EL James is to release a new version of Fifty Shades of Grey, written from the point of view of the franchise’s dominant male protagonist, Christian Grey.
In the recent film adaptation, Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan starred as Ana and Christian.
The author has today (1.06.15) told fans that the new book will be entitled Grey, and will centre around the character’s thoughts during the events with Anastasia Steele from the original series. Taking to social media, the English writer, whose real name is Erika Mitchell stated, “This book is dedicated to those readers who asked…and asked… and asked… and asked for this.”
Fifty Shades of Grey was originally a piece of fan-fiction that was based on Stephanie Meyer’s popular teenage novel series Twilight.
In an official statement, James further teased details about the upcoming novel; “Christian is a complex character, and readers have always been fascinated by his desires and motivations, and his troubled past. Also, as anyone who has ever been in a relationship knows, there are two sides to every story. It’s been a great pleasure to return to my happy place — writing, being with Christian and Ana in their universe, and working with the fantastic team at Vintage.”
James’ editor Anne Messitte also made comment on the news; “Fifty Shades of Grey is a love story that has enthralled readers in a way that few books have, and when Erika mentioned to me that she wanted to explore Christian’s viewpoint and re-open the story, I was incredibly excited for her and for her readers. This book has all the compelling attributes of its predecessors, and I can’t wait for Fifty Shades fans to experience the work again from a perspective they have long desired.”
After the box office success of the film adaptation, which starred Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in the leading roles, it could be argued that this is just another money making scheme from James’ camp.
The idea to publish a book from the male side of a couple’s point of view is shrewdly reminiscent of Twilight author Stephanie Meyer’s attempts to write from Edward Cullen’s perspective in her novel, Midnight Sun. A small excerpt of the drafted novel was published on Meyer’s website, but has since been shelved.
Grey will be published on 18th June (the character’s birthday) and available to buy in paperback and as an eBook.
Watch the trailer for the film adaptation, which will also be released on DVD this month, below.
2 Comments
Buuut…. WHO. ASKED. FOR THIS?!
This is why we can’t have nice things.