SPOILER ALERT!
If you plan on reading all three books in the "50 Shades" series, you should probably skip this blog. I'm about to give away the ridiculous "ending."
Although I'm not a rabid feminist, I have to agree with Erica Jong on this one. I finally broke down and read all three books -- sort of like eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's or watching "The Real Housewives of New York." You know it's really not all that good for you, but you can't stop.
The basic Spark Notes version is this...girl meets good-looking and rich guy...guy turns out to be a sadist...girl becomes a bit of a masochist...and then she uses her feminine charm to ultimately "reform" and marry him and have beautiful kids and live in a gorgeous house. Throughout the book, she makes excuses for his vile and weird behavior, chalking it up to a bad (very bad) home environment. But hey...he's rich and handsome. So, who cares if he collects whips like some dudes collect baseball memorabilia?
The "bad boys" (especially the good looking ones) have always been appealing to good girls throughout life and literature. I loved Marjorie Morningstar and Splendor in the Grass when I was younger. The heroines drove themselves crazy (in one case literally) while obsessing over guys who were ultimately no good for them.
So, when will the era of self-confident and rational girls who fall in love with truly nice guys actually begin? Or, are we destined to always love the guy with the evil sneer...the one who doesn't call us back (or only texts)...the one with the handcuffs? Do the heroines in books and film always have to bear scars?
Also for your viewing pleasure (no, not THAT kind!)...
A great (not flattering, but well-written) review of 50 Shades...
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