Perhaps I had an advantage having not read the popular trilogy. I was anxious to get started on this work. London is clearly a good writer. His screenplay flows perfectly, with characters introduced at just the right time and each scene set up well. And he leaves you wanting more. Well, at least in the literary sense of an anticipation of what comes next.
The material itself I was greatly disappointed with. The character Grant, is arrogant, self-consumed, male chauvanist psychopath. We are to accept this for three reasons: he admits his arrogance, he is wealthy and he is a specimen of man to gaze upon that is comparible to none other. He seems intriging at first as the understated yet steamy romance begins. Once alone on his property his methods of seduction are not only unacceptable but are cruel. What kind of game is he playing? Physical and mental it seems.
This literary romanticizing of male dominance with female complaince is brutish and is an assault on all that is right about the equality of the sexes. And to have her yieldedness expected in advance?Also, the way he treats her always as a physical being is hard to swallow. One deduces this will changes as perhaps she will bring out a bettee side of him. What is she thinking?
My review is simple. Writing skills excellent. Material distasteful. ( )