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---
description: It&#x27;s also Amazon&#x27;s highest pre-order of the year
title: &#x27;Grey&#x27; Sold More Than 1 Million Copies in 4 Days
image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltab7ba05099619acf/69885569428a9ef68fccdcf0/grey.jpeg?branch=production&amp;width=1080&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltab7ba05099619acf/69885569428a9ef68fccdcf0/grey.jpeg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)

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# _Grey_ Sold More Than 1 Million Copies in 4 Days


by 

[Jessica Goodman](/author/entertainment-weekly/)


## Jessica Goodman


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Jun 22, 2015 7:14 PM CUT

![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltab7ba05099619acf/69885569428a9ef68fccdcf0/grey.jpeg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

by 

[Jessica Goodman](/author/entertainment-weekly/)


## Jessica Goodman


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Jun 22, 2015 7:14 PM CUT

Christian Grey has said some of the [most cringe-worthy one-liners](http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/18/grey-memorable-lines "undefined") in the history of literature, but people are apparently dying to hear his point of view. E.L. James’ _Grey_, the retelling of _Fifty Shades of Grey_from Christian Grey’s perspective, has sold more than 1.1 million copies in trade paperback, eBook and audio editions, Vintage Anchor books announced on Monday.

“This is an astonishing number of books to sell over a weekend and speaks to the engagement and passion readers have for the _Fifty Shades_ books,” Anne Messitte, Vintage’s publisher, said in a statement. “Christian’s side of the story is proving to be irresistible.”

Vintage has already gone back to press for third, fourth and fifth printings of the book, which was [released last week](http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/01/el-james-christian-grey-book-50-shades "undefined"). The first printing was for 1.25 million copies, and the next runs will bring the total number of copies in print up to 2.1 million, Vintage said.

The _Fifty Shades_ trilogy has sold over 125 million copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful publications in history. The first book in the franchise holds the title of all-time best-selling Kindle book. Sara Nelson, editorial director or Amazon.com, announced last week that _Grey_ was the [highest pre-order](http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/17/us-books-grey-idUSKBN0OX2R420150617 "undefined") of the year, beating out[Harper Lee’s _Go Set A Watchman_](http://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/06/harper-lees-go-set-watchman-receives-its-first-review "undefined").

_This_ [_article_](http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/22/el-james-grey-book-sales "undefined") _originally appeared on_ [_EW.com_](http://www.ew.com/ "undefined")_._

### Fifty Shades of Grey: TIME's Exclusive Portraits of the Cast and Director

![Dakota Johnson \(Anastasia “Ana” Steele\) and Jamie Dornan \(Christian Grey\) photographed at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2015.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt96f97e23f49e3562/69877d70f887dc7ebbe89ea7/jamie-dakota-fifty-shades.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Dakota Johnson (Anastasia “Ana” Steele) and Jamie Dornan (Christian Grey) photographed at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2015. Malerie Marder for TIME

![dakota Johnson \(anastasia “ana” steele\) photographed at the chateau marmont in los angeles, ca on january 13th, 2015.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt904ae4a9378d0806/69877d700b72e32ccf6dd7e8/dakota-fifty-shades.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Dakota Johnson (Anastasia “Ana” Steele) photographed at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2015. Malerie Marder for TIME

![sam taylor-johnson \(director\) photographed at the chateau marmont in los angeles, ca on january 13th, 2015.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63e250aa1819450d/69877d718e06010ac545a1ba/sam-taylor-johnson.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Sam Taylor-Johnson (director) photographed at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2015. Malerie Marder for TIME

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