Who cares if Fifty Shades Of Grey author E.L. James is speaking at various free events in the New York area? Yesterday, around 400 women paid $85-125 for the chance to have a buffet lunch with James, where she answered pre-screened questions, and get their books signed by the erotica author. Worth it? Newsday got a mixed reaction: One woman called it a waste ("I wanted her to talk about whether she thinks this strengthened people's relationships or had the opposite effect. You're British, how did you write such an American book?") but another raved about James, "She's really a modern-day hero for us suburban housewives. She put a little zest back into our lives."
The Fifty Shades trilogy, which features a naive college student named Anastasia falling in love with a young, handsome billionaire named Christian Grey who introduces her to the world of BDSM, has become such a naughty phenomenon that it was incorporated into Mayor Bloomberg's Inner Circle sketch this year, though not everyone is embracing it. In fact, Florida libraries are banning it. James herself is very press-shy—WABC 7 seemed upset that she wouldn't stop and speak to them—but News 12 did capture James in action at the event.
"50 Shades Of Grey” fans Enid Darrigo,67; Karen Thaler,70; Sandy Levine,70; Pat Orfinger, 72 (1010 WINS)
James told the audience she did "research" for the books, "That was great, great fun. My husband would give me this sort of terrified look when I'd say, 'Can we try this?' Some of it ended up in the book and some of it didn't." Newsday added, "James said it's possible she'll write a book telling the same story from Christian Grey's point of view."
One 72-year-old woman, Pat Orfinger, waiting to go to the event told 1010 WINS that the book is simply "a great love story" and she's read it twice. So, suck it, Margaret Mitchell!
The event was the first of two on Long Island (the other was last night at the Carle Place Barnes & Noble). James is also speaking at the Barnes & Noble in Paramus tonight and she'll be at the Union Square (!!) Barnes & Noble on Thursday. Toys in Babeland is hosting a Fifty Shades event on Friday; it's perfect for thes who apparently have not discovered Bon Iverotica:
