'Fifty Shades': Sado-masochistic romance now a global hit

Arts & Culture Aug. 11, 2012 - 06:49AM JST ( 14 )

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14 Comments

2

SimondBAug. 10, 2012 - 07:53AM JST

I downloaded the first chapter on Kindle for free. The quality of the writing is cringe inducing, like something written by a dreamy 13 year old. To be honest, I'd give it a miss even if the whole book was free. But good on her anyway for finding a format that appeals to the masses and makes her a bundle at the same time.
2

AliasisAug. 10, 2012 - 09:16AM JST

Fifty Shades is HARDLY breakthrough in being "porn written by women for women". The stuff exists by the millions, and kinkier at that. Fifty Shades is just notorious because it started out as a Twilight fanfiction and went down from there - from that statement you can probably guess how well it's written from that statement alone.
2

timeonAug. 10, 2012 - 09:18AM JST

I'm waiting for the movie. Must be better than those Harry Potter stuff. sado-masochistic porn aimed at female audience, sounds good, especially for the male audience :)
3

JaymannAug. 10, 2012 - 10:02AM JST

I tried to be all zeitgeisty and read this (if only for some decent porn scenes) but it is such trite, so very, very poorly written an even lower level than Dan Brown. Verdict: unreadable for any literature fan, perfect for the rest.
-3

WakarimasenAug. 10, 2012 - 11:46AM JST

As always, dross sells. The writing is secondary school standard but the fact that is has so much attention due to content attracts those who cannot think for themselves.
1

lostrune2Aug. 10, 2012 - 01:29PM JST

Housewives have to do something with their time.
-4

WakarimasenAug. 10, 2012 - 02:35PM JST

Housewives have to do something with their time.

Cook? Clean? Themselves?
0

LowlyAug. 10, 2012 - 04:06PM JST

wakarimasen-

good point.

Those three things may be what drives the sales of this book.

I bet I can imagine meself a better fantasy by me lonesome tho!
-1

Thunderbird2Aug. 10, 2012 - 04:10PM JST

This will probably lead to a lot of frustrated housewives having affairs, lol
0

ubikwitAug. 10, 2012 - 04:38PM JST

“A few of the senior team read it overnight and knew that this had all the hallmarks of a bestseller.”

it doesn't matter if it is writing that has any qualities other than appealing to some lowest-common-denominator type need. then all the consumers can feel like they're part of something larger than themselves!!

fat chance!
-2

umbrellaAug. 10, 2012 - 05:30PM JST

Cash is all that matters if business and in life.
0

Marilita Fabie-FujisawaAug. 10, 2012 - 06:34PM JST

Well????Is The book sold in Japan too? Been wanting to secure this book.
0

Vernie JefferiesAug. 10, 2012 - 09:15PM JST

It would sell more copies in Japan if it was translated into a Manga series.
0

EqualityAug. 11, 2012 - 12:56PM JST

Good idea, Vernie. Want to become rich? Buy the rights and do just that!