Fifty Shades (novel series) Fifty Shades (novel series) Fifty Shades is a series of erotic novels by E. L. James. Initially a trilogy consisting of "Fifty Shades of Grey" (2011), "Fifty Shades Darker" and "Fifty Shades Freed" (2012), the series traces the deepening relationship between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and a young business man, Christian Grey. Grey introduces Ana to the world of BDSM. James has spoken of her shock at the success of the book, "The explosion of interest has taken me completely by surprise" she said. James has described the "Fifty Shades" trilogy as "my midlife crisis, writ large. All my
Fifty Shades of Grey "The Huffington Post" said: "As a reading experience, "Fifty Shades" ... is a sad joke, puny of plot". Princeton professor April Alliston wrote, "Though no literary masterpiece, "Fifty Shades" is more than parasitic fan fiction based on the recent "Twilight" vampire series." "Entertainment Weekly" writer Lisa Schwarzbaum gave the book a "B+" rating and praised it for being "in a class by itself." British author Jenny Colgan in "The Guardian" wrote "It is jolly, eminently readable and as sweet and safe as BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism) erotica can be without contravening the trade descriptions act" and also praised