Fifty Shades of Grey Empowers Women of All Ages

If you don't want to have sex after reading this trilogy, you better check your pulse.

Dear Monica, Have you read the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy? Do you think it is a positive or negative for women to read these books? —E.G., Manayunk

I have read all three of the books and I would highly recommend them.

Not because I think that they are fine literature, but rather that they offer women a positive outlet from the doldrums of everyday life. Usually sex talk is saved for the back pages of Penthouse Magazine and is in the man’s domain. Here we have a female author writing about a woman who is a naïve virgin who meets a successful, good-looking billionaire looking for a submissive relationship. Through her happiest of  times and most tormented of times, Anastasia does not enter into Christian’s sub-dom world and ends up turning into quite the vixen. She’s a woman who has it all. She’s educated, married to the love of her life, and has kids and a career.

Anastasia actually ends up turning Christian around to her ways, not vice versa. She is hardly under her husband’s thumb. In fact, the only time we hear about Christian’s thumbs are when Anastasia is screaming from the pleasure they bring to her.

E. L. James has redefined fantasy and kinky sex for women across the western hemisphere. What were once taboo topics like adult toys, playrooms, orgasms and the wildest sex scenarios ever imaginable, are now common talk among women and their book clubs. The men are reaping the benefits and could not be happier. Even the most uptight, buttoned-up Main Line women are peeling of their clothes, and jumping into the sack with renewed fervor.

Don’t get me wrong, these books are not just about sex. And those who think they are, did not read them carefully enough. There are deep themes of love, friendship, honesty and trust embedded in the sexy times.

In this age of way too much stress and high divorce rate, this trilogy could not have been more timely. Women are initiating hot sex and enjoying every minute, and that is a good thing. Men are grinning from ear to ear, wishing the author would write a fourth book—or at least that their girlfriends or wives would keep the books handy as reference manuals. Adult stores are selling toys by the truckloads. Instead of turning every room into an extra closet when the kids leave for college, the empty-nesters are leaving one bedroom for their playroom. All of this adds up to couples being more connected, thoroughly enjoying sex, and definitely not bored in the boudoir. Whether you are in your 20s, middle-aged, or borrowing your daughter’s Kindle in your 70s, it is never too late to broaden your horizons and spice things up in your sex life. When reading the Fifty Shades trilogy, if you are not having sex with your partner, spouse or yourself, all I can say is check that you have a pulse.

Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to have a piece of Christian Grey?