Review of Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James
Fifty Shades of Grey is a novel that has recently made headlines across the country. This controversial book has also been compared to the successful “Twilight” series. The media have dubbed the book “Mommy Porn" for sexual content, but what is the story behind all the hype? How does Fifty Shades compare to Twilight?

Similarities to Twilight:
Fifty Shades of Grey is a story about unattainable love. This story mirrors another bestselling novel “Twilight.” In Twilight, the unattainable love is between Edward Cullen, vampire, and Bella Swan, human. Twilight is about finding a middle ground between love and controlling ones desire, (Edwards) to feast on Bella’s blood. In “Fifty Shades of Grey” the unattainable love is between Christian Grey, a CEO of a successful company, and Ana Steele and normal collage girl. The two must find a middle ground between Christian’s dark, secret sexual desires, and what Ana needs in a romance.
Christian (Similar to Edward Cullen) at first tries to keep his distance from Ana and warns her that he is not suitable for her. Anastasia, in love with Christian, will not be kept away by his warnings. There are many other similarities between the two stories. I’m not going to take time to discuss all similarities, but I will list a few:
• Both stories also take place in the Pacific Northwest. Twilight takes place in Forks Washington, Fifty Shades set in Portland Oregon, and Seattle Washington.
• There is a Jacob Character named Jose, who is Ana’s close friend (and would love to be more than friends).
• Both Ana/Bella intimidated by Christian/Edwards amount of wealth and outstanding looks. Both feel that they have nothing to give back.
• Both Christian/Edward are adopted into their families and feel and need to gain acceptance. Christian did this by learning to give the appearance of the perfect son; Edward did this by following all rules regarding human life and sticking to a “Vegetarian diet”.
• Both Bella/ Ana come from divorced families, and both are remarkably close with their father figures.

Is Christian Grey Edward Cullen?
The simple answer to that is no. Edward has spent decades of his life trying to come to terms with what he is. He goes to considerable lengths not to become a blood thirsty monster. Once he meets Bella; Edwards only interest is protecting her and her soul from her own desires whether becoming a vampire or losing her virginity. Christian Grey has no self-control and allows his desires to be all consuming in his life. He never had a normal romance, relationship, or girlfriend. He has no intention on watching out for Ana’s virtue, in his mind it was only a problem that needed to be rectified on their second date so that his own personal desires may be better attended.

Is Ana Steele Bella Swan?
Yes, Ana could almost be replaced by a collage aged Bella. Both women are just normal, clumsy, girls who have remarkably little thought or concern for their own well-being. Bella should have re-thought the vampire/human romance. Ana should have never given Christian the time of day when she discovered the deep, dark secret he was hiding in his luxury apartment. (All the contracts should have been a significant clue that the guy is no good.)

Differences between Fifty Shades and Twilight:
The biggest difference is there were no “bad guys” in Fifty Shades. Twilight offers romance between Bella and Edward, but also has a side story that involves less friendly vampires trying to kill Bella. This danger bonds Bella and Edward together. In Fifty shades, the only danger to Ana is from Christian himself. There is no side plot, or other people trying to hurt or come between them. I’ m sure the author could have added some corporate pirates, or hackers to attempt to kidnap Ana, and give Christian a reason to fight for her.

In Conclusion,
I enjoyed the novel Fifty Shades of Grey. I found the book extremely hard to put down,and I did enjoy some of the other aspects to the novel I left out of this review.  I do warn that this book if not for the faint of heart. I also feel that it is extremely similar to Twilight, but has enough depth that it can stand on its own.