Sunday, June 3, 2012

Fifty Shades of Lady Porn

I'm not going to pretend like I didn't love those freaking books. Reading them I felt like I was doing something risque and quite possibly naughty. Hence the name, Lady Porn.
I've seen my fair share of actual porn and let me tell you, that stuff sucks for women. On what planet am I supposed to be turned on by watching a skinny, probably coked-out woman with daddy issues take it up the pooper? And even the porn intended for women audiences is a joke. Know what they do in those? Talk more. Great. Now Skinny McIssues is an actress.
Just...no. No.
Books, however, allow me to use my imagination and conveniently skip parts I'm not down with. I can edit to my hearts content and never, ever, have to see anybody's bleached butthole.
Thank you, E.L. James.
The thing I take exception to in this series, as with virtually every other romance writer I've ever read, is the female lead. Anastasia Steele's personality in general is enjoyable. She's kind of funny and possibly schizophrenic as she often hears voices in the form of her Inner Goddess and Subconscious.
It's the body image stuff I struggle with.
With Anastasia Steele for the first time in my reading experience, the woman admits she likes being extra skinny. She likes the leanness of her body when she doesn't eat enough and exercises too much (albeit in the form of near-constant orgasmic intercourse). Throughout the books the male lead, Christian, is constantly telling her to eat. He even puts it in the initial contract that he has his submissives sign. The sub is required to eat three meals a day, no snacking, and by the way, work out with his personal trainer. Weight gain is not allowed.
At one point Ana gains maybe four pounds, Christian points it out to her in a positive way as in "I like your curves" but she is offended and vows not to eat the rest of the day. REALLY?
Look, I'm all for romance and kinky fuckery but I'm not cool with borderline anorexia.
Anastasia is not only skinny to the point of being bony, I am also supposed to believe she is tragically klutzy but I will allow that given this was originally Twilight fan fiction therefore the characters are inspired by that series. Which I also lurve. Sparkly vampires? Yes please!
But seriously, women (and men) have enough pressure on them to be beautiful. And in our culture you are not allowed to be considered beautiful if you aren't thin. Really thin. If someone could please write me a novel (or series of dirty lady porn books, whatevs) where the heroine is like, a size 8 or 10, that would be great. Because I'm never going to be skinny to the point of size 0. And by the way, most of us look awful when our entire skeleton is on display. I don't need to be able to see where you broke your clavicle when you were nine. Let's have a little mystery. Please.
Otherwise two thumbs up for Fifty Shades!

-Anyone out there have questions or comments about Fifty? Bring it! Or if you have any questions for me or things you want to hear me rant about, by all means, bring it on!

3 comments:

  1. Interesting take on the book...I am reading the series now, and find that it was poorly written for one. The sex scenes are not realistic at all, and all the hype seems so far fetched to me cause this is so far from BDSM its not even funny. With that being said. I do find it funny at times, and I do like the characters. Anas skinny character fits her perfectly...her personality and everything. She is insecure. That is how society makes most woman feel. That is realistic. Spite her inner feelings he falls in love with her. Spite both of their fuckedupness they are perfect for one another. This book at best shows a great love story. Two people that never could get out their own way finally see the light. The book gives hope. Its a feel good kind of story.

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  2. Thanks for the input DMDL - I totally agree with you that it really is a sweet love story. I definitely don't know enough about bdsm to be able to know how realistic it is but I love things that encourage us to think outside the box and make fantasy more reachable. :-)

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  3. Well said Erin. I guess there are many levels of BDSM, and these books are very minor to what I have read about. I expected more of it due to all the hype. BTw....I thought more of your description of Ana. You said she may even have a touch of Schizophrenic. I laughed actually at that because I myself find at times an inner voice talking to me. More of an instinct or feeling. Maybe we all have a touch of it...lol.

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