{Book Club} Fifty Shades of Grey: Chapters 14-26

A quick statement from Illusyon and I:

Reader Beware: This is not a book review per se, but rather a discussion about the different aspects of the book and all it encompasses. If you aren’t reading it along with us please be aware that we will be discussing things happening, so if you hate spoilers and such please don’t read the discussions of the book, but wait for my book wrap up post which will have much less spoiler aspects then the discussion pieces. I hope you are reading along with us, and that you get involved by discussing your views on your own blog or through my comments section.

Sincerely Yours,

illusyon from The 3L’s Book Chit Chat!

Wanna read my thoughts on chapters 1-13?

Wanna read Illusyon’s thoughts on chapters 1-13?

Wanna read Illusyon’s thoughts on chapters 14-26?

{Really} Brief summary of chapters 14-26:

Ana graduates from WSU. During the graduation, Christian (a major benefactor to the university), shares a speech with the graduates. This is a small insight in his private life. Due to his own personal experience of hungry, when he was younger, he donates a large sum of money to the agricultural department at WSU. After the graduation, Kate (Ana’s BFF), introduces Christian to Ana’s father, as Ana’s ”boyfriend”. Christian is not fazed and charms Ana’s father with his knowledge of fly fishing.

As a graduation gift, Christian buys Ana a brand new red Audi hatchback. These expensive gifts make Ana feel like a whore.

The sex between Christian and Ana is interesting. Christian calls it “vanilla” sex, but three things remains the same: always wear a condom, Christian is never completely naked, and Ana can’t touch him (aka she is always tied up or her hands are held down behind her head). In chapter 16, Ana gets spanked for the first time for eye rolling, something she does uncontrollable (like her habit of bitting her bottom lip). She has a fear for pain. After the spanking, they have pleasure filled sex. Afterwards, Christian leaves thinking that everything is alright. Once he leaves, Ana feels confused and lost.

…for the first time ever, I feel lonely and uncomfortable here, unhappy with my own company. Have I strayed so far from who I am? I know that lurking, not very far under my rather numb exterior, is a well of tears. What am I doing? (Ana’s thoughts. Chapter 16, page 278)

Ana feels confused on the emotions that she have for Christian, the spanking, and especially the sex. She fears that maybe she likes the brutality of being hit on.

I have fallen for someone who’s so emotionally shut down, I will only get hurt–deep down I know this–someone who by his own admission is completely fucked up. (Ana’s thoughts. Chapter 16, page 285)

After a brief email exchange, Christian asks her why she doesn’t like him. She simple replied,

Because you never stay with me. (Ana’s email. Chapter 16, page 284)

Christian comes running back to comfort her. Ana is quite confused with this whole “Christian wanting to hit me” thing. Christian admits that the sight of seeing her pink skin from a slap turns him on, but it’s more about the control of Ana that he craves.

It’s the fact that you are mine to do with as I see fit–ultimate control over someone else. And it turns me on. Big time, Anastasia. (said Christian. Chapter 16, page 288)

They wake up in each others arms and everything is perfect. Ana moves to Seattle with Kate, which excites her. New city. Closer to Christian. New career. The sky is the limit.

After the move, Ana experience for the first time Christian’s “Playroom” (aka Red Room of Pain). Christian likes specific things: music will be played, Ana is expected to be compliant, in her underwear only, and gives herself completely to him. Ana is in fear of the pain, but doesn’t say anything. She bravely does everything Christian asks. In the background, Villa Lobos (an aria from Bachianans Brasileiras) is playing. Shockingly, the sex was not painful and for the first time she feels safe in Christian’s arms.

Christian bare chested, Ana sees that he has some small scars on his chest. Christian stops her from touching it and coins himself as “Fifty shades of fucked up”. With Ana, Christian does a lot of “firsts”. She is the first person he has sex with in his bed. First girl he’s ever had in his bed sleeping. The lists goes on. Christian invites Ana to a family dinner, which is an another first for him…to bring a girl home. Of course Ana is delighted to go. Over the moon.

Before they leave for his parents’ house, Ana and Christian has a brief dance exchange to Frank Sinatra’s Witchcraft. Ana finds out that Christian is an amazing dancer, all thanks to Mrs. Robinson. At that moment, Ana realizes that she could never teach anything to Christian and that she hates Mrs. Robinson.

Dinner at Christian’s house was a success. The family loves her. Missing her own mother, Ana tells Christian that she will be visiting her in Georgia for a couple of days. Christian is displeased and asks if he can tag along. She declines. Ana feels like she needs to get away and think about this “relationship”. She is having a hard time getting over not touching him. Later in the night, Christian reveals that his mother was a crack whore and dead since he was 4 years old.

Before Ana leaves for Georgia, she has two interviews at some publishing houses. She really wants to work at SIP. The interview goes well.

In chapter 22, Ana is off to Georgia by herself. There are a lot of frank email exchanges between Ana and Christian. Ana admits that she has a hard time telling if Christian is joking or serious when he talks about punishing her. Frankly, it scares her. Christian writing her an essay, which seems to calm Ana down. One thing Ana is quite upset (and jealous) with is his dinner date with an “old friend” (aka Mrs. Robinson).

Ana is having a lovely time with her mom. Her mom (married four times) gives her a key piece advice when it comes to men: take them literally.

I don’t want to lose you…

You’ve bewitched me…

You’ve completely beguiled me…

I’ll miss you, too…more than you know… (Christian’s quotes bouncing in Ana’s head. Chapter 22, page 398)

Christian unexpectedly flies to Georgia without Ana’s knowledge or permission. Ana and her mom happens to be at the same hotel bar as Christian. He meets her mom for the first time. Ana quite upset that he is here, but at the same time glad to see him. She misses him.

At the end of the book, Christian shows a little more of the BDSM world. He is slightly rougher than usual, which freaks Ana out. She decides to leave him despite her feelings towards Christian. He doesn’t want her to leave, but lets her go anyways. The book ends with her at her apartment alone, sad, and in pain.

My thoughts:

What a world wind compared to chapter 1-13. The book definitely picked up way more, which I liked. I don’t like the ending whatsoever. It made me feel sad and empty. I like happy endings and this was NOT one of them. It makes me want to read the second book so bad! I guess that is the aim.

On the other hand, I gave Ana another mental high five when she left him. I think it’s easy for us, women, to stay with a man who is not 100% what we want. I’m a victim of rose colored glasses when it comes to love. I don’t know if I would leave him like how Ana did. Although, I’ve never experienced what Ana did, so maybe I might feel differently if I had.

Ana has this thing with reading into what Christian’s words. It’s annoying. I don’t know how much he gotta say it. For the fact that he did many “firsts” should’ve been a huge clue that he is INTO YOU, GIRL!

The emails are the best part of this book. It tells so much about both Ana and Christian. Plus, I like that back and forth banter.

Rules for the Discussion questions:

• All participants may comment down below or blog about it on his/her own blog. If you do choose to blog about it, please leave a link down below, so we can all read and comment.
• We ask all participants to NOT talk about chapters that we have not covered yet. Please keep the comments strictly to the assigned chapters.
• Feel free to share your honest opinions, but please respect everyone else. If we feel that your comment is unjust, Illusyon and I have all rights to edit or delete your comment as we see fit.
• Illuyson and I will have total different discussion questions, so we suggest that all participants check out both blogs.
• Due to the graphic nature of this book, we will be talking about adult-like things. Adult and sexual language may be used. Please be advised.

My discussion questions:

1. Could you leave Christian? Why or why not?
2. Do you think Ana’s mom’s advice about taking men’s words as literal a good piece of advice? Why or why not?
3. Why do you think EL James used these two songs: Villa Lobos (an aria from Bachianans Brasileiras) and Witchcraft?