Seldom does it happen that a book rises up from absolutely nowhere and takes the whole world by storm. The names you will immediately think of are things like the Harry Potter series, Game of Thrones and, unfortunately, Twilight. Thanks to a recent development in literature (I use that term loosely in this context), we can now add the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomena to that growing list of popular books. And I for one just don’t understand why it’s there…
Although I haven’t had the pleasure of reading the books, from my understanding they are based solely around the sexual antics of a woman called Ana and a man called Christian. The books push boundaries and suddenly, that seems to be something the entire world is interested in reading. Thanks to Wikipedia I have a rough outline of the plot and I must admit I’m a little shocked that so many people are buying into this. A contract for a submissive? The red room of pain? Is this really what people want to read about these days?
Admittedly, I feel a little relieved that suddenly reading an erotic novel is no longer something people need to attempt to hide behind another book or a magazine, but from what I’m being told about this current craze, it seems like nothing more than a raunchy Twilight effect where the literature is bad and the story is ludicrous.
The trilogy has apparently been labelled “Mummy porn” given its popularity with married women over thirty, however now the fifty-shades-craze seems to be spreading and I’m left wondering if I’m missing out on something! The answer to which is, probably not.
While I might not exactly be all for the idea of Twilight fan fiction suddenly becoming the next big thing in literature, it would be unfair of me to write this without offering any kind of commendation to James for her success in the publishing industry. She has successfully done what so many of us struggle to do – myself included – and has managed to write a book that, in terms of copies sold, has gone above and beyond even the modern day legend of the Harry Potter texts. Does that make it a good book? I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer that question. All I really know is that, despite praise from my female (and some of my male) friends, I will NOT be rushing out to buy a copy of the book. Although it is a relief to see that someone has finally managed to bring erotic literature out of its designated section…
>
Written by Charlotte Barnes
I was standing in line at the bookstore buying another book, when I saw the first one in the series. Decided to buy it. I read it, reviewed it, and promptly took it back to the store from which I bought it. Hated it! I’ve never felt compelled to take back a book before, but this one I did.
No, I’m not above reading erotica/porn…I’ve even got a couple of erotic novels on my kindle…however, I steer clear of submissive/domination type erotic tales. I don’t know why anyone would allow themselves to be whipped and slapped around like Ana was.
Based on fan fiction of Twilight, I don’t know how the author could use a few lines from the Twilight books, and call it fan fiction. Edward would never have treated Bella the way Christian treated Ana. Just sayin’.
BTW, in my opinion, Twilight was much better…
Save yourself the bucks…Fifty Shades wasn’t worth it.
“Edward would never have treated Bella the way Christian treated Ana.”
The Bella/Edward relationship IS a dominant/submissive one. Okay Edward doesn’t whip her, and the book doesn’t have the same overtly BDSM scenes, but he emotionally manipulates her, he controls her, he uses her obsession with him against her – in the first book particularly so. I think he’s cruel beyond belief. He doesn’t love her, he wants to own her. When Edward tries to reject Bella, I don’t think he’s ever doing it for her own sake, he’s testing her feelings for him and trying to force her into an insecurity focused submission.
The vampire motif is just a way of sugarcoating their dominant/submissive relationship, making it more moderate and thus socially acceptable, but is in actual fact the part of the book that makes it so popular. And it’s also the reason vampires are used in erotica.
The only difference between 50 Shades of Grey and Twilight is the sex and the nature of the characters relationship in the former is actually depicted, rather than subtly hinted at.
I have to admit that I haven’t read it and don’t intend to. I like erotica, but I find any form of BDSM repulsive.
I’ve heard the writing sucks anyway.