Available in both copy and e-book, Fifty shades is the fastest selling book in the UK, all within just three months of release.
Those who have not succumbed to the temptation of purchasing said book are continually asking those of us who have devoured all three parts in less than two weeks; "what's with all the hype?". And having read and enjoyed the series I find it impossible to answer this question.
I can think of only one reason why we have endured our work-mates, family and friends constantly discussing Christian Grey, and that is, we love reading about sex.
The British are surprisingly coy when it comes to openly discussing ones sexual endeavours. We prefer to keep any discussion, if we wander into one, very p.c. and we decide to change the subject somewhat promptly.
Whereas E L James has taken the sordid sexual fantasies of a seemingly normal "innocent" and a obsessive control freak, and thrown them in our faces where they cannot be ignored. And the truth of the matter is, we do not wish to ignore them.
Although we do not wish to discuss our own sex lives, we love to hear about others. And when as explicit and exciting as Anna and Christians, who are we to blame.
It however begs the question, are we all so deprived of sexual excitement and imagination that we can only witness it from a distance in the form of an unrealistic fantasy?
For some, you may believe I'm making a sweeping generalisation of why we have swooned at this book. However when I consider whether the book should receive much merit, I think not.
When I begin to think about it the book is not particularly well written. Those of you gasping at my proclamation can take a minute to listen to my reasoning.
Firstly. present are only weak plot-lines in all of the three books. We barely touch on any excitement outside of the bedroom. And when we think something exciting might finally happen (Anna or Christian getting shot by the ex-sub for example) the anticipation is diluted and nothing ever happens.
Secondly, the continual repetition of certain traits and sayings. This was the one thing I really hated about all three of the books. Under the assumption that those reading the second or third book have also read the first, we do not need to be reminded that Anna bites her lip at every turn! We get it, she bites her lip, Christian loves it.
We also do not need to hear for the thousandth time that Anna like the way Christians jeans hang in "that" way. And if I ever hear the supposed endearing term "Mr Grey/Mrs Grey" I might shoot myself.
For those of you still claiming you read the book because it was interesting and the characters had redeeming qualities. Try imagining the book without it's explicitness, imagine that when things were about to heat up all that was given was a simple .... and we woke up the next morning sort of thing. Not such a gripping book huh? you still want to spend every night with Christian Grey now? I think not.
All complaints aside, I cannot deny that I loved the book, And the underlying reason is as discussed, I love reading about sex. I'm British afterall....
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