The complex relationship of Anastasia and Christian in the acclaimed Fifty Shades of Grey novel has captured the world like no other fiction to date - including Harry Potter, which it has surpassed to become the fastest selling paperback of all time. The torrid story of lust saturated with erotic scenes and intimate attention to detail has got women everywhere opening up more with their sexuality and made the sometimes-taboo topic of sex an open and appropriate one to discuss over coffee or brunch with friends.
But what exactly is it that has captivated readers around the world? Why was the series such a global phenomenon? What factors contributed to its success and what have been the effects on women and sexuality? Read on for the discussion.
First we must start off with the storyline. It's a love story and an unusual one at that as it is devoid of, well, love! With contractual agreements and ground rules in place the relationship between the two main characters - Anastasia and Mr Christian Grey himself is purely a physical one. Perhaps it is this that has grasped readers' attention spans so enigmatically, the typical love story of normal girl meets wealthy businessman oozing charm and becomes love struck isn't really what this book is all about. Having an emotionless physical relationship especially for women is a foreign concept; does it work? Or does it fail? Can it work?
Perhaps it is because the relationship between the two main characters is just so unusual, or perhaps it is the attention to detail that the author goes to in the intimate scenes but this book has offered at least some sense of magic to millions upon millions of people around the world.
The recorded and anecdotal reports are that the novel has had a far more pronounced effect on the female proportion of the population than the male! Women previously unaware have been introduced to fantasy worlds of seduction and power and judging by the public reaction, they love it! Whether it's from a sense of empowerment, an enjoyment of something new or simply a damn good read women everywhere are feeling a little more adventurous than usual! Another rather more obvious effect has been a huge surge in the sale of erotic toys from all the high street and online stores as women and couples everywhere look to lift the fantasy from the pages.
So, do we think the phenomenon that is Fifty Shades of Grey has had a positive or negative effect on our world? My vote goes to positive as an increase in openness and a boost for the economy are good things in my opinion. Additionally lifting the veil of awkwardness around intimate relationships and increasing awareness could potentially have positive safety implications too, after all awareness and knowledge are very powerful regulatory tools.
Every decade or so an alteration or change in a worldwide trend is borne out of something small that takes off spectacularly; Fifty Shades of Grey is a prime example of this. The most recent example prior to this in terms of literature was the Harry Potter series; other examples of this in modern times include the 2012 Olympic Games in London which inspired a transition for females from skinny to strong and a resurgence of sixties type attire in the fashion that came around at the start of 2013. So - have you read the book yet? What do you think?
But what exactly is it that has captivated readers around the world? Why was the series such a global phenomenon? What factors contributed to its success and what have been the effects on women and sexuality? Read on for the discussion.
First we must start off with the storyline. It's a love story and an unusual one at that as it is devoid of, well, love! With contractual agreements and ground rules in place the relationship between the two main characters - Anastasia and Mr Christian Grey himself is purely a physical one. Perhaps it is this that has grasped readers' attention spans so enigmatically, the typical love story of normal girl meets wealthy businessman oozing charm and becomes love struck isn't really what this book is all about. Having an emotionless physical relationship especially for women is a foreign concept; does it work? Or does it fail? Can it work?
Perhaps it is because the relationship between the two main characters is just so unusual, or perhaps it is the attention to detail that the author goes to in the intimate scenes but this book has offered at least some sense of magic to millions upon millions of people around the world.
The recorded and anecdotal reports are that the novel has had a far more pronounced effect on the female proportion of the population than the male! Women previously unaware have been introduced to fantasy worlds of seduction and power and judging by the public reaction, they love it! Whether it's from a sense of empowerment, an enjoyment of something new or simply a damn good read women everywhere are feeling a little more adventurous than usual! Another rather more obvious effect has been a huge surge in the sale of erotic toys from all the high street and online stores as women and couples everywhere look to lift the fantasy from the pages.
So, do we think the phenomenon that is Fifty Shades of Grey has had a positive or negative effect on our world? My vote goes to positive as an increase in openness and a boost for the economy are good things in my opinion. Additionally lifting the veil of awkwardness around intimate relationships and increasing awareness could potentially have positive safety implications too, after all awareness and knowledge are very powerful regulatory tools.
Every decade or so an alteration or change in a worldwide trend is borne out of something small that takes off spectacularly; Fifty Shades of Grey is a prime example of this. The most recent example prior to this in terms of literature was the Harry Potter series; other examples of this in modern times include the 2012 Olympic Games in London which inspired a transition for females from skinny to strong and a resurgence of sixties type attire in the fashion that came around at the start of 2013. So - have you read the book yet? What do you think?
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