While some are predicting a “Fifty Shades of Grey”-inspired baby boom, one domestic abuse charity is "disgusted" with the erotic trilogy and wants it burned off of bookshelves.
The love (and bondage/dominance/sadomasochism) story between Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey has quickly become the fastest selling paperback of all time and, for many, the key ingredient to spicing up a stale relationship. But according to advocates working for Wearside Women in Need, an anti-domestic abuse charity, the X-rated novels are condoning dangerous behavior, and they’re planning to scorch copies of the book in protest, the BBC reports.
"I do not think I can put into words how vile I think this book is and how dangerous I think the idea is that you get a sophisticated but naive, young women and a much richer, abusive older man who beats her up and does some dreadful things to her sexually,” Clare Phillipson of Wearside Women in Need told BBC.
To demonstrate just how opposed the organization is to a story that involves a domineering billionaire spanking and beating a young virgin with a belt, Phillipson has invited supporters to bring copies of “Fifty Shades” to her office to be scorched at a Nov. 5 bonfire.
She told the news outlet that her primary complaint is that services for victims of domestic violence are getting cut, while libraries are "wasting and grossly misusing public to buy a book which says: 'domestic violence is sexy.'"
Though Wearside Women in Need may be taking the most fiery stance against E.L. James’ racy novels, other detractors have also gone to great lengths to protest it.
Libraries in Wisconsin, Georgia and Florida have all either refused to order the books or have pulled them from shelves, the Associated Press reports.
"It doesn't suit our community standards," Cay Hohmeister, director of libraries for Leon County, told the news outlet.
Dr. Drew Pinsky, a physician and TV personality, also recently came out against some of the forceful moments in “Fifty Shades.”
“It does disturb me,” Pinsky told the “Today” Show. “The ‘swept-away’ fantasy is a common fantasy. But…it’s going beyond that into actual violence against women.”
What do you think about Wearside Women in Need's decision to burn copies of "Fifty Shades of Grey?" Tell us in the comments section below.