tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post3064934031828808865..comments2023-05-30T08:29:42.770-04:00Comments on The Erotica Readers & Writers Association Blog: Standing Up for the Victims of Fifty Shades of Grey (Are You One of Them?)Croco Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417265522875605547noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-1044403018595945202015-03-21T21:09:54.730-04:002015-03-21T21:09:54.730-04:00I can only echo other people's comments. Brill...I can only echo other people's comments. Brilliant article. Remittance Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07902713020074243375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-76137216576433514032015-03-19T10:35:15.217-04:002015-03-19T10:35:15.217-04:00I also had an "aha" reaction to Alyssa R...I also had an "aha" reaction to Alyssa Rosenberg's comments. Romance does respect the importance of women's experiences and even in "literary" fiction, I don't feel that happens, in particular in male-authored books.<br /><br />I would never say someone must read FSOG and completely respect that decision (especially since that was my decision for many years). But I do think before a critic goes on and on saying how horrible it is and what it means to society, their analysis should be based on a fair reading of the book. Otherwise, they are really just talking about their own issues with sex and power and misogyny and so on. Christian is a classic romance hero, thoroughly rehabilitated by Ana's love.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615190390845433428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-20215040768043565762015-03-18T23:45:18.061-04:002015-03-18T23:45:18.061-04:00Thanks, Vida!Thanks, Vida!Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615190390845433428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-25861890733807411252015-03-18T23:30:19.831-04:002015-03-18T23:30:19.831-04:00You make many excellent points in this article, Do...You make many excellent points in this article, Donna, but the "aha" moment for me was the observation that women will devour books that take them seriously, give them an opportunity to see female characters in an active role and as the center of concern, and ultimately, show them some respect. I hadn't previously realized that this is exactly what romance does - and that in fact this is an extremely worthy activity. <br /><br />Since I haven't read FSOG (and won't - not to sound elitist, but poor writing is far more painful for me than the worst flogging...), I didn't know the books actually put Ana in charge. I think that's definitely a key to the books' appeal.<br /><br />Thanks for a fantastic analysis.Lisabet Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05162514190572269660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-81235729253173439282015-03-18T16:50:30.948-04:002015-03-18T16:50:30.948-04:00I think there are some interesting things to take ...I think there are some interesting things to take away from the books in terms of why this story would be so popular (even beyond the readers who bought it for the sex but were disappointed). But I do have to warn you that I had to carry on a parallel cultural critique as I read in terms of why this story would appeal, why she set up various challenges to the relationship like a standard romance, etc. Also, since the original was published in installments, it's easier to read if you take breaks every chapter or two. I haven't read <i>Twilight</i> but I wonder if the foreplay element isn't a legacy of that "not-before-marriage" saga?Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615190390845433428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-48947387797612391182015-03-18T16:43:40.705-04:002015-03-18T16:43:40.705-04:00I agree that the real problem is that the author d...I agree that the real problem is that the author doesn't get that Ana not well-equipped to take on the "healing." Christian ends up being more likeable to me. I had an almost maternal feeling toward him, which makes sense given that the author is middle-aged and his bad childhood is the main means of creating sympathy.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615190390845433428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-31877386639785952832015-03-18T16:41:38.806-04:002015-03-18T16:41:38.806-04:00Thank you, Kathleen, Jean and D! Of course, we nev...Thank you, Kathleen, Jean and D! Of course, we never did get much respect, even when hungry-eyed publishers wanted us for the money we'd bring in from the lecherous. So it's not as if we have that far to fall!<br />Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615190390845433428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-85374989046671933182015-03-18T15:59:10.095-04:002015-03-18T15:59:10.095-04:00Thoughtful articles, Donna. I confess I got bored ...Thoughtful articles, Donna. I confess I got bored halfway through the first book, but now I'm inspired to continue, to see for myself what's there. And I definitely plan to see the movie, especially the DVD with deleted sex scenes! The key to these books seems to be that they are about sexual foreplay, which rarely occurs in mainstream novels with sexual continent.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16994834951161618723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-66947345903587788342015-03-18T14:39:29.725-04:002015-03-18T14:39:29.725-04:00Thanks for writing this Donna, good to see it! Thanks for writing this Donna, good to see it! Vidahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00351906347307887201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-10918822701122614982015-03-18T10:04:37.845-04:002015-03-18T10:04:37.845-04:00Fine point about Christian. Both characters aren&#...Fine point about Christian. Both characters aren't exactly mature or capable of a healthy relationship--but at least Christian knows he's damaged, is honest about his limits, and tries, through his obsessive control, to protect both himself and his partners. (Don't know how well this comes across in the movie, but it was clear in the books. He wasn't someone I'd touch with a ten-foot pole, but he was trying to cope with some tough baggage.) Ana doesn't realize when she's immature and manipulative, which is unpleasant, but realistic from a young, inexperienced person in her first serious relationship, BDSM or not. Unfortunately, the author doesn't seem to see Ana's faults either.TeresaNoelleRobertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08542291750786128688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-18583237507869847542015-03-18T08:12:58.681-04:002015-03-18T08:12:58.681-04:00This is a brilliant article, Donna, and I think yo...This is a brilliant article, Donna, and I think you're absolutely right, especially points 1 and 5. I fear for us writers (of female twaddle).D. L. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16198555878564194947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-76167353327376124432015-03-18T01:53:32.880-04:002015-03-18T01:53:32.880-04:00Very impressive.Very impressive.Jean Robertahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08805088081675965859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-20095222714825457582015-03-18T00:47:53.036-04:002015-03-18T00:47:53.036-04:00Thoughtful and spot on, Donna.Thoughtful and spot on, Donna.Kathleen Bradeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06347913255760493335noreply@blogger.com