Millions loved Fifty Shades of Grey. Millions more loved to hate it. E.L. James' trilogy of novels, and the film based on them, created a popular culture sensation, revealing much about a society both preoccupied with and scandalized by BDSM eroticism. Some critics argued that the franchise glorified kinky sex and normalized sexual abuse. Others praised it for illuminating consensual sexual practices long marginalized in mainstream media. Yet behind their erotic content, James' novels explored everyday failure (or unwillingness) to identify questionable behavior in romantic relationships, and society's obsession with wealth. Her work also speaks to value and meaning of fan fiction, parodies, merchandizing and product placement.