Fifty Shades of Grey depicts RAPE and has been criticized by BDSM advocates

[Luminous Animal]

265. Chronicling the emotional abuse and nonconsensual sexual violence by feminists and BDSM researchers,

activists, and academics chapter by chapter.

I read some of the books, and as importantly, I read much of the criticism which contains extensive contents of the book and detailed analysis.

The book is nothing but a depiction of a very disturbed abuser and the victim of that abuse. Christian not only reveals classic signs of an abuser, has nearly all of them. From stalking, to violent threats, to mood swings, to irrational jealousy. In one chapter, even though Ana has not been allowed to negotiate her needs and desires in the relationship, Grey spanks her anyway holding her down so she could not escape. She clearly states that she wants to say no but decides not to because she does not to make Christian angry. It was an experience that she did not enjoy.

There is quite a bit of criticism from feminists about the abuse and criticism from the BDSM community on how 50 Shades is all wrong.

If you are interested, you can start here:

http://jennytrout.blogspot.ca/2012/05/50-shades-and-abusive-relationships.html

Jenny Trout is a sub and chronicles the abuse, both domestic and sexual, chapter by chapter.

Or you can read Alexis chapter by chapter chronicling of the abuse here: http://50shadesofabuse.wordpress.com/abuse-in-50-shades-of-grey/

Here is another from Peter Tupper, a researcher, historian, and participant in the BDSM community, chronicling the abuse and gross misrepresentations of BDSM. Again chapter by chapter. http://historyofbdsm.com/about-the-author/

Here is another member of the BDSM community giving a chapter by chapter analysis of the abuse and gross misrepresentations in the book. http://pervocracy.blogspot.com/p/fifty-shades-of-grey-index.html

Ohio State University conducted a study of the book and details instances of emotional abuse and nonconsensual sexual violence.

Their results:

Results: Emotional abuse is present in nearly every interaction, including: stalking (Christian deliberately follows Anastasia and appears in unusual places, uses a phone and computer to track Anastasia's whereabouts, and delivers expensive gifts); intimidation (Christian uses intimidating verbal and nonverbal behaviors, such as routinely commanding Anastasia to eat and threatening to punish her); and isolation (Christian limits Anastasia's social contact). Sexual violence is pervasive—including using alcohol to compromise Anastasia's consent, as well as intimidation (Christian initiates sexual encounters when genuinely angry, dismisses Anastasia's requests for boundaries, and threatens her). Anastasia experiences reactions typical of abused women, including: constant perceived threat (“my stomach churns from his threats”); altered identity (describes herself as a “pale, haunted ghost”); and stressful managing (engages in behaviors to “keep the peace,” such as withholding information about her social whereabouts to avoid Christian's anger). Anastasia becomes disempowered and entrapped in the relationship as her behaviors become mechanized in response to Christian's abuse.

The report further states:

Despite the widespread popularity of Fifty Shades, beyond BDSM,42–45 concerning is the power imbalance in Christian and Anastasia's relationship, including behaviors consistent with those observed in chronically violent couples49,56–59 and the significant adverse impacts of the abuse for Anastasia as experienced by abused women.60–62 Using United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definitions of intimate partner violence (IPV)63 and Smith's conceptualizations of how abuse adversely impacts women,60–62 we systematically analyzed Fifty Shades of Grey—the first novel in the trilogy—to identify and describe (1) patterns in Christian's behavior consistent with IPV; and (2) Anastasia's responses to Christian's behaviors that are consistent with women's abuse experiences.60–62 Our focus on the first novel in the trilogy—which covers the first 4 weeks of Christian and Anastasia's relationship—is intended to elucidate patterns in the initial phases of an abusive relationship. While we concentrate on the first novel's text, abuse patterns are overarching themes in the second and third novels. Our analysis adds to a growing body of literature noting dangerous violence standards being perpetuated in popular culture.13–22

http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jwh.2013.4344