Monday, May 7, 2012

Fan Friction

Okay, so I read the first few pages of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY just to see what all the fuss was about. I wasn't thrilled with the writing. To be honest, I don't know how it got past an editor. Yes, I know the history of it being fan fiction, but I still feel like it could have been polished before being released with a major publisher. And just to let you know, I didn't go into it looking for mistakes. But it was just very sloppy, and that's all I'll say.

Anyway, there's a story today about some libraries down in Florida refusing to carry the book because of its erotic content. My problem with this is, there are already books on the shelves that are just as erotic, if not more, only without all the media attention to make them stand out. Funny enough, there used to be this older guy that came in to the library who would stand in the back corner panting over all these types of books. Ick. He'd come up to the checkout desk later with stacks, and Iaintkiddingyou, stacks of hot, sweat-covered books. Oh my lord, it was so creepy. I hated checking out that guy's books. Buuuuutttt, this is America, and we are adults. We can check out whatever we want. No one should be able to decide what someone else can check out. Should there be a label on it? Maybe. Just like movies. But one person's opinion of what is morally acceptable should not interfere with a county, tax-fed institution.

And, okay . . . no, I wouldn't want my daughter to go check out the above mentioned book, but more because of the insane number of "Holy Cow's" being used throughout. It was extremely annoying.

What do you guys think? Have you read it? Should it be banned from libraries?

21 comments:

  1. No I haven't but (ahem) HOLY COW ... it sounds awful. lol.

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  2. Not read it. Amy, like Delores, don't think Id want to.

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  3. I've not read the book. However, I do not think any book should be banned. As adults we should be able to make up our own minds. The control level for youngsters should be there, but banning books for adults is not right.

    Yuk to the sweaty pervert!

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  4. How sad. I love Shirley Maclaine. One wonders how involved she was with the book. Possibly even less than the publisher.

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    1. You're just like me : ) I think you mixed up posts, or put them together!

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  5. I haven't read it and don't plan to. Just doesn't sound like my thing. I just finished an absolutely wonderful book that I lucked out by getting for free on the Kindle called The Silence of Trees. It's no longer free but well worth the money. I think you'd really enjoy it, Amy. It's written so beautifully.

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    1. Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check it out!

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    2. My sister just read The Silence of Trees and said it was wonderful.

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  6. Crap often outsells masterpieces. I think the marketing on this book is superb. It has everyone talking - and that is the name of the game.

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  7. Since the publication of Lawrence's 'Lady Chatterly' back in the 60's, I didn't think eroticism was a question!

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  8. I'm not a fan of banning books based on explicit sexuality. Who decides where to draw the line?

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  9. I haven't read it, and I haven't really heard anything about it. So, I can't really comment.

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  10. I haven't read it and have no plans to. Those who love it, two thumbs up to them. Those who've read it and found it ridiculous that the story got published at all, two thumbs up to them as well. Differing opinions. Not thrilled about the banning but if nothing else, this should drum up more book purchases given that controversy sells.

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  11. Like you, I was curious about the fuss over this book, but you have now cured me of that. There's nothing worse than a sloppy book, particularly one published by a major publisher. I don't know who published it, but that's how I feel. Thanks, Amy. About banning the book from libraries -- it makes me wonder if book burnings will be far behind. Scary stuff.

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  12. Well said Amy, People have a right and choice to view whatever they want. By the way great looking blog. Keep up the good work. Read "The Revolution" on my blog.

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  13. I enjoy books and movies that create controversy for one reason or another, but that shouldn't give them a free pass to be sloppy. This book sounds like another prime example of negative press creating sales, probably more so than positive press.

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