'Fifty Shades of Grey': 7 barely safe-for-work passages

Publish date: 2024-08-21

It’s less than two weeks before the movie “Fifty Shades of Grey” is set to open on Valentine’s Day, and because the bestselling book by E.L. James was such a huge hit, the movie is bound to attracts lots of attention in the coming days. Many fans are waiting with high anticipation to see Anastasia Steele be swept away by billionaire bondage enthusiast Christian Grey on the big screen.

Back when it was first modestly published in 2011, back when it became a viral erotica sensation, back in 2012 when it was picked up by Vintage for a wide release paperback, “Fifty Shades of Grey” was still a book. Here, before the film debuts, are some passages -- warm, but not too hot for work -- to remind us of the book from which it came:

Page 73: “‘I’d like to bite that lip,’ he whispers darkly. I gasp, completely unaware that I am chewing my bottom lip and my mouth pops open. That has to be the sexiest thing anybody has ever said to me. My heartbeat spikes, and I think I’m panting. Jeez, I’m a quivering, mess, and he hasn’t even touched me. I squirm in my seat and meet his dark gaze.”

Page 94: Christian takes Ana on a helicopter ride to Seattle for the evening: “Pouilly Fume okay with you?” Christian asks, opening a bottle of wine. ‘I know nothing about wine, Christian. I’m sure it will be fine.’ My voice is soft and hesitant. My heart is thumping. I want to run. This is seriously rich. Seriously over-the-top Bill Gates-style wealthy. What am I doing here? You know very well what you’re doing here, my subconscious sneers at me. Yes, I want to be in Christian Grey’s bed.”

Page 98: He takes her to his Red Room: “By the door, two long, polished, ornately carved poles, like spindles from a banister but longer, hang like curtain rods across the wall. From them swing a startling assortment of paddles, whips, riding crops, and funny-looking feathery implements. ... But what dominates the room is a bed. It’s bigger than king sized, an ornately carved rococo four-poster with a flat top. It looks late nineteenth century. Under the canopy I see more gleaming chains and cuffs. There is no bedding ... just a mattress covered in red leather and red satin cushions piled at one end.”

Page 99: “‘Do you do this to people or do they do it to you?’ His mouth quirks up, either amused or relieved. ‘People?’ He blinks a couple of times. as he considers his answer. ‘I do this to women who want me to.’”

Page 111: After discovering that Ana is a virgin, Christian detours from his plan of bondage on the first night: “Forget about all those details for tonight,” he tells her. “‘I want you. I’ve wanted you since you fell into my office, and I know you want me. You wouldn’t be sitting here calmly discussing punishment and hard limits if you didn’t. Please, Ana, spend the night with me.’ he holds his hand out to me, his eyes are bright, fervent. ...’You are one brave young woman,’ he whispers. ‘I am in awe of you.’ His words are like some kind of incendiary device; my blood flames.”

Page 138: “Quickly, he clambers out of the bath, giving me my first full glimpse of the Adonis, divinely formed, that is Christian Grey. My inner goddess has stopped dancing and is staring, too, open-mouthed and drooling slightly.”

Page 508: “I gaze at his beautiful face. He’s giving nothing away, but he keeps his eyes on mine, hardly blinking. Oh, he is so breathtakingly good-looking. In such a short time, he’s become so, so dear to me. Reading up, I caress his cheek and run the tips of my fingers through his stubble. He closes his eyes and exhales. ‘I’m sorry,’ I whisper.”

Book news and more; I’m @paperhaus on Twitter

EchoVib

'Fifty Shades of Grey': 7 barely safe-for-work passages

More to Read