had no idea.

For healthy bdsm, see Secretary.

I learn something new every day on DCUM. Didn't even know there was a boycott.

Anonymous wrote:Several people from the bdsm scene came forward and described the relationship as abusive and humiliating. I saw several articles on it after the book came out.

I started reading the book but didn't like it and never finished it.

Interesting, I never read the books either. But I can see how maybe some people who are actually into this sort of thing could have issues with it if the relationship is portrayed as sort of one-sided, unhealthy, etc outside of the bedroom. I could see how that could give them a bad rap and they would be pissed as I am guessing those who are into BDSM for the most part see that as just one part of their life the way anyone doe with their sex life. Again, all conjecture because I have no idea how the relationship is portrayed in the books.

Anonymous wrote:More people should have boycotted that book. What awful writing

+1. My dh and I thought it would be fun to read. I had to throw it away after the first chapter because the writing was so bad!

I have a sixteen year old daughter and a fifteen year old daughter. I HATE the idea that my vulnerable girls who are going to go to college in a few years would get the impression that it's okay for a guy to hit you, that it's okay to be in a relationship where the guy calls the shots, etc. I do not want them to see this movie.
I just found the book bizarre -- She graduates from college and he gives her a computer because she doesn't have one? And then he teaches her how to use the internet! Because, like, she wants to work in publishing but she's never used a computer or the internet. In 2015.
Perhaps this movie is a stupid girl's fantasy.

I won't see the movie, I refuse to see it, and this was even before there was a boycott.

I think it's interesting that people are commenting that the movie is ok to watch when they haven't even read the book. I read the book. It is abusive, and I think it's a bad example for young women who might not know what love is. The woman in the book lets this "man" do everything abusive to her because she "loves" him. It's anti-feminist. It sets the example that basically a guy can abuse you if he is 1) very rich 2) handsome and 3) you have feelings for him. Very dumb and a very bad example for young women/teens. It wouldn't bother me so much if it hadn't been a bestseller. It does trouble me that the book was a bestseller, it's a trashy novel full of abuse and no romance. I threw the book away after reading it.

Anonymous wrote:More people should have boycotted that book. What awful writing

I do not understand how so many people read that dreck. I tried, and I rarely put a book down without finishing it, but it was so badly written that I gave up.

Anonymous wrote:Claiming that 50 shades is "abusive" and glorifies abusive relationships. I mean there is a huge line between bdsm and abuse. It's one thing to smack your wife, but when a couple is into that sort of thing... It seems like a non issue.

That's the thing, OP. This is not the story of "a couple" who are "into that sort of thing." This is the story of "a man" who is into that sort of thing and "a woman" who is ambivalent (at best) with the idea. She does not want to be controlled. She does not want to be hit. She does not find those things sexy, but she does them anyway, because that's what he wants. That is not a healthy model of a good relationship, regardless of what's happening in the bedroom. I agree there is a huge line between BDSM and abuse, and this book describes the latter, not the former.

I read the books because I like to know what I'm criticizing. The writing is bad, it's transparently Twilight fanfic and I knew immediately why the BDSM community had a problem with it.

What's there to boycott? It's just a movie.