Wednesday 27 June 2012

Love Story with a Kink: Fifty Shades of Grey


Master of the Universe: The books currently 'dominating' the world. (Pun intended). 
Not long ago, Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James, was relatively unknown and people had no idea of the effect it would have all around the world but within just the last six weeks it is now sold out in almost all shops with long waiting lists of people eager to read it. 

Fifty Shades of Grey is a novel set in Seattle that follows the complicated relationship of multi-billionaire Christian Grey and university graduate Anastasia Steele. It is currently a New York Times bestseller bypassing the Harry Potter series and the Twilight Saga by being the fastest selling paperback in six weeks and having sold 100,000 copies last week in the United Kingdom alone. The effect of the novel in the United States is much more widespread with it having sold over 5.4 million books in just four weeks. This success of the book is ironic especially considering it started off as Twilight fan fiction yet it has dwarfed its 'predecessor'. Constantly breaking records, it has been claimed that Fifty Shades of Grey has today reached the one million mark via Kindle e-books. 

Fifty Shades of Grey is followed up by two books: Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. These make up the trilogy that depict the growth and progress of the relationship between Grey and Steele and the obstacles they face in their attempt to "bring him into the light". Just like the Twilight Saga used the vampire/werewolf façade in an attempt to make the love story between Bella and Edward more exciting, James uses this framework to introduce the element of BDSM to cover up the real issues at play in her series and these prove to be deeper than the sexual references. The trilogy follows Steele's attempts to get to know Grey and help him overcome his "fear of being touched" and eventually uncovers that he is the victim of a drug-abusing mother who neglected her child and this has led to him being emotionally detached from society until Steele conveniently "falls into his office". Up until this point, Grey has learnt to deal with his issues through control which is something he tries to inflict upon Steele but her innocence proves to be an asset to her as he grows to accept that while his mother was not capable of love, he is. As a result of this, he learns that his previous methods of coping just do not fill the void that Steele's love fills so aptly.

Also, with a film adaptation on the horizon after having been snapped up by Universal Studios, I'm sure this is a series that will continue to captivate people all around the world with its fans, dubbed 'Fifty fan girls' debating on who they would like to see play one of their favourite literary characters. 
From the likes of The Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder to the Twilight Saga's very own Robert Pattinson to Snow White and the Huntsman's Chris Hemsworth, being considered by fans for the role of Christian Grey, the casting director for the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey movies has a difficult job on his hands as this is one decision the fans would want to be perfect!

Many shades of Grey: The rumoured casting choices for the role of Christian Grey.
While some may have issues with some regarding its explicit content as inappropriate, Fifty Shades of Grey continues to draw people in and aptly lives up to its blurb as it will "obsess you, possess you and stay with you forever".


Thursday 7 June 2012

Introduction: Literary Genius

First blog! Go easy on me!
Just before I start blogging on a 'serious' note! Just thought I'd mention a few things I love and a few things I despise in terms of literature, TV and films just so you know what I'm interested in!
LOVE:
  1. LITERATURE
    1. Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy, E. L. James - Yes its a tad out there but once I read it I was hooked. Lets face it, all of us were despite what disgusting-ness we were reading. 
    2. Twilight, Stephenie Meyer - I'm a big fan! Sad to see its coming to an end but it will always hold a big  place in my heart for years to come. 
    3. Classics such as Pride and Prejudice, The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men, Huckleberry Finn, The Yellow Wallpaper and Wuthering Heights. Come on, how can you be a literary genius if these books haven't had a profound effect on you? 8-)
  2. TV
    1. Pretty Little Liars - its been dubbed the new Desperate Housewives and frankly I never watched DH but PLL is sure shaping up to match up to the hype. With its gory and dark twists and turns, PLL is turning out to be a gripping show!
    2. Gossip Girl - my favourite American TV show. Full of scandal, typical high school bitchiness and scheming. Nothing beats that! 
    3. 90210 - Can't beat Naomi and her one-liners on her quest to be the best at everything!
    4. Vampire Diaries - One word: VAMPIRES!! Stefan and Damon Salvatore on their quest to save the one girl they both love from the supernatural elements that threaten her life. Even the enemy becomes an ally.
    5. The Lying Game - A relative newcomer to my list of TV shows, TLG is sure shaping up to be a great show with its unexpected twists in Emma and Sutton's search to find their birth mother.
    6. Revenge - "This is not a story about forgiveness" - the title basically says it all. Revenge portrays the loyalty of a daughter to protect the legacy of her father in the aftermath of his death.  
  3. FILM
  • I have an eclectic taste in movies so just because I've watched and loved the Twilight Saga does not mean I am an emo or a goth, it simply means I have great taste LOL. Just kidding.
  • Just because I have watched Twilight does not however mean I won't like something like say Rush Hour. Whatever tickles my fancy. I love all sorts of  movies from horror to comedy to romance to chick flick to politics.
  • I also love to know what's happening in terms of production with reference to taking one of my favourite books from page to screen. So look out for anything I mention on upcoming movies such as the Fifty Shades movies or so!