Can I borrow them from you?

Hey! I guess you can...if you live in Geneva and read fast :)

Have bought "Fifty Shades of Grey" - haven't started yet but didn't realise it was in the naughty category - the cover has a grey tie on it  !!!  Yikes, now I know what to do if it rains this weekend.

Sure, you didn't ;)

Weather forecast announced rain for Sat and Sun...

get your book ready Poster!

Good one Eric S.!!

By the way....

It was a random pick for me, I've heard about it before, but had no idea what it was all about. I discovered the first book at a friend's one week-end, started to read the first pages and got hooked, I had to buy it. It was a easy read, nothing pretentious... a good summer/beach book.

A good friend of mine made me laugh when she told me she couldn't read more than 10 pages, she said it was Barbara Cartland gone wild/erotic!!

Hi Phoebs, w/b

I keep seeing in the Kindle e-book store this as it seems to be a best seller so I had a look at the reviews on Amazon. It's really weird as right now there are 3,546 5 star reviews and 2,645 1 star reviews. I don't think I've ever seen something that has such opposing opinions! Here's an example of a 1 star review which cracked me up:

About half way through the book, I looked up the author to see if she was a teenager. I really did because the characters are out of a 16 year old's fantasy. The main male character is a billionaire (not a millionaire but a billionaire) who speaks fluent French, is basically a concert level pianist, is a fully trained pilot, is athletic, drop dead gorgeous, tall, built perfectly with an enormous penis, and the best lover on the planet. In addition, he's not only self made but is using his money to combat world hunger. Oh yeah, and all of this at the ripe old age of 26! And on top of that, he's never working. Every second is spent having sex or texting and emailing the female character. His billions seem to have just come about by magic. It seriously feels like 2 teenage girls got together and decided to create their "dream man" and came up with Christian Grey.

Then come the sex scenes. The first one is tolerable but as she goes on, they become so unbelievable that it becomes more laughable than erotic. She orgasms at the drop of a hat. He says her name and she orgasms. He simply touches her and she orgasms. It seems that she's climaxing on every page.

Then there's the writing. If you take out the parts where the female character is blushing or chewing her lips, the book will be down to about 50 pages. Almost on every single page, there is a whole section devoted to her blushing, chewing her lips or wondering "Jeez" about something or another. Then there's the use of "shades of". He's "fifty shades of @#$%% up," "she turned 7 shades of crimson," "he's ten shades of x,y, and z." Seriously?

They're also talking about making it into a film. However, never let it be said, I would give an opinion on something I haven't read/seen so I've just ordered a free sample to see what the fuss is about.

Maybe have another look at the picture! Not too sure you got it on first glance :)

These books are of interest to men.  No, really.

Their popularity is a loud and clear wake-up call to men that we need to drop the romanticized, idealized, squeaky-clean notions of female sexuality and start dealing with female desire as it exists, not in the manner that we'd like it to be.  Men who engage in the pedestalization of women are terrified to confront the reality of feminine sexuality because it would conflict with their too-perfect worldview.  20 million copies have been sold; each one suggesting that some male introspection is in order.

Placed before woman, most of us interact, seduce, and f**k like limp jellyfish.  Summoning our courage, conviction, and the force of our masculine will does everyone a favor.  Especially women.

TL;DR-- Men: move through life without apology, have a purpose, and start f**king her like you mean it.

had been thinking of buying and reading it. Now when you mention Barbara Cartland gone wild... what the hell am I waiting for?!?  ;-)

We could start "Phoebe's weekend book reading club" . . . and probably get members signing up faster than on Facebook !!!

Hmmmm... DaVinci Code sold 80 million copies according to Wikipedia. Does this mean that we should believe in that crock of shite? 

I really liked this review.

No.  You missed the point by a mile.

The point is not the content; it's the popularity of the content.  50 is from a niche genre with supposedly limited market appeal.  From a literary perspective, it's a piece of shit with non-existent copy editing.  In spite of these things, it managed to sell 20M copies.  This speaks volumes about the audience and what appeals to them. 

DaVinci having 80M readers also tells us something about said readers, though the consumers of books that involve grey silk ties as bedroom restraints are far more interesting.  To me, at least.

No, I didn't miss the point at all. All the same can be said about the DaVinci Code's writing. And with that book as well, it was the popularity of the content.

Underground or so-called forbidden literature has always had wild sales and been passed from hand to hand. It is only recently that publishers have been able to measure sales openly. In fact, DH Lawrence's Lady Chatterly's Lover changed UK obscenity law in 1960 when it was deemed to have literary merit despite using terms such as "fuck."

Meanwhile, for those interested in what can happen in one of these real-life sex games with unhinged personalities, the murder of international financier, Eduoard Stern -- here in Geneva's fashionable Terrasière neighborhood -- provides interesting reading.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/17/cecile-brossard-murdered-_n_217083.h

Whatever floats your boat...

If you can measure it openly and it appears on late night karaokes, then it ain't very underground.

Not any longer, no.

Von Throbber! Be still my beating heart!

Who said anything about unhinged personalities?  I see no point in attempting to conflate homicidal intent with a consensual erotic power exchange...

Sure. No problem.

Some people like eroticized dominance. And individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder often pair themselves with Masochists. Like any "power exchange" in all areas of life, things can get out of hand...

But hey...like I said, whatever floats your boat.

are you sure, he was referring to his heart?

ah ah...no, i wouldn't want that responsability, but thank you for the suggestion Poster!

I like the way you think Richard!

Hello rena!! Good to see you are still here too :))

have you read this book? Or were you just stoping by to say hello?

Perverts!

reading is for theorists...not doers or realists

Do I know how to sell a book or what??

More seriously, not trying to convince anyone, but curious to get feedbacks from those who had read it.

For me it's a no brainer (!!!), I never tried to put the book in any other category than "Brainless good time at the beach",

How the hell did it become a best seller in such a short amount of time, i have no idea...but I suspect a clever PR agent who did a fantastic job in marketing this "product" (not even talking about all the product placement made in the books).

You should not waste your time over-thinking, over-analysing it. This is not literature. Just my 2 cents of course.

Sounds like a dare....

Well, the ideas of BDSM and consensual sexual power exchange can indeed be interesting to discuss, especially in the context of gender stereotyping.

Somehow, I suspect the whole idea would be much less fascinating if the main male character were not a billionaire, master-of-the-universe fantasy prince. 

Then again, mind-blowing sex and getting away from housework would make any woman happy, I suppose...

Oh my!

Thank you for your comment Tea. I was not ashamed of reading the book at all, but I read it only from the comfort of my bed, at home!

So that no one would interrupt me... eh eh eh

No one should be ashamed of reading any book. 

There is already quite a lot of women's erotica out there -- perhaps not as "mainstream" -- and much of it written with much less silliness. Anais Nin's Delta of Venus was penned in the 1940s...

For more contemporary writings including audio, one might peruse this site:

www.literotica.com

It is important to be conversant on a wide range of topics these days...

No worries Tea, I really didn't take your comment personnally! 

Here's a funny picture I found tonight, a lighter note....

I just saw your wonderful pic and thought I'd say hello! Long time.. 

And no: Haven't read the book yet

Yes, that would be a great idea to put up a picture :))

Have a great week-end too.

Yes I do live in Geneva and now after this discussion I'm super curious! If they are as riveting as The Hunger Games, I can probably read in a few days. If you're serious about lending it out, I'll just take the first book and see how it goes....and then return it to you in say 3 days?

Let me know ;) 

Well, send me an email with your details and we can sort out something even for this week-end if you want, or next week...

Cheers

Phoebs

I read them, they are entertaining.. The first and third at least.  The second was annoying.  The writing is bad, the word choice is ultra repetitive to the point of being obnoxious, and its incredibly unbelievable (A girl who orgasms every time? really?!?!?!?)  Also the word choice is off.. no 22 year old American girl (virgin nonetheless!) talks like that.  My boyfriend bought me the series and after he read one paragraph said nevermind!  it's entertaining though, a great poolside read, and she creates a likeable character.  It'll be interesting as a movie though. 

Or... Fifty Shades of ... Poulet....

Ah ah ah... now I'm hungry!

I totally agree with you on this.......I personally only read the first book and I must admit that even though it is not the finest piece of literary works as far as they come, it was an interesting read........and I am looking forward to the next Fifty Shades of 'Whatever'.....

I totally agree with you on this......personally I only read the first book and I must admit even though it was not the finest of literary works as they come, it was nonetheless an interesting read.......I am looking forward to the next Fifty Shades of 'Whatever'........

LexI: and its incredibly unbelievable (A girl who orgasms every time? really?!?!?!?)

Thanks for the laugh Richard!!

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-entertainment/men-puzzled-by-porn-that-you-read-2012061931006

"...Plumber Roy Hobbs said: “It doesn’t have the word ‘Slutz’ on it in neon lettering or any females covered in soap suds. That’s a level of subtlety I find intimidating.”

However copywriter Julian Cook said: “I’m a sophisticated man. I’ve known books can be sexy ever since I frotted myself raw to chapter five of James Herbert’s The Rats aged 13.

“But apparently my life partner, who was furious when I bought her crotchless panties for Valentine’s Day, now thinks it’s really hot to read about virgins signing contracts to be sex slaves.

“I’ve suggested we do some of that submissive-dominant stuff but she’s told me to piss off. I’ll never understand women.”

Francesca Johnson, Mr Cook’s girlfriend, explained: “Sexual subjugation is hugely arousing when practised with a devastatingly handsome multi-millionaire who buys you iPads and Audis, less so with someone who picks his toenails during CSI: Miami.”

fait accompli.

Francesca Johnson, Mr Cook’s girlfriend, explained: “Sexual subjugation is hugely arousing when practised with a devastatingly handsome multi-millionaire who buys you iPads and Audis, less so with someone who picks his toenails during CSI: Miami.”

Reason #361 why to not get married or cohabitate with your lover.  =)

So someone like this would be in the ballpark?

You guys are hilarious!!

Thank you so much for your fun spirit and light mood.

val never, ever, misses your point ..

Ah....men!

Here's the official video of the above Steel Panther song...

As well as some Lady Gaga to start off the weekend...

well if you can beat the girl that gave me a blowjob within 3 hours of meeting I am game

romance books are porn for women

How much did that cost?

TMI

"there is nothing in the book but some fantasy sex with a filthy rich guy"

You say that as if it were a bad thing....

if such rubbish can sell so quick maybe I should pen a book about my (imaginary ) life... it would be something like "Family Guy meets Californication meets The Hangover"...

best seller for sure... 

nothing - unless you count the train fare - LOL

i miss the good old days of glocals and wanton women and random sex

reminds me of that joke or observation...

whats the difference between pornography and erotica?

one uses a feather the other uses the whole chicken

It wasn't interesting for me at all, I only read a quarter of the book and stopped. I think this book was meant for college girls. 

Lovely to meet a grown up

wow.... you're not even offering to buy me a drink first??

Good thing romance is dead then?!

My choices:
Gosling maybe,
Chris Evans,
Henry Cavill
Colin Egglesfield (piercing blue eyes!)

And in Ana's role:
Bella Heathcote
Emma Watson
Emma Stone

and they forgot an obvious one...Bradley Cooper!! eh eh eh

why should I?

romance is just the insipid backwards rationalisation for women to enjoy being fucked by good looking men

LOL - glocals gangbang

Sorry cant make it...

Too busy having sex with 5 top models in the back of my Aston Martin, which is parked on the back of my yacht in St Trop...

Lucky girls they are...

How could you leave Keith P out of the running?!

Loved the book (50 shades of grey)

My choice: Emma stone & Robert Pattinson

Hey-you like DEVO!!! We MUST meet up!!!

And...incidentally,why does everyone on Glocals seem to get hyper and sweaty when the topic of sex appears??It happens on the forums and in café philo -are they all starved and frustrated luv-junkies?If so,maybe we ought to set up a kind of help/support network?

Basically guys....are you getting enough?

Some of us are concerned......

Sorry Tea but...still sounds like frustration to me....what about REAL sex??

Oh daêr- in my experience,Am.dram,whether Lausanne or geneva willinvolve giggles and polite restraint.Not at all the wild flood of emotion that we need!

one wonders if people on here are....getting enough?

Mmm-still feel Glocals types are existing in a dantéesque circle of sexual frustration.

Why is this?So many young,fit gorgeous people turn up at Glocals events! What's going wrong?

Tea! dear, now that you've draaaaaged me in...very soon i'll is find this book, read it before i surely organize this event... (hopefully this year). Shall i call it "new geneva buds meet old rich grumpies & spicy food"?

people are all talk on this thread - prudes and virgins - reading books instead of actually doing - well thats women for you

the difference in male female sex drives almost assures that men do not get enough - this is the true nature of power in the world

off topic but I think the "self help" book - Who Moved My Cheese gets more of a love hate reaction - personally I think its a stupid vile book

i'm on the second book and i am loving it... i dont think it's only from the author's fantasizing mind but i see that it does or it may really happen in real life.. you see if i were the 21 years old college virgin girl and i made my first ¨love making¨ to a hunky billionaire guy..i would also get gaga with him... we women are mostly emotional and i can see how she would feel to a guy like him... for a guy to show such concern and passion that would be very overwhelming... the thing is,, in this generation.. romance has vanished... have you ever been so crazy to anybody.??? 

romance only ever existed in your mind - i think the saddest thing is that men got sucked into that BS as well

love is just sex mispelt

why should i worry about being excluded from a ficticious orgy? - its all BS talk on this thread - again far too many theorists not enough realists...I suppose its safe having sex by proxy through inept literature rather than getting down and dirty in real life

Yes i loved the book ;)

Well for starters it’s well written.

It’s not porn for men and it’s not romance from women.

It braces in between. (so its interesting for both the sexes)

The interesting part is it leaves most for the imagination ;)

Plus he has a helicopter & a helipad in his building and he is a control freak & has RULES.

It is certainly worth a read. :)

totally disagree..  maybe you might have not been there yet or your just ignoring the fact that ¨love¨ really exist and it could really make you do some things that you did'nt know you could do... the book ain't the first to point it out... as i can see your  totally ¨fifty shades¨ also...

the point is every woman or mostly, would like to meet somebody like Christian Grey and it's a fact that it's not only because he is rich but because  of the attention and affection that he is showing to her.. that's where imagination comes out.. where a female reading the book would wish that a guy would do the same thing to her.. and a male reading it  would be thinking ¨why not it could exciting¨.. so actually i think it's almost reality...

and the sex ..well if you would be that crazy to anybody hell yeah you would the same thing as Anna and Christian are doing...

You're a legend mate! Say it as it is!

You're a legend mate! Say it as it is!

I am so glad that someone finally brought up the point that this book is Twilight fanfiction gone mainstream!

Still... sounds like it might be worth a read ; )

You're dead right Keith. People are all talk on this thread.

No one is forcing you to stay on the "BS thread" you know :)

[quote] people are all talk on this thread - prudes and virgins - reading books instead of actually doing - well thats women for you

 [quote] keith p, Today 07:07

You're dead right Keith. People are all talk on this thread.[/quote][/quote]

I'm just hoping that you guys are joking...

because I found these comments rather offensive :(

Hi Phoebe,

I apologize if you found what I wrote in any way offensive but it wasn't directed at you at all. You posted a light funny, topic which generated a lot of interest and I for one thank you for it. It honestly wasn't my intention to offend you almost all of the people on this thread.

My last comment was directed soley at Keith.

The reason being is when you meet the guy in person, he's polite, well-spoken, considerate, appears to be courteous and respectful to women, is clearly intelligent and funny. Complete opposite to his posts.

So you'll forgive me for being amazed when he posts offensive, misoganistic comments that are the complete opposite of how he comes across in real life.

Frankly, if he's so hell bent on creating a Geneva Gang Bang Group or posting an event then he should just do so instead of posting comments that only serve to piss people off and make him appear smart when all it does come across as a cry for help.

@Keith - so given that "people are all talk on this thread - prudes and virgins - reading books instead of actually doing" Why don't you set up the above event. That way, we'll all know you not one of the prudes you class as "all talk".

No offense taken Rich, I just needed to make sure I understood you right. Thank you for taking the time to explain the logic behind these posts. It's always so difficult to judge if someone is actually serious or just joking around when you never met them

Clearly spoken from your own experience, mate. I mean, witnessing your approach in this forum I would not be surprised if your experience is limited to a restricted range of women who would find it attractive. Or perhaps during your (by your own admission) rare encounters you don’t do much to inspire women, ignite their drive or feed their appetite for more.

I would not get the impression, from personal experience and from the women posting in this forum, that there is an asymmetry in sexual drive amongst the genders, only a difference in approach and, obviously, in success rate. By the way, you may be interested in learning that misogyny is not usually positively correlated with copulatory success. But, hey, who cares, that is just boring behavioural science, not glocal gangbanging.

Frankly, consider that what you are doing is what in marketing is called blaming the customer for your failures. In business, you can blame consumers for not buying your product, but you are better off if you improve it or at the very least enhance your marketing skills. In politics, blaming your constituency for their lack of support gets you nowhere, while improving your proposals and policies and showing you care for them, builds a strong and loyal following.

I bring all this up, not to pick on you Keith but, because, herein may lie the explanation of the success of the book “50 Shades of Grey.” I mean, really, what would a woman prefer, to spend an evening hearing cold facts about what you really want whispered in your ears by the likes of Keith, who will not even buy you a drink, or submerge yourself in the fantasy world of E.L. James. Perhaps James’ resorting to such an unlikely character as Christian Grey says more about the quality, behavior and characteristics of the available pool of men (in these days of overgrown children clinging to their video games and “action” movies) than about the tastes or alleged naivité of  women.

Just some thoughts and a little friendly advice from a not rich but adequately remunerated reliable guy, old enough to focus on matters of significance but not too old to be unable to pursue them, and only grumpy when I haven’t had my daily dose of romance; with decent skills at cooking spicy food, and without a yatch but at least I do own a decent sail boat. And hey, at least I am getting enough (spicy food, that is).

I mention all that, measuring them against the unmatchable characteristics of the fictional character of Christian Grey, because, the fact is, like me, most of us will never live up to the fantasies of the kind of man women may aspire to share their time with, just as most men aspire to women with certain characteristics. But if you don’t ---in the pursuit of a fulfilling life--, become someone who at least some women would find worth sharing their time with, you will spend your life exhibiting 50 different shades of frustration, as Keith and others have in this forum.

About that drink, Phoebe, I will be happy to buy it for you, no strings attached (grey silk tie optional).

And, about the photo, TeaB: that amazing high definition close up of you is certainly a great improvement over your days as an oversized scarlet poultry. That purple shirt really suits you and goes well with the sunglasses. By the way, who is that young woman in front of the shop who looks like she has just read “50 shades of grey”?

Buzzcocks, you are right in wondering if people posting in this forum are getting enough, and I think you know the answer. Sex is probably one of the things we are all short of in this increasingly impersonal and alienated society, especially when you live as an expatriate and if you are a single busy professional. All the forums and groups in this site are, what else, but expressions of the need and desire to connect with others. And, yes, of course, sex is a central natural drive, the experience of which --I agree with several of the women posters here--, is hugely enhanced before, during and after, by the wonderful emotions that are borne of the magic of special moments shared with a kindred spirit under the stars, in a meadow or on a mountain top, skiing together in Zermatt or Megeve, sailing in Lac Annecy; emotions elicited by the tenderness of a spontaneous soft caress, or by staring at each other after a good dinner tenderly prepared served with a well-chosen bottle of wine, or by having someone bring you a warm breakfast in bed, or simply by the notes of a melody through which a gifted musician so aptly captured a stirring emotion.

And, Keith, if you are going to dismiss “romance [as] just the insipid backwards rationalisation for women…,” and lament that “the saddest thing is that men got sucked into that BS as well,” as a neurobiologist I will be happy to explain in biological terms the nature of the verbalizations and behavioural displays encompassed by that concept,  the significance of their evolutionary role in mating, maintaining the cohesion of parenting couples and the dynamics of social groups. I will even throw in some exquisite cellular and molecular details of the neural networks and hormonal mechanisms underlying them. It is odd that you try to dismiss it by stating that it “only ever existed in your mind”. I can’t think of a better place for it. Where else did you expect it to exist, if not alongside cognition, brilliant thoughts, creativity?

Finally, as discussion of some passages of the book seems to have triggered some odd reactions in some of the men, bordering in misogyny, I would add that there is a difference between domination fantasies and all kinds of experimentation in the comfort and intimacy of a close caring relationship, on the one hand, and selfish self-satisfaction, not to mention abuse, on the other.

Look forward to meeting you all one of these days….

"Just some thoughts and a little friendly advice from a not rich but adequately remunerated reliable guy, old enough to focus on matters of significance but not too old to be unable to pursue them, and only grumpy when I haven’t had my daily dose of romance; with decent skills at cooking spicy food, and without a yatch but at least I do own a decent sail boat. And hey, at least I am getting enough (spicy food, that is)."

Brilliant post JR... can I hire you as my PR...because, boy, you're good!

I'd be happy to accept your invitation for a drink :)) (I looove ties, what does it say about me?? eh eh eh)

"(I looove ties, what does it say about me?? eh eh eh)"

It depends on what you do with them. I use them all the time, mostly at work .

Let's talk about the PR job over that drink. But, frankly, witnessing the big brouhaha and the spike in book sales for "50 shades..." you created with an innocent 48 word post (and that is counting the "cheers"), it does not seem to me you need much help in that field.

JR M - this is not a critisism against you as you make some very valid and worthwhile points, but there must be something wrong with the world (or just something wrong with "Garbage American Fiction", as 50 shades has been validated.....) when I read forums like this and find myself agreeing with Keith P.  Lord save us all.....

There are a few things wrong with the world, Carolyn, as I am sure you have noticed. But "Garbage Fiction" of all genres be it by American or by British authors like EL James is, in my opinion, not intrinisically wrong, but a reflection of things that are wrong.

Otherwise, one can, inadvertently (and I am sure, unintentionally) find oneself validating those public libraries in several counties in Wisconsin, Georgia and Florida that removed the books from their shelves or refused to order the on the basis that such books are wrong and should be banned. Nor would I agree that there is something wrong with the over 31 million readers who have bought and read them, and those in this forum who enjoyed them.

What I tried to validate is not the books, but them, those readers, and in particular the women who found something in it that they find missing in their interactions with non-fictional men. As I said:

"I bring all this up.....because, herein may lie the explanation of the success of the book “50 Shades of Grey.”....Perhaps James’ resorting to such an unlikely character as Christian Grey says more about the quality, behavior and characteristics of the available pool of men (in these days of overgrown children clinging to their video games and “action” movies) than about the tastes or alleged naivité of  women."

Frankly, I have not read the 3 books. But it has been hard to miss the essence of their contents, the published extracts and the professional opinions of their poor literary qualities, for anyone interested in both civil liberties and literature (or should I say, the publishing world, which is not always the same thing). I am both a writer and have been active in the defense of civil liberties. As such, my view is that people have the right to have access to any and all books, whether I think of them as literary jewels or trash. And they should be able to pursue and express their preferences without being subject to derisive comments.

I do not see any harm in these books or in people acknowledging the scope of possibilities in all healthy expressions of sexuality. As long as they are consensual.

I would agree with you that there are many better reading choices. That is as far as I would go in characterizing the quality of the books, especially since I have not read them. But I am always concerned when books get criticized for their contents, especially when it is about politics or sexuality. Remember that some of Henry Miller's and Anais Nin's books, amongst others with unquestionable literary quality and insights on human nature, were banned and criticized because of their sexual content.

I think the interest in and market success of EL James' 3 books has more to do with a hunger (call it misplaced if you wish, but I prefer to respect it) for richer emotional, romantic, sexual experiences than what many are finding in their lives. And it is that hunger, which I do think merits validating.

I do not take your comment as a criticism against me, because, as I hope you can see, we do not disagree. I do hope your agreement with Keith is with his characterization of the book, not with his characterizations of women (which by the way, I hope and expect is more an example of over-enthusiasm and "web forum attempted humor  gone wild" than deep rooted misogyny.

JRM - you miss the point.  "Remember that some of Henry Miller's and Anais Nin's books, amongst others with unquestionable literary quality.....". 

Apart from the fact that placing James in the same sentence as Henry Miller or Anais Nin is literary heresy, the "literary quality" of James's books is TOTALLY questionable, to the extent that it almost distracts from the content. That is the "real" debate about this book. 

However, moving on......

You imply that literature "is a reflection of real life" - so how does this work?

In 'real life', I don't consider myself particularly funny or humorous, but when writing, (I am told) I am consistently witty and amusing.

In 'real life' you say "I am a writer" but when writing, you just come across as a sanctimonious, pompous, windbag.

So your arguement that literature reflects real life and real life reflects literature holds no weight.

Ouch, ouch, hmmmm, that felt good, Carolyn. Will you do it again?

 But will  you losen the ties a bit first?

As a great French philosopher once said: "you could have at least bought me a drink first"

 Now, boys and girls, playtime is over, put aside your iPads and go to your rooms. Mum and Dad are having a serious discussion. And stop reading that smut, it makes mommy very upset!

 I think I am going back to my life as a red chicken. It seems that I may not be safe in the streets of Geneva anymore. Besides, my boss will get really pissed if he finds out I used his photo.

(sticking my ear against to door to listen to Mum and Dad arguing...oopss I meant having a serious conversation in the room next door)

Come on JR M... you can not give up that easily... Caroline did make a good and valid point. 

i hope English isnt your first language as that does NOT even scan at all

LOL - people take some of my posts to heart - the blowjob story is still 100% true

the main trouble with setting up a swinging orgy gangfuck thing is...that my GF probably would nt like it I need a GF like Annabel Chong

but people still are all talk - hiding behind fiction while they they can just go out and have sex - its a female phenomen - ironically its EASIER for women to get sex too...

"Come on JR M... you can not give up that easily... Caroline did make a good and valid point."

                                         - Phoebe

Ah, she wants to see blood. Well, the ball is in her court.

More later.....

Ouch, easy, C., the children are watching

Not sure , what all the fuss is about , its a book, a book  that millions of people have enjoyed at different levels. Its entertainment for the masses, male or female. It s a work of fiction, conjured up by the writers imagination, that it. You either like it or you dont. There absolutely noting wrong with you for enjoying it, no matter what JRm thinks . If you like it then good. I have read the book, and to be honest i purchased it without realising what kind of book it was. I read it anyway, and enjoyed it for what it was. It was written for entertainment value, and theres no denying it worked, and earned the author millions in the process. There will always be books, and whether they are good or bad entirely depends on your own perspective. SO forget the high moral standards, and the low opinions of women. Everyone has there own opinion, and are perfectly entitled to it. However dont judge people just because they have read it or dont like it.

Hhmmmm, the same day we discover keith p has a girlfriend.....my bicycle pump goes missing.....

LOL - probably some deviant use for a pump I imagine

well we are not talking about events or activities but sex!...why read about it when you can relatively easily do it in real life? 

i have heard about this book but not even once hold it in my hands. And even tho I enjoy alot reading I would never read book which is full of porn. I rather be doing my own then reading about others. Of cours in my case non of you will read about it or watch it. I have asked my self few times "who would write about sex and make it in a book?" I guess the one who wish to have it all but has nothing... I feel sorry for them. 

Reltz666: I have asked my self few times "who would write about sex and make it in a book?" I guess the one who wish to have it all but has nothing... I feel sorry for them.

I don't feel sorry at all.

"...have contributed to James's estimated income of $1.35 million a week, according to Celebritynetworth.com.

"It's safe to assume that E.L. James has long ago sold enough copies to repay her seven-figure book advance, which means at this point she is earning the standard 7% royalty on every $14 paperback and 25% royalty on every $10 ebook," the website suggested.

"In the last month, James has sold 4 million paperbacks and 1 million ebooks, which equates to $2.94 million in paperback royalties and $2.497 million in ebook royalties."

The website added that James would probably be in line for a $20 million royalty cheque in September, based on current and expected sales in the coming months."

mister "i am smart ass", where is your point? i rather have great sex life then millions! true story! oh and dont start whit... all this money can buy you lot of sex... it wont never be the same!

You are correct.  I could use $20M to buy a fantastic sex life for myself, as could most men.

You with $20M, on the other hand, could not do the same.  It just wouldn't be satisfying, correct?

I love being male.  It's good to have options.

hahahahahha, I love your answer!!

Come on... why making such narrow-minded assumptions? Desire starts in the mind lady. Intercourse is the happy conclusion to a wonderful series of desire teasers...Books do a great job in teasing the imagination.... Oh and by the way, what's wrong with porn?

porn is utility - a means to an end - if mens sex drives were as painfully low as womens porn would not exist.

some porn can be very interesting and even artistic though most 99.9999% isnt

I probably will get this post pulled

Take Off - best porn film ever made - back in the era when porn attempted to have plots decent acting and emotional resonance - plus fucking of course!

Michael Ninn's Shock visually interesting and its both a mind and body fuck

gold diggers and trophy wives DO exist

I have met a few women in my time here which I could easily classify that way - the only difference between them and the ladies in Paquis is the difference in value they place on their vaginas

the main problem is that an average woman does not even need 20M to have men wanting sex with her - disparity in sex drives makes it a given

Maybe, when someone hits the "Unsubscribe from Thread" button, Site Admin should enquire as to why.

I could give them a damm good reason why I'm unsubscribing from this, but I wouldn't want to spoil the questionabley, sick, enjoyment keith p gets from his distateful posts.

yes, you are right! and yes there are ppl out there who will do anything for money :) But I dont need what is yours. I rather own my own and work hard for it to gane respect! also keep my own freedom in many ways! But i do must say, this book am sure it is great for lot of people out there and she is lucky women to gain so much respect for it. Of cours she is great writer how els she was able to write something so successful!

you quote 20m sales..but this is drop in the ocean compared to the VAST porn industry for men

female desire is very low at best barring a few peaks of chemicals during their cycle (when they become freaky bitches) ..whereas men's it very high barring depression, insanity or homosexuality

if the truth about sexuality is distasteful...good luck to you...you dont have to continue to read

dont understand - seriously

"the main problem is that an average woman does not even need 20M to have men wanting sex with her - disparity in sex drives makes it a given"

Oh, Keith, you leave yourself so open, you make it impossible to resist the temptation to take a swipe at you. So here we go:

It is your main problem. The rest of us men do not need 20 M to have women wanting sex with us. Maybe you would not have a problem if you stopped placing them all in the "ladies in Paquis" category.

Yep, it is clear there are a few things you don't understand mate... women, for one 

Keith shows his lack of understanding of women and sexuality quite openly with his quote

" female desire is very low at best barring a few peaks of chemicals during their cycle (when they become freaky bitches) ..whereas men's it very high barring depression, insanity or homosexuality"

'Women's sex drives are painfully low...' and 'female desire is very low'.

I just hope you're girlfiend's not reading this because, as the French would say, "Tu la gonfles!"

'Women's sex drives are painfully low...'

Oh, Keith, here we go again.... do not generalize the sex drive women display with you into a general condition applying to all women all the time. Notice I was generous and used the plural ("women"). By the way, did we just witness you moving from misogyny to homophobia?

"whereas men's it very high barring depression, insanity or homosexuality"

Hi folks,

After receiving several complaints about this thread I read some of the posts.

I found some interesting opinions, but I also found that some people here seem to think that if they include the words fuck, pussy, bang, blowjob etc enough times it will make them/their posts seem more interesting. 

I don't consider myself a prude but I don't think this type of language is necessary or impressive and I don't want it here.

Feel free to post but keep it clean & respectful please.

Oded  

Damn! This is what happen when the parents leave the kids unattended on this thread, the Webmaster gets his whip out! ( did I hear naughty?)...

But I'm not sure if I should feel flattered or ashamed (re. Oded's intervention). Which somehow kinda of blends in right into the "discussion" at hand...feeling proud or ashamed of having read "Fifty Shade of Grey"? I, for one, am not asahmed at all.

I would love to read more of your comments...but please, lets keep it fun, light and witty. Thank you ;)

Every day sounds good to me :)

Wow! Who'd have thunk it! 

SOunds good to me too :) 

I've just realized the hero of that book has a fan page on FB... a friend just "I like"-ed that pic...

never imagined a fictional character could have a fan page... but hey... why not they are obviously discussing who should get the movie part.

All this got me really curious to know what made it so popular... I just bought the first book, it was on sale at Payot and took it with me to read at the beach... I'll let you know Phoebe if it was worth my money but either way you should get rewarded for your PR contribution

eh eh eh... Thanks Izzie, you're too kind

I'm looking forward to getting your feedbacks and comments...even if you don't like the book.

I am still amazed at the passion this book is generating...and now a FB page!

Meanwhile in the 'real' world here in Switzerland, it's Fifty Shades of Desperation  for people searching for housing. 

http://www.thelocal.ch/page/view/many-willing-to-trade-sex-for-somewhere-to-live

"Some 36 percent of male respondents said that they would be willing to secure or consider securing an apartment with an immoral offer, such as a one-night stand. In contrast, only one in every 14 women said they would entertain such a proposition."

36% eh?  In other news, water is wet.

this seemed appropiate :) 

Hey Phoebe!

Just came back from my holidays in Italy and brought you back a little photo reportage

It's so hot... what is there to do except lying in the shade... with 50 shades of grey...

Suddenly I notice I am not the only one... bearing the heat of the summer

best review ever !  

thanks `Rich for making me smile .. 

I am on book 2 .. I enjoyed book one .. needed a break from the world , and yes i did enjoy it ... but half way through book 2 i have totally lost interest in its repetetiveness  .. and the reivew - could not be more right !  hilarious 

and LOL Izzy .. despite what i said .. so do i ! 

Is that a wedding ring in the woman's left hand?

Hmmm, I always suspected the success of "Fifty shades...." said more about the men in the lives of its women's readers, than about them.

Ah ah ah...excellent Izzie!! It looks like you were having a really hard time there! eh eh eh

Excellent!

thought you might like this :) 

But did you manage to get over the boring part and read the 3rd book? i found the second book really repetitive and boring too... almost gave up.

LOVE it!! Amazon has a great sense of humour

As a 30 years old woman = with experience, i think it is a big marketing operation. The author put all sucessful details of Twilight, I expected more despite sometime she describes some real life situation (the girl who feels bad, who's looking for a job, who wonders what to do with the guy, etc...

Anastasia is supposed to be an intelligent woman, well she is not. She is very submissive ! It's always him who chooses and rules her life despite she get enough experience to tell the guy "I want that" Looks like science fiction : Christian (the guy always get in touch. Do you think in real life guys call and so on... ? And the guy who talks bad, act bad and wants serious things, come on it is like Disneyland :p And she gets excited even with absurd things ! that looks like big excitement for the stupid woman who never experienced life and violent part of life and find SM, slave attitude excessive. That kind of girl should go to some countries where women are treaten like slaves so they can get big excitement for free. 

Christian Gray is an asshole. If I ever met him I would say "no" from the beginning. But you know what ? that kind of asshole could run after you just because you said no, lol 

Anastasia gets on MY nerves - she is SUCH a moaner and always questioning why good things are happening in her life (i.e. Grey... well she thinks he is good). I wish she would just get on with it, enjoy him and stop tinking so much !! 

and Phoebe - not onto book 3 yet ...  still battling with book 2   yawn !   tho an assumedly 'big event' has just happened which may keep me interested for a while 

haha,

nice wishfull thinking. But seriously: 5 problems crammed in such a small place and you somewhere in between?! Man, you really are flexible!!

btw: is this your aston martin...?

I haven't read all of the comments on these books, but let me give my 'fifty' cents worth :-0.  I heard about these books LONG before I actually got my hands on them.  My "little" sister gave them to me recently.  My best friend said she was 'shocked' that I would even think of reading such rubbish.  But she didn't read them herself...so I wondered how she could really know they were rubbish?  She had no answer (which is unusal for her) so I defiantly started to read them in front of her :=)

I have just started Fifty Shades of Grey and my first impression is that it's probably like watching a porn movie (not that I'd know of course :-)... crap scenario, crap actors and you find yourself wanting to fast forward to the "juicy bits'....if you pardon the pun :-).  Fifty Shades seems, at first read, to be just that.  Crap story line, crap writing and I'm wondering if the 'juicy bits' will not be an anti-climax (I swear it, these puns are not on purpose!!). 

How can someone who says "Holy Cow, he's freakin hot"...be SERIOUSLY the kind of person who is going to take any pleasure out of the (supposedly, as I haven't got there yet) the weird sex stuff Grey is in to? Or any sex full stop!.  Now if she thought he was a "real ride', there might be hope for her!

Not sure how far I'm going to get in these books but given the success they seeming had I couldn't NOT read them, right? 

Off to continue my read and see if boring little Anastasia isn't a raging lioness after all and if Grey really is as "hot" as he seems :-)

Don't apologise  Tea... it just means we're not quite done with this topic just yet 

As for the choice for Christian Grey... I've already posted earlier, but I can add a little variation: this Thomas Beaudoin guy is really hot and Henry Cavill is by far my favourite

911...I'm on fire

Where did my link go??!!?

http://youtu.be/cwWnIhFd8gA

http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Shelves-Grey-Erotically-ebook/dp/B008FO151Q

This could be an improvement as it's by an actual writer.