Summary of Fifty Shades of Gray, E. L. James

Chapter 1

Student journalist Catherine Cavana falls ill on the eve of an important interview with their university sponsor, billionaire Christian Gray. Not wanting to miss the hot material for the article, for which she had to seek a meeting with Mr. Gray for six months, Catherine persuades the roommate, twenty-two-year-old Anastacia Steele, to interview in her place.

Despite the upcoming exams and a number of important matters, Anastacia can’t refuse a persistent friend, and arrives at the Gray Enterprises by the appointed hour. There she learns that Christian Gray, previously unknown to her, is an incredibly handsome man of twenty-seven years.

During the interview, the girl shows a shameful awkwardness and does not stop being embarrassed, but this does not prevent her from moving away from the recorded questions and starting to ask her own, trying to get to know this person better. Gray exudes a craving for power, arrogance and confidence, hiding them behind a mask of business courtesy. For some reason, he is interested in a girl who, with all her appearance, demonstrates lack of will and willingness to follow the lead. A spark runs between them.

Chapter 2

After the interview, Anastacia hastily leaves Gray’s office. By handing the recorder back to her friend Catherine, she is trying to pretend that the billionaire was completely not interested in her, but in fact she can not help but think about him. Deciding that their meeting will never happen again, she again merges into the daily routine.

In addition to studying at the University of Washington, Anastacia moonlights in a tool and building materials store. On one of her working days, Gray appears in the store under the guise of a buyer and chooses strange goods: screed, electrical tape and rope. Having talked, Anastacia mentions that Katherine is very sorry about the absence of a photograph of Gray for the article. Christian leaves a business card, allowing him to call at the expense of the photo shoot. Having paid, he leaves.

Eyes 3

Through the efforts of Katherine, Anastacia Steel agrees with Christian Gray about a photo shoot at the hotel. After the scheduled shootings, the handsome rich man invites the girl to drink coffee with him and receives consent. He asks her many strange and personal questions about the family, but prefers to say almost nothing about himself.

Having finished her tea, Anastacia recalls that she should go home to prepare for exams. Christian volunteers to escort her to the car. In the parking lot, Anastacia, gape, almost fell under the wheels of a cyclist, but her companion pulls the girl in time. Christian presses Anastacia to himself and strokes her face.

Chapter 4

Recollecting himself, Christian pushes Anastacia away, asking him to stay away from him, and says goodbye. Left alone in the parking lot, Anastacia cries, unable to deny her feelings for this man. Trying to distract herself from thoughts about him, the girl again returns to student duties.

After passing the exam, Anastacia discovers a package containing the first edition of the novel “Tess of the d’Herberville Family” in three volumes, and realizes that only Christian could make such an expensive gift to her. She decides to send the books back at the first opportunity.

At a university graduation party, Anastacia gets drunk for the first time and calls Gray. Hearing her drunken voice, Gray demands to tell him his location, but Anastacia hangs up. Jose, a longtime friend of Anastacia, noticing her poor health, helps the girl get out on the street to breathe fresh air. There he begins to harass her, ignoring the pleas to stop.

Gray suddenly appears and takes Anastacia away. The girl is sick. Gray reports that he still lives in a city hotel, and found her by tracking the call. They return to the bar. Christian tries to bring Anastacia to feelings, but weakness prevails and she faints.

Chapter 5

Anastacia wakes up the next morning in a hotel room. After asking Christian about what had happened the night before, she learns that he brought her here and put her to bed. Christian takes care, but does not stop reporting and teasing the guest. Anastacia takes a shower, changes into the clean clothes she bought for her and they go to breakfast together.

At breakfast, Gray continues to behave strangely, either pushing Anastacia away or letting her know about her strong feelings for her. He hints that he has a secret because of which he cannot have a lover, and says that he has certain plans for Anastacia. Due to the incident with the party, he will have to reveal them earlier than he expected. Gray also mentions that he needs written consent for some things.

Although they both try to stay cool during a conversation, they are unable to mask strong sexual tension. Somehow holding back their impulses, the couple agrees on a new meeting. Gray volunteers to conduct Anastacia, but in the elevator the situation is heating up even more. Unable to restrain themselves, they pounce on each other in a passionate kiss.

Chapter 6

The guests who entered the elevator make the couple moderate their ardor. Christian takes Anastacia home, where they are waiting for Katherine and Eliot, Christian’s half-brother. Kate met him at a party, when he drove Christian, they obviously had a stormy night. Gray recalls a meeting in the evening, about which they agreed earlier, after which he leaves with his brother.

Anastacia admits to her friend that she is crazy about Christian and is ready to lose her virginity with him. Kate helps her friend to bring herself in the appropriate form, after which Anastacia goes to work. At exactly the appointed time, Gray calls for her and invites the girl to visit his house in Seattle. They are going to fly there by helicopter. The billionaire is a skilled pilot.

An hour later they sit on the roof of the mansion. Anastacia is amazed at the luxury and sophistication of his home. Gray warns that it is possible to start a relationship between them only by signing a "non-disclosure agreement", also declares that he does not have sex, but "fucks hard." Anastacia signs the papers, after which she goes to watch his "room for games."

Chapter 7

Anastacia examines the room, reminiscent of the inquisitor’s torture. Gray carefully monitors her reaction and asks to ask questions. It turns out that romance does not interest him. The only kind of relationship that can be between them is the relationship between Dominant and Submissive.

Gray shows Anastacia the list of rules that he, as Dominant, and she, as Submissive, undertake to comply. Anastacia experiences conflicting feelings, but continues to ask questions. When during the discussion it turns out that she is still a virgin and cannot name the boundaries of the permissible, Gray becomes furious.

Chapter 8

Calming down, Christian decides that an exception can be made for Anastacia because of her inexperience and offers her to have “vanilla sex”, “start from the basics”. He deprives her of virginity, bringing to orgasm. Anastacia is delighted with what is happening. After the third orgasm, she falls into sleep.

Waking up in the middle of the night, Anastacia hears music and goes down, making Christian play the piano. He is clearly sad. Noticing the girl, Gray gently orders her to return to bed.

Chapter 9

In the morning, Anastacia finds Christian still asleep and goes to cook breakfast. Soon he joins her and they have breakfast together. Anastacia still feels discomfort and a little pain after their stormy night. Christian proposes to “slow down” with vaginal sex and go on to study oral caresses, which they do while taking a bath.

Moving to the bed, Gray ties Anastacia’s hands with a tie, orders them to be lifted and not to lower them. Oral sex continues. A couple is interrupted by voices from the living room. It seems that driver Taylor is trying to explain to Mrs. Gray, Christian’s mother, that his boss is not ready to receive guests.

Chapter 10

Anastacia’s acquaintance with Mrs. Grace Trevelyan-Gray is going well, Christian’s mother is a good-natured and sweet woman. Not wanting to interfere with young people, she soon leaves.

The couple goes for a drive in a car and drives into a restaurant. Gray decides to open Anastacia. He admits that his mother’s girlfriend (later it turns out that her name is Elena) seduced him when he was fifteen; for six years he was her sexual slave. Gray again asks Anastacia to “study the question”, find out more on the Internet about the BDSM topic, and give him an affirmative answer.

Having lunch, Anastacia returns home to her friend Catherine. She is still dating Eliot and he is crazy about him. Katherine is getting ready for a vacation with her family abroad, which means Anastacia will have to settle in their new apartment in Seattle herself. Anastacia, remembering the “non-disclosure agreement”, tells Kate almost nothing about their night with Gray. Before going to bed, she decides to read the coveted contract.

Chapter 11

The contract, in a dry legal tone, defines the further relationship between Dominant (Christian Gray) and Submissive (Anastacia Steel). The purpose of the contract: "giving the Submissive the opportunity to study their sensuality and the limits of the permissible." The Submissive is required to fully submit to and consent to corporal punishment that does not require subsequent medical intervention. The dominant, in turn, guarantees to take care of the safety of the Submissive and to pay expenses. “Stop words” and types of sexual practices are discussed.

Anastacia is shocked by what she read in the contract. Much of what is written there seems unacceptable and scary. The next day, she receives a package with a laptop of the latest model. Gray conducts electronic correspondence with her and recalls that she should “conduct research” and learn more about the type of relationship that he offers. Studying articles on the topic of BDSM, she realizes that she is nauseous, but at the same time she is excited. Anastacia still doubts whether she is ready to give him her consent.

Chapter 12

Still in doubt, Anastacia writes an e-mail with an unwillingness to continue such a relationship. Although the letter was written as a joke, nevertheless, it looked serious. Christian does not give an answer by mail, but personally comes, hoping to use his charm.

Anastacia again can not resist his will and desire, therefore, agrees to “trust him”. Christian takes out the same tie that had tied her before, and again ties the girl to the bed. In this position, they have sex.

Sex satisfied both of them, but the conversation did not fit again. Despite the fact that no agreement has yet been signed and Anastacia has not given her consent to be his slave, he continues to push her around. She chases him away. Later, she tries to discuss the unacceptable clauses in the contract by e-mail, but Christian changes the subject and insists on discussion only in person.

Chapter 13

Christian and Anastacia, as previously agreed, meet at the Hitman Hotel to discuss all the terms of their contract between Dominant and Submissive. Anastacia wonders why she was not told that the contract was null and void. Gray laughs off again and changes the subject. He does not like Anastacia’s explicit attempts to remain calm and conduct the conversation in a businesslike tone. He takes her to dinner in a separate room.

They continue to discuss the contract. Gray wants to control how much his slave sleeps, how much he eats when he sees him. It is forbidden to touch it, look in the eyes and engage in self-satisfaction. Anastacia is trying to defend her position, but Christian again confuses her, increasing sexual arousal. The girl hurries home.

At home, Anastacia ponders again. She is completely unsatisfied with the type of relationship that Christian can offer her. She dreams of more: love, a normal family. Having decided to refuse the contract, Anastacia recalls Gray’s words that “this is all that he knows,” and that other relations were not known to him. The girl decides that together they will be able to lay a new course; she wants to try to change Christian.

Chapter 14

Impressed by the read, Anastacia is tormented by erotic dreams of submission. Her stepfather Ray arrives, they are sent together to the university for graduation. Christian Gray will be giving a speech there. During his address to graduates, Gray lists his projects on ecology and the fight against hunger in third world countries, and mentions that hunger is personal for him. This explains to Anastacia his unhealthy attitude toward "throwing away food."

After graduation, Christian through Catherine tells Anastacia that he wants to see her. Left alone with her, he drags her into the first room that comes across, where he arranges an interrogation about why she does not answer his messages, and also demands to introduce him to his stepfather. Christian starts a conversation with him about fishing, which makes a good impression on the man.

Left alone, Anastacia reminds Gray that she wants a normal relationship, but he assures her that his proposal is much better. Anastacia gives her consent to try. She arranges for another meeting in the evening at her home.

Chapter 15

Christian arrives at Anastacia with a bottle of champagne. She tries to return the donated books, but he categorically refuses and recalls that now the girl should not think about such things, but only take all his decisions and gifts with gratitude.

Another attempt to discuss the boundaries of the permissible ends with the fact that Gray insists on the list of anal sex and a number of practices, which tipsy Anastacia agrees reluctantly and, for the most part, because of her inexperience. Wanting to subjugate Anastacia even more and force her to make concessions, Gray promises that he will be ready to give in to romance one night a week, but on condition that she accepts his gift - a new luxury car. They have sex.

Chapter 16

Christian is about to leave, Anastacia volunteers to let him down, but he reminds her that she has already drunk. To her question about whether he made her drink specially, Christian answers in the affirmative, explaining this by saying that she thinks less and is easier to persuade to have sex according to his rules. Anastacia behaves subordinately and does not argue, fearing to lose him forever, and agrees to flogging because she rolled her eyes in the presence of her Lord. Spanking is followed by sex again.

Anastacia experiences pain from flogging and at the same time pleasure. However, after Christian left, an unpleasant feeling about what had happened began to eat her. Anastacia calls her mother, she understands from a telephone conversation that something is wrong with her daughter, having learned that the speech is in a man, her mother advises her to stay away from him. Katherine, returning home, also sees Anastacia crying, and realizes that this is because of Gray. Anastacia, scrolling through her head with their conversations with Christian, notices the “wake-up calls” that she had previously ignored.

The electronic correspondence with Christian Anastacia ends with her suspicion that she is not entirely sure whether she likes him, and is sure that she does not like whipping. Reaching the bed, she cries into the pillow. Crying, she is caught by Christian who arrived in the middle of the night. He consoles Anastacia, but does not want to deviate from the planned plan: he needs Anastacia to obey everything, and he enjoys punishing her. In addition, Christian insists that it is not he who suppresses the girl, but she enchanted him with her spell, and remains with her for the night.

Chapter 17

Christian overslept a meeting and is in a hurry going to work. Anastashe also needs to finalize the last day, she is glad to try out a new donated car. A new smartphone is sent from Christian to work with her as a courier; he demands that his slave be kept in touch all the time. Anastacia is not very pleased to receive such gifts.

Later in the evening, the Christian driver arrives to pick up her old car for sale. Eliot visits Kate, and Anastacia goes to the bar with Jose; she forgave him for molesting at the party.

Katherine and Anastacia move to a new apartment in Seattle. Eliot helps the girls move, and Christian sends the courier champagne for a housewarming party.

Christian insists on checking Anastacia with a gynecologist. The doctor will come to the house to examine Gray. While Anastacia is waiting for the doctor’s visit, Gray reports that his mother is asking Anastacia to attend their family dinner.

Chapter 18

The gynecologist completed the examination and prescribed birth control pills for Anastacia. After a bite, the couple headed to Christian’s “game room”. The role-playing game begins: he makes her kneel, handcuffs him, hits with a whip, and has sex. He also uses a cable tie that he bought once at Anastacia’s store after an interview. Anastacia notices several small scars on his chest. When finished, Christian puts Anastacia, exhausted by multiple orgasms, into bed, and lies down beside him.

Chapter 19

Having slept for several hours, the couple is going to a scheduled dinner with the Gray. The situation is warmed up by the fact that Christian has Anastacia’s underwear, and she herself was left without panties. On the way there, she thinks that she does all this for the most part not because she likes playing the Lord and the slave, but because of her desire to be with Christian. Christian yanks her again and asks not to think.

Christiana and Anastacia are greeted by the entire Gray family: Grace, Christian’s mother, whom Anastacia met earlier, his father Carrick and sister Mia. Eliot and Kate are already at home. Anastacia mentions during a conversation that she was going to go to her mother in Georgia. Christian is furious that she did not inform him, although she tries not to show it. In general, the dinner is wonderful, she likes this nice family.

After dinner, Christian leads Anastacia to show the surroundings and backyard. Christian raises her in his arms and carries her to the boathouse, where he threatens to spank and have sex. She is scared and does not want this, but he is adamant.

Chapter 20

Anastacia begs Christian not to beat her. He recalls that during dinner Anastacia did not let him touch him under the table, and this turns him on. Christian ends up not letting Anastacia get an orgasm; this is her punishment. They are interrupted by Mia, calling to say goodbye to Kate and Eliot. Christian and Anastacia leave after them.

In the car, they discuss her trip to Georgia to her mother. Christian tries to beg to go with her, but Anastacia refuses, explaining that she wants to be alone, to think away from his influence. She wants more than being a contract slave. Christian promises to try.

Anastacia stays with Christian overnight. There she tries to persuade him to have normal sex, but he refuses. Anastacia is trying to find out why Christian is so categorically against her touching him. He again mentions that he had a difficult childhood, but he agrees to talk about it only if Anastacia allows her to use vaginal balls. She does not object to the balls, nor to the subsequent flogging. In reward, Christian says that his own mother was a prostitute and a drug addict. He remembers something, his adoptive parents said something. Anastasia is once again a wave of pity for Christian.

Chapter 21

Morning again takes place in sex, this time in Christian’s office. Anastacia is increasingly crushed by the feeling that between them there is only sex without an emotional connection and she is his tool for satisfaction. While she is still encouraged by Christian’s promise to try to give her something more.

Scheduled interviews at publishers are going well. There is no answer from employers yet, but Anastacia believes that she made a favorable impression. Tickets to mother in Georgia have already been bought. At the airport, Anastacia learns that through the efforts of Gray she was transferred to business class.

Chapter 22

The flight was physically comfortable, but correspondence by email with Gray morally tired Anastacia. Gray again demonstrates the despot’s habits, Anastacia can not understand whether his threats are punishment as a joke or he is serious. Upon arrival, she with tears in her eyes rushes into the arms of her mother.

By e-mail, Christian continues to assure Anastacia that in the relationship between Dominant and Submissive, all power is precisely with Submissive, and that this Anastacia can manipulate him as she pleases. Anastacia learns that Christian is going out to dinner with an “old friend,” and believes that this is the woman who molested him as a teenager. They still see each other, and it pisses her off. During their correspondence, when Anastacia was drinking at the bar with her mother, Christian makes it clear that she knows where she is and what she drinks. Anastacia is scared.

Chapter 23

Anastacia was right in her fears: Christian in Georgia, he was in the bar all this time. The girl does not know how to react to this. On the one hand, she is pleased that he is here because of her, but on the other, his obsession with surveillance scares. They again discuss Elena and Christian’s dinner with her. According to him, only business relations between them. Anastacia is trying to find out the reason for their separation. It turns out that it was all over because Elena’s husband found out about their relationship.

Anastacia’s mother invites Christian to dinner. She did not hear the conversation, although she guessed about a quarrel. This woman is also fascinated by Christian and is delighted that her daughter found herself such a party, so she sends Anastacia to reconcile with Christian.

Anastacia, having said goodbye to her mother, goes to Christian’s room. She wants to talk to him, but once again he is trying to change the subject and reduce everything to sex. Christian ignores her menstruation and they have sex. Anastashe already doesn’t care.

At a moment, Anastacia again notices the scars on his chest, and it comes to her that these are traces of cigarette butts. In the end, he opens up and admits that Elena actually saved him when he was depressed because of his real mother, and felt uncomfortable in a new ideal family. They figure out a relationship that ends in sex again. Anastacia agrees to once again visit the "game room".

Chapter 24

Christian wakes Anastacia early in the morning, promising to triple her surprise, and brings her to the local glider society. Anastacia learns that gliding is one of Christian’s main passions. The first flight enthuses Anastacia, Christian is also happy. Together they are heading for breakfast.

Christian takes Anastacia home to his mother, and he says goodbye. In the kitchen, Anastacia’s mother is trying to figure out how to please Christian during dinner. But towards evening, Christian reports that affairs in Seattle require his presence. In addition, Anastacia called from the publisher with the news of a new appointment as an assistant editor.

Chapter 25

Anastacia says goodbye to her mother and flies away from Georgia. Correspondence with Christian makes her worry: he is underestimating something and is clearly worried. Upon arrival, he behaves no less strange and nervous. He almost pounced on Anastacia in his office, claiming that he really needed her. Christian’s passion once again prevents them from talking normally. After lunch, Christian declares that he bought Anastacia’s new clothes and wants her dressed in clothes to go to the "games room". She does not like the fact that Christian turns her into a "kept woman", and feels that he seems to be paying her for sex.

In the "game room" Anastacia, almost naked and kneeling in anticipation of the Dominant, thinks that she is ready for everything for him, although this is not what she wants. He rivets her to the bed, closes her eyes with a mask, puts on headphones with music and begins to whip, after the blows are replaced by kisses, and it all ends with passionate sex.

Chapter 26

Having woken up early, Anastacia again finds Christian playing a sad melody. Anastacia recalls a contract that they never concluded. Christian is no longer so adamant, but still insists on his full power and punishment for disobedience. Anastacia declares that the punishment is as unacceptable for her as for him when someone touches him, and that all she did in that room was all for Christian’s sake, and not at her request.

Their conversation boils down to the fact that she is ready to try punishment, if he is also ready to give her more. For the first time Christian assigns her a real punishment, not just light spanking, and leads to the "game room". Six belt punches. Anastacia screams in pain, struggling to withstand the blows. The real pain confuses her about her feelings for Christian. She is not ready to endure this and does not want his touch. For the first time, she realizes that this is not a game, and that such a life and the role of a slave is not for her; she can never give this person what he wants from her.

Christian tries to console her and begs not to leave him. Anastacia says that she does not fit him, to which Christian replies that he is not worthy of her. Anastacia confesses his love. Gray is furious, it is wrong for him, she cannot love him, he did not deserve it.

In the end, they understand that everything is over between them. Anastacia leaves all his gifts and leaves home, where she is filled with tears. She loves Christian, but their relationship was initially doomed to failure.

End of the first book

Nikita Nazimkin