Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few months, you may have noticed that the whole world is talking about E. L. James’ erotic trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey. It is the story of a sadomasochistic love affair between shy literature student Ana Steele and tormented millionaire Christian Grey.
This trilogy has had Britain gripped. You only have to count the number of people devouring the lusty pages on trains, beaches, in parks and cafe’s around the country!
Eroticism Turns Mainstream
Fifty Shades has now outsold all seven Harry Potter books on Amazon.co.uk, crowning E L James as the biggest selling author of all time on Amazon, which has been selling books for over 14 years!
This is a truly remarkable statistic, given the fact that the British are not known for their overt sexuality. But it would seem that the popularity of these saucy books has unearthed our country’s kinky side.
We’ve also recently learned that sex toy sales in the UK have increased by 400%, and luxury lingerie and hosiery sales have also experienced a boom this summer, which is usually a difficult season for lingerie retailers. First time buyers have been brazenly ordering nipple clamps, love eggs, whips and harnesses while usually the first timers would opt for a small vibrator.
But it’s not just sex toys and lingerie that women are buying; classic Hardy novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles, which is referenced many times in the book, has sold over 3 million copies in the last few months. While the piece of classical music, ‘Spem in alium’, which also features, has flown to the top of the classical charts!
This Fifty Shades effect has had a phenomenal cultural impact on the women of Britain, clearly heavily influencing spending habits, bedroom antics and much more besides.
Mixed Reviews
But the books themselves have had very mixed literary reviews. Many critics have slammed the quality of writing, deeming it repetitive, grammatically unsound and unoriginal, while some may feel angered that such an unremarkable book is generating such substantial revenue.
Ethical Impact
Elsewhere, there have been many grave concerns expressed as to the ethical impact of the books. The relationship that exists between the two protagonists has been labelled ‘abusive’, not least because of the sadomasochistic nature of their relations.
This has in turn sparked controversy in terms of the negative depiction of BDSM. Defenders have suggested that portraying a sexual submissive as equal to a victim of abuse is highly irresponsible and misinformed.
I find that when any book, film, album or gadget creates such a storm, critics will always emerge with harsher and harsher opinions. Is it jealousy? Is it frustration? In any case, whatever its literary merits or moral questionability, the Fifty Shades of Grey effect is engulfing Britain like a sensual tidal wave.
Men everywhere have been startled, bemused and delighted at the invigorated female sexual appetites. Wives and girlfriends are spending their money on sexy bras, whips and handcuffs, and are demanding more sex!
Husbands have been skipping to work after their usual once a month has been bumped up to twice a week – all thanks to the trilogy.
BDSM is becoming mainstream, women are becoming sexually emboldened and adventurous, and above all it’s got everybody reading, talking and having more sex! All else aside, that’s the most positive outcome.
Have you read it? What did you think?
Susannah Perez is a passionate blogger, in love with lingerie, vintage dresses, London night life and sensuality! She takes a keen interest in fashion, literature and film, and blogs regularly for Lingerie.co.uk.
