Fifty Shames, Book 1
Synopsis: A shrewd, laugh–out–loud parody of E. L. James’ bestselling Fifty Shades of Grey series:
Young, arrogant, tycoon Earl Grey seduces the naïve coed Anna Steal with his overpowering good looks and staggering amounts of money, but will she be able to get past his fifty shames, including shopping at Walmart on Saturdays, bondage with handcuffs, and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)? Or will his dark secrets and constant smirking drive her over the edge?
Review: I did read a long time after everyone else, Fifty Shades of Grey, when I was given the opportunity I confess. It wasn’t my favorite book as it was for some but I still had a good time without actually having the urge to read the other volumes in the series. But when I saw the release of Fifty Shames of Earl Grey, I was intrigued right away. It must be said that the summary is quite appealing, and it is true that I thought it could be a great idea to make a good parody of the original novel. Besides, I had seen some very good reviews for this book and I was curious to see how it was in the end. Yet it is true that I didn’t really get into the story and even if it’s possible to read the story fast enough, I think it was a little too crazy for me to really get into the book.
The history between the two novels, as you can imagine, basically remains the same. Some small differences are made without really changing the whole thing. Anna, for example, does not bite at all her lip, but she keeps putting her fingers in her nose. Yes a bad habit that’s for sure. It’s funny because while reading the summary and when I saw the explanation of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery and Magic), I thought that the story might not turn out not around their intimate relationships, but ultimately it is still the case and we don’t really have something about Bards, Dragons, Sorcery and Magic. But it might be me and I just made a misconception about what the story was going to be.
It is true that the whole is a fast read, the writing is airy, simple, which is really nice but I think for me the problem is the history itself. I have not really hung on the humor of the author or understood why she had chosen to achieve certain events so. Everything is really crazy, maybe a little too much for we to have a bit of realism. I do not think that this will impair everyone but it’s true that it’s the first parody novel I read and I have perhaps not enough critical sense to really appreciate it. Yet it is still interesting to discover all that but like for the original work, I do not think I’ll read more.
aurian
If I have read and liked the original book, a parady does not appeal to me at all. Just like there are action movies, and those parodies that make fun of it with very over the top and silly and childish humor. I really don’t like that kind at all. So don’t worry if you did not like it. In my opinion, a parody is a cheap shot at a best seller, and written for haters of the original book. But that is just my own private thinking here.
Melliane
I didn’t see it that way but yes maybe you’re right about that.
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
OMFG bahaha that title. I don’t really read parodies so I dunno what they’re normally like but having basically the same story and everything? What a waste.
Melliane
yes me neither but I was curious to try.
Joy // Joyousreads
Ha! I can see why this was a bit off putting for you, Melliane. For a parody, it seems to have veered so off the the field from the original work it’s making fun of. Lol. I think I’d like to read this one, anyway just for sh*ts and giggles. 🙂
Melliane
I hope you”ll like it if you try it.
Melanie Simmons @mlsimmons
The author is actually Andrew Shaffer (Tiffany Reisz’s husband). That is what pulled me to the book. I actually read where this book came from. He was reading FSoG and was just randomly tweeting stuff and his publisher wanted to know if he could write an entire book, and this was born.
I tried to read this book. I’ve never read a parody before, but I think Andrew Shaffer is really funny on Twitter, so I thought I would give it a try. It wasn’t my cup of tea either. I don’t know why I thought it would be. I hate movies that are parodies (Scary Movie, etc.). It was just too over the top for me. I have not read FSoG, so I wasn’t sure if that made me like it less or not.
Anyway, great review.
Melliane
I didn’t know about the story of the book I confess. I’m sorry it wasn’t for you either… I’m not a fan but it’s the same for me, I thought it could be fun. But well… not.
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
I don’t really read parodies but I do think all of the ones off 50 are hilarious (there’s a cooking one about chicken that was a hoot). But I couldn’t stand 50 so maybe that’s why 😉
Melliane
yes maybe.
Carole Rae
hahaha this does sound rather funny. I haven’t read the original myself yet. Someday….maybe….I don’t know….
Melliane
sometimes you need to try to see how it really is.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh lord she stinks her fingers in her nose? I haven’t read 50 Shades, so some of the humor would be lost. I admire you for trying this.
Melliane
lol yes. Thanks, I don’t think I’ll try again.
Braine Talk Supe
This isn’t quality read, that’s for sure. I got the audio version of this and shared it with my brother-in-law. He’d listen to it while running and enjoyed the crude, nonsensical humor. Men!
Melliane
LOL maybe it wasn’t just for me.
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
I confess I didn’t like the original book at all, but I am curious about this one. The guy who wrote this is boyfriend/lover to my favorite author of all time, Tiffany Reisz.
Melliane
I hope you’ll enjoy it a bit more if you try it.
blodeuedd
I do want more from a parody
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I’ve had fun with parody and satirical novels (Willful Child by Steven Erikson is an example that I think we’ve both read) but only if they’re done well and in a “classy” way. Parodies with humor like this seems pretty simple and crude (fingers up her nose, etc.) which would probably irritate me more than amuse me, so I’d probably rate it like you as well!
Melliane
Ah yes that’s true bur I didn’t know the original story.
kindlemom1
I haven’t read 50 Shades either so I know this would be lost of me but yay for trying something new even if this didn’t work out.
Melliane
thanks
Paula M @ Her Book Thoughts!
I’ve seen this book before on GR. In fact, I think it’s very popular. So sad you didn’t like it though. I don’t think I’ll give it a try, honestly. 😛 Great review!! 🙂
Melliane
I think so too, just not for me I think.
Bec @ Readers in Wonderland
I don’t know if I’d ever read the real 50 shads books, but I’m open to reading parodies of it like this one. It sounds hilarious! It’s a shame the humour wasn’t quite for you 🙁
Melliane
I prefered the real book there.
Kirsty-Marie
I’m loving all the parodies of books coming out lately, but the same as 50 Shades, not my cup of tea, especially when it’s basically the same thing, you know? Sounds like you didn’t enjoy it that much either.
Melliane
no, not really, it’s not that bad, it’s just not for me
Cristina
I’m not gonna lie…I really enjoyed 50 Shades despite some of my concerns, it was an addictive read for me. *shrugs* Anyway, I’m sorry this book didn’t work out for you but I think I might read it because I’m kinda curious about it and I could use a laugh! 😉
Melliane
I hope you’ll like it if you try it! I liked 50 too.
Heidi
A good parody is hard to resist, but it sounds like this one fell a bit short for you. I haven’t read the original, nor will I, not my cup of tea, bad pun intended.
Lily B
whats the point of mentioning Bards, Dragons, Sorcery and Magic if not gonna use it somehow?
Melliane
yes I was surprised too.
Tricia @ Cristina's Book Reviews
Oh my! The premise does sound funny, too bad it ended up being disappointing! I’ve never read a parody before & I confess — I haven’t read the original 50 Shades! So, I’ll be passing on this one — great review, though! 🙂