Warning: This review should only be read by older viewers (17+). This review is the beliefs and personal interpretation of Rheagen King.

It’s exactly what you’re thinking. Another article over “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Love it or hate it; it’s become one of the top-selling books in the world, being produced in over 50 different languages (Poetic). I’ll disclaim from the get-go: I don’t have nice things to say about this novel. This series isn’t romantic, erotic, or stimulating. It’s encouraging women to find a man who will give them an identity and surrender their ability to make their own choices. This book is also about domestic and sexual abuse. Anyone who tells you otherwise is in denial or just stupid.

Many teen girls and women alike have recently been defending the Fifty Shades books and the relationship they portray. “It’s consensual; she was asking for it; it’s not rape,” etc. This is partly true. Ana does agree to the BDSM lifestyle. Fine, rock on. She also signs a contract stating Christian’s boundaries in their agreement. However, this contract does not protect many of the things that happen throughout the course of their one-sided relationship.

For starters, Christian sways her with alcohol (this is lawfully considered rape). He pressures her, stalks her and controls her. It doesn’t state anywhere that this is consensual in their contract and surprisingly not in any legal document known in America… Astounding, right? Consent is really, really important. Consent is that “fine line” we draw in the sand that differentiates sex and rape. In 50 Shades’ case, it differentiates BDSM from abuse. You’d think clear consent would matter most in a series like this. You would be wrong.

Many times, Ana refuses Christian’s sexual advances and gifts, and even says she will move away only to be manipulated, stalked and threatened. You cannot say Ana asked for it when this situation directly parallels many real-life abuse cases. We also need to stop glossing over the fact that this book is not marketed as unrealistic fiction. EL James refuses to acknowledge that the series is unhealthily influential, but I’m certain she also refuses to acknowledge her plagiarism. I get that this originally started as “fan fiction,” but… she’s just plain lazy. If you managed to score a writing contract at least attempt to make your book stand on its own. Two claps for EL James. Back to the review.

The way he tries to protect her is creepy. They are stalking. I get that it’s sexy and “masculine” when a guy can show you that he’s dominant, but c’mon ladies. You can’t seriously look me in the eye and tell me you would be turned on if a man bought the company you worked for in order to monitor you. If this is the case, please stop reading this article, as I have reached you too late.

I just personally don’t see how a woman can be confident knowing herself and understanding a healthy relationship, while simultaneously defending this book. I’m not saying, it’s impossible, I’m just saying, “It’s impossible.” This book makes me want to write up instructions about real dominant/submissive relationships and insert them into the novels at the local Barnes and Noble. Nevermind that I don’t even know what a real dominant/submissive relationship is!

Perhaps my frustration lies within the character development. Ana is a 22-year old college graduate. More like a shy tween. Miss Steele lacks self-esteem, substance, imagination, and what’s worse, she’s never had an orgasm. The inexperience is not what bothers me. It’s the idea that she has never explored her body or sensuality, and her first sexual experience is BDSM. Truly hysterical. The realistic chance of this woman existing on the planet is statistically 1 to 25. But this is “unrealistic fiction” after all. (EL James for the win.) The most frustrating thing about Anastasia, however, is her sense of self-reasoning. She’s just dumb. She considers signing a contract with a guy she barely knows, and endangers her principles and integrity. It gets better. Her fascination with Christian is his cold and rattled interior. She genuinely believes she has the power to change this man. I guess this proves that a 4.0 GPA doesn’t do anything for someone with no common sense.

In the end, Ana ends up with him. This isn’t saying much considering her insecurities and materialistic tendencies. Many women choose to stay in violent relationships out of fear, lack of self esteem, or loss of a partner. Ana has all three. Fiction or not, this book is relevantly a big issue because of it’s continuing to teach girls and boys that:

1. A woman can change a violent partner by being obedient.
2. Consent is a gray area (I couldn’t resist!)
3. Every woman wants to be abused and controlled.
4. Degrading women is OK.
5. A woman should find her self-worth in a man.

Furthermore, movies, television and books are mimicking this novel due to it’s roaring success and continuing to produce more products similar to Fifty Shades. Violence against women sells now. It’s disgusting. This series just proves that many chicks still haven’t caught on to the “independent woman” ideologies yet, since they connect this series with their female fantasy of Prince Charming––a sexy, successful man, good in the sack and ready to make all the decisions in your daily life. Of course, he’s mysterious and complicated. Nothing ever changes in the romance world. Ladies, if you think this guy is in any way attractive, please see a counselor and pull yourself together. You’re not going to change that man.

Laters, baby.