Well, I borrowed 50 Shades of Grey from a friend to see what all the fuss was about.

At first, I thought it was OK. I could kind of relate to Anastasia. I didn't like all the needless vulgarity, but I had been warned about that and tried not to let it distract me.

Then, I got to the part where he sends her the contract. Genital clamps?? Nipple clamps?? What could possibly be "hot" about hurting someone like that? I can kind of see how bondage could be hot if it was done so that it didn't hurt and both people were into it, but actual pain... that's another matter. In fact, it seems like a man who gets off on abusing the most sensitive parts of women during sex is pretty sick, as is a woman who gets off on being physically tortured by a man (sorry to all any "dom" or "sub" I'm offending). I got repulsed and had to put the book down.

Besides, I don't need to read it to know what's coming up. Let me guess. Initially resistant, Ana gives in because she loves him and of course he would never TRULY hurt her! Then she discovers she LIKES being "punished" and begs him for more, so it's all good! It will be "sweet torture" right?

I just can't stand to read a woman telling a man how much she loves it when he hurts her. "Please, Master! Torture me some more! It feels so good! And even if I tell you to stop, just keep going anyway, 'cause I'm sure eventually I'll be loving it!"



And what kind of example does this set for young girls who are reading it and thinking how hot it would be to let a man hurt them? Guess what girls, the men who are into those kind of things are NOT romantic heroes and when they beat you, it doesn't "feel so good." It's appalling to contemplate how many young girls will accept this treatment when a new boyfriend suggests it thinking they'll eventually like it because Ana did and that the guy is just "misunderstood", and then wind up brutally victimized by a sicko.

I'm sorry. I know many of you guys like it. It's just... not my thing.