Fifty Shades of Life and More!

There is, deep inside of me, screaming to get out, a character that represents a grey area.  It is the type of character that I blush about even as I write on paper what she does in her fantasies.  I'm always amazed when writers can go beyond those fantasies and actually publish.

I have to mention a book that has gone “viral” over the last couple of years and now they are making a movie out of it.  “Fifty Shades of Grey,” written by E L James, is the hottest and raciest book out there since Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Lola as far as I’m concerned.  So far it doesn't appear to cross any censorship lines. 

I purchased my copy in Saskatoon on a recent trip.  A friend asked if I’d read it. She remarked the book wasn't really well written but obviously the publishers liked it!  On my return journey the flight attendant noticed I was reading it and asked how far into the book I was.  She said she was already on the third book of the trilogy.  I noticed no fewer than four people on the small plane with their noses buried in the same book.

It was the same when I visited friends awhile ago.  A number of women were reading part of the trilogy.  So, what is it about this book that is attracting so many different ages to pick it up?

The author has managed to mix a love story with all the elements of obsession and sex and power.  The story is a classic.  The man is the rich, powerful, tall dark and handsome, lonely prince.  The woman is the young, beautiful, innocent commoner.  There is a dark history attached to the man.  Right from the beginning the reader can sense that the woman will be able to make a difference in his life.

The sex is pornographic and takes the reader into areas that they may never have explored before.  I found myself doing internet research on a few terms I wasn’t familiar with.  There is also a very soft side to the sexual scenes as the author develops the love story.

I’m also amazed by the number of men becoming familiar with the book.  The content is so far out there they don’t seem to feel threatened by their girlfriends and wives reading it.  It opens up some pretty juicy conversations though.  I heard one comment recently from an over 60 acquaintance.  “If you want your wife to **** you, buy her this book!  Obviously it’s hot enough to juice up all ages.

This is a romantic tale with an edge and certainly not for everyone but definitely looks at relationships in a different way.  It has even managed to bridge the generation and gender gap. Whether it will become a book club read remains to be seen!