How did Twilight fan-fiction become one of the most popular novels in the world?

Recently, that 50 Shades novel took it to the big screen and did extremely well. $81.7 million well in the first weekend. 

If you have been avoiding the craze of this novel, let me quick give you a synopsis. It’s about a young college girl who meets an older powerful man. They begin an erotic relationship of BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism). If you want more details, do your own research.

Some criticize the novel for its portrayal of a unhealthy, abusive relationship. They cite examples of the novel’s female protagonist consenting to situations she’s not comfortable with or not even consenting at all.

She often fears losing her partner. For a novel that has sold over 100 million copies, is it worth it to display a questionably unhealthy relationship? Domestic abuse is a real issue and many fear this novel is glamorizing it. 

Fans brush it off and merely state it is an edgy novel. Some feminists defend the novel saying there are empowering moments for the heroine taking control of her sexuality. Other readers cite that is was a great way to start an intimate discussion on a subject that is usually taboo. 

Others do not care about the plot at all and decry the novel for its terrible prose. Here are some of the best lines we found:

• “His voice is warm and husky like dark melted chocolate fudge caramel… or something.” 
• “My very small inner goddess sways in a gentle victorious samba.”
• “I feel the color in my cheeks rising again. I must be the color of The Communist Manifesto.”

What are your thoughts on the novel and movie? Since it is clearly not a black or white issue, it has to be some shade of grey.