Readers swoop on best-selling raunchy novel

It's one of the fastest selling books in Australian history and local bookstores are struggling to keep it on the shelves but most men would be unaware of the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon.

The erotic fiction, aimed squarely at the fairer sex, has become a worldwide best-seller and the craze is alive in Bunbury with Collins Books owner Jarrod Tonkin unable to keep the saucy saga on the shelves.

‘‘We’ve had three consignments come in and they’ve all gone within 24 hours,’’ he said.

Mr Tonkin said the book was fast becoming the most popular title the store had stocked in the time he had been in charge — even outselling the final Harry Potter novel.

Along with its two sequels, the book — which was released in June — has sold an estimated 30 million copies, making it the fastest selling paperback ever.

The customers are overwhelmingly women with Mr Tonkin estimating just 5 per cent of those buying the book were men, and most of those buying for a partner.

So what’s all the fuss about?

The book follows the romantic exploits of university student Anastasia and control freak billionaire and bondage enthusiast Christian Grey.

The book’s author E.L. James said the story filled ‘‘a void in the lives of many modern women’’.

Bunbury’s Yummy Mummy book club has started reading the novel after it was recommended by a member’s hairdresser.

Member Nicole Ward said some of the group were instantly hooked — however she said her husband had taken a quick look at the book before giving up.

‘‘He read about five pages and that was it,’’ she said.