This week’s book review

FILLING the gap in the adult market that the Twilight and Hunger Games series have for the tweens, E. L. James’ much talked about (in hushed tones, of course) trilogy has stormed book charts around the world since the first instalment was published in May 2011.

BOOK

The Fifty Shades trilogy

E. L. James

FILLING the gap in the adult market that the Twilight and Hunger Games series have for the tweens, E. L. James’ much talked about (in hushed tones, of course) trilogy has stormed book charts around the world since the first instalment was published in May 2011.

Louisiana state library’s decision to ban the series, slamming it as ‘mommy porn’, saw sales soar once again when the erotic trilogy made global news.

Set in Seattle, self-made business mogul, Christian Grey, is forced to confront his unique lifestyle and obsession with control when he meets dowdy, book-worm, Anastasia Steele.

Desperate to ensnare Anastasia, Christian finds himself breaking all the rules he so carefully set up to protect himself and ensure his chaotic life remains on an even keel.

In addition to the unlikely love story blossoming with Anastasia, Christian’s difficult start in life and enviable success have made him unpopular in several circles, circles that have the means and the motive to seriously hurt him and his family.

To be honest, the erotic segments get a little tedious and repetitive, but are soon replaced by repeated, overt romantic gestures, and then those get a little tedious.

It’s all nothing you haven’t read before, provided you’re already acquainted with the likes of Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins.

That said, there is more than enough of a storyline behind the shock-factor that ensured sales exceeding ten million to keep you turning the page, all 1664 pages if you make it to the end of the third instalment.

Ashley Whittaker