<P> Fifty Shades of Grey has topped best - seller lists around the world, selling over 125 million copies worldwide by June 2015 . It has been translated into 52 languages, and set a record in the United Kingdom as the fastest - selling paperback of all time . Critical reception of the book, however, has tended towards the negative, with the quality of its prose generally seen as poor . Universal Pictures and Focus Features produced a film adaptation, which was released on 13 February 2015 and also received generally unfavourable reviews . </P> <P> The second and third volumes of the trilogy, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, were published in 2012 . Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian, a version of Fifty Shades of Grey being told from Christian's point of view, was published in June 2015 . </P> <P> Anastasia "Ana" Steele is a 21 - year - old college senior attending Washington State University in Vancouver, Washington . Her best friend is Katherine "Kate" Kavanagh, who writes for the college newspaper . Due to an illness, Kate is unable to interview 27 - year - old Christian Grey, a successful and wealthy Seattle entrepreneur, and asks Ana to take her place . Ana finds Christian attractive as well as intimidating . As a result, she stumbles through the interview and leaves Christian's office believing it went poorly . Ana does not expect to meet Christian again, but he appears at the hardware store where she works . While he purchases various items including cable ties, masking tape, and rope, Ana informs Christian that Kate would like some photographs to illustrate her article about him . Christian gives Ana his phone number . Later, Kate urges Ana to call Christian and arrange a photo shoot with their photographer friend, José Rodriguez . </P> <P> The next day José, Kate, and Ana arrive for the photo shoot at the Heathman Hotel, where Christian is staying . Christian asks Ana out for coffee and asks if she's dating anyone, specifically José . Ana replies that she is not dating anyone . During the conversation, Ana learns that Christian is also single, but he says he is not romantic . Ana is intrigued but believes she is not attractive enough for Christian . Later, Ana receives a package from Christian containing first edition copies of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, which stuns her . Later that night, Ana goes out drinking with her friends and ends up drunk dialling Christian, who informs her that he will be coming to pick her up because of her inebriated state . Ana goes outside to get some fresh air, and José attempts to kiss her, but he is stopped by Christian's arrival . Ana leaves with Christian, but not before she discovers that Kate has been flirting with Christian's brother, Elliot . Later, Ana wakes to find herself in Christian's hotel room, where he scolds her for not taking proper care of herself . Christian then reveals that he would like to have sex with her . He initially says that Ana will first have to fill in paperwork, but later goes back on this statement after making out with her in the elevator . </P>

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