We believe it was John Waters who famously once said, “We need to make books cool again. If you go home with somebody and they don’t have books, don’t fuck them.” Well, it appears that reading is back in vogue, as EL James’ Grey: Fifty Shades Of Grey As Told By Christian sold more than 1.1 million copies in trade paperback, eBook, and audio editions over the weekend, according to Deadline.
“This is an astonishing number of books to sell over a weekend,” said Anne Messitte, publisher at Vintage Anchor, which released the book. “[It] speaks to the engagement and passion readers have for the Fifty Shades books.” Vintage Anchor is currently working on a third, fourth, and fifth pressing of the series reboot.
The new book, which tells the story of Fifty Shades Of Grey from the man’s perspective, is perfect for those who found the original trilogy a little too pedestrian and are looking for something more challenging. The new novel features such nuanced prose as “It’s a long time since I’ve seen pubic hair up close and personal like this. I tug it gently,” “She smells of Ana and apples and sex,” and of course the perfect quote for a T-shirt, “Her sharp intake of breath is music to my dick.” On the opening page of Grey, James writes, “This book is dedicated to those readers who asked…and asked…and asked…and asked for this.” Thanks a lot, readers.
There is no word on whether the newest entry in the Fifty Shades saga will be adapted into a film; however, the stars of the February hit are reportedly renegotiating their contracts, presumably in hopes of bringing Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan back for the spin-off. Universal still controls the characters of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey and will be releasing the sequel Fifty Shades Darker in February of 2017, and the third entry, Fifty Shades Freed, in February 2018. So don’t be surprised if Universal keeps the Valentine’s Day gravy train rolling into 2019 with an adaptation of Grey.