I was dismayed to learn that the phrase ‘mummy porn’ has now entered the Collins online dictionary. Not because I’m a prude, but because I loathe the whole concept of ‘mummy porn.’
It began of course with the success of 50 Shades of Grey, which, as I understand it, is a book about some sort of sexual shenanigans, which may or may not be badly written according to who you talk to.
What I object to, really, is giving it a label that involves the word ‘mummy’ conjoined with ‘porn’. It’s so flaming patronising. Why can’t mums who enjoy porn (and I spotted one on the bus yesterday,coincidentally reading 50 Shades while she lent on her baby’s pram) just be women who enjoy porn? Can’t women just enjoy books with lots of sex scenes as they always have done, without their status as mothers being brought into it?
And aren’t books that contain lots of sex scenes – Jackie Collins, Jilly Cooper, possibly 50 Shades (although I haven’t read it) simply all just variations of one genre: the trashy novel?
Enough already.
Read it. Found it dull and poorly written. Fed up with it. Fed up with the ‘controversy’ about it as well. It’s all a bit ‘meh’.
I have not nor will not read this book! I know I sound boring but it is simply an acceptable form of erotic fiction, I would rather read plain old erotic fiction *gasp*
It is a horrible phrase I agree – very patronising, and will no doubt always be used in a condescending way by male journalists. What was wrong with erotica?
See also chick lit, mummy bloggers, mumpreneurs etc etc.
‘Mummy porn’ that is less abusive and more empowering has been around for decades! They even stock it in Ann Summers. Surely people know this, no?
I agree the term mummy porn for me just makes me think of porno’s with mums in them. The books have done well because of the hype and I think that its good that women can buy them and get horny if they wish. But its a long way off of the porn industry! Which lacks any real provision for women. I’m half way through the third book and there have been so many sex scenes that I skip those bits I’m not shy but it is too unrealistic for me. The books have kept me interested and I’ve enjoyed them, the romantic parts even reminded me to show a bit of kindness to NED once in a while!
Ack! I’m not a mummy but I hate the phrase. So what if women like to read trashy novels… Mills & Boon anyone? No-one ever call those “mummy porn” and they are the trashied as they come!
Haven’t read this book but who has the right to judge someone for reading a book? People ARE reading! Surely this is the most important thing here? That women are reading.
To catagorise a book in this fashion is just un-believable (IMHO). So what if a book is trashy…sometimes us women like to read trashy novels! It gives us an escape, and adventure and surely that is what reading is all about?
I read all three of the books (it is a trilogy) a few months ago (I think it was May). My employer was going insolvent and the fact that it was an easy read (rather than annoying me) allowed me to dump my brain and relax, at one of the most stressful times of my entire career, so I am quite protective of Fifty Shades for that reason. I normally take a week to read a book and I read all 3 in a week despite working 3 days a week and having an active 2 year old.
Anyway the difference between Fifty Shades and Jackie Collins et al, is the fact that Fifty Shades is eroticism. And this book has managed to make it mainstream. To ensure it got and stays mainstream, they add a thread of wholesome-ness by cleverly marketing it with the word mummy in there.
I stumbled across it BEFORE the hype, as it turned out the girl in the office next to me had written an erotic short story and self-published it on Kindle.
When I finished reading it, there was suggestions of other reads at the end, as is the way with Kindle, and I bought it, not knowing it was taking the world by storm.
The way it is written did not bother me in the slightest.
Also, the third book is a lot more of a romance (than sex hardcore) and because I loved the characters by then, I enjoyed that, and liked seeing them settle down. But you will hear people moan about the 3rd book as there was less sex, but for me it worked.
I am a fan.
Liska
P.S. I hopped here from your post on Brit Mums.
It all goes back to that “women can’t enjoy sex” stereotype. How do they think we became mummies in the first place?!
Thoroughly agree with you, though I think perhaps there is a place for ‘mummy porn’, just that this does not describe 50 Shades and the like at all. They are just escapist, glamour blockbusters (like Jackie Collins et al), perhaps with a bit more sex thrown in (haven’t read 50 Shades either and determined not to). I think actual ‘mummy porn’, would be more about actual mums who have lost sight of their libido in the delivery room, but who are discovering (probably with their husbands, who almost certainly wouldn’t be millionaires) that actually they can fit sex in and even enjoy it. (Probably wouldn’t sell millions, though.)
Had a bit of a debate about this book on my FB page yesterday when I commented that I wouldn’t read because it’s badly written. Raised a few eyebrows with a couple of FB friends, one who’s a writer and editor, and another who just seemed hellbent on disagreeing with me! ‘mummy porn’ is a ridiculous phrase and indeed very patronising. It’s as though mums are put into yet another category where once again they are mocked for enjoying a bit of the naughty stuff.
I like a bit of porn in a book but tastefully written, and this particular book won’t ever grace my book shelves!