Review:Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as told by Christian

Grey ( Fifty Shades of Grey as told by Christian) by E J James tells the the extremely popular story of the romance (sexual relationship) between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. Christian is a millionaire entrepreneur who is entranced by Ana after she interviews him for her college newspaper. Christian seduces virginal Ana and introduces her to the world of S&M and Bondage culminating in her awakening.

Good Impressions

Honestly after reading the original version Fifty Shades of Grey, I still found the story interesting even in this new version. This version just re tells the same events only this time from Christian's perspective. Readers who fell in love with the premise like myself were able to revisit some of our favorite scenes from the story, like Ana and Christian's first meeting.

I particularly liked to be invited into Christian's memories of his childhood. It was heartbreaking to read about how hungry he always was in the care of a junkie mother and her abusive boyfriend. The author also took us with Christian into his early days with his adoptive parents.  I understood some of his issues with food better which was one of the things that I didn't like much in the original version. I hated the way he always seemed so obsessive about feeding Ana but the reader was treated to another more vulnerable side of the control freak we've all grown to love.

Not so Good Impressions

This book's focus on Christian brought up some other things I really didn't like in the original version. Christian's interest in Ana seemed more like an obsession than someone falling in love. This was downplayed in the original but through Christian's eyes I felt more uncomfortable for Ana. When he shows up at her house after she sends the initial goodbye message, I felt compelled to call the authorities for her.

Also Christian felt less charming and overbearingly controlling. As the story progressed I didn't feel the same interest or attraction to the character. I was almost relieved when it was over and felt that I probably should have skipped this book.

My Rating:

I really enjoyed the first book but after spending more time with Christian my interest in the series has changed quite a bit. I read the trilogy and really liked the characters but this is probably because as a reader I only read Ana's POV. Christian's POV troubles me and I hope that this was a one time thing for the author.