When'Fifty Shades of Grey' turned Harry Potter fans into adults who were peeping into the world of BDSM aka Bondage/Discipline/Dominance and Submission, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele became the new age individuals bold enough to experiment with many hues of a sexual relationship.
That wasn't enough. And hence came along Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. These were essentially the stories told in the same format as the earlier one. Ana was still playing the voice, billionaire Christian Grey was somewhat seen as the controlling factor who was integral to the story, but largely external to the story line.
Christian Grey, who would explore the dark psychological world of sexual experiences through various means and concepts that existed when copulation was normally to serve the purpose of procreation, was still seen as the person who controlled Ana. Anastasia was somewhat wary of him. Sometimes she even fell in love with him and ended up running away from Grey owing to her confusion. In that sense, the sequel was engaging and largely held the readers on their toes to see if there was any more possibility to telling the same story from one more perspective.
Author of these books, E L James is sure a woman who can very well be at home with her characters and their fears. The books turned out to be blockbusters. While James explored Ana Steele in the trilogy, James is all set to explore Christian Grey now in her upcoming book 'Grey'.
The man, who would get into sexual pacts with women who would agree to have sex with him without having to experience an ounce of romance, apparently deals with his deepest fears. His biggest fear, as it turns out, is that he would lose Ana.
It so happened in the trilogy that Ana leaves him after he showers her with lavish gifts, experiences a purely sexual relationship with her and spanks her. She is confused about the morbidity of this man, who does not display any emotions. But, further, they end up getting married and have normal fights like all the couple does, across countries and ethnicities.
Now by turning this perceivably masochistic and eventually sadistic man's world into that of a normal human being, who struggles to come to terms with his fears, James has given love, perhaps another chance to co-exist with sex; just the way it's gotta be.
Was Fifty Shades of Grey a well timed book that simply happened to the readers who were already open to exploring such concepts?
In today's world, aggression comes dressed in many forms. Strangers meet, simply get into a functional pact of fulfilling each others' sexual desires - whether drunken, sober or in the form of a one night stand.
Sex is largely a sensory experience for both men and women. Blame it on the DNA if you must, but sex for women is more sensual than a functional aspect. In that sense, Ana despite coming close to entering the pact of no-romance-only-sex, marries Grey. This can only be understood on a single premise. Did we call it Stockholm Syndrome by any chance? It is the same thing that forces girls to marry their abuser because they see a possibility of 'improvement' there.
But, Grey who happens to have great clarity otherwise, has suddenly become mortal now. He now speaks not through his masks, chains or duct tapes, but more through his emotions.
Did readers lose him now? Perhaps, not. With 'Grey' hitting the shelves of bookstores mid June, there are all possibilities of the man who till now held his cards closer to the chest, being adored like the ultimate alpha male.
Because, women do like men with vulnerabilities. For Grey to come out with his tears and fears would be the most welcome change, after having seen him as a sexual pervert of sorts.
James, in a recent interview, said she would like to tell the other side of the story. And looks like readers are waiting eagerly to read Grey's side of story and understand why Grey, a loner, does what he does.
It is interesting to understand the manifestation of fear in human mind. Some people are aloof by their personality traits. Their genes give them that. But then, there are some who develop disassociation from events around them so that they can avoid being hurt.
Which category does Grey belong to? By the look of it, Grey is a man who is largely unemotional when it comes to relationships, owing to the scores of 'on contract' girls he has had sex with, only to feel the power of being in control. Ana was an extremely exceptional 'exception' who played the ball only while negotiating and not really sign any document.
When he finally lets it go, the fear surfaces to haunt him. Ana is a woman who has chocolate for her heart. She is sweet, addictive, and can melt at the slightest warmth she comes close to. So, will readers lose Grey after this book? Let's wait for the answer.