SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

50 Shades of Grey soiree brings the books to life in Seattle

Nov 30, 2012, 11:59 AM | Updated: 1:43 pm

As part of the 50 Shades of Grey soirre, Nov. 29, 2012, women competed in an Anastasia “Ana&#...

As part of the 50 Shades of Grey soirre, Nov. 29, 2012, women competed in an Anastasia "Ana" Steele look-a-like contest. (Eric Rust Photography)

(Eric Rust Photography)

For many middle-aged women it was the book of the year.

The “50 Shades of Grey” trilogy by E.L. James accounted for 1 in 5 of every adult fiction book sold in the U.S. this year. Fifty Shades of Grey became the best-selling book in Britain since records began, surpassing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with sales of 5.3 million copies.

If you’ve somehow missed this phenomenon, the erotic novels are set largely in Seattle. The trilogy traces the deepening relationship between a WSU college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and a young Seattle business magnate, Christian Grey.

Most don’t read it for the relationship, but for the explicitly erotic scenes featuring elements of sexual practices involving bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism.

Last night an event at the Columbia Tower Club brought the books to life, in a way, with a soiree attracting fans from as far away as Australia.

“Women across the country have been riveted and emboldened by this book and since Seattle is home to Christian Grey, there is no better place to host a party dedicated to all things 50 Shades,” says Tracy Klinkroth, owner of Epiphany Events.

See a photo gallery from the evening here.

And, enjoy your weekend.

By LINDA THOMAS

Seattle News Archives & Features

A huge tree fell in the parking lot of Burien's Seahurst Park, crushing six vehicles....

Tom Brock

Fallen tree crushes parked cars at Burien’s Seahurst Park

A huge tree fell in the parking lot of Burien's Seahurst Park Monday and crushed six cars.

6 hours ago

Two separate shootings in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood left two people dead and three others inj...

Tom Brock

Belltown violence: 2 separate shootings leave 2 dead, 3 injured early Sunday morning

Two separate shootings in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood overnight left two people dead and three others injured.

2 days ago

Associated Press

Teenager arrested and 5 others sought in deadly July 4 fire in Washington state

EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — An 18-year-old in Washington state has been arrested for the investigation of manslaughter and arson in connection with a deadly July 4 fire, a county sheriff said Thursday. The teen from Kent was among a group of people setting off illegal fireworks from the back of a truck when one […]

5 days ago

Authorities issued a Level 3, Go Now, evacuation advisory for a new wildfire called the Goat Fire i...

Tom Brock

EVACUATE NOW: Goat Fire spikes to Level 3 in Upper Cle Elum Valley

Authorities are ordering evacuations for a new fire, called the Goat Fire, in the Cle Elum Valley of the Cascade Mountains.

16 days ago

hit-and-run mukilteo father of 7...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Suspect in Mukilteo hit-and-run that killed father of 7 turns himself in

The man accused of hitting and killing a motorcyclist before leaving the scene has turned himself in, according to Washington State Patrol (WSP).

23 days ago

The Three Queens Fire near Snoqualmie Pass and Kachess Lake increased to more than 800 acres this w...

Tom Brock

Racing the Flames: Fast-growing wildfire forces evacuations near Snoqualmie Pass & Kachess Lake

A lightning-caused wildfire six miles west of Snoqualmie Pass is growing and threatening cabins at the north end of Kachess Lake.

1 month ago

50 Shades of Grey soiree brings the books to life in Seattle