People in Massachusetts have surely heard about the controversial adult novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey” and its shocking popularity across the U.S. Now the book can take claim to another badge of infamy, as a British couple has recently claimed that the book is responsible for their divorce. People get divorced for all sorts of reasons, but very few can cite a specific work of literature as a determinative factor.

Earlier this month, a 41-year-old British woman filed for divorce after reading the book and deciding to try “‘to spice up her love life.’” She suggested to her husband that they recreate some of the rather taboo scenes from the book, but her husband was far from enthusiastic about this proposition. He apparently refused and “went ‘ballistic’” at the suggestion, leading the woman to file for divorce. In Massachusetts, the standard for obtaining a divorce need not be so specific; a person may file what is called an “Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage” statement. Either one spouse or both may file on these grounds, as well as the traditional ‘fault’ grounds.

If both parties agree that an irretrievable breakdown has occurred, they can jointly file for the divorce and create a separation agreement that determines how to handle issues such as child custody, spousal support and property division.

Fortunately in Massachusetts, the family court provides a system that does not require divorcing couples to disclose the little potentially embarrassing details of their married life in open court. This British couple may have had their marital privacy become a public spectacle, but at least they will not have an argument over property division when it comes to who gets to keep the copy of the book.

Source: The Huffington Post, “‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Divorce: British Banker Leaves Husband Because He Won’t Recreate S&M Erotica Cavan Sieczkowski, Nov. 13, 2012