Hoping to capitalise on the success of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy, UK publisher Little Brown Book Group has today re-issued the classic 1980s Anne Rice erotic fiction trilogy, “The Sleeping Beauty”. The move follows that of American company, Plume Publishing – an imprint of Penguin Books, which re-packaged and re-released the series in July. The tagline for the new cover promises “If You like ‘50 Shades of Grey’, you’ll love the ‘Sleeping Beauty Trilogy.’”
Originally published in 1983, the series is a BDSM centred erotic re-telling of the classic “Sleeping Beauty” fairy tale. It was published under the pen name A.N. Roquelaure, to mitigate any potential backlash from Anne Rice fans offended by the sexually graphic content. Now, with the genre apparently becoming more mainstream in the wake of the ‘50 Shades’ phenomenon, it seems appropriate that the popular “Interview with a Vampire” author is credited.
The first instalment in the series, “The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty” depicts Beauty as a princess awaken by a Prince from a 100-year sleep, not with a kiss, but by his raping her of her virginity. The Prince then abducts Beauty to live as one of many sex slaves in his mother’s castle. The princess’s ordeal progresses through different stages in the sequels “Beauty’s Punishment” and “Beauty’s Release.”
Retailers interested in stocking the paperback books, which hold an RRP of £7.99, can contact UK distributor, Littlehampton Book Services, to place an order.
