Book Review: Fifty Shades Darker

By now, we’re all familiar with the trilogy that’s sending women everywhere into a frenzy. E.L. James’s tantalizing Fifty Shades of Grey series is so big that fan trailers are being made and the casting of Mr. Grey (in the upcoming film) has become one of the biggest conundrums in Hollywood.

Despite the hype, I’ve got to be honest… I’m just not that into the series. It took me nearly two months to finish Fifty Shades Darker—the second in the trio. In this installment, Mr. Grey and Miss Steele fall deeper in love despite living in a state of constant drama, lies and manipulation.

While I continue to find the main characters interesting, there isn’t a tremendous amount of character development. Sure, Mr. Grey alters his lifestyle as a result of his love for Ana, but I see them as more circumstantial changes than personal growth. I also find the plot too cyclical. I wanted something else, something surprising, to happen between the main players besides a game of “let’s kiss and make up.”

That being said, one could argue that Fifty Shades…aren’t meant to be thought provoking. There doesn’t need to be complex plots or a tremendous amount of character development. I see that perspective, and can understand it. I too enjoy a “fluffy read” every now and then.

Despite what I think, many of my friends are obsessed with the series. I wonder though, did they actually like the writing/story or the feeling of being “good girls gone bad?”

 

 

 

 

 

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