Firstly, I must confess that I have not read the book. I have only seen one woman reading it in public but, apparently, millions of women are addicted to it and are attempting to live out the experience of the female protagonist called Anastasia Steele. Crikey! I am still stuck on trying to find time to bake cakes for my daughter rather than buying them from the fancy expensive cake shops that charge big prices for delicious little cakes. Anyway, I digress.
The book has been called 'Mummy porn'. I find this quite disturbing but cannot quite come up with a solid reason as to why this is so and am swimming in a myriad of self appraising options. I am a Christian Mummy so it wouldn't be right would it to read porn? On the other hand, the act of reading is just that isn't it and does not extend to actual participation? Also, I pride myself on being a feminist so the thought of reading acres of print on how a woman is taught to be submissive to gain pleasure does not seem appealing. But if 10 million women have read it then am I missing out on something?
Perhaps the real reason maybe that all my reading consists of political or theological books and magazines and something like Fifty Shades would stand out among that lot. My 12 year old would head straight for it, pick it up and then yelp. Where would my Christian feminist mothering principles stand then?
My daughters in their 20's and 30's are raving about this book. I haven't read it and from their description am not sure that I want too.
ReplyDeleteI read an article in Christianity magazine that was very negative. Relationships from my perspective are about mutual respect and equality, they have offered to lend it to me but I'd rather read Song of Songs which has beautiful sexual content.
I'm not a feminist but I once was in a violent relationship and there was nothing good about it. Perhaps that sounds a bit prissy, but there is excellent literature out there, not all by Christians.
Most of my books are theology too with a few novels and if anyone wants a romping hilarious read, get "The Hundred year Old Man Who jumped out of the window and dissapeared "by Jonas Jonasson!
Delighted to finally have someone share an opinion about this book. I think you have hit the nail on the head by mentioning 'violent relationship' for isn't that what the book is about? If even there is mutual consent there is still something disturbing about having so many women rave about a novel that features a submissive woman and a man with sexual violent needs. I shall certainly look out for the book that you mention and thank you for the tip.
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