Review: Fifty Shames of Earl Grey – Fanny Merkin

A shrewd, laugh–out–loud parody of E. L. James’ bestselling Fifty Shades of Grey series:

Young, arrogant, tycoon Earl Grey seduces the naïve coed Anna Steal with his overpowering good looks and staggering amounts of money, but will she be able to get past his fifty shames, including shopping at Walmart on Saturdays, bondage with handcuffs, and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)? Or will his dark secrets and constant smirking drive her over the edge?

Series:
Release Date:  July 10, 2012
Publisher:  De Capo Press
Source:  NetGalley
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

I will admit this book is over the top, but it was freaking hilarious.  I think if Christian Grey were a real person, he would be highly offended by this parody of his story Fifty Shades of Grey.  But the over the top millionaire Earl Grey and the somewhat dimwitted Anna Steal are a riot.

The storyline follows 50SOG pretty much to the tee, but Earl has got to be the most over the top character I have read in a book in a long time.  Here are some Earl points that had me laughing.

• Earl buys up just about everything to get Anna to do what he wants, including the WalMart she works at
• Earl has the ability to order off the menu seasonal McDonalds items, such as McRibs and Shamrock shakes, at will
• The most expensive hotel in Seattle is a Holiday Inn (who knew)
• Earl writes for the internet, via Wikipedia (Anna’s not the sharpest pencil in the box)
• Earl is into BDSM, which stands for Bards, Dragons, Sourcery and Magick.  
• Earl loves classic Tom Cruise movies
• Earl’s a part time bartender, because he loves the movie Cocktail.
• Earl flies and F-14 fighter jet, just like the ones used in Top Gun
• Earl has a “Room of Doom”, which houses all of his role playing accessories for BDSM, including a waterbed
• Earl plays a soulful tambourine
• Earl is turned on by Anna’s nose picking (gross!)
• Data for Star Trek:  The Next Generation is Earl’s butler (loved that!)

Honestly, if you’ve read 50SOG, you know Christian would be mortified at some of the things Earl does.

If you want to spend a few hours laughing a ridiculousness, this is definitely one to pick up.  It’s sophomoric humor, yes, but who doesn’t need a good laugh now and then?