My review of Grey by E.L. James
Blurb from the back cover
See the world of Fifty Shades of Grey anew through the eyes
of Christian Grey.
In Christian’s own words, and through his thoughts, reflections
and dreams, E.L James offers a fresh perspective on the love story that has
enthralled millions of readers around the world.
Christian Grey exercises control in all things: his world is
neat, disciplined and utterly empty – until the day that Anastasia Steele falls
into his office, in a tumble of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries
to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot
comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy,
unworldly Ana seems to see right through him – past the business prodigy and
the pent house lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.
Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that
haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to
control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and
destroy the fragile hope she offers him?
My thoughts on the book
When I start a book, I like to go in open minded. That didn't happen here. Having read the original 50 Shades trilogy, it was never going to happen. I went into expecting very little to be honest. It was one of those books where you've read the others, so you have to read this one.
I was pleasantly surprised. First up, the character of Ana is so much less annoying when you're not inside her head. I didn't want to give her a good shake half as much in this book! The narrative was much more enjoyable in this book. Christian comes across as much more real than Ana did. And thankfully, he doesn't have an "Inner Goddess" which drove me mad in the original.
Conclusion and rating
I actually enjoyed it! It's still ridiculously far fetched, and its still not about domestic violence in any way (don't get me started on that!), but it's much more readable from Christian's view point. If you've read the original and it's put you off trying this one, give it a go, you might just be surprised. If you haven't read the original one, don't bother, just skip to this one! 4/5
Have you read it? Did you like it more or less than the original?
