Eager readers have got their hands on the latest instalment of EL James’ sadomasochistic Fifty Shades Of Grey saga after it was published on Kindle before bookshops opened.

The new book, called Grey, is a re-telling of the first novel in the hit series about an affair between mysterious tycoon Christian Grey and lover Anastasia Steele, from the point of view of its title character.

The book comes after Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson starred in the Fifty Shades Of Grey movie.

Fans tweeted their joy at getting their hands on the book early.

Meanwhile, fellow erotic novelists joined in as they ploughed through the plot.

A review for the Daily Mirror said “there’s absolutely nothing vanilla about this book”.

The story, set over the course of a month, is described as “a fresh perspective on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the world” and the story of the title character’s battle with the “compulsion to control” and “dark sexual desires”.

El James
EL James (Andrew Matthews/PA)

It is dedicated by the author to her readers with the words: “Thank you for all that you’ve done for me. You rock my world every day.”

Among the acknowledgments are thanks to different people for help guiding the author through “an education in soil science”, “behavioural health” and “guidance in flying a helicopter”.

The book starts with the title character having a nightmare about his childhood before he meets Anastasia who is described as “a whirl of long chestnut hair, pale limbs and brown boots”.

Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson and E L James
Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson and E L James (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

It made headlines last week ahead of its publication when it was reported a finished copy had been stolen.

The publishers vowed to continue to investigate the theft of a copy of the unpublished book despite police saying there was “no evidence” a crime was committed.

The Fifty Shades trilogy – Fifty Shades Of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed – has sold more than 125 million copies around the world.

It has made the British author a millionaire many times over. This year’s Sunday Times Rich List estimated her fortune at £75 million.