If I asked you what book has a young girl who's an only child falling in love with a multi-millionaire, adopted man with copper, tousled hair in a matter of days, what would you say? I suspect that it would depend on your age. Young girls would say "Twilight", whilst us "seasoned" ladies would say "Fifty Shades of Grey". They'd both be right.
What I found to be, frankly, amazing, was the striking similarities between the two series. To the point, of both lead characters even saying the EXACT SAME things to "their men". Let's start with just the basics: Isabella and Anastasia, both very feminine, somewhat "exotic" sounding names that can be shortened to something sweet. . . .Bella and Ana. Both ladies are only children. Both ladies are uncoordinated and seem to "invite trouble". Both ladies are both attracted to and yet afraid of the lead male characters that are their love interests. Bella and Ana have to fight hard for their men to see that they're not inherently evil and although these women CAN be perceived as weak or pathetic, in fact, they're both the STRONG ONE'S in their respective series. Bella is constantly being sheltered from scary situations and danger by her over protective Edward. Whilst Ana is, too, by Christian. Both ladies have their lives threatened and are then "saved" by their heroes. Although, the broader idea of both stories is that the women, in fact, save the men from themselves. This is quite contradictory to the way the ladies "seem" on the surface. Who would think that two ladies who are such klutz's, so young and "innocent" and, frankly, not really good at much when compared to their loving partners would, in fact, be the true "force to be reckoned with". Neither woman gives up on their relationships, even when the reader sees the end as a good, sound decision.
Onto the men. Boy oh boy are they the same man or what? Edward and Christian are both adopted into their families, as are all of their siblings. They both have more money than God and want to shower it all over their women. (Where can I sign up for some of that?) They both are insanely "good at everything they do". They both play an amazing piano piece, which is used as a barometer to their mood. Speaking of moods, are these two of the moodiest men ever? Both men seem to "change on a dime" and leave Ana and Bella 'breathless" and "trying to keep up". They both sail with ease and expertise. Granted, Edward can "fly through the sky", while Christian "just" flies helicopters, but they both "can" fly. Christian and Edward both try to stay away from the object of their affection without success. Both men have copper hair that always "falls perfectly". Both men have long fingers. . .. Christian's are used a bit differently than Edwards, but hey, long fingers are good no matter how you slice it.
Now, you've got the "basic stories". Bella/Ana meet up with their lovers and are instantly fascinated and beguiled. Edward/Christian are also intrigued from the get go, but don't think that it's a very good idea to become involved with such "innocence". Both men fear that they will somehow bring harm to the women. Both couples experience an "electric charge" in the air between them, especially in enclosed spaces or when their skin touches. Now, of course, we all know that in the Twilight Saga, Bella and Edward don't "do the nasty" until after they're married, but I honestly feel like Christian is EXACTLY how Edward WOULD be if he wasn't being so restrained. If the Twilight Saga had been written by a non-mormon and for an older audience, then you'd have a lot more "fifty shades" of sex going on. I mean, come on. The entire time I'm reading Twilight (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, by the way) I was thinking, "Really?? He doesn't want to just get it on with her? Just once???" After all, Edward had been waiting for a hundred years for "Miss Right". I can't even picture the man who could/would wait for an entire century to have sex, can you? At any rate, they do wait to consummate their relationship but once they do, it's very similar to Christian and Ana. Both men are worried about hurting the "sweet young" ladies. Both men are having to hold back in order to keep the women "safe". Both relationships teeter on the brink of being abusive, in the sense that both men are super controlling and over protective. But, somehow that's one of the parts of the series that intrigue's us, isn't it? Don't we all have some secret place inside of us that WANTS a man to love and want us so much that they're willing to drop everything and come running to save us? Don't we want a man that would go to any length and spend any amount of money to ensure our happiness and safety? Both of these stories ride that line, perfectly. The balance of power is constantly being shifted back and forth between the couple. The women are strong and powerful enough to make us feel strong and empowered, too. The men are just damaged enough to make them sympathetic characters. We understand why they're so "mercurial". We know why they feel the compulsion to over protect and over react. The reader sees how vulnerable these men are and that's very, very sexy. Both men use their many "smiles" to get their way with the ladies. Bella can't resist Edwards "crooked smile". . . funny enough, Christian has one, too.
Both stories have someone evil and half crazed (at least one) freak that's trying to hurt or kill our ingenue. There's the "build up" of fear for them and then the wonderful "relief" of them being safe in the end. Both ladies do suffer at the hands of their nemesis, but heal up nicely. Both ladies have an "unexpected" pregnancy that the men are none too pleased about, early into their marriages. Both women name their unborn babies something cute and endearing. . .Ana goes for "Blip", whilst Bella calls her baby "Nudger". Of course, both babies are born and loved by their father's instantly. This helps the reader LIKE the men more. Since the majority of the reading audience for these books are female, we NEED for them to be good fathers. Both series make that happen. We see Edward and Christian as the ideal fathers. Both loving their children with the same intensity that they love Bella and Ana.
The Cullen's and the Grey's are thankful for Bella/Ana in that they've made their men, who prior to their arrival were brooding and moody and probably just torture to be around, happy. You've got Dr. Cullen and Dr. Grey, one a father, the other a mother. Both families have big hearts but hide secrets. And, let's face it, these families live the life, don't they? Jet setters, who travel the world and have "property" spread around the planet. They live lives that few of us can relate to. It makes the series fun to read and fantasize that that could be us one day!! The similarities just go on and on. . . ..
In the end, "The Twilight Series" and "Fifty Shades of Grey" are the same idea; just aiming at different demographic. They even end with the perspective shifting from the ladies point of view to the men's. Stephanie Meyer hasn't released Edward's version yet, while E.L. James had Christian's point of view as an "Epilogue". I love both series. Now, they're talking about making "Fifty Shades" into a movie(s). Huh. Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?
What I found to be, frankly, amazing, was the striking similarities between the two series. To the point, of both lead characters even saying the EXACT SAME things to "their men". Let's start with just the basics: Isabella and Anastasia, both very feminine, somewhat "exotic" sounding names that can be shortened to something sweet. . . .Bella and Ana. Both ladies are only children. Both ladies are uncoordinated and seem to "invite trouble". Both ladies are both attracted to and yet afraid of the lead male characters that are their love interests. Bella and Ana have to fight hard for their men to see that they're not inherently evil and although these women CAN be perceived as weak or pathetic, in fact, they're both the STRONG ONE'S in their respective series. Bella is constantly being sheltered from scary situations and danger by her over protective Edward. Whilst Ana is, too, by Christian. Both ladies have their lives threatened and are then "saved" by their heroes. Although, the broader idea of both stories is that the women, in fact, save the men from themselves. This is quite contradictory to the way the ladies "seem" on the surface. Who would think that two ladies who are such klutz's, so young and "innocent" and, frankly, not really good at much when compared to their loving partners would, in fact, be the true "force to be reckoned with". Neither woman gives up on their relationships, even when the reader sees the end as a good, sound decision.
Onto the men. Boy oh boy are they the same man or what? Edward and Christian are both adopted into their families, as are all of their siblings. They both have more money than God and want to shower it all over their women. (Where can I sign up for some of that?) They both are insanely "good at everything they do". They both play an amazing piano piece, which is used as a barometer to their mood. Speaking of moods, are these two of the moodiest men ever? Both men seem to "change on a dime" and leave Ana and Bella 'breathless" and "trying to keep up". They both sail with ease and expertise. Granted, Edward can "fly through the sky", while Christian "just" flies helicopters, but they both "can" fly. Christian and Edward both try to stay away from the object of their affection without success. Both men have copper hair that always "falls perfectly". Both men have long fingers. . .. Christian's are used a bit differently than Edwards, but hey, long fingers are good no matter how you slice it.
Now, you've got the "basic stories". Bella/Ana meet up with their lovers and are instantly fascinated and beguiled. Edward/Christian are also intrigued from the get go, but don't think that it's a very good idea to become involved with such "innocence". Both men fear that they will somehow bring harm to the women. Both couples experience an "electric charge" in the air between them, especially in enclosed spaces or when their skin touches. Now, of course, we all know that in the Twilight Saga, Bella and Edward don't "do the nasty" until after they're married, but I honestly feel like Christian is EXACTLY how Edward WOULD be if he wasn't being so restrained. If the Twilight Saga had been written by a non-mormon and for an older audience, then you'd have a lot more "fifty shades" of sex going on. I mean, come on. The entire time I'm reading Twilight (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, by the way) I was thinking, "Really?? He doesn't want to just get it on with her? Just once???" After all, Edward had been waiting for a hundred years for "Miss Right". I can't even picture the man who could/would wait for an entire century to have sex, can you? At any rate, they do wait to consummate their relationship but once they do, it's very similar to Christian and Ana. Both men are worried about hurting the "sweet young" ladies. Both men are having to hold back in order to keep the women "safe". Both relationships teeter on the brink of being abusive, in the sense that both men are super controlling and over protective. But, somehow that's one of the parts of the series that intrigue's us, isn't it? Don't we all have some secret place inside of us that WANTS a man to love and want us so much that they're willing to drop everything and come running to save us? Don't we want a man that would go to any length and spend any amount of money to ensure our happiness and safety? Both of these stories ride that line, perfectly. The balance of power is constantly being shifted back and forth between the couple. The women are strong and powerful enough to make us feel strong and empowered, too. The men are just damaged enough to make them sympathetic characters. We understand why they're so "mercurial". We know why they feel the compulsion to over protect and over react. The reader sees how vulnerable these men are and that's very, very sexy. Both men use their many "smiles" to get their way with the ladies. Bella can't resist Edwards "crooked smile". . . funny enough, Christian has one, too.
Both stories have someone evil and half crazed (at least one) freak that's trying to hurt or kill our ingenue. There's the "build up" of fear for them and then the wonderful "relief" of them being safe in the end. Both ladies do suffer at the hands of their nemesis, but heal up nicely. Both ladies have an "unexpected" pregnancy that the men are none too pleased about, early into their marriages. Both women name their unborn babies something cute and endearing. . .Ana goes for "Blip", whilst Bella calls her baby "Nudger". Of course, both babies are born and loved by their father's instantly. This helps the reader LIKE the men more. Since the majority of the reading audience for these books are female, we NEED for them to be good fathers. Both series make that happen. We see Edward and Christian as the ideal fathers. Both loving their children with the same intensity that they love Bella and Ana.
The Cullen's and the Grey's are thankful for Bella/Ana in that they've made their men, who prior to their arrival were brooding and moody and probably just torture to be around, happy. You've got Dr. Cullen and Dr. Grey, one a father, the other a mother. Both families have big hearts but hide secrets. And, let's face it, these families live the life, don't they? Jet setters, who travel the world and have "property" spread around the planet. They live lives that few of us can relate to. It makes the series fun to read and fantasize that that could be us one day!! The similarities just go on and on. . . ..
In the end, "The Twilight Series" and "Fifty Shades of Grey" are the same idea; just aiming at different demographic. They even end with the perspective shifting from the ladies point of view to the men's. Stephanie Meyer hasn't released Edward's version yet, while E.L. James had Christian's point of view as an "Epilogue". I love both series. Now, they're talking about making "Fifty Shades" into a movie(s). Huh. Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?
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