E.L. James announced that she will release a new version of Fifty Shades of Grey, this time written from the perspective of Christian Grey. Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian will be released by Vintage on June 18 (the character’s birthday). It will be published simultaneously by Penguin Random House U.K.
Since the publication of Fifty Shades of Grey in 2011, James said that readers have written her requesting the story told through Christian’s eyes. On the opening page of the book, James writes, “This book is dedicated to those readers who asked…and asked… and asked… and asked for this.”
“Christian is a complex character and readers have always been fascinated by his desires and motivations, and his troubled past," said James. "Also, as anyone who has ever been in a relationship knows, there are two sides to every story. It’s been a great pleasure to return to my happy place—writing, being with Christian and Ana in their universe, and working with the fantastic team at Vintage.”
Like the previous titles in the series, Grey will be published in the original trade paperback format and as an e-book, in addition to audio and Spanish language editions.
“Fifty Shades of Grey is a love story that has enthralled readers in a way that few books have,” said Vintage Books publisher and James's editor, Anne Messitte. “And when Erika mentioned to me that she wanted to explore Christian's viewpoint and re-open the story, I was incredibly excited for her and for her readers. This book has all the compelling attributes of its predecessors, and I can't wait for Fifty Shades fans to experience the work again from a perspective they have long desired.”
Tony Chirico, president of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, added: “Given the secrecy and immediacy of the publication, we've worked hard to ensure that the book will be well represented in the retail marketplace on June 18.”
The Fifty Shades trilogy has, to date, sold more than 125 million copies worldwide.
