Wednesday 29 May 2013

Fifty Shades of Fun

By Michelle Acton


The complex relationship of Anastasia and Christian in the acclaimed Fifty Shades of Grey novel has captured the world like no other fiction to date - including Harry Potter, which it has surpassed to become the fastest selling paperback of all time. The torrid story of lust saturated with erotic scenes and intimate attention to detail has got women everywhere opening up more with their sexuality and made the sometimes-taboo topic of sex an open and appropriate one to discuss over coffee or brunch with friends.

What's so fascinating about this book isn't something that's immediately tangible, obviously there are the intimate scenes but the storyline and writing style aren't completely new ageso what is it?

So, that enticing storyline! It's a love story, but a love story that's quite simply like no other. The leading lady is fairly innocent and innocuous; it's how she's seduced by her leading man that forms the basis for this mind-melting extravaganza - enter Christian Grey. He's a wealthy businessman, intelligent, sharp and calculating He enters into an intimate relationship with Anastasia however one devoid of all emotion and governed by contracts with clauses such as no eye contact. The intimate scenes are the most infamous and they've broken down a barrier into sex previously unknowingly existent in our society.

Although talking about and engaging in sexual activity is not completely taboo anymore, it still makes plenty of the more straight laced among us feel a little awkward, additionally pushing people's boundaries from what they wouldn't usually deviate from is a challenging subject, and one that Fifty Shades of Grey has broached wonderfully.

The effect on women in particular has been huge and there has been a colossal surge in not only sales of the book but also sales of erotic toys, especially for females. Classic UK providers such as Ann Summers, Bondara, Love Honey and ohtique have all seen an increase in demand and also willingness to be adventurous from customers with sales of the more advanced toys in particular going through the roof. Talking about the book has lifted some semblance of the taboo that being adventurous in an intimate occasion has in broader society too, making talking about ones private life with their partner far more common and not just a topic for evening drinks out with the girls.

So, do we think the phenomenon that is Fifty Shades of Grey has had a positive or negative effect on our world? My vote goes to positive as an increase in openness and a boost for the economy are good things in my opinion. Additionally lifting the veil of awkwardness around intimate relationships and increasing awareness could potentially have positive safety implications too, after all awareness and knowledge are very powerful regulatory tools.

To conclude, Fifty Shades of Grey isn't the first groundbreaking trend to have an effect that spans entire continents and its unlikely to be the last with freedom of speech and expression such as it is. You only need to look back briefly at old and famed pioneers like fashionista Karl Lagerfeld and guitarist Jimmy Hendrix to see how one man or woman can really make a difference in the world.




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