What do you think about "fifty Shades of Gray"?

[Meadow337]

Well that's an interesting definition of hype, different than I would have thought. Thank you. I'll think about it.

But I had the impression that the word-of-mouth buildup for 50 Shades began while it was still in fanfic stage online, before it was ever presented for publication.

I don't think it was best seller level of hype at that stage, although it was probably enough to get the publisher to take it on, and then launch into the stratosphere once the advertising machine got behind it.

 

[Peder]

I don't think it was best seller level of hype at that stage, although it was probably enough to get the publisher to take it on, and then launch into the stratosphere once the advertising machine got behind it.

That's sort of my disagreement. I didn't notice that the advertising machine got hold of it before it went ballistic -- any more than for any other novel.

My second sort of objection is that I have never heard a book so disparaged as 50 Shades, especially by people who have never read it. If it was hype and advertising, it was definitely negative hype and advertising if one judges by the comments one sees..

 

[Meadow337]

There is no such thing as bad publicity. The more people moaned the more other people wanted to see what the fuss was about.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey <- have a look at the references section and see all the posts in all the newspapers and online news sites - that is all media hype that originates with the publishers. Their PR department swings into full gear and sends out press releases, articles, including the controversy, they set up the debates and invite comment etc.

 

[Peder]

There is no such thing as bad publicity. The more people moaned the more other people wanted to see what the fuss was about..

... and plunk down their full-price money? A most unusual form of curiosity for people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey <- have a look at the references section and see all the posts in all the newspapers and online news sites - that is all media hype that originates with the publishers. Their PR department swings into full gear and sends out press releases, articles, including the controversy, they set up the debates and invite comment etc.

At least factual, but publishing/media/advertising is automatically a large world once someone pushes the "go" button. I can only say "didn't see it at the time, and didn't affect me."

I don't think Bared for Me will come close -- my speculation entirely, I realize -- but the last phenomenon I can remember at all similar to 50 Shades was Lolita. And then one by Jacqueline Suzanne (Valley of the Dolls?), when I last looked up overall sales figures. Ignoring the Bible, of course.

So, I still think it is an oxymoronic phenomenon that people claim: "everyone buys it, no one likes it."

 

[Meadow337]

*shrugs* sex sells - what can I say?

 

[Peder]

*shrugs* sex sells - what can I say?

Almost the way I am getting to feel.

I don't think either of us is going to change the discussion much.

 

[Karen C]

Never read them.

A part of me does want to read them, however, just to see what all the fuss is about but I've heard a lot of people say they are poorly written, i.e. bad grammar etc. which puts me right off.

Maybe I will read them at some point, but for the moment I have other books that I am much more interested in reading.

 

[Meadow337]

Never read them.

A part of me does want to read them, however, just to see what all the fuss is about but I've heard a lot of people say they are poorly written, i.e. bad grammar etc. which puts me right off.

Maybe I will read them at some point, but for the moment I have other books that I am much more interested in reading.

LOL and there you see the hype at work!

 

[Peder]

LOL and there you see the hype at work!

Meadow, I think we think about "hype" differently.
To me "hype" is the organized effort by the book industry to push a book and sell it, usually with quite a bit of puffery and other exaggeration involved (all the usual lying advertising techniques).
On the other hand, an overwhelming number of recommendations from one's friends and acquaintances, and even strangers, I would call the large "word-of-mouth" that goes with a very well-known book (even negatively well known).
And speaking of negative and full of grammatical errors, I think that is a particularly false claim, in the category of rumor, based most likely on the original fanfic version. My early hardcopy was as nearly free of grammatical errors (two, that I noticed) as any more recent book I have read. But to say these things, makes me a champion of the book and its subject matter in many people's eyes, when in fact I am mainly a champion of the idea of actually reading the book so one knows what one is talking about.

Karen C: My advice, read it if you wish. It may turn out to be quite different than you have heard. Or not read it, as you wish.
In either event, have a good day.

 

[Meadow337]

Meadow, I think we think about "hype" differently.
1. To me "hype" is the organized effort by the book industry to push a book and sell it, usually with quite a bit of puffery and other exaggeration involved (all the usual lying advertising techniques).

2. On the other hand, an overwhelming number of recommendations from one's friends and acquaintances, I would call the large "word-of-mouth" that goes with a very well-known book (even negatively well known).

And speaking of negative and full of grammatical errors, I think that is a particularly false claim, in the category of rumor, based most likely on the original fanfic version. My early hardcopy was as nearly free of grammatical errors (two, that I noticed) as any more recent book I have read. But to say these things, makes me a champion of the book and its subject matter in many people's eyes, when in fact I am mainly a champion of the idea of actually reading the book so one knows what one is talking about.

Karen C: My advice, read it if you wish. It may turn out to be quite different than you have heard. Or not read it, as you wish.
In either event, have a good day.

In reference to points 1. and 2. - what you call word-of-mouth publishers and media people call 'hype' and it is what they fervently hope for . They also do not care if it is controversial or 'negative' so long as people are talking about it and bringing attention to it. In fact anything controversial is a media person's dream because then the hype takes on a life of its own and they don't have to keep trying to create it artificially.

 

[Peder]

In reference to points 1. and 2. - what you call word-of-mouth publishers and media people call 'hype' and it is what they fervently hope for . They also do not care if it is controversial or 'negative' so long as people are talking about it and bringing attention to it. In fact anything controversial is a media person's dream because then the hype takes on a life of its own and they don't have to keep trying to create it artificially.

Many thanks for your clarifying reply, Meadow. Sounds like you know what you are talking about, so I'll get off the topic of hype, except to conclude by saying that it sounds to me like just one more example of the perversion and bastardization of the of the English language by the advertising industry.

 

[Meadow337]

LOL it is OK. Different terms for the same thing. If you understand 'hype' as anything that revolves around getting people's attention then you have got a grasp on it. This can be formal advertising, book signings, posters, author appearances, book readings etc or informal through book clubs, any news, social media (Twitter, FB, and the like), controversy, word-of-mouth etc. The 'hype' around this book has been incredibly successful because how many years after publication it is still being talked about and generating interest.

And it doesn't matter in the least if it is negative. I bet Jeffrey Archer's book sales went through the roof when he got arrested.

I'm not sure what this says about basic human nature though.

 

[Karen C]

LOL and there you see the hype at work!

Absolutely, I think there is/was a lot of hype surrounding these books and that's certainly part of the reason why I have yet to read them AND why I want to read them.

Karen C: My advice, read it if you wish. It may turn out to be quite different than you have heard. Or not read it, as you wish.

Well, from what I've heard I think it's more likely to make be blush than anything else!

 

[Nikki921]

I have read the entire series and loved it. I really wish that she would come out with another one. I liked the books, they were entertaining to me. There was much hype up on the books, but they did not disappoint me at all.

 

[Peder]

I have read the entire series and loved it. I really wish that she would come out with another one. I liked the books, they were entertaining to me. There was much hype up on the books, but they did not disappoint me at all.

Yes, I thought they were an enjoyable series, too. Totally different from what the overwhelming majority of negative hype (as we have now agreed to call it) was saying.

 

[Peder]

Have started looking at Bared for You by Sylvia Day, since so many have said it is (far) superior to Shades of Grey.
So far, 20 pages in, it is thick with predictability and opulent vocabulary. The back-cover blurb is outta this world!
We shall see.

 

[Meadow337]

Have started looking at Bared for You by Sylvia Day, since so many have said it is (far) superior to Shades of Grey.
So far, 20 pages in, it is thick with predictability and opulent vocabulary. The back-cover blurb is outta this world!
We shall see.

I have to confess to entirely not really understanding the urge to read this kind of book.

 

[Nikki921]

Have started looking at Bared for You by Sylvia Day, since so many have said it is (far) superior to Shades of Grey.
So far, 20 pages in, it is thick with predictability and opulent vocabulary. The back-cover blurb is outta this world!
We shall see.

I have not read this yet but I really want to . I have heard some good things about them. Maybe I will download them on my kindle and start on them soon.

 

[Peder]

I have not read this yet but I really want to . I have heard some good things about them. Maybe I will download them on my kindle and start on them soon.

Sorry to have to say that after 10 more pages -- at page 30 or so -- I have to put it aside.
The plot and the dialog are just too bold and utterly improbable for me.
Too bad

Now returning to The Sound and the Fury to finish it.

Hope you enjoy Bared, if you get to it.

Have a good day.

 

[Peder]

I have to confess to entirely not really understanding the urge to read this kind of book.

They take one out of one's ordinary life. Like day-time soaps of yore. Ever hear The Romance of Helen Trent (hint: on radio)?