After having watching 50 Shades of Grey over a dozen times and volume 1 of Nymphomania, I still haven't gotten the former really under my skin. Yes, I did watch it over a dozen of times. Mainly as I wanted to (dis)agree with the negative criticism. Juxtaposing it with Nymphomania, I can honestly say I love both though for different reasons.
Nymphomania seems to accentuate what 50 Shades of Grey doesn't/can't/isn't willing to offer. Hollywood can't show reality, namely explicit nude scenes (for commercial reasons). Pornography can and is a reminder that Hollywood can never disclose completely. As such 50 Shades of Grey is never really about sex, nor does it really delve into the power relations of Sadomasochism. The book also avoids to tackle this. It cheapens or brings forward the cliché that SM must be about tortured souls. Grey "heals" by going vanilla. Anastasia (nor Grey?) doesn't understand the sadomasochism's power relationship. As much as the dominant controls the submissive, the latter also has control over the relationship. If that isn't the case, it is (or can devolve into) an unhealthy relationship.
The choice of Anastasia seems apt: mousy and inexperienced. She has zero experience and is in turmoil about the whole "deal." A representation of the meek woman looking for a rich alpha male who controls and offers security. It seems to kill feminism in one single thrust. This is why I love Nymphomania: the main/female character chooses sex without romantic ties. (Of course you know she's making the wrong choice. Every fuck is closer to the abyss.)
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