Top signs "50 Shades" is making BDSM mainstream

[waaitg]

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

The books are in the aisle next to the house wares dept. So someone set up a cardboard box display at the end of the aisle. However the end of aisle display itself had miscellaneous goods on display which happened to include various kitchen utensils as well as twine.

It was innocent enough, but I also wouldn't put it past the bored night staff to set this up as a joke to see who caught it and who wouldn't.

Then again maybe I'm just a pervert who sees subliminal advertising everywhere?

 

[desertslave]

The books are in the aisle next to the house wares dept. So someone set up a cardboard box display at the end of the aisle. However the end of aisle display itself had miscellaneous goods on display which happened to include various kitchen utensils as well as twine.

It was innocent enough, but I also wouldn't put it past the bored night staff to set this up as a joke to see who caught it and who wouldn't.

Then again maybe I'm just a pervert who sees subliminal advertising everywhere?

When we went to Costco today we saw a HUGE display of all three books. Can't say they're not on top of the latest trends!

 

[rekane]

When we went to Costco today we saw a HUGE display of all three books. Can't say they're not on top of the latest trends!

Ok, confession.

I tried to purchase the trilogy at Costco.
I'm not lying.
There was one set on the display, so I put it in my cart and went to check out.
The set would not scan.
Managers (yes, plural) were called to determine the problem.
They told me "it isn't in our system yet. I'm not sure how this made it out on the floor. Would you like us to hold it for you?"
I declined their offer telling them "This is the last time I try to buy porn here."

True story.

To make it worse, I bought the first book at Target. It is basically Twilight, without the sparkly vampires. (Yes, I have read that drivel also.) I pushed through to the first sex scene, wondering if it would be worth it.
Nope. It isn't.
I haven't picked it up since.

 

[desertslave]

I never read the Twilight books. Mainly because my daughter (who loves almost all things vamp) had hissy fits about how awful the writing is, how stupid the vamp 'folklore' was (sparkling??? really????), and the extreme purple-ness of the prose. Nevermind her discovering the covert Mormon subplots in the whole mess, or the obnoxiously weak female lead.

Yeah, she's a smart chicky. Makes me proud.

I don't think 50 Shades was quite as purple. I honestly didn't mind the first half, though I think our Litsters could mostly write circles around her. However, when Ana opted for turning the guy 'nilla, instead of fitting his groove, I was deeply disappointed. I keep wanting to do a rewrite to make it come out the way that it should have.

 

[emsub124]

Just like twilight

It's just like twilight because the author based if right off of twilight. she took the book minus the vampire add a little kinky sex in and bam! you have 50 shades of Grey. It started off as a free online book but it became so popular it was taken down and published.

 

[desertslave]

It's just like twilight because the author based if right off of twilight. she took the book minus the vampire add a little kinky sex in and bam! you have 50 shades of Grey. It started off as a free online book but it became so popular it was taken down and published.

I've heard the fanfic claim before but only as rumor. Is there anything to genuinely substantiate this? Just curious.

I was under the impression that the girl in Twilight pretty much stays a spineless girl toy through all of the books? At least the lead female in 50 Shades sticks up for herself.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I've heard the fanfic claim before but only as rumor. Is there anything to genuinely substantiate this? Just curious.

I was under the impression that the girl in Twilight pretty much stays a spineless girl toy through all of the books? At least the lead female in 50 Shades sticks up for herself.

https://www.google.com/search?q=50 shades fanfic

A lot of fanfic gets written to fix what's fucked up about the original material. Very little fanfic gets written exactly like the orig, and those pieces get the stink eye because--why bother?

 

[desertslave]

https://www.google.com/search?q=50 shades fanfic

A lot of fanfic gets written to fix what's fucked up about the original material. Very little fanfic gets written exactly like the orig, and those pieces get the stink eye because--why bother?

Ah, okay. I guess, in that case, James fixed Twilight rather significantly...considering I managed to read all 3 of her books and couldn't choke down 100 pages of Twilight. (I live not far from Scottsdale and fantasize about going to Meyer's house and beating the crap out of her once in a while. Something odd just comes over me. LOL)

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Ah, okay. I guess, in that case, James fixed Twilight rather significantly...considering I managed to read all 3 of her books and couldn't choke down 100 pages of Twilight. (I live not far from Scottsdale and fantasize about going to Meyer's house and beating the crap out of her once in a while. Something odd just comes over me. LOL)

I was in a bookstore in that neck of the woods and ranting (quietly) to my mother about Twilight. My mother shushed me and said that "It wouldn't be nice of you if she heard you."

I said "It can only help."

 

[desertslave]

I was in a bookstore in that neck of the woods and ranting (quietly) to my mother about Twilight. My mother shushed me and said that "It wouldn't be nice of you if she heard you."

I said "It can only help."

Seriously!!!! Daughter has provided me with what she feels are the more heinous examples of 'purple prose'. She calls her collection her 'how not to write' workbook. I've read her fanfics from back in jr. high and found them to be better. Not great, but good for a 13 YO. Meyer hasn't gotten that far yet. 50 Shades, OTOH, was quite readable for me. I would have quit after the first book, otherwise.

 

[Scentofawoman]

Well the worst part is these people are laughing all the way to the bank. There kids's kid's kid's will be marketing this shit as long as they can.

And what hasn't happened, which would blow everything out of control, is in some religious institution talked about it. Then sales would burst through the roof!

I really hate the sparkling in the sun!

 

[desertslave]

Well the worst part is these people are laughing all the way to the bank. There kids's kid's kid's will be marketing this shit as long as they can.

And what hasn't happened, which would blow everything out of control, is in some religious institution talked about it. Then sales would burst through the roof!

I really hate the sparkling in the sun!

You've seen the implications that Twilight has a heavy Mormon subtext, right? Around here (more Mormons than SLC, last I heard) the books are much loved and far far more acceptable than Harry Potter. Ugh!

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Honestly, the sparkling in the sun doesn't bother me THAT much. It is a new and somewhat interesting take on vampires...a "dazzle" isn't unheard of in the animal kingdom as a predator tool. But she doesn't make it that. She makes it...she turns a mother fucking VAMPIRE into a...a...GLITTERY BAUBLE.

it's just repulsive.

 

[ouchfeelsgood]

I recently saw a stack of Fifty Shades of Grey for sale on the counter of a local Duane Reade (now owned by Walgreens) pharmacy, right next to the cash register. A definite sign of mainstream entry -- probably means it's too tame for my tastes ...

 

[Sir_Winston54]

From NYPost.com:

Suits put the S&M in swim
Strap in for the new ‘bondage’ beachwearhttp://www.nypost.com/p/news/nation..._source=OutbrainArticlepages&obref=obinsource

Say goodbye to your little string bikini, and hello to bondage-inspired beachwear this summer. While modest ladies would normally rejoice at news the tank suit is making a comeback — these are more cut-out than cut-in.

“There’s a resurgence in popularity of the one-piece, which is not to say it’s more conservative than the bikini,” said Fashionista.com editor Leah Chernikoff.

Bondage bathing suits, like the $590 Agent Provocateur “braided one-piece,” do their best to barely cover your rear. Gold rings and ropes strapped around the pelvis look like they were inspired by the S&M novel “50 Shades of Grey” — and are sure to leave wearers with artistic tan lines.

“There was a trend in bondage fashion before ‘50 Shades of Grey,’ but it’s becoming even more prevalent because of the book,” Chernikoff said.​

There's more - including pics! - at the NYP story linked through the headline above.

ETA: Somehow, I think NYP is going to get a mini-bump in visits to its site today...

 

[desertslave]

I'm a one-piece girl anyway (cuz I actually swim) so I really like the 2nd suit. Interesting tan lines, indeed!