E.L. James, the creative mind behind the Fifty Shades of Grey series, recently launched a new novel titled Grey, told from Christian’s perspective. To celebrate, her PR team (who might be reconsidering their career choices) decided to host a Twitter Q&A session where fans could interact with her directly. Unfortunately, the outcome was far from what they had hoped. Unless you enjoy a good laugh at a train wreck, it was nothing short of a disaster.
I personally didn’t finish the trilogy for various reasons. First, my little one was entering the chaotic phase of toddlerhood just as the books gained popularity, leaving me no time to dive into the extensive 1,664 pages. Secondly, I could barely manage to wear matching undergarments for my husband, let alone explore the intricacies of Ben Wa balls or consider purchasing handcuffs. Honestly, the series made me feel a bit like a prude! Lastly, the snippets I managed to read were unintentionally comical. The Stranger compiled a few of the most cringeworthy lines, highlighting why James’ writing faced relentless mockery, such as:
- “And from a very tiny, underused part of my brain—probably located at the base of my medulla oblongata near where my subconscious dwells—comes the thought: He’s here to see you.”
- “I am all gushing and breathy—like a child, not a grown woman who can vote and drink legally in the state of Washington.”
- “I sit up and reach for the orange juice, drinking it down too quickly. It’s delicious, ice cold, and it makes my mouth a much better place.”
- “I flush. My inner goddess is down on bended knee with her hands clasped in supplication begging me.”
While the humor surrounding the writing is entertaining, there are serious concerns about the themes within the book. Most notably, it appears to romanticize a deeply abusive and manipulative relationship. Ana is portrayed as being coerced and mistreated under the guise of a consensual BDSM dynamic. However, true BDSM relationships hinge on the vital principle of consent, which is glaringly absent in James’ narrative. With the enormous financial success that comes from glorifying such troubling dynamics, it’s no wonder that the internet backlash was swift and brutal.
A valuable lesson here: if I ever find myself in the fortunate position of writing a bestseller that invites ridicule, I’ll definitely steer clear of hosting a live Twitter chat.
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Summary: E.L. James’ live Twitter chat to promote her new book, Grey, turned into a comedic disaster, highlighting the mixed reactions to her writing and the themes in her work. With the series being criticized for its portrayal of relationships, the backlash serves as a reminder of the importance of consent in any romantic narrative.