Thinking About the Movie? Here's Some Thoughts about the Phenomenon: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY by E.L. James with Author Interview [Video]

I wrote this for another site a couple of years ago and in light of the movie's release I thought I would share it on this blog.

The fifty shades of phenomenon we love to hate. Could there be a success targeted more than E.L. James’ FIFTY SHADES of GREY?

For a time, I was aware yet, innocuous to the story’s actual premise. Influenced by chatter, I was naively under the impression it was nothing more than an erotic tale. Then suddenly, everyone is talking about it. The rumors were and still are brutal: “She can’t write. It’s repetitive. The main characters are a couple of schizophrenics. It’s the worst book I ever read.”

This combined with experience and my background left me baffled and far too intrigued. How could a book sell 20 million copies generating 145 million dollars of revenue in such a short period of time have nothing to offer? It simply had to be striking a deep seated chord within the reader’s psyche. As soon as I could muster the time, I downloaded the unabridged audio version and set out to see what all the fuss was about.

The truth is; FIFTY SHADES of GREY is a well thought through story about a deeply wounded man and the very young and naïve woman he longs to share a relationship with…At the root of his wounds, like many wounded individuals, everything is a magnification; an extremism that becomes the personal norm. In Christian Grey’s life, power, sex, money, and particularly trust are all contorted inside a man that is basically good.

For the reader FIFTY SHADES of GREY delves into the question: how far would you go to form a pact of trust with another human being?

Outside of sitcoms, society is familiar yet, shaded and bored with stories about the abused child that grows to become a deviant criminal, but they are mostly unaware of the stories about the alternative coping mechanisms. However unexpected the looming reality is individuals often learn to adapt in order to deal with the two war powers sparring within their damaged souls.

Christian Grey was born the son of a crack whore. Her evil pimp inflicted vile pain upon the young Christian. Compounding the abuse was his lack of basic needs being met. He was hungry and neglected. Abused and starving, upon the death of his mother, Christian is adopted by and affluent “good” family. Despite his good fortune, through adolescence he continues to find himself tossed into the darker side of humanity by yet another abuser.  Unfortunately, this does happen all too often.

The author brilliantly portrays an all too common syndrome that society prefers to overlook. Hyper-sexuality is a very real result of many types of abuse. On the other hand, trust is an issue the vast majority of the population longs for, and is acutely aware of their own deprivation. 

  

E. L. James

The story is told by Anastasia Steele the winner for better or worse of Christian Grey’s misunderstood affection. The two are very young. Anastasia in particular is only 21 years old. Staying true the character’s age and immaturity the verbiage is often repetitive, and perhaps for the love of the reader, should have received one more edit. However, the way it has been left is more true to life, sometimes it is about story not about a literary masterpiece.

FIFTY SHADES of GREY is a mature story teetering on the extremes. It peeks into a place where the dark needs and wants to meet the light halfway. 

My copy:
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Random House Audio

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY is Available on Amazon!

Popular Literary Reflections: PRESS RELEASE: The Wilde Passions of Dorian Gray by Mitzi Szereto

Popular Literary Reflections hosted by Sammy Sutton: PRESS RELEASE: The Wilde Passions of Dorian Gray by Mitzi Szereto Book release:   The Wilde Passions of Dorian Gray — the new novel by Mitzi Szereto Publication date: Nov. 2013 (North America); Dec. ...

PRESS RELEASE: VENGEANCE IS NOW by Scott D. Roberts

SCOTT D. ROBERTS DEBUTS HIS FIRST EROTIC-THRILLER AND JOINS THE RANK OF NEW MALE EROTIC NOVELISTS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With the New York Times bestseller 50 Shades of Grey becoming such an immense success, interest in erotica has grown. In the past, most male erotica writers (aka as “romantica”) would write under female pseudonyms not only to attract what

is a predominantly female marketplace, but also to protect their identities — erotica didn’t always have mainstream appeal. But with the success of Shades and other big sellers like Jennifer Cruisie’s Tell Me Lies, authors like Scott D. Roberts have not only stepped out of the shadows under their true genders but have also kept their pen names.

Roberts released his first novel Vengeance is Now, which is defined by the author as an “erotic-thriller.” The book takes readers into the life of Tate Holloway, a disgraced former police detective and secret gigolo, who goes on the run after his arch nemesis and serial killer “The Eye” successfully frames him for murder.

“First, erotica has broadened and is no longer a well-defined genre,” said Roberts. “Many other genres including my book Vengeance is Now is primarily a thriller and mystery about a serial killer where the protagonist Tate Holloway happens to be a private investigator and a male prostitute. With the economy being what it has been, it’s not unusual for people to‘moonlight’; but in this case, the second ‘job’ involves sex and adds the erotic elements to the book.”

Since many male erotic writers often disguise their genders under female pseudonyms, Roberts felt that with the rise in interest and mainstream acceptance of erotica as an accepted literary genre, why hide behind a woman’s name or even hide at all.

“It’s slowly becoming more acceptable and credible to write erotic action,” said Roberts.“With the worldwide success of novels like Shades, resistance by the reviewer community is crumbling. I am trying to build a career as a serious artist and adding the erotic element means a greater chance for market success. I don’t see anything wrong with it. Most people have sex and enjoy reading about it. I think a legitimate story with erotic elements offers the perfect mix to satisfy readers who like their action to be sexy, too.”

Roberts comes from the Hollywood film community where he wrote, produced, and co-directed the award-winning documentary, “Gas Hole,” narrated by Peter Gallagher. He has written several screenplays and has had projects optioned or bought by Paramount, Columbia, MGM, EUE/Screen Gems, and New Line.

“Making a film is such a collaborative, creative process with many people’s hands in the cookie jar,” said Roberts. “Writing the book allowed me to escape into Tate’s world and enjoy the process of sharing the words on the paper with an audience. When you hand in a screenplay for a film or TV show, you have no clue how the final product will stray from your vision. 3L allowed me the freedom to do what I do, but also assist in the final product in a very ‘artist-friendly’ environment. This has truly been one of the great creative

relationships I’ve ever encountered.”

Vengeance is Now launches nationally on Amazon and into bookstores in May. Pre-sales and early release copies are available on the book website at www.vengeanceisnow.com or the 3L Publishing website at www.3LPublishing.com. The eBook version will be available on Kindle, Nook and iBook.

Scott D. Roberts

Get VENGEANCE IS NOW, today on Amazon!

 www.3LPublishing.com.