In a recent Globe and Mail article, ‘Whips, chains and the rise of mommy porn’, Russell Smith discusses the meteoric rise of a trilogy of novels called Fifty Shades of Grey. These books, written by E.L. James, started out life as fanfiction. Then they were repurposed and sold in eBook format. Now the book’s out in paperback AND the movie rights have been purchased.
I haven’t read the book(s) so I can’t comment on the quality of writing. I do know a little something about fanfiction, though. There’s a lot of it out there in varying degrees of quality from extremely, wretchedly bad to just as good or better than some of the published stuff you pay money for. Back in the day I may have written some fanfic (well, okay, a lot of fanfic) myself. Perhaps one or two of my stories had some sex (okay, a lot of sex) in them.
I guess the thing that intrigues me about all the kerfluffle surrounding Fifty Shades of Grey is the notion that the fact that women read porn, or want to read it seems like news to anyone. Really? Porn is the domain of men?
And I wonder why so much is being made of this novel’s scenario: rich, good looking guy, beautiful, submissive virgin = sexual hijinks. I mean, men have equally lame fantasies (guy plus two gorgeous chicks; guy with big-breasted blonde…you get the picture.) Whatever floats your boat, right? In bed and on the page.
And I love it that male reviewers are weighing in. Tim Stanley of The Telegraph called James’s novel “exploitative, sadistic porn.” Yep – that’s gonna turn off readers. And anyway, Mr. Stanley admits that he is “personally I’m not a fan of sex – I’ve always regarded it as a disappointing substitute for a cup of tea.” Clearly he’s not in a position to weigh in with any degree of authority. Actually, sounds like he’s not in any position at all. But I digress.
I read erotica. Sometimes it’s really good. Sometimes it isn’t. I bring my own personal preferences to the page – which is true of any book I read, btw. Have I watched porn? Please, I’m way old; I’ve seen it all. Again, I’d rather Zalman King than Edward Penishands, but that’s just me.
Seriously, folks, it’s not news that women like sex.
Now, if you’ll excuse me – I have some, erm, reading to do.
The Ludic Reader 
I still cannot remember you telling the Edward Penishands story without howling with laughter. 😀
I know – so ridiculous…and funny!
I haven’t read Fifty Shades of Grey nor do I plan to. Women who think this fantasy-like, sadomasochistic-whim reading is good needs to get a grip on reality! This form of writing denigrates the intimate bonds between partners and in my opinion is plain hard-core wrong. Yes, I enjoy sex but really do we have to be sexually submissive to make us whole? This book sends a wrong message to young women.
“Women who think this fantasy-like, sadomasochistic-whim reading is good needs to get a grip on reality!”
But what if it’s *their* reality? And I’m not sure it denigrates anything – there has to be a lot of trust between partners who engage in this sort of sexual play. You may not need it or approve of it, but that’s why I said – whatever floats your boat. 🙂