Before the Fifty shades Trilogy, erotic romance was a dying genre. However, E. L. James’s novels changed everything by turning the uneventful world of erotic romance literature into a buzzing genre, with many readers gobbling in stories about sex and erotic romance.
Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian
After the success of her first erotic romance novel, E. L. James wrote another version of Ana’s encounter with Christian; this time around, the narrator was Christian Grey himself. ‘Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian’ tells the story of Christian meeting Ana for the first time when she came to interview him. Believing that Ana is the best person for him, Christian tries to fall in love with her hoping his relationship with her will erase the trauma of his past. However, his already darkened sexual nature repels Ana from him.
Darker: Fifty Shades Darker as Told by Christian
After Ana and Christian’s breakup, Christian desperately tries to redeem himself in her sight. He begins to change his attitude as he realizes that Ana is the only person capable of changing him. Though she agrees to be with him again, she drafts terms Christian has to follow. However, his past begins to come up, and the women he once had sexual relations with become a hindrance to his relationship with Ana.
The Mister
‘The Mister’ is a 2019 romance novel. It tells the story of Maxim Trevelyan, an English Aristocrat, who becomes the Earl of Trevethick after his brother’s sudden death. He falls for Alessia Demanchi, an undocumented Albanian immigrant maid. She discovers he is an Earl and decides to run away in fear. Maxim stops her and confesses his feelings to her, and she accepts him. However, some problems force her to travel back to her home. However, Maxim travels to Albania looking for her.
Fifty Shades Trilogy
The Fifty Shades Trilogy comprising ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ ‘Fifty Shades Darker,’ and ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ are E. L. James’s most successful books. With the series selling over 100 million copies worldwide as of 2017, it is the bestselling trilogy of the decade.
The first novel, ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ tells the story of Anastasia, a young final-year college student, who meets Christian Grey, a young billionaire. Ana’s life rapidly changes after meeting Christian as she finds herself deeply in love with him. However, a dark past and an insatiable hunger for control cause Ana to leave him.
The second novel, ‘Fifty Shades Darker,’ continues from the first. On leaving Christian, Ana decides to focus on her career. However, Christian returns promising to be different. She accepts him back but on the premise that she makes her own rules. Christian accepts Ana’s proposal, and like nothing ever happened, they continue from where they stopped. Ana’s thrill comes to an unwanted stop as some of the women in Christian’s former life come to light; this causes rockiness in their relationship. However, after solving the issues with his past, Christian asks Ana to marry him.
The third novel, ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ continues from the previous. Now married to Christian, Ana enters a life where she has to adjust to the problems of being the wife of a billionaire. With her trying to alienate her career from Christian, she tries to make a name for herself but ultimately adopts Christian’s last name. Jack Hyde, her former employer, kidnaps Mia, Christian’s sister, and requests a ransom, but he kicks pregnant Ana violently after reaching the drop point. She passes out but survives and later gives birth to a baby boy.
Masters of the Universe
‘Masters of the Universe’ is the first novel written by E. L. James. It tells the story of a young girl, Bella Swan, who gets drafted to interview a multi-millionaire, Edward Cullen. On meeting her, Edward gets attracted, and they enter a world of sexual desires and burning passion.
FAQs
Why did Fifty Shades of Grey become popular?
‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ rose to popularity because of its unique take on erotic romance. The novel brought the concept of BDSM dominance unto the mainstream and made people enjoy the thrill of watching the relationship between an innocent girl and cold-hearted billionaire progress. The explicitly sexual content and the constant sexual tension shown by the novel made it a romance fantasy haven for many people.
Is the Fifty Shades Trilogy the most sold series of the decade?
Since 2011, the Fifty Shades Trilogy has sold above 150 million copies worldwide, making it the bestselling series of the decade. The series got translated into many languages, and ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ still holds the record for the fastest-selling book in British history.
Are there any other books by E. L. James besides Fifty Shades?
In 2019, E. L. James published ‘The Mister,’ a novel that told the story of Maxim, an earl, who fell in love with an illegal Albanian immigrant, Alessia. Though the Fifty Shades series was successful, ‘The Mister’ received heavy criticism and did not become successful. E. L. James also co-authored ‘The Caves of Loring’ with BD McMackin. The novel tells the story of a retired military man, Robert James, who prepares for the economic fall of America.
Were the Fifty Shades films successful?
With a combined budget of $160 million, the Fifty Shades Trilogy films raked in more than $1.3 billion, making them one of the most successful films to have ever been made. However, though they grossed an exceptional amount of money, the films received heavy backlash from critics and people who disliked the franchise.
