Rhiannon reviews "Story of O"
This book has a bit of history, which I'd like to share with you before I get into the book itself.
"Story of O" first appeared as 600 copies published by Jean-Jacques Pauvert in Paris in 1954, and the English translation by Baird Bryant was published at the same time. An improved translation appeared in
1957 as 'Wisdom of the Lash.' The USA edition (by Grove Press) with a translation by
Sabine d'Estree appeared in 1965.
For 40 years the true identity of its author 'Pauline Reage' was kept secret by a handful of friends close to the writer. The author's real name is actually Dominique Aury. Aury was both very well known & a feminist in France in the 50s, which adds fuel to the controversy of this book...
There are still questions regarding the 'truth' behind this work. Many speculate if the story is based on the author's experiences, or if the book is in fact a 'handbook' for the practice. Some even claim it is a history of secret sex societies. Aury herself was very mum on the subject of the book, and with her death in 1998, the questions still continue.
O has often been banned, but, like many banned books, is considered to be a classic. There are also several films/videos as well.
The basic outline of this story is the enslavement of a woman named O. Or perhaps, more accurately, it is the willingness of O to become completly enslaved. As most of you know, I am into a bit of bondage and submission, in my sex play, but I am not into it as a way of life, so I was not really thinking I would get into a book about sex slavery. That said...
I must admit, I enjoyed this book ~ really enjoyed it.
Since I cannot read French, I read the translated version, and there were areas, that to me anyway, seemed 'stilted' ~ as if the translator was having dificulty finding suitable words to convey the orginal tone & impact. While this did not ruin the book for me, there were a few times I felt it got in the way of the flow (and don't we hate that in our erotica? *wink*).
What stikes me most it the brevity, both in pages (210) and in descriptions. While some sections are long on details, especially the beauty preparations and the specific details of dress, most scenes are more sketch-like, allowing for your mind to flush out or fill in the details. As an erotic piece, this style can work wonders for you. *wink*
As a philosophical look into the minds of the people involved, this can leave you wanting... a bit of unanswered questions that just keep nagging at the back of your brain...
To complicate matters, the last chapter, called 'Owls' seemed to be missing somethings. The response or lack there of, on the part of several charcters seemed down-right odd. And the ending, rather unfinished, so I looked past 'The End' to the next page, where it states that the last chaper was 'surpressed.'
Now, if you think that is upsetting, that passage continues to mention two alternative endings that have been published, neither of which is very appealing... (I don't dare mention them, after all, if you are curious at all about this book, I don't wish to ruin things for you!)
While all of this may sound negative, I assure you, it is not. "Story of O" is one of those books that leaves you wanting more. I often judge a book by how often I stop & think about the characters once I have finished reading ~ and O will leave you wondering!
Much like a lingering dream, the mood, the questions it raises, and the status of O haunts long after page 201...
In fact, O might be for the 'obsession' that readers will find themselves in after the book is done.
I do realize that this review is as sketchy & unsettling as I have described the book to be. While I did not intend to leave you unsettled, I can't, in good faith, tell you anymore without either giving away the best parts of the book, or removing any chance for you to really enjoy the book on your own. So yes, this is sketch, a tease, but sometimes a reviewer has to think of the reader, and not a 'classic review style.'
However, I will tell you this: If you are the least bit curious about how a woman can offer herself so completely (and I mean willingly submit to more than some rough sex play, we are talking a branded slave here!), or if you like some rough fantasies & would like some erotica to take you there, then get this book.
I ordered my copy from one of my favorite bondage shops, bdsmtoybox.com (they have O videos too), but you can also order it from Amazon.com as well. The book was split into 2 parts, without the author's permission, and part two, Return to the Chateau, can be found at Amazon. (I am so ordering this!)
One more thing. If you are interested in reading more about "Story of O" there is a wonderful website deidicated to O, but I caution you not to visit until after you have read the book: too much information will likely ruin your experieince, so please, visit here after you read it... www.storyofo.co.uk
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