Sunday, November 11, 2012

50 Shades of ... Parody - November 11, 2012

I don't read erotica, but I'd have to have been living under a rock on a planet in a different galaxy to have missed the phenomenon that is E.L. James' Fifty Shades Trilogy. I know that the Trilogy started out as Twilight fanfic, underwent some revisions, and apparently single-handedly revived some portions of the erotic book market, maybe the entire market for all I know. I think that is probably a stretch so I will leave that debate up to those with more knowledge. I do know that the Trilogy helped Barnes & Nobles' bottom line (no pun intended). You can read about it in Forbes. So a huge thank you to E.L. James for that.

As folks who read the blog know I am a follower of Mash Ups and their ilk. So in that spirit, here are three Fifty Shades parodies to give as holiday or anytime gifts for fans of the original Fifty Shades of Grey, which is really Twilight fanfic, which.... Oh never mind.

Check out the fourth and last book for readers who want to immerse themselves in understanding the Fifty Shades phenomenon.


For those who like contemporary parodies:

First I'd like to highly recommend Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin. Fanny is really the very talented, Andrew Shaffer. I immensely enjoyed Fifty Shames of Earl Grey. It was so good I almost wanted to read Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey. Really. I refrained however and will stick to Merkin's novel instead. Fifty Shames of Earl Grey made me laugh out loud. It's fun and compulsively readable.

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey: A Parody
by Fanny Merkin (a.k.a. Andrew Shaffer)
Da Capo Press, Juy 31, 2012
Trade Paperback and eBook, 224 pages

Young, arrogant tycoon Earl Grey seduces the naïve coed Anna Steal with his overpowering good looks and staggering amounts of money, but will she be able to get past his fifty shames, including shopping at Walmart on Saturdays, bondage with handcuffs, and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)? Or will his dark secrets and constant smirking drive her over the edge?



For those who like to cook (in the kitchen):

Fifty Shades of Chicken: A Parody in a Cookbook
by FL Fowler
Clarkson Potter, November 13, 2012
Hardcover and eBook, 160 pages

Dripping Thighs, Sticky Chicken Fingers, Vanilla Chicken, Chicken with a Lardon, Bacon-Bound Wings, Spatchcock Chicken, Learning-to-Truss-You Chicken, Holy Hell Wings, Mustard-Spanked Chicken, and more, more, more!

Fifty chicken recipes, each more seductive than the last, in a book that makes every dinner a turn-on.

“I want you to see this. Then you’ll know everything. It’s a cookbook,” he says and opens to some recipes, with color photos. “I want to prepare you, very much.” This isn’t just about getting me hot till my juices run clear, and then a little rest. There’s pulling, jerking, stuffing, trussing. Fifty preparations. He promises we’ll start out slow, with wine and a good oiling . . . Holy crap.  “I will control everything that happens here,” he says. “You can leave anytime, but as long as you stay, you’re my ingredient.” I’ll be transformed from a raw, organic bird into something—what? Something delicious.

So begins the adventures of Miss Chicken, a young free-range, from raw innocence to golden brown ecstasy, in this spoof-in-a-cookbook that simmers in the afterglow of E.L. James’s sensational Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. Like Anastasia Steele, Miss Chicken finds herself at the mercy of a dominating man, in this case, a wealthy, sexy, and very hungry chef.

And before long, from unbearably slow drizzling to trussing, Miss Chicken discovers the sheer thrill of becoming the main course. A parody in three acts—“The Novice Bird” (easy recipes for roasters), “Falling to Pieces” (parts perfect for weeknight meals), and “Advanced Techniques” (the climax of cooking)—Fifty Shades of Chicken is a cookbook of fifty irresistible, repertoire-boosting chicken dishes that will leave you hungry for more.

With memorable tips and revealing photographs, Fifty Shades of Chicken will have you dominating dinner.

You can see the Table of Contents here.



For those who like historical fiction parodies:

Fifty Shades of Mr. Darcy: A Parody
by William Codpiece Thwackery
Pocket Star, November 13, 2012
eBook, 200 pages

A titillating mashup of an erotic bestseller and a romantic classic, peppered with puns, this eBook is sure to satisfy those who love Fifty Shades of Grey and Pride and Prejudice!

When Mr. Elliot Bingley comes to court Lizzy Bennet’s sister, she meets his mysterious, grey-eyed friend, a Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. It takes only one meeting before Lizzy is lured into Darcy’s secret world of lascivious practices and lusty urges. Her heart is racing and her bloomers quivering at the thought of submitting to Mr. Darcy’s every whim…


Also available in print from Michael O'Mara Books:

A hilarious parody of an erotic bestseller and a romantic classic—those wanting a little naughtiness in their lives should prepare themselves for Mr. Darcy's Blue Broom-Cupboard of Seriously Kinky Sh*t

Lizzy Steele had been brought up to be a proper lady with perfect manners, skilled in conversation, and well respected in the community. But when Mr. Elliot Bingley comes to court Lizzy's sister, she is given the opportunity to learn a somewhat different skill set upon her introduction to his friend, a Mr. Christian Darcy. It only takes one chance meeting with this tall, dark stranger for Lizzy to be lured into Darcy's secret world of lascivious practices and lusty urges. Drawn like a moth to his flame, Lizzy is the mistress of her own undoing, for Darcy has made no protestations of love; indeed, his intentions were made plain from the outset. But even the most innocent and well brought-up of young ladies have urges, and as Lizzy learns that a riding crop isn't just used for going for a canter on her pony, a whole new world is revealed to her—shaded black and leather-clad.


Do you have a favorite Fifty Shades parody?




Finally for those of you who want to delve into the Fifty Shades phenomenon itself:

Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey
Lori Perkins (editor)
Smart Pop Books, November 20, 2012
Trade Paperback, 304 pages

E. L. James’ Fifty Shades trilogy has fascinated and seduced millions of readers. In bedrooms, in book clubs, and in the media, people can’t stop talking about it!

In Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey, 50 writers—from romance and erotica authors, to real-world BDSM practitioners, to adult entertainment industry professionals—continue the conversation.

Fifty Shades as Erotic Fiction
Erotic romance writer Sylvia Day speaks to the new opportunities the Fifty Shades trilogy has opened up for writers (and readers!) of erotica

Fifty Shades as Sexual Empowerment
Romance novelist Heather Graham praises the way the books encourage women to celebrate their own sexual shades of grey

Fifty Shades as Fanfiction
Editor Tish Beaty relates the process behind turning Twilight fanfic Master of the Universe into Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades as Pop Culture
Fifty Shames of Earl Grey author Andrew Shaffer compares Fifty Shades to sister-in-literary-scandal Peyton Place

Plus
  • Matrimonial lawyer Sherri Donovan examines the legalities of Christian’s contract
  • Master R of BDSM training chateau La Domaine Esemar evaluates Christian Grey’s skill as a Dominant (and offers some professional advice)
  • And a whole lot more!
Whether you loved Fifty Shades of Grey, or just want to know why everyone else does, Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey is the book for you.


Contributors:  Heather Graham, Sylvia Day, Andrew Shaffer, M.J. Rose, Sinnamon Love, Judith Regan, Stacy Agdern, Laura Antoniou, Jennifer Armintrout, Tish Beaty, Mala Bhattacharjee, Rachel Kramer Bussel, M. Christian, Suzan Colón, Joy Daniels, Sherri Donovan, Angela Edwards, Melissa Febos, Lucy Felthouse, Ryan Field, Selina Fire, Megan Frampton, Sarah Frantz, Louise Fury, Lois Gresh, Catherine Hiller, Marci Hirsch, Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, Debra Hyde, Anne Jamison, D.L. King, Dr. Logan Levkoff, Arielle Loren, Sassafras Lowry, Rachel Kenley, Pamela Madsen, ChrisMarks and Lia Leto, Midori, Master R, Dr. Katherine Ramsland, Tiffany Reisz, Katharine Sands, Jennifer Sanzo, Rakesh Satyal, Marc Shapiro, Lyss Stern, Cecilia Tan, Hope Tarr, Susan Wright, Editor X

1 comment:

  1. That cookbook takes the cake!! I'm not a fan of 50 shades, but I may have to get that cookbook.

    in fact, I'm going to request that my local library purchase a copy, just to give the librarians a giggle.

    ReplyDelete