By Ian Kerner PhD, LMFT
Fifty Shades of Grey put the words "bondage erotica" into the mainstream, according to Rachel Kramer Bussel, a writer and editor of more than 40 anthologies of literotica, including Best Women's Erotica of the Year Book 5. "It has shown that you don't have to be a certain type of person to enjoy erotic fiction, and you certainly don't have to be a BDSM practitioner to enjoy reading about it," she says. "That's the biggest misconception about erotica in general. Some people may read a book of spanking erotica and be intrigued and want to try it. Or maybe they're curious and seek out erotica as a way to test the waters. But there's nothing wrong with enjoying and appreciating fantasy as fantasy."
Some readers and cultural critics have opined that BDSM themes may be particularly relevant to today's women, many of whom may have power in the workplace but would like to potentially relinquish some in the bedroom. Conversely the book could also appeal to stay-at-home moms who are so busy taking care of the kids, and everything else for that matter, that they long for more TLC for themselves (even of the not-so tender kind).
But does the success of Fifty Shades lie in its contemporary relevance, or its timeless universality? In 1958, Story of O caused a firestorm of controversy with similar erotic themes, and in 1994, Anne Rice published a quartet based on Sleeping Beauty, which also explored BDSM themes.
"BDSM erotica explores both the physical side of BDSM, the mixing of pain and pleasure, and, usually, the psychological and power play side, which to me is often the most interesting," says Bussel. "Readers will be drawn to these kinds of stories for various reasons but the idea of willingly giving up control to someone who wants to use that control to get off, and get you off, is exciting to a lot of people. BDSM is about far more than just whips and chains. You just need characters who want to exchange power and who are complementary in those desires."
Fantasies are just that: fantasies. Not reality. They free the brain to explore secret, extraordinary realms without the obligations of everyday life. Kaye Wellings, a respected British biologist, puts it best in her book, First Love, First Sex.
"Fantasies perform a valuable function," she writes. "Most of us, most of the time, behave conservatively, sexually and otherwise. Our erotic experiences represent only the tip of the iceberg in terms of possibilities. Many possibilities only see the light of day through fantasies or dreams, seldom as reality."
Much of the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey has come from women talking about it with other women, but perhaps they should be sharing these thoughts with their spouses.
If you're looking for ideas, Bussel has some recommendations:
Also, Cate Bellow has created a series of erotic short stories based on Greek myths, the first of which, Persephone and Hades, depicts the ultimate good girl/bad boy relationship. I created a "pleasure guide" to accompany the story, which helps couples use the themes, role-playing, sexual taboos, hot kisses and more as a source of erotic inspiration to dip their toes into more sexually adventurous waters.
Clearly, there's something for everyone in the realm of literotica. So instead of reaching for the remote this evening, reach for some literotica, get cozy with your partner and take turns reading aloud.
