Now I was on holiday when the hype over these books started, so I was a bit delayed in getting my hands on them. If I'm honest I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about! There are varied opinions I have noticed, the majority love them, but then there is a smattering of '50 Shades of Suck' and other lame and colourful variations.
Having now read the trilogy myself, I can say I am in the majority vote of love. I think they are incredibly well described, with intricately detailed scene's - and intimately descriptive where it really matters. It is easy to associate yourself with Ana's character so well, she is a quirky awkward shy person who has a crazy inner monologue going on behind the seemingly cool exterior, and being able to relate to a character just makes it all the more real for me. What really hooked me is the brilliant plot line, it has a deep underlying story with plenty of action that you can sink into & get lost in.
This is not to say that I didn't find any flaws, there is a lot of repetition throughout in the use of words, phrases and some description which gives the impression that E.L.James ran out of ideas to tell us what's happening. It is also a bit insulting to those who are into the reality of dom-sub relationships or S&M in general as it almost portrays that you must be carrying some emotional baggage or have been abused mentally or otherwise in the past, or that you need to be a virgin to accept someone who has this sexual ideal, which of course is ridiculous.
In another unrealistic sense Ana can also go like a train, which did grate on me after a while, I don't know any women who can keep going several times a day every single day - I mean life (and getting uncomfortable) tend to get in the way usually.
The only other criticism I have is that again each book is immaculately thought out and detailed of all the events and moments that occur, until 50 Shades Freed, where as I opened it, I was anticipating the biggest event of the trilogy by some standards, but no. The third installment reads a bit like the author was in a rush to wrap things up, and some big events and moments that are hinted at are either vaguely described in flashbacks, glossed over, or missed completely due to forward jumps in time. This disappointed me as I almost felt short changed, I think E.L.James could have have easily dragged it out, gone into detail about the big events that happen in which we would have liked to have had more involvement, and also of Christian's ability to come to terms and cope with these changes and moments in the third installment and produced a forth novel. I would have been hooked just like I was the other three.
****
However, I cannot wait for 'rumored' movie! I have been discussing with friends over the casting choices and have my own personal list that I'll share with you below., and explain why I chose them.
Ana Steele - Emma Watson - She is first and foremost beautiful and the right age, but she has that innocent, possibly naive, look about her that could give the character the right quality performance, but she can also transform to sexy siren as well.
Christian Grey - Ryan Gosling - The book description of Christian is of dark copper coloured hair, a fit physique and grey eyes. I believe gosling has all these external points! He looks very dapper and sophisticated in a suit, perfect for the CEO side of Christian, but also makes you melt when he's topless in cargo pants. Can also rock the 'just fucked' look.
Kate Kavanagh - Blake Lively - She's young gorgeous and strawberry blonde. Enough said
- Amanda Heard - Again young blonde and attractive, does look like she could have the Kavanagh attitude to match. Though I prefer Blake for Kate looks wise.
< Blake Amanda >
Elliot Grey - Chris Hemsworth - Elliot is described as tall, and wide-shouldered with curly-blonde hair and light eyes. Which basically describes Heath Ledger unfortunately, however Chris Hemsworth is gorgeous and tall and muscular and would look great alongside Blake. He's also a great actor and could easily pull off the casual, cheeky, 'laters baby' attitude of Elliot.
Mia Grey - Ashley Greene - Excitable, bubbly, tall, gorgeous, brunette. Ashley Greene is the whole package.
José Rodriguez - Tyler Posey - A relative unknown, although he was little boy who played Jenifer Lopez's son in Maid in Manhattan, he's also known for Teen Wolf . He's very young and fit, oh and Hispanic, so he could easily portray the young Uni student José.
Carrick Grey - Mark Harmon or Viggo Mortensen
I prefer Mark for this, he has that older man sexyness about him but he's a brilliant actor, Viggo also the right look though.
< Mark Viggo >
Grace Trevelyan-Grey - Helen Mirren does it for me, sandy coloured hair, older but gorgeous, can play the loving mother caring wife perfectly.
Elena Lincoln - Michelle Pfieffer
Fabulous attractive older woman who has that can be evil look about her. Established actress, she'll do the role justice.
Jason Taylor - Jeremy Renner Plays the lead in Hurt Locker and is Hawk Eye in the Avengers Assemble. He's in his 30's, handsome, tough, can definitely pull off the bodyguard thing. He just needs to be given a quick buzz cut. Sorted.
Ray Steele - Robert De Niro - He has that quiet brooding look, you can imagine him as the fly fishing, watching a ball game type, but he's got that caring defensive side. He'd be great as Ana's step dad.
Jack Hyde - Zack Ward - he has the right colour hair and look, he can look really sleezy and creepy but at the same time he isn't bad looking. If he grows the hair like he did for 'Billy the Kid' he'd be perfect.
Ethan Kavanagh - William levy - He's hot and would look great alongside Blake and Ashley he's also fitting of the description.
Currently I am stuck on the good Dr Flynn, but I think the other characters for the movie I wouldn't really notice if they were wrong from the descriptions, but the above ones are my personal choices for I'd pick.
