Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of months, I’m sure you’ve heard about Fifty Shades of Grey and the trilogy’s reign at the top of the bestsellers list. E. L. James’ erotic bestsellers, which have been at the top of Amazon’s UK book chart for the last 16 weeks, have finally been toppled by the (arguably) less sexy Hairy Bikers.
I have to admit that I have read the Fifty Shades trilogy, although I don’t really want to. I read the first book on the recommendation of my friend and although it was entertaining, I was mainly entertained by how terrible the writing was. Embarrassingly, I still went out and bought the next two books in the trilogy once I had read the first instalment in a matter of days. In my opinion the story became more and more ridiculous as the books went on as sweet, innocent Anastasia Steele redeemed the troubled soul brooding Christian Grey. The whole premise of the books seems to try and emphasise the ridiculous idea that all men (even sadomasochists) can be saved by the love of a good woman (who, in the case of Anastasia, is actually very annoying and a bit of a wimp).
It may seem hypocritical that I am celebrating the trilogy’s fall from the bestseller list, especially seeing as I was part of the reason why the books were up there in the first place, but I am happy to hear that the media can move on from its obsession with the Fifty Shades books. I genuinely don’t think anything can be taken away from E.L. James and her success as she has astutely found a niche in the publishing market that I am sure many others have their pens poised to exploit.
I do, however, love the juxtaposition that these erotic novels that have been talked about all year (well, it feels like it’s been all year) have been outsold by Si King and Dave Myers, two middle aged bearded men from the North East. The Bikers commented on their success saying: “We’ve always known our food is sexy but this is mad. Sex may be important but the way to a nation’s heart is still through its stomach.” You never know, E.L. James could take note and we could have a Fifty Shades cookbook in time for Christmas.