Fifty Shades of Grey (quite literally)

This wasn't the post I was intending to write today. I DID have something different in the works, but saw an article on the BBC website which changed my plans completely. Now, the chances are that if you haven't heard of Fifty Shades of Grey before now, you've been living under a rock, or somewhere equally isolated. I've kept my virtual mouth shut about the whole thing so far, but that article just made me want to blog about it. Just once, I promise.

Basically, the article outlines how an academic at the University of Central Lancashire here in the UK has come up with what is, as far as we know, the first picture of Fifty Shades of Grey character Christian Grey. Read the full article on the BBC website here and UCLAN website here.

Image from UCLAN (http://www.uclan.ac.uk/)

 
When the hairs on the back of my neck have flattened out again, I'll continue...

Is it just me, or is it ironic that this supposed first image of Christian Grey is basically an e-fit such as those designed to aid in the capture of criminals? I understand that it's because the same technology was used to create the picture, and that I'm used to seeing this kind of greyscale image on the news, but it makes the whole Fifty Shades thing all the more creepy for me.

I haven't read the book, and unless something drastic changes my mind, I don't ever intend to. I know I'm not alone in finding Fifty Shades intensely off-putting, but I also know people who have really enjoyed the book. That said, I've heard enough from people who "just had to see what the fuss was about" to know that it's probably not going to be my kind of thing.

Now I'm not a prude; I'm a pretty open-minded girl. I'm not against erotica, or BDSM for that matter, although I almost never read books in those genres. Even so, I've read enough reviews to wonder whether this book is an accurate portrayal of either of those things, particularly BDSM. Surely, a man such as Christian wouldn't think it appropriate to immediately introduce a girl like Ana (who, if you didn't know, is described in the blurb on Amazon as "unworldly and innocent") to his lifestyle. And by lifestyle, I mean his sexual practices. She is a virgin, after all! (Or at least she was until she met Christian...)

Yes, I know that as it's a work of fiction, none of it is actually real. But it still doesn't stop me feeling goosebumpy - and not in a good way - at the thought of actually reading it. The fact that this book has polarised opinion to such a degree and sparked so much debate is interesting though, and as we all know, if we all liked the same kind of thing, the world would be a dull place. All credit to E.L. James -- she has written something that people are talking about, although, dare I say it, probably for the wrong reasons.

So, if you're not sick of talking about it by now, what are your thoughts on the sensation that is Fifty Shades of Grey?