cover image Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey

E.L. James, read by Becca Battoe. Random House Audio, unabridged, 16 CDs, 20 hrs., $50 ISBN 978-0-385-36016-6

In James's controversial and wildly popular first-person erotic romance, co-ed Anastasia Steele is drawn into a dark relationship with a wealthy man named Christian Grey, who is seeking a submissive for his sexually dominant desires. But what Ana and Christian find instead is unexpected companionship and mutual respect. Becca Battoe, whose reading captures the spirit of easygoing, innocent, and educated Anastasia, narrates this endearing audio edition. 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. For the other characters, Battoe offers up understated renderings%E2%80%94capturing the characters as Ana sees them. Fans of the series%E2%80%94or erotic fiction in general%E2%80%94will be delighted. A Vintage paperback. (June)