The Fifty Shades books by E.L. James attracted worldwide attention upon their bestselling release for their racy subject matter exploring erotic romance between wealthy Christian Grey and young college graduate Anastasia Steele. This reading guide presents the complete Fifty Shades series in chronological order, providing the sequence to follow Ana and Christian story through all six books and supplemental novels from Christian perspective.
List of All Fifty Shades Books in Order
| Sr. No. | All Fifty Shades Books in Order | Year |
| 1 | 2011 | |
| 2 | 2012 | |
| 3 | 2012 | |
| 4 | 2015 | |
| 5 | 2017 | |
| 6 | 2021 |
1 - Fifty Shades of Grey (2011)
- Series: Fifty Shades
- Genre: Erotic, Romance
- Author: E.L. James
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- Release date: May 25, 2011
Summary:
When college senior Anastasia Steele fills in for her sick roommate to interview prominent businessman Christian Grey, she finds herself both entranced and intimidated by the brilliant yet tormented billionaire. Although awkward and inexperienced, Ana forms an instant connection with Christian. After he appears at the hardware store where she works, they begin a relationship marked by intense physical and emotional intimacy.
As Ana discovers more about Christian dark past and singular tastes, she learns he only participates in BDSM relationships. Christian tempts her with expensive gifts, introducing her to his world of bondage while making clear he wants total command over her. Ana feels bewildered by her simultaneous arousal and discomfort at Christian proclivities. As they negotiate their limits and desires, Ana must reconcile Christian controlling nature with her own independence and need for equality in love.
Their all-consuming affair spans eye-opening sensual experiences, arguments, declarations and increasing closeness. But Christian mercurial nature and traumatic childhood make him wary of conventional relationships. As Ana tests her boundaries with Christian, she finds herself pulled ever deeper into his passions and lifestyle. But she doesn't know if she can accept Christian as he is or if he capable of change.
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2 - Fifty Shades Darker (2012)
- Series: Fifty Shades
- Genre: Erotic, Romance
- Author: E.L. James
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- Release date: September 13, 2012
Summary:
After ending her relationship with Christian due to his intense proclivities, Ana seeks to move on, accepting a new job and distracting herself with family and friends. But she struggles to forget Christian or get him out of her system. When Christian reappears, vowing to win back her trust and prove he can change, Ana agrees to reconnect slowly.
As they tentatively restart a physical relationship, Ana delves deeper into Christian past, meeting his adoptive family and learning more about his beginnings with an abusive pimp as a teen. But Ana also faces interference and threats from figures in Christian past. She meets his vengeful former submissive Leila, who stalks Ana and his manipulative ex-lover Elena.
While their romance progresses, Ana must navigate Christian complex relationships and personal damage. She comes to better understand his primal needs and desires stemming from childhood mistreatment. As her love deepens, Ana helps draw Christian into the light, pursuing a more normal dynamic. But letting go of past hurts and habits proves a struggle on their path toward real intimacy.
3 - Fifty Shades Freed (2012)
- Series: Fifty Shades
- Genre: Erotic, Romance
- Author: E.L. James
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- Release date: January 17, 2012
Summary:
Fifty Shades Freed picks up with the lavish wedding of Anastasia and Christian, now married. As they jet off to honeymoon in Europe, elements of their power dynamic persist despite their newfound matrimony. After fights over Ana independence and Christian controlling ways, they soon find themselves confronting external threats from Christian past.
When Ana former boss makes unwanted advances toward her, Ana learns she is pregnant with Christian baby at the same time. Christian is torn between fierce protectiveness toward Ana and their unborn child and his own emotional shortcomings. They continue navigating ups and downs, disagreements, jealousy, passion and romance.
With Ana expanding her career ambitions and Christian trying to let go of his obsessive tendencies, they both make efforts to create a healthy, balanced relationship not overshadowed by his singular tastes. As external dangers impact Ana, Christian leans on his adoptive family for wisdom about marrying his true love. Freed culminates with Ana giving birth as she and Christian transition into parenthood, committing to forge a stable family together.
4 - Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian (2015)
- Series: Fifty Shades
- Genre: Erotic, Romance
- Author: E.L. James
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- Release date: June 18, 2015
Summary:
Told from billionaire Christian Grey first-person perspective, Grey reveals his thoughts and feelings upon meeting college student Anastasia Steele and beginning their sensual BDSM relationship. Christian finds himself intrigued by Ana quiet beauty, wit and kindness that contrast with her sexual inexperience. Although emotionally distant due to his difficult upbringing, he desires her and initiates a controlling affair.
Through their courtship, Christian struggles with balancing his own proclivities toward domination and inflicting pain with his burgeoning love for Ana. His need to possess her completely warps his efforts to be gentle as he introduces her to his world. Christian opens up more about his past traumatic childhood and relations with his adoptive family, the Greys, who gave him opportunities. As he falls deeper in love, he wrestles with how to maintain Ana consent and trust while satisfying his own dark desires.
5 - Darker: Fifty Shades Darker as Told by Christian (2017)
- Series: Fifty Shades
- Genre: Erotic, Romance
- Author: E.L. James
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- Release date: November 28, 2017
Summary:
Retelling the events of Fifty Shades Darker from Christian Grey perspective, Darker depicts Christian anguish after Anastasia leaves him, unable to reconcile his controlling tendencies with her demands for equality. Desperate to keep her in his life, Christian vows to try things her way, even as he struggles to suppress his own needs. But figures from Christian past threaten their reconciliation.
When his unhinged former submissive Leila breaks in, Christian worries for Ana safety. He also confronts his manipulative ex-lover Elena, who disparages his new relationship. As Christian shares more of his background with Ana, his greatest challenge is learning to trust and relinquish control after years of emotional isolation and hyper-vigilance from past abuse.
6 - Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as Told by Christian (2021)
- Series: Fifty Shades
- Genre: Erotic, Romance
- Author: E.L. James
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- Release date: June 1, 2021
Summary:
The final book chronicles Christian Grey intimate thoughts as he marries Anastasia and they navigate the early days of their union and parenthood. Christian describes his ecstasy at their lavish wedding and honeymoon tempered by arguments over Ana independence. Though Christian struggles with his controlling tendencies, he tries letting Ana forge her own career path.
When Ana reveals she is pregnant, Christian is overwhelmed with protectiveness and anxiety over fatherhood given his traumatic childhood. Their clashes over safety versus freedom reflect Christian inner turmoil. But he comes to rely on his adoptive parents' wisdom about balancing love with trust in a relationship. Freed closes with joy as Christian looks toward a happy future with Ana and their newborn son.
DPM Top 3 Picks
For those new to the series, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed offer the essential story arc of Ana and Christian romance revealed in the original trilogy. Moreover, these three books are our top picks among the 6 books series.
Conclusion
The Fifty Shades of Grey books stood out for bringing erotic romance to mainstream audiences, resonating with readers through the all-consuming affair between Anastasia and Christian. Following their story chronologically provides deeper insight into their dynamic, tracing its evolution through courtship, separation, reconciliation and marriage.
FAQs
Q: How many parts of the Fifty Shades book are there?
There are 6 primary books in the Fifty Shades series, including 3 novels and 3 retellings from Christian perspective.
Q: Is Fifty Shades a series?
Yes, Fifty Shades is a trilogy of novels plus supplementary retellings of the trilogy from the male protagonist point of view.
Q: Is there a book 4 of Fifty Shades?
There is no book 4 in the main Fifty Shades trilogy. But the 4th book published is Grey, which retells Fifty Shades of Grey from Christian Grey perspective.
Q: What order should I read the Fifty Shades books in?
Read the original trilogy first in order: Fifty Shades of Grey, Darker, then Freed. After, read the retellings: Grey, Darker, then Freed.
Q: Who wrote the Fifty Shades books?
British author E.L. James wrote the entire Fifty Shades of Grey series.