‘Grey’: Christian Grey’s Abusive Childhood Revealed In New ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Book

Christian Grey is telling his side of the story in the newly released follow up to E.L. James’ popular Fifty Shades of Grey series, titled Grey.

Grey: What We Learned About Christian Grey

Grey is a retelling of the events of Fifty Shades of Grey, this time from Christian Grey’s point of view – released on Thursday, June 18th, in honor of Christian’s birthday.

James teased the book as a look into the psychology of Christian, presented as a mysterious, dominating man from Anastasia’s point of view in the original books. Here are a few interesting tidbits learned about Christian Grey in Grey:

Christian Grey’s Abusive Childhood

The majority of the book consists of Christian’s interactions with Ana (see below), but when he’s not with Ana, or thinking about Ana, he sometimes has nightmares about his childhood. In the book, Christian dreams of his childhood abuse, and the details are described from the point of view of his younger self. At 4-years-old, Christian was forced to cover his dead mother’s body with a blanket and escape the wrath of her killer and abusive boyfriend.

Christian Orders A Background Check On Ana

Christian’s work life is also explored in more detail, as is his distain for Ana’s roommate, Kate. Most revealing, perhaps, is the retelling of Ana and Christian’s first meeting, during which Ana asks if he’s gay. Ana may have been embarrassed at asking that question, but Christian is downright mad: “I cannot believe she’s said that out loud! Ironically, the question even my own family will not ask. How dare she! I have a sudden urge to drag her out of her seat, bend her over my knee, spank her, and then f—k her over my desk with her hands tied behind her back. That would answer her ridiculous question.”

Grey also reveals that, after their meeting, Christian did a background check on Ana, and his increasingly jealous nature dominates the book.

One reviewer likened the Christian described in the book as “an utter psychopath,” writing, “Whenever Ana leaves the room, even just for two minutes, Christian assumes she’s making out with another man.” Fans reading Grey will also learn just how volatile Christian can be. For example, he becomes enraged when he learns that Anastasia is a virgin: “Anger lances through me. What can I do with a virgin? I glare at her as fury surges through my body.”

Christian Contemplates A “Vanilla Relationship” With Ana

Similarly to Fifty Shades of Grey, Grey ends with [SPOILER ALERT] Ana leaving Christian after realizing she wants more than just sex with him. Throughout Grey, Christian struggles with the knowledge that Ana wants romance, and that she required more traditional affection and courting than his usual conquest might.

Ana’s decision to end their relationship sends Christian somewhere unexpected: a therapist’s office, where he ponders the possibility of a “vanilla relationship.”

Other fun character traits revealed in Grey: he likes to run, hates club music and loves Moby.

Get Grey here:

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.

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