An erotica novel selling out in New Zealand book stores is sparking bedroom curiosity in Manawatu.

Fifty Shades of Grey, dubbed ‘‘mummy porn’’, has been selling out nationwide since it hit book shelves last month, but it has also inspired couples to experiment in the bedroom.

The book is the first in a trilogy by EL James based on the sexual relationship between a multibillionaire (Christian Grey) and English literature student (Anastasia Steele), and it gives insight into the world of a BDSM – including bondage,   dominance and submission –  relationship.

Unlike in the book, where the male is the dominant and the female is the submissive, Palmerston North couples like it the other way around, according to Shona Bos, owner of Palmerston North adult store Barbarellas.

‘‘We get a lot more males who are the submissives in Palmerston North and it’s usually the high profile jobs they are in,’’ she said.

‘‘Policemen, lawyers, and judges are those that usually are the submissives. They’re in control during the day and have stressful jobs, and in the bedroom they want someone else to take control.’’

Ms Bos said the trilogy had got people talking and experimenting in the bedroom.

‘‘It is a niche market though, and I think we’ll get a few people who will have a bit of a play and experiment a little, but I don’t think we will be inundated.

‘‘I think people will buy it online as they are too scared to be seen walking out [of a sex shop].’’

A worker at D’Vice – who did not want to be named – said the store had set up a Fifty Shades of Grey display for customers.

She also agreed Palmerston North women were more in control in the bedroom.

‘‘The book has definitely opened people’s minds,’’ she said.

‘‘There are a lot more people coming in now, because of the book, wanting to purchase something they may not have bought before reading it. It’s [bondage] definitely taking off.’’

She said handcuffs were the most popular item being sold because of the book.

‘‘In the book he uses cable ties and they’re not that safe. I guess [handcuffs] are the less intimidating item.’’

Palmerston North and Marton Paper Plus bookstore owner Gary Hayman said his stores had sold hundreds of copies of the book.

‘‘It’s commercially sensitive to give an exact figure but we’ve sold hundreds of copies of the trilogy,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re managing to get enough stock in week by week to keep up with demand. It’s been a bit of a phenomenon, that’s for sure.’’

At Palmerston North City Library there are six copies of the first book in the series and more than 40 people on the waiting list to read it.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments