Seven Words On The Remarkable Success Of “50 Shades Of Grey”
Somewhere, Ellsworth Toohey is alive and well.
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Somewhere, Ellsworth Toohey is alive and well.
Musings, Mutterings & Pontifications of the Renowned Romance Author
Do we all leave seven word comments?
Hey cindy, my butt is mark free.
Teflon Butt!
Dev, good afternoon. :-))
You write better then her, by far!
Warm
Paul.
Yup. An its not a good thing cos the more Tops that know about it……the harder they want to try ……not that we let them.
I’m not sure who gets to accept the blame for the success of such a mediocre book. It wasn’t exactly an Oprah pick.
I think it’s a combination of the Twilight origins (and all the fandom that came from that) plus the initiation into, for a lot of people, a lifestyle they had previously equated with only kink and perversion.
If this book had just sprung up out of nowhere, I don’t know if it would have had the success it has. But by the time it was published in book form it already had a bajillion fans.
So I guess maybe Stephanie Meyer is really to blame. I bet when she wrote a simple VERY G-Rated teenage love story she didn’t have a clue this could be an end result.
Oh and I forgot to say: VERY clever analogy, Dev!
Thanks to all for the kind words.
Hmmm–let’s see. Seven words. “Curiosity piqued. Should read both books soon.”
Nah–I’d much rather read Dev’s books. 
Dev, is this the shortest review you’ve ever done? But, it works.
A few of my colleagues were talking about the book and they were very surprised that I know the title.
I do? Aw, thanks, Mindy! That makes my day.
Mindy, if you want to REALLY impress them, tell them the original title was Master of the Universe.
Dev’s books are much better. But maybe 50 Shades will lead readers to Dev’s books.
And it doesn’t matter that 50 Shades is not a well written book. That would be akin to reading Playboy for the articles.
Toohey is really one of the most fascinatingly evil characters in literature. He possesses no talent of his own, yet, as a journalist, he builds an empire and a following by exaulting mediocrity while doing his best to crush true artistic talent.
It’s no wonder the book has been debated and studied and argued about for 70 years. It’s the ultimate story of good versus evil and Rand is a master at character development.
I’ve read it at different stages of my life and I’ve always come away with a different perspective, identifying each time with a different character, depending on what’s going on in my own life.
Okay, that’s it. The Fountainhead has been on my “to read” list for ever and ever. It’s sitting on my bookshelf now, where it’s been languishing for years. I think this is as good a time as any to blow the dust off the cover and give it a try.
I predict you will love it!
You’ve been right about other things we both have read, so I predict you are right! First have to finish a book for book group, then that’s next up on my list.
How is your day going today? Get any packing done?
Cindy, I’ve never read this book. I’m waiting for my library to get me a copy, which should be soon, I hope.
Have you gotten any packing done? I do wish I could just hop in my car and come help.
I did empty my whole basement last week. Don’t be too impressed. The basement is maybe 10″ x 10″ – it’s just there to give my water heater and furnace a room of their own. Most of what was down there were boxes for stuff I’d bought in case I ever needed to return it. A couple of times, having the boxes was important. But, really, do I still need the box my IBM computer running W98 came in?
Out of sight, out of mind. I do still have that computer, but getting rid of it is a bit more trouble since I have to take to an inconvenient location that is only open inconvenient hours.
No, I’ve been doing work work. The kind that pays me money.
I’ve been a little twitchy about opening any more drawers. You never know what you might find. Spiders. Old souveniers from the Korean Conflict. That kind of stuff. Stuff you need to be prepared to find.
Mindy, it isn’t so much a review as a comment on the bizarre behavior of the book publishing market.
Roman keeps threatening me with cleaning out the attic this summer, and then having a (gasp!) tag sale! If there’s anything worse than going through your own drecky stuff, it’s that followed by strangers pawing through your drecky stuff. And paying you MONEY for stuff you’re really just embarrassed to own, and you wish they would take away. For free.
Scarlet, maybe you should just throw them all away before Roman gets into the attic.
Mindy! You shouldnt encourage Scarlet to go behind Roman’s back like that…do you want Scarlet to get into trouble?
That’s not going behind his back.
That’s showing initiative and enthusiasm. Get the job done so that he doesn’t need to get his hands dirty. 
Oh. See this is why I hang out here….I still have so much to learn from all my big sisters
If Roman really has his heart set on a tag sale, Scarlet, you of course will need to comply. But there is a lot to be said for the alternatives. Remember that donations in kind to charity are tax deductible, and that Goodwill and the Salvation Army are more than happy to send a truck if you tell them what they are to pick up and have people there to load it for them. Then you don’t have to watch strangers paw through your unfathomables.
Ebay!!
On the english Ebay there is a vintage section an people pay a lot for old fashioned clothes…..maybe they will need them for a play or something.
That’s much better, isn’t it, Dev? There are boxes of useful items that someone in need might want–bedding and curtains from rooms that were redecorated, children’s toys, furniture and clothing, plus discarded odds and ends like chests and chairs and china. It’s amazing what it is possible to amass in a lifetime. I do love your word, “unfathomables,”. That’s exactly what most of them are.
Thanks for the sneaky approach, Mindy. I have to admit that appeals to me on so many levels. I’m already in trouble this week as it is–first that darn raccoon, then the end of the month brings bill-paying day. Do you know that Roman had the audacity to add items together?? Hair plus makeup plus clothing, etc into a category he calls “personal upkeep.”. Well, of course I look high-maintenance if you do it like that!
Call it an attic sale and decorate it with bats and such-like. That’ll confuse and interest all comers.
I do like the way you think, Pygmalion. Why that makes me nervous I have no idea!
Wait, I hope you aren’t making madwoman in the attic inferences!
I don’t think I am. I just like bats.
You’re not a Spanking Vampire, are you? How do you feel about daylight?
Hmmm, you seem to behave suspiciously when the sun is out, dashing into darkened pubs and claiming heat stroke after being outside with a lawn mower for five minutes.
Oh no! Mine terrible see-cret revealèd (blah!); I do like to count ze strokes. One, two, three, twenty. Ah-ha, aha-ha.
I reshapèd this stake—meant, ill-advisedly, for mine heart—into a paddle—meant, delightfully, for your bottom.
Ah-ha, aha-ha.
Cape whvooshing, and similar (blah!). Away! To the creatures of the night.
You wouldn’t mind answering a few questions, would you, Sir P?
Is your avatar really you, in the era in which you were born?
Do you refer to your family members as part of your clan?
Has anyone ever thrown mustard seeds at you?
Is another name for your goddess Countess Eliazabeth? (if you understand the question, that’s worth half a point right there!)
I knew it! Although your counting skills might please naughty girls. There is that to consider…
I’d rather take a beating with one of Jay’s Dragon Canes than to ever have another rummage sale. Worst. Experience. Ever.
That may be just a touch hyperbolic, but not much.
Oh, and just so you know? I called Pygmalion and the vampire thing months ago.
If there are shelters near you, they might be able to use a lot of those items.
Cindy, my sister once held a gun to my head to force me to help her hold a rummage sale.
She is now indebted to me for life. 
Can you turn into one?
Scarlet, I hate the idea of yard sales too so when it’s time to clear things out I always take them to a thrift shop, Salvation Army or St Vincent De Paul Society. Purple Heart will come to your house to collect and it supports the Veterans.
I had one once and although it wasn’t the worst experience of my life (I have lots worse) it wasn’t pleasant. I tell Charley I would rathe just give the stuff away rather than waste my Saturday dickering over a dollar.
Mr. Pygmalion, do you live on Sesame Street? Your voice sounds familiar.
You’ve convinced me! I will be sending you all Roman’s email address so you can convince him! Wait, that might not be a good idea…
Cindy, you KNEW Count von Pygmalion was a vampire? Did you warn us and we just weren’t paying attention? How could this have slipped by us? We are all so vampire-aware these days, you’d think we would have caught on before now…
I don’t get beaten. Tony wouldnt beat me, thats utterly harsh and not what its all about……oooooooooh the hokey cokey, err sorry….where was I?
Or at least seen his sparkly bits
The Count wears a good disguise.
Jay, sparkly bits?
Scarlet, just give me Roman’s email address, you can trust me, you’ve known me the longest.
I wondered about that too, Scarlet. In the end, I just took it that she meant his teeth, the incisors to be specific.
You are also Polly and Scarlet’s best disciple when it comes to
. 
I’ll swap you for Charlie’s.
Mindy, I was mentored by the best.
Mordern day vamps sparkle in the sun…….havent you seen Twilight!?
Sure, sounds like a plan. While I am looking up Charlie’s email you can send me Roman’s, I should have his by then.
They must be very proud of you.
Okay, I’m looking up Roman’s, too!
While Scarlet is sending me Roman’s email, I have a question. How does one eat a very ripe plum or pluot without getting juice squirted all over one’s face and dripping down one’s chin? I just had a pluot that was very good but I think I only got half the juice in me and the rest on me.
Mindy, aren’t you supposed to be at work or are you off for the 4th of July?
I don’t want to go to work. I want to play here. But being the good girl
, I am actually getting dressed now to go to work.
Have a good day at work, Mindy!
You could use a very sharp knife and cut it in half or into quarters. Then you won’t mush quite as much of the juice out biting into it.
Just be very careful with the knife.
Yeah kaki, an no running with scissors!
Dev, I think that is what I wound up doing last year. You trust me with a sharp knife.
Mindy, have a nice day at work.
I’m a post-modern vampire; there’s none of this “angst” and “sparkling”.
I just do/.
{how could they not have known that vampires sparkle, Jay?}
don’t give her a KNIFE!
A very sharp knife. Dull knives are dangerous.
Just view the juice as a natural beauty treatment for the skin and don’t worry about it.
it’s gonna just slide on that fruitskin and cut the tip of her finger off! She needs a steakknife!
It frightens me somehow that you know so much about cutlery.
Ya’know Pygmalion, with all the blood deseses around these days you shouldnt really drink it…..not even aminal blood.
Why not fill some blood bags with tomato juice……i won’t tell anyone.
it should scare you. it should scare you a lot!
What kind of first aid equipment do you keep on hand?
Vampires dont’ have to worry about that stuff, Sparky. One of the perks, don’t you know.
I would become a vampire so fast it would make your head spin. If they could go out in the daytime and, you know, existed and stuff.
Paper towels, a sewing kit, and lots of scotch.
Can the new vampires see themselves in mirrors? I’d hate to have to hire someone to comb my hair.
scotch tape?
silly! Of course they can see themselves in mirrors.
These aren’t your grandpa’s vampires.
Yes. Exactly. Scotch tape. You bet.
Transylvania will never be the same.
What do you mean, if they existed? Every time you say you don’t believe in vampires, one dies. It’s too sad to contemplate.
Would that be the scotch tape made by the Chivas Brothers or the kind from Johnny Walker?
So that’s all it takes to kill them? We don’t need wooden stakes or holy water? Don’t need to cut off their heads? Joss Whedon will be so disappointed.
The kind from The Glenlivet, 12 years old. The only kind I buy. And thanks for asking.
Vampire hair is always perfect. Why would we need mirrors?
thats fairys
Ya know, I don’t think she is ever coming back with Roman’s email address.
Dang! That’s right. Never mind.
Isn’t that “bell rings an angel gets its wings?”
Bela Lugosi would not be happy with this discovery.
Kaki, here’s Roman’s email: Roman@goodluck.com
Now give me Charlie’s.