Boycott EMI.

[KeithW]

Who's E.L. James? And what's Fifty Shades of Grey? (Judging from the foregoing I'm probably better off blissfully ignorant.)

It has become the biggest selling book ever in the UK http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/07/erotic-book-fifty-shades-british-bestseller

I read in the NY Times that sales of rope and other items referred to in the book (use your imagination) have increased.   Perhaps it will work for the Tallis Scholars, who appear, it seems, on this CD.

[stingo]

It has become the biggest selling book ever in the UK http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/07/erotic-book-fifty-shades-british-bestseller

I read in the NY Times that sales of rope and other items referred to in the book (use your imagination) have increased.   Perhaps it will work for the Tallis Scholars, who appear, it seems, on this CD.

Yes, there's an NPR story about the book that features a quote from Peter Philips.

[kishnevi]

It's an S&M themed semi-porno novel that has apparently become wildly popular among middle-aged women.  Clink the link somewhere above of Gilbert Gottfied reading excerpts to get the full effect.

Not just middle aged women.  A (British-born) co-worker of mine,  a woman about thirty and presently happily involved with the man of her choice,  has been reading the trilogy at a fairly fast pace.  She admits that it is really just escapism, but apparently very well written escapism.  And it certainly can't be worse than L'estoire de O or Les Cent Jours de Sodom.

I have read, btw, that the book began as a piece of Twilight fanfic.


And (sparked by Scarpia's reference below)  I happen to think the Potter books are an extremely well written series, with character development and psychological/philosophical issues dealt with more seriously and in greater depth than many so called "adult" novels.   It's not a fantasy in which good wins over evil despite improbable odds.  It is a fantasy, but good wins out in the end because evil defeats itself, and you see the process by which evil defeats itself in depth.  And it's one of the few fantasies I know of in which economic matters are dealt with in a real world fashion.    I'm looking forward to Rowling's "adult" novel when it comes out this fall.

[Brian]

Not just middle aged women.  A (British-born) co-worker of mine,  a woman about thirty and presently happily involved with the man of her choice,  has been reading the trilogy at a fairly fast pace.

A close (female) friend and I plan to read it aloud to each other with generous quantities of alcohol.

[Scarpia]

A close (female) friend and I plan to read it aloud to each other with generous quantities of alcohol.

Will you be acting out the various scenes as well?

[TheGSMoeller]

.[asin]B00026W65E[/asin]

[ibanezmonster]

According to what I hear: The guy in the story is a billionaire at the age of 26 and somehow doesn't have to work. The woman in the book is a complete airhead. 

This is what's popular among women, which is a way to indulge in their fantasies? Okay, I won't say anything else... 

And (sparked by Scarpia's reference below)  I happen to think the Potter books are an extremely well written series, with character development and psychological/philosophical issues dealt with more seriously and in greater depth than many so called "adult" novels.   It's not a fantasy in which good wins over evil despite improbable odds.  It is a fantasy, but good wins out in the end because evil defeats itself, and you see the process by which evil defeats itself in depth.  And it's one of the few fantasies I know of in which economic matters are dealt with in a real world fashion.    I'm looking forward to Rowling's "adult" novel when it comes out this fall.

Agreed- although I've only read the first Harry Potter (back in middle school), and it was quite a wonderful read.

[kishnevi]

.[asin]B00026W65E[/asin]

My mind is slightly boggled.  Does any know how it's used in the novel. 

Don't worry. You don't have to admit to having read it.  You can just say you read that particular detail somewhere on the Intertubes.

Although I've heard one recording of SiA which might work well for the sadism part.  King's College Choir, sheer torture to listen to.

[Brian]

Will you be acting out the various scenes as well?

No. Uh. Well. To clarify, it depends on how much we drink.

[kishnevi]

Don't worry. You don't have to admit to having read it.  You can just say you read that particular detail somewhere on the Intertubes.

And it is somewhere on the Intertubes

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jul/16/fifty-shades-of-grey-tallis

"The singing starts again ... building and building, and he rains down blows on me ... and I groan and writhe ... Lost in him, lost in the astral, seraphic voices ... I am completely at the mercy of his expert touch ...

"'What was that music?' I mumble almost inarticulately.

"'It's called Spem in Alium, a 40-part motet by Thomas Tallis.'

"'It was ... overwhelming.'"

[Brian]

And it is somewhere on the Intertubes

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jul/16/fifty-shades-of-grey-tallis

Hehehehe, she said "astral."

[eyeresist]

I haven't read the book, but I don't think it is necessarily a good sign that this sort thing has become the most popular thing in book publishing.  (You could argue that it is not as bad as Harry Potter, I guess.)

As a social trend, i.e. mindless buying for the sake of conformity, it is comparable. However, I suspect Rowling's audience is rather more literate than James's. 

[KeithW]

My mind is slightly boggled.  Does any know how it's used in the novel. 

Don't worry. You don't have to admit to having read it.  You can just say you read that particular detail somewhere on the Intertubes.

Although I've heard one recording of SiA which might work well for the sadism part.  King's College Choir, sheer torture to listen to.

According to the blurb on Amazon the music isn't related to the plot - rather, the author listened to it whilst writing:

"Says James of the new compilation album: "I am thrilled that the classical pieces that inspired me while I wrote the Fifty Shades Trilogy are being brought together in one collection for all lovers of the books to enjoy.""

[DavidRoss]

It has become the biggest selling book ever in the UK http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/07/erotic-book-fifty-shades-british-bestseller

Hmmm.  Perhaps I should consider a new retirement plan...?

[KeithW]

This has hit the mainstream press -
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/fifty-shades-of-grey-the-classical-album-who-knew-sonatas-could-be-so-naughty/article4485909/

[coffee]

I think it's great. Out there somewhere is a young person getting this CD who will become a fan of classical music.

[Brian]

I think it's great. Out there somewhere is a young person getting this CD who will become a fan of classical music.

I wish I could agree, but '50 Shades' isn't for young people. At any rate, out there somewhere is a 45-year-old woman getting this CD who will become a fan...

[listener]

but I'd rather not be near the elderly group with raincoats at the next Tallis choral concert.

[stingo]

but I'd rather not be near the elderly group with raincoats at the next Tallis choral concert.

It's more than likely there will be a next Tallis concert thanks to the raincoats.

[Herman]

As a social trend, i.e. mindless buying for the sake of conformity, it is comparable. However, I suspect Rowling's audience is rather more literate than James's. 

One of the funny things is, first the assumption was 3 x Gray could only be such a success in the US, because of the peculiar sexual culture in America (I'm not going to elaborate, other than mentioning that Rush Limbaugh thought it would be a good move to call a woman who uses birth control a slut). By now it turns out # x Gray is a hit in the UK and on the continent, too. In the Netherlands 400.000 copies have been sold as yet of the translation.

Yesterday I saw a thirtysomething woman crossing the street with three fresh copies under her arm. The first time I laid eyes on these books I was surprised how big they are. I had assumed a soft-porn novel would be rather shortish.

Part of the thrill, indeed, is the mass effect. Buying, and reading, the same book as your girlfriends buy, and read, and then having a giggle about it.