Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy Audiobook, by E. L. James Play Audiobook Sample

Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy Audiobook

Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy Audiobook, by E. L. James Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Becca Battoe Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 13.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 9.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Fifty Shades Trilogy Release Date: April 2012 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780449808160

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

26

Longest Chapter Length:

60:54 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

25:12 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

45:36 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

9

Other Audiobooks Written by E. L. James: > View All...

Plot Summary

Fifty Shades of Grey is the new sensation following in the footsteps of the Twilight and Harry Potter series. Statistics show that, at least in the UK, the Fifty Shades series has outsold the Harry Potter series even though Harry Potter still leads when it comes to international sales. Fifty Shades of Grey began as fan fiction; its original characters were Bella Swan and Edward Cullen from the Twilight series. The author, E. L. James, took these characters and rewrote the story as one that had no supernatural aspect but that contained elements of BDSM—bondage/discipline, domination/submission and sadism/masochism.

Fifty Shades of Grey might have begun as fan fiction but it wasn't long before it took on a life of its own and E. L. James renamed the characters Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. Anastasia or Ana is an inexperienced young college student who meets billionaire Christian who is only 27 years old. The two are immediately attracted to each other but Christian has issues with intimacy and a predilection for kinky sex. The book is the story of how Ana learns to enjoy sex with Christian but, at the same time, also reforms him, forcing him to accept his intimacy issues.

In some ways, Fifty Shades of Grey is a typical romance where an inexperienced young girl is swept off her feet by a successful man. She must come to terms with her sexual awakening and, at the same time, bring him to emotional maturity. The only difference between this book and a lot of romance novels out there is that it involves BDSM and contracts are signed between the two protagonists about how their intimate relationship will work. Overall, Fifty Shades of Grey is readable, entertaining, titillating and just a tiny bit shocking.

E.L. James is the pseudonym for British writer Erika Leonard who studied History and then worked as a studio manager’s assistant. She started writing Fifty Shades of Grey under the pseudonym Snowqueens Icedragon and was as surprised as anyone else when it became a huge success, its fame spreading on social medial websites and by word of mouth. She also wrote two sequels, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

Download the Fifty Shades of Grey audiobook from The Audiobook Store for an erotic audio experience. You’ll soon get hooked and want to download the sequels as well.

"Very exciting book, in fact all three of them were fun, exciting, & addicting!!! Once I started the first one I could not wait to finish them all! Loved the end...would love to have more! It may not be the best well writen book, but the excellent dialog took care of that...really enjoyed having a new electrifying romance with the here and now!!! "

— Tina, from OH (5 out of 5 stars)

Publisher Summary

MORE THAN 150 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE   Look for E L James’s passionate new love story, The Mister, available now. When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.   Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires. This book is intended for mature audiences.

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Quotes

  • “In a class by itself.”

    — Entertainment Weekly
  • “Fans of sizzling hot, tortured heroes will devour this first entry in James’ Fifty Shades trilogy.”

    — RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
  • “Battoe’s reading is crisp, clean, and well paced. Her version of the inexperienced Ana is full of wonder, horror, and amazement, and she nimbly handles the book’s more steamy moments.”

    — Publishers Weekly (audio review)
  • “Entertaining and compelling.”

    — Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • A #1 New York Times bestseller
  • A #1 USA Today bestseller
  • A #1 Publishers Weekly bestseller
  • A #1 Washington Post bestseller
  • A #1 NPR bestseller
  • A San Francisco Chronicle bestseller
  • A 2013 Audie Award Winner for Special Achievement in Sales
  • Winner of Audie Awards, 2013

Fifty Shades of Grey Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.50877192982456 out of 53.50877192982456 out of 53.50877192982456 out of 53.50877192982456 out of 53.50877192982456 out of 5 (3.51)
5 Stars: 23
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 7
1 Stars: 10
Narration: 3.7 out of 53.7 out of 53.7 out of 53.7 out of 53.7 out of 5 (3.70)
5 Stars: 4
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Story: 3.90909090909091 out of 53.90909090909091 out of 53.90909090909091 out of 53.90909090909091 out of 53.90909090909091 out of 5 (3.91)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 2
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 1
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    — carol indyck, 8/2/2023
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Emily Cecil, 12/1/2020
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Shawna Markman, 4/26/2020
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Wenceslao Garciapina , 12/29/2019
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Andrea, 10/20/2019
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Jeffrey Earnest, 8/30/2019
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Story Rating: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    — Ron, 2/26/2019
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I like this audiobook very much. The plot and narrator´s speech kept me listen to it without breaks (I haven´t read the book). Well done! "

    — Michaela, 2/3/2019
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was a great audiobook. I found myself wanting to listen everyday. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. "

    — Debbie, 2/12/2017
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Nathan Houck, 1/1/2016
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Well...a major disappointment. ...even disturbing publishing craze. "

    — Al, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Enjoyed the first Shade, read it through in two days...the second one I couldn't finish. The voice was too harpish. Overkill. Just not my cup of tea. "

    — LL, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quick easy read. Obviously different, it's about BDSM and a Billionaire. Sometimes the girl sounded like a wimp tho ;) "

    — Iridius, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " better than expected, read some bad reviews, but written well and definately worth a read! "

    — Kay, 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I tried to listen to this audiobook, thinking that it would be easier to get through than the book. (which I was fairly sure I couldn't make it through)Turns out I was wrong--I couldn't make it through the audiobook either. There wasn't anything redeeming about this book or the performance for me. At least I gave it a go so I can sort of see why people love this book...no, that's a lie. I can't. "

    — Flannery, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Was a pretty good read, liked the writing style, pretty good concept, deathly provocative, not your avg 'sexy' read....Hated how mundane it got thought, was the same thing over and over again, must be why I've been midway through the second of the trilogy... "

    — Travis-travis, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " muy buena "

    — Ann, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I got sucked into the hype and read the trilogy. the writing quality was average the story line pretty bleak and I found the sex scenes repetitive. I was intrigued to find out why Christian was so unbalanced but the More I read on the less I cared. that being said I am very very jealous of the author s success!!! "

    — Kerrie, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The story had potencial. But it was awfully written. It was repetitive and the characters development was very poor. Basically you will end up knowing more about their sex life and adventures, what they like and don't like in bed; and you will learn almost nothing about who they are when they are not having sex. "

    — Karla, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Ok so the story line wasn't that fabulous but it did its job of adding spice to my life...... "

    — Nikkole, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " OMG I want more lol "

    — Jenevi, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Not my kind of book. Every time Ana talked about her "inner goddess" I thought of Tarzan beating his chest. "

    — Jaymelee, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not very well written, but if you are looking to get horny...Go for it my friend! "

    — Ana, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Must admit guilty pleasure series "

    — Erin, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " horrible prose, i absolutely hate the character of Ana, but on the whole the book doesn't entirely lack potential. And "semi-erotic" , as my mom defined it, is definitely a eufemism. "

    — Bea, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This books pulled me in from the beginning. I could not put it down "

    — Ali, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Story Rating: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    — dzyner, 12/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " she did a great job with the characters..you just have to love em' "

    — Kaycad, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Well... what to say about this series.... Mmmmm it is a very interesting read, very interesting indeed ;) "

    — M.J., 11/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I just loved this trilogy. "

    — Alyssum, 11/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Honestly I read the book after being pestered too and had no choice but the book wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The whole storyline was ok but sometimes I wanted to hit the Ana for whatever reason. "

    — Negin, 11/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Poorly written!! I wish I had never read this. "

    — Kayla, 11/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " You can pretend you dont want to read it but you are only lying to yourself! Apart from the obvious I thought it was quite a nice story and it was nice to see the influence this young girl has over this rich powerful man. Keeps you interested enough to want to read the next two books. "

    — Louise, 10/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It was a well presented topic of BDSM and tastefully explored; and contains some very erotic passages too, but it eventually becomes too repetitive from the 1st person perspective even when the activities become more intense. "

    — Royce, 9/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " intense! heartbreaking ending. "

    — Jamie, 9/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Ok...I gave it a higher rating because Christian is the saving grace of the whole trilogy. Ana bothered me with her whole inner goddess immature personality in the beginning but it got a little better in the subsequent books. The cliffhanger is a whopper though! That even made me tear up lol! "

    — Heidi, 9/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I'm loosing brain cells reading this book. "

    — Alicia, 7/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Yep, sorry. I really liked it! It was a great romance novel brainless read and the dirty sex was childish but fun. liked twilight too... "

    — Katt, 7/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Yeah, I read them. They are terrible. Don't bother unless you are like me and want to know just how bad they are. "

    — Marybeth, 7/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Spare me! I would rather be whipped with a wet noodle. "

    — Ellen, 6/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Overall plot very flat. Uninteresting story line. "

    — Kamelie, 6/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The first few chapters were slow. I'm sad it is over. "

    — Temre, 5/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " First one was interesting enough to further my interest to read the sequel. The writing was mediocre at best, and I could absolutely believe the series began as fan fiction. It was laughably obvious that it was recast from Twilight Characters originally. "

    — Kimberly, 2/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " i found this book to be raunchy in places but also could not out it down as when you read the book you start to feel that there is more to Mr Grey than meets the eye i would recommend this book i would also say it is more for women than men "

    — Liz, 1/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was pretty traumatizing. I mean it's totally explicit, though at the end I couldn't help crying. "

    — Tiffany, 1/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Bad, awful, terrible, horrific writing. No character development. Glorifies the cycle of abusive relationships. "

    — Rachel, 1/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Publishing things like this should be illegal. "

    — JonÄ—, 11/29/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " this book is probably too inappropriate for me. but im still going to read it. "

    — Wendsline, 11/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It's a great book. I love the fact that it got women to talk about this topic which has been around for a long time! "

    — Diana, 8/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was a really great book and I completely fell in love with the characters - Christian Grey and Anastasia (Ana) Steele. This is the most erotic book I've ever read and I can't wait to check out the other 2 in the series. "

    — Andrea K., 7/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " There's certainly no shortage of hot sex in this audiobook to keep things exciting but the inane dialog and poor writing almost ruined it for me. "

    — D.M., 7/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was the most fun I've had listening to an audiobook in quite some time. So spicy! "

    — Anita L., 6/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All I've been hearing lately is 50 shades this and 50 shades that so I set out to see what all the fuss was about. After listening to this audiobook I finally get it. It's great fun and plenty steamy with some fairly decent albeit not great writing. It made for a very interesting weekend. "

    — JC, 6/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I really liked this book. I really thought the characters were very intriguing. The writing isn't the best (she relies on too many cliches) but it was a fun and sexy read regardless. "

    — Candace C., 5/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " All in all the book not bad but honestly I really don't see what all the fuss is about. My friend who is a fan of the series insures me that the first book is the worst in the series... we'll see. "

    — Heisawoman, 5/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was an ok book but nothing special and certainly not up to all of the hype in my opinion. I didn't care much for Anastasia or Grey as both characters were way over the top and didn't seem real. "

    — Erin D., 5/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this book and after finishing it I couldn't wait to download the 2nd book. I got hooked from the beginning and not just because of the steamy sex! Of course there is plenty of that though. I'm in the middle of the 2nd book now and will definitely be getting the 3rd one. "

    — Sandra M, 4/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The book is super easy to read and well composed. "

    — Rafiqa, 4/3/2012

About E. L. James

E. L. James is a former TV executive, wife, and mother of two based in West London. Since early childhood she dreamed of writing stories that readers would fall in love with, but put those dreams on hold to focus on her family and her career. She finally plucked up the courage to put pen to paper with her first novel, Fifty Shades of Grey. Since then, the erotic romance series has sold more than sixty-five million copies, setting a record for the fastest selling paperback of all time.

About Becca Battoe

Becca Battoe is a film and television actor, as well as an audiobook narrator. Her film roles include appearances on television shows such as Scrubs and Invasion. Other roles include Equity stage performances in Cats, Ug the Caveman Musical, and Shadow Hour. An AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator, she is best known for her narration of the bestselling Fifty Shades Trilogy by E. L. James. She currently lives in Los Angeles.