Story of O: A Novel

and desairing. nothing of value in here. I read about a tenth and am trying to make my way through a few pages a week. I don't understand why anyone would write this book nor why anyone would buy it. The description on the store isn't accurate in my mind. I was thinking this might be some kind of art deco book but it's totally, mind blowingly decadent.

I recently read this book due to the reviews stating that it was a better read than the Fifty Shades of Grey series. I found this book quite disturbing about the BDSM lifestyle of "O" and the torture that she had to endure. I get the idea of the submissive lifestyle in some of these erotica books, but to go to the extreme as this book has done with the downgrading, piercing, slavery, branding and torture as depicted, insults any woman who has a strong self-esteem. In the book, "O" states she has willingly done these things out of "love" and that the characters who are her "owners" have inflicted these tortures because they "love" her. If that is what the anonymous author of this book thought love was, then I as a reader don't want any part of it. At least in the Fifty Shades series the character Christian Grey realizes when the beatings have gone too far with Anastasia and knows enough to curb his actions to win her back.

I thought this was going to be like 50 shades of grey with some bdsm and romance. It wasn't safe and consensual...This book is about a girl who gives up her body and self dignity because of her obsession with Rene. She becomes a sex slave for Rene and the other men torture her for their sick pleasure. Nothing about this book is good and I only finished it out of curiosity. The ending was also horrible. It leaves you feeling melancholy and all you want to do is get it out of your mind. Not one to judge people's sexual preferences usually, but this is plain wrong!!!

This is the story of a naive young woman held captive and tortured in the name of "love." She experiences being transferred from man to man (and some women) to be further abused when her "lover" tires of her. At the end of the book she contemplates suicide because she is now rejected by all her abusers, having become the perfect "submissive"... What's the challenge in that after all, now that she has learned to tolerate torture rather than scream in agony and terror? She has outlived her usefulness to these monsters and is left feeling worthless. Horrible story.

Erotica must have crawled out of the Garden on the back of the snake. The Story of 0 by no means the first of its kind to shock the sensibilities of its culture shaking its moral values to the core. Explicit descriptions of a “feminine nature” push the reader through its 199 pages divided into four parts, each a continuing saga of 0, a young woman willing to go to the depths of sexual depravity for her lover.

Who is Pauline Réage? Male? Female? Feminist male or masculine female? Are there clues within the story—0 with masculine hands whose desires reach to her own kind? Or is the Story of 0 a penned memory?

Compare the subject matter of 0 with Fifty Shades of Gray. Each landmarked a literary era. Reading one visualizes the other. Identical theme from a different perspective, but both woven into the fabric of Eyes Wide Shut.

0 is not for the Bible-thumper, or hard core. Preferably readers old enough to garner the gist and depth of the Story of 0, which delves into psychology and character and self-esteem: love, desire and lust. To instruments of pleasure/pain and to what extent 0 will suffer to satisfy her lover offers countless debates among twenty-first century women.

It bothers me as a reader and woman that 0 does not see the big picture, but focuses on today’s feelings as she matures through sexual exploits. She doesn’t see the day her body is wrinkled and worn and her beauty no longer desired. Visits to Roissy Chalet will end. What becomes of her? Will she become an Anne-Marie?

As a writer, I am fascinated by Réage’s writing style: erotica delicately written and though explicit, not unpleasant to the sensibilities. Fifty Shades offering an excellent comparison of cultures and writing styles.

0 struggled with acceptance whereas Fifty Shades was embraced, albeit not without controversy. Still, not the struggle the elusive Pauline Réage endured. How might that be interpreted?

The Story of 0 is definitely not for everyone. But for those who do read this classic, it is a fast pace through the developing character of 0 from timid to tawdry.

The previous 1 star rating wasn't even for this book!
It was for "The Story of O!"
This is a young adult book on Toussaint, The Black Liberator. A Morrow Juvenile Biography. Illustrated by William Stobbs.
"Born a slave in 1742, the man who started the island of Hairi on the path toward freedom did not become free himself until 1777. In this stirring biography, Tonsld Syme traces Toussaint's career from his humble beginnings as a plantation overseer to his tragic end in a French prison.
"Breaking with the landowners in 1791, Toussaint rallied his people to fight the Spanish, English, or the French as the politics of the situation required. Despite the onset of the French Revolution, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity did not extend to the black peopke in French Haitian colony of Saint Domingue. Nevertheless, Toussaint made considerable headway in his efforts to escape white domination until Napoleon decided to remove him at all cost.
"Skillfully piecing together the story of how the second republic of the New World came to be, Mr. Symes sheds light on a past event if special interest today. The figures of Toussaint & Napoleon rise above all others in the turmoil, and their combat is one of history's truly dramatic struggles."
(From the front book flap)
Also from Robert Symes:
"Benedict Arnold" & "Frontenac of New France."

I have had this book to read forever. I originally got it because it was on a list of books you have to read kind of thing. It ended up being a well written and engaging story, that did have some slow points.

This is a French erotic story about a woman named O who seeks to become the slave of a man named Rene. In her quest to be owned she undergoes a number of both sexual and psychological trials and training.

The translation I read was well done and easy to read. The story is engaging if a bit incomplete. At times there is so much sexual debasement in this book that those parts start to become a boring and repetitive. Apparently O's masters don't have a ton of imagination. That being said if scenes with whipping, restraint, or multiple sex partners are offensive to you...don’t read this book.

There is a lot I could say about this book. As for the sexual content there isn't much in here that I haven't seen in some adult epic fantasies where characters are enslaved or tortured...the main difference in this story is that O is willing and eager to be enslaved and debased. I think those who are bitching about how this book demeans women are kind of missing the point. This same story could have had a male as the main character just as easily; it’s just meant to be a representation of the BDSM scene and give readers a glimpse into the mind of someone who wants to be enslaved.

O is many times asked by her male masters to give her permission for her initial contracts, which she always does eagerly. O despite being owned and passed around by a number of men and being totally at their beck and call has a different sort of power. This is more apparent towards the end of the book than the beginning.

I have also read that too much time is spent discussing clothing. I actually thought that the discussion the occurs around clothing was pretty necessary to the story. Part of O’s obedience involves her being available to her master at his every whim. In the age of bulky bras and garter belts to hold up stockings; this involves O having to completely modify her wardrobe...which she does eagerly to prove her love and obedience to her master.

The ending was a bit disappointing since the book kind of ends in the middle of everything. There is a note that the last chapter has been suppressed from modern day publications, this is disappointing because I hate to see a story broken apart like that.

Overall I thought this was an interesting and engaging look into BDSM culture. There are parts where the sex/debasement gets a bit repetitive; I wish O’s masters had been a bit more creative. I was also disappointed in how abruptly the story ended. Again, people be smart, if BDSM completely offends you don’t read this book.

If you are interested in other media that looks into the psychology of BDSM (but from a purely entertainment lighter side) I would also recommend the movie The Secretary. This movie does a wonderful job of showing how a woman who likes punishment and a man who likes to dominate can have a balanced and loving relationship. If you are interested in a fantasy series that deals with this (again in a slightly different and fantastical way) I would recommend the Kushiel’s Dart series by Jacqueline Carey.

Having written an updated version of this novel myself only made me admire it more. It belongs to a time, a place and a literary tradition most contemporary American readers probably won't understand and won't find easy to embrace. It's not meant to be easy or embraceable. It's meant to be challenging and uncompromising in its portrayal of people who couldn't care less what anyone thinks of what they do or why they do it. It's not just a great piece of erotica, it's a landmark modernist novel, which is why it received such critical acclaim when it was first released. The back story behind it is almost more fascinating than the novel itself and would explain a great deal if modern readers would do a little homework into how it got written and saw print in the first place.

What I find hilarious is the indignant fury this book inspires in those who adore FSoG, which is pure trash cynically constructed (and poorly at that) to separate naive consumers from their money, the only thing it does well. I'm truly rolled by all the outrage from shaders about how cruel and sadistic this book is and how the characters are so unlikable and their motives so incomprehensible. There is no cute in Story of O. There are no sad, wounded little abused billionaires waiting to be delivered from the fixations of their damaged childhoods by the love of a good, virginal, vanilla college student. Anne Desclos, who wasn't much for laughing, would doubtless have found all that shrill whining endlessly amusing. She didn't write a book for clueless pearl clutchers to set their hearts atwitter. She wrote an uncompromising narrative never meant to see print for a very sophisticated lover who didn't want or need to be led by the hand to a happy ending. The author was no more familiar with the realities of erotic slavery than E.L. James, but she did understand something about the dark and complex construction of human desire and she gives that to the reader with the bark off, which is why Jean Paulhan, the lover for whom she wrote it and a major figure in the world of post-war Paris literati insisted she get it published. It does not pander to sentimentality of any kind and that is its virtue, not its failing. Those who yowl about O being a victim of Stockholm syndrome or whatever would be well-advised to read the brief but chilling description in the book of O's sex life before she met Rene, a life in which she was the heartless predator who took delight in getting both men and women to fall in love with her just so she could abuse her power over them. No, this is not a book for the faint-hearted. It's a deep dive into the dark places of the human soul where even love generally serves malign motives. What it does not do is lie to gain the reader's favor and for that it towers above the smarmy trash so adored by those who find Story of O repugnant. It has something truthful to say and it's that truth rather than the trappings in which its dressed that mesmerizes those with some experience of real human emotion and appalls those who find such realities too horrific to contemplate. This book is essential reading. It's been in print continuously for sixty years and will remain so long after the current appetite for kink lite is deservedly forgotten.

I understand that this is a B&D book and that the subject would be somewhat disturbing. Yet most of the book is not erotic at all. O describes what happens to her in a flat, narrative way like she is talking about the weather. The prose is too flat and clinical to raise anyone's temperature, and O has all the emotions of a plastic doll. Is she turned on by all of these rapes and tortures? Only once or twice does she express any emotion about her ordeals. Mainly she hates being whipped, but she loves the feeling afterwards that she can endure all this torture. Obviously she must hate herself and her life very much, for her main goal is to be "taken out of herself". (Let's not even talk about what kind of woman would submit to this because she "loves" her boyfriend so much.) Either make her into a three-dimensional character and help us understand what makes her tick...or at least let her (and the readers) get a little fun out of it. And yeah, the version I read has basically no ending.

If you have never read Story of O, then you have never read real erotica. Story of O is a classic in literature, not just erotica. It was originally published in 1954 by French author Anne Desclos under the pen name Pauline Réage. It was more than 40 years later before she admitted authorship of the novel.

I have read Story of O several times, and I always find something new in it. But recently I picked up a 7 CD audiobook version of the novel published by Tantor Audio with narration by Käthe Mazur. I was not sure what to expect from this, but to be honest I found a brand new copy of it at a used book store for only $4.00. Normally the CD version is closer to $25 or $30 dollars, although you can find the MP3 version much cheaper. And if you're a member of audible.com, I think you can get it for free.

What can I say about the story that hasn't already been said a million times before? It is simply a classic. Without Story of O I don't think we would have erotic romance novels like we have them today. This is the grandmother of the genre and it deserves a special place in any erotic reader's bookshelf.

Is it a real romance? Some might say yes, others would probably say no. O tells René many times that she loves him, and he says the same to her, but do they really love each other? When does love turn into something dark? The plot is rather simple, O voluntarily gives herself body and soul to her lover René. He accepts her gift, and then gives her to Sir Stephen. Sir Stephen is a harsh master, but O accepts completely his ownership of her.

There are layers upon layers of hidden meaning within the novel, far too many for me to go into here. There have been entire books written about the deeper meanings. Multiple adaptations have been published, including a graphic novel, and a movie.

The narration in this audiobook version is by Käthe Mazur and she is simply amazing! She has a sweet as honey voice. There are parts of the book where her voice becomes very low and sexy, but other parts where she is reading the most explicit stuff as if it's something she sees every day. She puts just the right amount of inflection behind her voice when reading what the men say. I've rarely listened to a better audio recording of any book.

I would strongly encourage you to pick up this book in whatever format you prefer, but if you want an audiobook version you could not do better than this version by Tantor Audio.

I really wanted to be blown away by this book. The way the author describes some play in this book is engaging and interesting. The BDSM world the author creates is accurate. What turned me off is that I had no idea why O does what she does. It seemed like every character was falling in love with each other at the drop of a hat. She spouts her devotion to Rene in almost all the book until she questions it. Then it's, "Oh, well." I guess I needed more of the why. Why did she get involved in this world? Why is it important to her. Why does she love Rene?

If you're into BDSM play and need to know how tab A fits into slot B, this is your book. If you're looking for a romance, this is not your book. Maybe something got lost in translation. I feel like I'm missing the soul of the story.

The remarkably bad introductory essay to this book insists this is not a dirty book and professes to by mystified as to what to make of it all. Well, it's a dirty book. I mean the heroine submits to repeated acts of gang rape, sodomy, mutililation, and sexual humiliation. But, because the author is a woman with some literary ambition, it's still a good book. Unlike male pornography, this novel is not obsessed with body parts or with she-loved-every-minute-of-it misogyny. O's sexual submission is first and foremost an emotional submission -- the sex is a means not an end in itself. She wants to give herself completely to her lover, and the thrill she gets out of each step in her inevitable progression is emotional and described in emotional terms. There is also some subtlety to the portrayal of male emotions in all of this -- some men fall for O and want to save her; many are hesitant at first and then when they realize their complete license in the matter take full and cruel advantage; and O's masters at points become queasy with what they are doing and at other points show the most ultimate contempt.

As for what the author is attempting to accomplish with all this, I think the message is pretty clear: power and submission explain a lot of human sexuality, and one's compulsion to please one's lover and to keep him ends up being tragically self-defeating.

I don't think that Reage intends to celebrate the S/M lifestyle, and I don't think she is a self-hating misogynist. I view the book as more of a tragedy and the character of O as less a freak than as representative of some more universal traits of women and men who struggle with their own fears and sexuality.

The book ends with a bit of a whimper -- as if the author suddenly ran out of steam. Other than that, the narrative is well done, and the book is eerily absorbing.

Sometime after we got married I was rearranging books in a book case in the tiny room we use as our joint home office. I found this book title in paperback hidden behind the outer books. I recognized the title at once though I had never seen or read a copy before. So I read it because I was curious.

It is not a long book or an intellectually challenging book. It did not take me much time to read it. I am sure that to this day my husband is not aware I have read this book of his.

You can tell by my rating that I did not care for the book. I do not care for pornography. I am not sure whether this is pornography or eroticism. I do not care what it is called. I found it the opposite of arousing. By the end of the book (and the paperback I read seemed to have an ending and it did not mention any suppressed final chapters) I was in complete despair for the character O. O's training in this book never play any part in my sexual fantasies.

I have read some of the other reviews. The laudatory BDSM supporters. The BDSM people who don't like the book. And many other reviewers' opinions. I have not read all of the reviews. I know now from some of these reviews the background story behind the writing of this book. A woman wrote it to attract the attention of a man. While much of the book (pretty much up until the end) is the kind of fantasy and story that would appeal to a man, only a woman could have wrote the end of the book I read. I am not buying a copy (ebook) to find out if this edition ends the same.

I had only profound pity for O. Is it a coincidence that the character for the letter O and the number zero frequently look identical?

Story of O
The Story of O was recommended to me by friends who are in the BDSM scene, the recommendation was done not as a way of introduction to the life but as an understanding of what it takes to surrender oneself to something (that you believe) is higher than yourself. A true submissive is not necessarily created, s/he is born into a series of consequences which set the stage for a desire to be in the life.

While there were parts that were particularly difficult to read, I reminded myself to color my readings with the understanding that O chooses her destiny. She doesn't know what awaits her through one door or another, or even who is penetrating her backside at some moments, but in the end, she is the one who chooses. The men in her life remind her that she at any time can stop. The madam who tortures her reminds her that she can stop. This is to remind the reader of the most quintessential and inalienable truth about BDSM: The submissive is ALWAYS the one in control, because the submissive has the power to say no, and if that power is taken away at any time, that constitutes abuse. BDSM is not about the lashes of the whip or the chains that bind a sub into place. It is about a higher state of consciousness that ties two (or more) people together through the act of domination.

The writing of this book is very proper, elegant at some points. It isn't the tawdry "pussy"/"cock" erotica that is written today. It is obvious that this piece is presented with the works of the Marquis de Sade in mind, and even perhaps as a response to the raging masculinity in his writing.

I gave The Story of O 4 stars out of 5 because as I was nearing the end of the book, I allowed myself to peek at the ending only to realize that all of my evening hours of reading this book were culminating to a page that read "the last chapter has been lost" and had a short paragraph about what is purported to be in that last chapter.

I recommend this book as a starting point for someone who is looking to read more about BDSM. Obviously this is an extreme version. If you are looking for something longer that is more tawdry and colorful, check out Anne Rice's Exit to Eden. It is nothing like the movie.

"O" takes us on a journey through the darkest parts of the female sexual beast: her hunger, her lust, and her desire to connect with her darker hidden self through the flesh of another.

From a woman's point of view "O" takes strides into the private spaces of a woman's mind, spaces even most modern women will not dare to go.

This story has an eerie depth to it. Filled with horrific torture, and yet, what is done to the body pales in comparison to what an obsessive love can do to the mind in this groundbreaking epic of erotic fiction. "O" is not simply a physical masochist, seeking pleasure in the pain her body feels, she is a submissive and an emotional masochist ... her desire for pain deeply embedded into her psyche, much like the main character in Masoch's Venus in Furs.

Love for "O" must be a torture all encompassing in its magnitude, and for that to be, one must surrender everything: mind, body, and soul.

A brilliant work.

This is the only piece of the erotica genre I've ever read. I had heard of the book and the controversy that surrounded it upon its release many years ago in France and the subsequent debate about the book in the following decades; however, only recently did I read something about the book, its story line and the anonymity of the author that struck my curiosity enough to cause me to pick up a copy and read it.

Of course the story is about sexual domination, submissiveness and slavery and those who elect to participate in such a lifestyle. Honestly, I found the story line to get a bit tired after a bit. It didn't stir my senses too much as I read about the sexuality of the relationships between the characters. However, what I did find of interest, and the only reason I elected to rate three stars rather than two, was the author's development of the protagonist 'O' and the psychology involved with her transformation from her man's lover to a domination/submissive lifestyle out of an apparent unwavering love for her man. She (Reage) gave insight into the mind of the woman who is being developed into this relationship of sexual slavery, willing to endure nearly any 'punishment' out of love and loyalty.

All in all, I don't feel that I've gained much in life by reading this book, other than some insight into the mindset of people who elect to live the master/slave relationship. Then again, I don't know that I've really lost anything by the experience either. Anyone who decides to read it should keep an open mind, regardless of their own personal moral position on the type of relationships displayed in the book, and realize the story is not about a sexual style but about relationships between people, about what is requested from one woman in love and her willingness to display total - very total - commitment.

For love for her lover René, a young woman called O consents to be bound, humiliated, beaten and abused, marked, and prostituted. Trained at the château Roissy, graduated into her lover's personal care, and then gifted by René to an even more dominant master, O journeys through slavery--at first happy only to please her lover, O eventually becomes proud of her identity as a willing slave. Balancing scenes of O's slavery with introspection into O's evolving thought, desire, and motivation, The Story of O is at once erotic, discomforting, and psychological. I was deeply impressed by the balance between these factors, and found the book thought provoking and all together wonderful. Very highly recommended.

It's difficult to critique the actual text of a translated work because the author's words are necessarily rewritten by the translator. The minor euphemism in the language (like "back entrance" for anus) sometimes feel weak, as if the writer lacks confidence. But for both of these defects, the book reads as swift and as slick as water. Cutting backstory to a minimum and never apologizing for the content, Réage approaches her topic boldly. At only 200 pages, the book moves swiftly through the different phases of O's training and her life as a slave, and these episodes are rarely repetitive but instead evolve into different forms of service, ownership, and punishment. Quickly intriguing and entirely engrossing, this is a difficult book to put down.

The novel is formed from a tripartite of elements: the erotic, the discomforting, and the psychological. The narrative voice of O's submission maintains a certain distance and is almost cold. As a result, like O, taught to keep her mouth open and her knees apart, the text is open and bare--and this naked honesty achieves an excruciating eroticism. The details of O's slavery, her beating and her prostitution, push the boundaries of generally accepted sexuality and are discomforting even as they are arousing. And weaving constantly into both the erotic and the discomforting are explorations of O's mental state. As O's servitude evolves, so does her mind. Initially, O consents to slavery at the behest of her lover, and find joy only in her lover's approval of her submission. However, as she continues down her chosen path and her relationship with René changes, O becomes increasingly proud of her role as a willing slave.

It is this introspection that gives the book depth and makes it truly wonderful: not just erotic, The Story of O is also psychological, an exploration of one woman's choice to become a slave. O's submissive role is not innate, it is learned. She becomes content. She discovers pride in her own debasement. O's story of submission is her own, and in Réage's voice is unapologetic--not all readers may agree with what O does. But O's motivations are real, as is the growth that she goes through as she continues along the path that she has chosen. It is rare to see a book that can so fully consume and combine both the body and the mind, but The Story of O does this precisely--for O, and perhaps also for the reader. The short book is quickly over, but it will remain in the reader's thoughts for a long time after as he comprehends and judges O's life. I expect that I will reread this book, and so I'm happy that I bought it. It is a brilliant example of its type--the philosophical erotic novel--and I very highly recommend it to all readers.

(On a side note: my biggest complaint about this book lies outside of the text itself, but rather with the mystery that surrounds it: the identities of the long-unknown author, the publishing editor, and this translator, as well as the editor's two-line conclusion to the book. Some online searches on The Story of O help clear up this mystery, but on the whole I find it only distracts from the book. I wish I had--and I recommend that other readers do--skip the various introductions to the Ballantine edition and concentrate instead on the text of the novel itself.)

It's hard to decide of the book lives up to the considerable hype that surrounds it. Many people on here moan about the debasement that O subjects herself to, but this book is her story, and the interest lies in her motivation for undergoing such treatment for someone who ultimately appears to give her very little back in return, emotionally. O is an ostensibly successful independent woman and that persona is seemingly at odds with the one that she turns into at Roissy.

Which is possibly one reason that many, I suspect women, critics perhaps feel that this book has been written by a man, they would not wish to think of an independent woman being, in their eyes, willingly reduced to a chattel. We know that people exist that enjoy the sort of behaviour but I think it is generally men who would allow women to treat them the way that O is treated in Roissy, rather than the other way around. That is why I think that many suspect Ms Réage of being a man. The detailed descriptions of the "activities" and "apparatus" that occur in the book are written very much in a style that "feels" like a man has written it.

Which brings me to my biggest criticism of the book and one that others have made. That is the translation. This version seems unusually dry and un-imaginative in its language, and I don't know if this is because the translator has tried to inject strict translations to phrases that perhaps do not exactly match in English, where paraphrasing might have given the story more charge. Alas my French is not strong enough for me to read the book in its intended language and garner the true subtlety and impact the author must have intended.

In summary, this is a powerful and important work of erotic fiction and should be regarded as such, whether it is actually erotic in this form is a more personal matter.

Now I'm no prude; I like good erotica as well as the next girl. But this story is an enormous let-down. Perhaps worth reading only because it is so widely known, The Story of O is neither a thought-provoking read, nor an arousing turn-on.
This so-called erotic classic is yet one more pointless, male-targeted story of the submissive woman who is nothing without her man, who will do anything for him, who is nothing without him. O has no mind of her own, no opinions, no thoughts that don't focus on her lover and her desire to please him. She is willingly mutilated and tortured, only to please her so-called lover who seems only mildly interested; not at all interested in her, but in the power he wields over her. Her degradation is not at all arousing, but disgusting and pathetic. Some of this I could forgive if the writing were something special, which it isn't, or if the sex was particularly good, which it isn't. The book drags on and on as you hope for some improvement, some excitement, which never comes.

I've been bragging this old novel (1954) up in many reviews. Years ago I read THE STORY OF O and remembered that it was well-written. After GREY was all the rage,I read it again and it is still so good. (I need good writing to enjoy this stuff!) There is no comparison at all. STORY OF O is far far superior in every way. I then went looking for some NEW erotica. I wanted a mature story for a mature woman, and not a silly college girl. I found several I really enjoyed. But of the group one stood out for its writing, strong story and very strong characterization. It's called LIFE, LUST & VINTAGE CLOTHING?Life, Lust & Vintage Clothing I am now on a search to find out if Emmeline Jules is really the author. Does anyone know? It's got to be a seasoned writer, I would think, and yet it says "her first novel." There are many colored images of vintage clothing since the couple in the book dress up for their dalliances! (Her bio says she once owned a vintage clothing shop). Those images alone are beautiful. And there is erotica poetry at beginning of each chapter and a male character who looks like John Hamm in MAD MEN. (Be still, my heart.) One afternoon in a restaurant, sitting at opposite tables, they are dressed in 1960s styles. (I will always look UNDER my table from now on, after reading that scene!)SO I'd suggest it and THE STORY OF O for those readers who know a well-written sentence when they see it. And want a more mature erotic ride than a college girl biting her lip every two minutes! STORY OF O IS BACK TO STAY!!!

Few books survive translation well, but fortunately for English-speaking readers the original translation was fairly faithful to the style of the original French version and even today reads well despite the intentional mannerisms. This work follows somewhat in the footsteps of de Sade's Justine, insofar as it is as much psychological exploration as perversity.

O is a young woman whose lover Rene elects to hand her over to the fraternity at Roissy - a fraternity whose purpose is to humiliate and subdue young women of a certain predisposition. O is subjected to various trials and torments, whipped, debased, violated repeatedly, and through it all submits willingly because of her love for her boyfriend Rene. So far, so predictable aside from the fact that the literary style is head and shoulders above corner-shop pornography. What makes the book interesting is that O is essentially more than complicit in her violation; when her boyfriend hands her over to Sir Stephen, who is a more demanding and exacting man, she follows her unvoiced desire and submits to him because he - better than Rene - can truly master her.

The author describes costumes, locations, and interactions with such precision that it is easy to visualize most of O's trials. The repetition of perversity coupled to such faithful depictions leads the reader to accept such behavior as normal (at least in the context of this story). It would be very easy to take a simplistic Politically Correct view and decry the novel for its focus on O's humiliations and violations, but the novel really demands a more intelligent reaction. It's power - it has seduced men and women for half a decade, across a wide variety of cultures - tells us that it reflects something important and basic in human nature. That is not to say that all women will resonate with O's adventures, nor that all men yearn to be either Rene or Sir Stephen; but it is to say that there is a true world revealed in these pages.

The Story of O has probably launched a million Dominant/submissive relationships, most of which will have fallen quickly apart because real life is more complex and difficult than fiction; nevertheless this fiction is highly nuanced and offers real insight into a particular cast of mind. I suspect that when we are young we are captivated by the lavish graphic descriptions of sexual perversity; when we are old we are captivated by the subtlety and variety of the writing and the psychological insights it offers.

For anyone interested in sexuality this book deserves a place on the shelf. For anyone who can read French, the original is just a little more lush and entertaining than the excellent English translation.

Sadomasochism is one of the most complex and fascinating aspects of human nature. What is it exactly? What motivates it? What does it say about human desire, morality, relationships? Does it really have anything to do with love, as readers, reviewers, and many BDSM promoters allege? Why is it so full of seeming contradictions?
"The Story of O" sheds much light on the psyche of the masochistic woman who uses sexual submission as her avatar of choice. (And on the psyche of the sadistic man as well, though this is less developed in this book.) The heroine "O" is a classic sexual masochist. She is capable of love, and does indeed search for it avidly, in the faces and actions of her two lovers (first in Rene and later, much more rewardingly, in Sir Steven), throughout the book. For her however, (as for masochists of all stripes), this love, real though it may be in its own right, is secondary. The belief that submission is in the service of love, is in fact a necessary myth that obscures the true purpose of the self abasement. Submission is revealed to serve goals that have nothing to do with love. But here is the real eye opener: The self degradation is itself only a tool, and NOT the sought for end. The real goal is self exaltation--the exact opposite of the self abnegation and humiliation that it is cloaked in!
This is the key insight into human nature that is revealed in the Story of O--masochism is the mask. Transcendent self glorification is THE REAL DEAL AND GOAL of the masochist. In many passages and with each torment, O achieves a sense of mastery, as she fantasizes herself as a rare and exotic female animal (a feathered and hairless woman/owl in the book's last imaginative symbol of this), a magical fantasy woman/toy/jewel, a gift to her male counterpart of most desired, forbidden fruit--the woman who gives him anything and everything he wishes for to fulfill his own fantasy of male omnipotent virile masculinity. An equally important insight becomes clear here: the sadist has the same goal, and (at least in the female version) is indeed interchangeable with the masochist (O is revealed to have and fulfill many sadistic fantasies with young girls--Natalie and Jacqueline for example). As all who study sadomasochism learn, the sadist is beholden to the masochist as much as the masochist is to the sadist. Indeed, we observe in Story of O that the CONSENT of the masochist is the most critical component of the torture ritual--more important than the screams and the welts, is the ritualized and repeated "request" and "permission" that must be asked by the S and offered by the M, with each cruel act. Without the consent, both the sadist and the masochist become truly degraded (to themselves). WITH the consent, each becomes a master, one who transcends the powers and gifts of lesser mortals.
For all those readers who like me, ask the questions about sadomasochism posed above, "The Story of O" is a must read. Not only does it illuminate many aspects of the S & M puzzle, but it is beautifully written. These were my two "highbrow" sources of enjoyment of this book. As for the more "lowbrow", prurient, salacious, rewards, I, as many other reviewers, confess that these were most pleasantly delivered--i.e. not only is this book a literary and intellectual gem, it is also very hot!

Definitley an interesting read. Delving into how one can give themself up so completely and utterly... in it's own frightening way it can actually make you feel liberated in knowing how and why you give yourself up to someone (albeit not necessarily in such a fashion as O). The erotic content is subtle and is masked behind the rest of the story as well as what O endures... and that is part of the erotic content. If that is not understood it's just a story about a woman being tied up, used, whipped and branded. Not too erotic if you think about it. But in the context of the story, she endures it to show her love and devotion, and that is where it becomes erotic. Delving into the human psyche and uncovering that little part in all of us that wants to give ourselves completely to the one we love. However, if your looking for a quick, one handed read, this will not provide it. It's thinking erotica, definitely

Know who you are, take a deep breath and dive into subspace. I read this after seeing the movie in the 70's, I was under twenty then. I have since led my life trying not to judge and hopefully not be judged. Since books like fifty shades, readers have enjoyed more adult erotica, myself included. The Story Of O is different, it's a dark and exciting look into the world of true Dom and sub, master and slave. I am so thrilled that I read the book again. Now, so many years and life experiences later I was seeing the characters through different eyes and a much deeper understanding, feeling for O, as she traveled her journey. As I stated in the beginning, not for everyone. This book was way ahead of its time, it took me over thirty years to catch up. As with many things in life, you develop a taste for it......or not.

I began reading Story of O because of the story behind it and the reputation it has as the pinnacle of BDSM erotic fiction. Somehow, it didn't live up to my expectations. I was sorely disappointed. I found much of it dull and very little of it a turn-on (and trust me, this is not because of the subject matter). The prose was full of convoluted run-on sentences that were crammed with em dashes on top of parentheses on top of semicolons. I don't know if that was the fault of the translation or if those are in the French, as well, but it made for some difficult reading. There were also many typos and instances of quotation marks being left off of dialogue in the edition I have. I wanted Story of O to be breathtaking and beautiful. Instead, I got an exhausting piece of work that could have stood another run or two across the editor's desk.

Ten years ago I had the pleasure of stumbling onto this book in an airport book store. I held onto my copy for as many years because of the strange intoxicating power it had on me after I finished reading it. Maybe it was because I found "O" intriguing and memorable or maybe because I could somehow relate to whatever it was that made her continue to explore her feelings. Something that may only have been a curiosity at first though became as addictive as a powerful drug, causing her to lose complete control of reason, of reality. I was fascinated by the sadism and though I'd never experienced what "O" had I understood her need to continue with the game. It left quite an impression on me then and now. There's a bit of "O" in all of us, I suspect.

the life of O take a complete turn one day when her lover takes her to a castel out of town where she's thought to be the perfect sexual toy for him and a secreat society he's in connection to. her life become fully controled by the desiers of others. mainly, sir steven who's an english gentelman and a good freind of her lover. the story follows O's new life to their extreameties until it reach the tragic ending of the book.
it's not the kind of erotic's novels such as ann rice's that goes for a turn on realistic or reality based situation, if you are looking for a cheap thrill this is not the place to find it.
in this book, lays one of the most complex mathapore to many of the issues that ocupies the mind of people, sex, love, violence, religion, the power exchange between people, the place of a person in it's life and so on. it uses sex and SM as an imagery to explore philosofical and emotional topic in one of the most interesting and creative ways i have ever came across. in a very clinical and detouched way, the autor gives a full acount of the smallest events that happening to her, and what kepet from becomming aroused by it while reading, made me see more of the emotional backround of the novel. O's anonimisity (you almost never hear of her emotions and feeling and sensation, only an outside report of the things that are done to her) made me see the O that is in me, as i read the book i became her, it was a very intence reading experience.
i find it still very stimulating book to read, on a physical as well as an intelectual level, i think that everyone who's interested in SM fiction, or just looking to read a really profound book should read this.

Some reviewers criticize this book as not being an accurate portrayal of the 'S & M lifestyle.' It should be pointed out that this book was never written to be such a book!
Don't lay your expectations on this book, and you'll likely enjoy it. Whether or not you believe the events to have actually happened, it is very possible to suspend your disbelief and read it as biographical. It is a very well written book (both in the original French and the English translation).
Those readers who slag it for not being 'accurate' are just reading to see their own take on the whole issue. They would like to see their own lives in print. Well, this is not the book for them, and it is NOT why Pauline Reage wrote it.
Toss your expectations, open up this book, and prepare to be entertained, shocked, repulsed, and turned on.

It seems that most people end up reading The Story of O because someone tells them to.
The basic premise of the story is that O's lover, Rene, sends her off to a secret chateau to have her trained in the ways of slavehood. The story evolves from there.
While this book is interesting in that it gives an insight into the BDSM scene and the types of characters that may populate it, no insight is ever given into O's mind. Considering she is the main character, this is rather frustrating. Obviously she has the option to leave the relationship (and equally obviously, she stays), but we are never given the opportunity to find out exactly what she gains from her liaison with Rene, and later, Sir Stephen or whether any of her needs are met.
Being in the lifestyle myself, I found that this book left many questions unanswered. Then again, I'm not into humiliation and debasement--but I would have appreciated finding out exactly what O gets from her life as a slave.

First of all, the Story of O should not be your introduction to BDSM (or anything of that nature) if you've suspected that you might interested. It is far wiser to consult a psych. text book. The book itself contains a rough sketch of the submissive and masochistic that, while interesting from a historical perspective, does not give insights to the reason behind her behavior and thoughts. If you know nothing of power complexes and sadomasochism in sexual relationships, be advised that this book is very biased and from an uninformed source (due to its age).

I understand the context of the book and such, but it seemed superficial in that O's Masters did not seem to have truly earned her submission. I do not mind the ending, however. The life of a masochist often resembles that of a moth flying into the light and it is that last pain that can deliver the greatest force and gratification.

Though quite capable of empathizing with O's emotionally masochistic tendencies, I must note that the way one "is" says nothing about the way one can be. The discovery and exploration of oneself does not inevitably lead to indulging in one's desires. It is highly unlikely that we are born sadomasochistic and it is not impossible to stop being such if we choose to change.

I am not suggesting that it is "bad" to be sadomasochistic--far from it, as long as the behavior remains between consenting adults. I merely stress the importance of reflecting upon one's behavior and understanding the reasons behind one's actions, because sadomasochism often manifests itself in non-sexual forms, which one may not notice or consider important until it has caused severe issues such as depression. It is never wise to pursue a lifestyle as a sexual sadist without first having considered one's motives, boundaries, and moral principles. The conscious pursuit of gratification without realistically infringing upon the rights of others, however, is quite within one's liberties.

this is a midiume size coffee table version of the story of O which on the surface looks like a very good idea, one of my favorite books beingillustrated by one of my favotire erotic photographers, two of the most importent women, to my opinion, in SM erotics joined together to this creation, what can go wrong?
well it's not completly wrong there are a few really nice shots, especialy the one who are influenced by the compositions of great art work like los manianes by valasquese or the greek school by paphael, the models are very pretty and the whole thing's very nice light and posed. but it has nothing to do with the book, first of all not all the book is there, only parts of it, basicly it was done to match 3 major location from the book, the palace of roasy, her time with the training woman who also brands her and a few smaller scenes with rene and sir stephen. it's very unlike the atmosphere paolin reage was building in her book it looks too much like fun, nothing hurts, no pain or mentioning of pain. it's very cheep erotic magazine style, done in a perfect professional way, but lacking any emotions or intention.
it's a nice photo book to give somone as a present, somone very vanilla who would like to see himself as kinky, i'm sure i'll look on it a few times more, but it doesn't worth the money if you are looking for somthing interesting or original

Young girl trained to be a proper lady in the street and a total whore in bed. It's the Madonna/whore syndrome before the term was created. I'm not sure if this type of trained woman exist today but if she does she would quickly rule the roost art home. She would make her man the envy of all other men.

"O" was given to me by Elaine in 1978 without a word of explanation. After reading and rereading it over the years, I am grateful to "E" for introducing me to my "Master James" inside me. I have found that simply mentioning "The Story of O" to certain women unlocks a unique door to their true nature. I believe "O" to be a true cult classic much as "A Boy and His Dog" is to Don Johnson, and "The Rose" is to an understanding of oneself. In the beginning I thought "O" was mere fiction, however, towards the end I began to realize the "Reality" those pages hold for the reader who has an open mind. If you read Only One text on the subject of D/s, it has to be "O" which is a novel... or is it?

I have developed an interest in BDSM novels and I was told that I ought to read Story of O, for it is the stick that other novels of this sort are measured. I had to give it a whirl. Story of O is a beautiful and lurid tale about the fine line between pleasure and pain. O feels extreme pleasure from the pain that her master inflicts onto her. O is aware that she can walk out of the situation if she wants to, but the domination/submission that she practices gives her a freedom from choice -- unlike her everyday life. I love the irony in the story. Story of O develops into a strange but erotic romance between the protagonists. This book blew me away. Fan of BDSM? Pick up Story of O. My friend was right -- this novel is the stick that which other erotic novels are measured!

If you consider the era it was written in, it's classic. I personally remember the hoopla about this book being band from the market because of the content. In today's world it seems silly. I story is graphic and the one small statement at the end about the outcome of O's life was very surprising, but it really enjoyed it. Anyone who wants to see how this type of topic was handled 70 years ago should read this. I will read it again.

Anne Desclos writing under the pseudonyms as Pauline Reage & Dominique Aury, wrote "The Story of O", in 1954, at the age of 47. She wrote it from a challenge from her employer & lover, claiming that a woman could not write a BDSM novel. For a long time, nobody knew who the author was, until about 10 years before her death, in 1998.
To me, the story is utter nonsense as is "Alice in Wonderland" & "Wizard of Oz". Mostly, O is thinking of things passed, analyzing, and concluding as to reasoning, for her own being, Rene's and Sir Stephen's behavior. O is forever describing everything around her, even when blindfolded. The scenes hardly evolve in the present, but sometimes described as passed. Nothing seems vivid. She speaks of endured sadism as if she floats through it as in a dream, or in a drugged state. I skipped through 2 or 3 pages to get to the scene, only to find that she didn't actually describe it, only the leading up to it. That happens throughout the book. All these people involved in sadism and receivers actually enjoying, yearning, and priding themselves, for it, just didn't gel. Even the naive and innocent who are understanding and yearning for sadism, is too way out of fantasy. I was determined to finish reading it, and took me 2 weeks, because it just didn't grab me. The story was written in 1954, but never states what era the story takes place in. Supposedly, it's a firstie for a woman author to write of sadism. It made me follow the storyline, but mostly disappointed at how everything evolves. It is a classic in a lot of ways, and that is only thing I will say positive about it.

I didn't know what to expect when this book was given to me for Christmas. I read the back and thought it was going to be some bad attempt to turn pornography into literature, but I was so surprised. This is in all rights a beautiful love story with a tragic ending. It could be compared to any classic romantic tragedy. Many people would just see the sexual content and fail to see the aspect of love. There are some elements that may be disturbing to some people when taken at face value. The beatings, the humiliation, and the abandonment are, by most people, seen as abuse. But in the relationship between O and Rene'e and O and Sir Stephan, these are declarations of love in their own right. When you can look at it from that angle you'll be able to appreciate the depth of this story.

With all the erotic fiction I've been reading, I was so excited to have gotten my hands on this novel. While I unequivocally respect the genre and consider the author a heroine for putting this out into the world especially in the time period it was released, I am completely torn by the darkness of the novel. O is essentially nameless? Of what value to herself? To others? She translates to nearly a parallel of what may be expected of a victim of domestic violence, abuse, torture? Oh Ms. Reage you left so many questions and wouldn't I like to know what were you thinking.

I won't even bother to make an argument about this novel's disregarding the "safe, sane and consentual" credo of the BDSM community. Hopefully readers who haven't "dabbled" in the scene for real will still realize that this book is disturbing and unrealistic. My gripes: the style of writing is a little euphemistic for me, epsecially when it comes to descriptions of bodies. The clothing descriptions are long and tedious. I don't see why every single erotic tome in the world has to include lesbian scenes. And none of my five senses came alive as they did when I read 9 and 1/2 Weeks. The only thing I liked about "O" was the setting in France. There are far better novels about power play in relationships.

Let's not forget Pauline Reage--nee Dominique Aury-- wrote this book as a fantasy for her lover. Yes, it's explicit but so was D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover. If you read Jean Paulhan's introduction, you know the author is a member of the prestigious Academie Francais. The translation by Sabine D'Estree is very dense and intense, but not very erotic. O freely submits--she never whores herself--to her lover Rene and then to his powerful half-brother Sir Stephen. (Kissinger said Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac). If the repeated violence turns you off, I recommend Reage's sequel, Return to the Chateau. It's beautifully written, highly erotic fantasy "of a Girl in Love."

The book is by Pauline Reage and was a truly fascinating read. It was very moving. The character O was intriguing and kept me glued to the book. She was strong but had insecurities just like the rest of us. What she went through was a little difficult to read but it added so much more to her being. It would of been nice if there was a sequel. Ms. Reage left you thinking about this book long after you finished it.

Okay, this is coming from someone who has read erotica at the age of 15, and some stuff such as A. N. Roquelaure's Sleeping Beauty series.

Starters, the translation is just so so. Instead of O's "sex" it's "her belly." I was a bit confused by that. I think this book, for those who are interested, is best read in it's original language...if you can read french like me. I'm going to order a copy as a matter of fact. I think some stories, look at Kafka's Metamorphosis, can get lost in translation and totally ruin it. This story, translated, is sort of empty in my opinion, like it's missing something.

This book, from what I understand, was written by Pauline Réage aka Anne Desclos, due to a challenge that was made by her lover, stating that a woman couldn't possibly write a good erotic story. So she set out to do just that.

I honestly think this story of O was written by Pauline to provoke and prove her lover wrong that's why I think there really isn't any rhyme or reason to it.

If you've taken a women's studies class, this story will be extremely hard to digest due to its objectification of women.

I am not judging the content of this book, but I am rather disappointed that this book was recommended as a classic BDSM story. I do not claim to be any type of expert in BDSM, but I find the woman in this story lacks a strong sense of self and confidence. It is my opinion that the woman in this story participated and continued to participate in these relationships for the wrong reasons. She should be participating because she wants to get something out of it, not just to keep from losing a lover. This woman was told on several occasions that she could leave at any time, but there was the implication the relationship would then cease. It was made quite obvious the fear of losing a lover was why she continued in the relationship with each man. If the men in this story ceased to practice BDSM would she have left them to find a new master? I think not.

I love a good BDSM story where everyone involved is there for the right reasons. I did not find that with this story.

First of all, everyone should read this book. It is humbling, it is sad, it is wildly erotic, but the reader slowly finds out it shouldn't be. It is, above all, a look at willful slavery. O is a slave to love, and does anything, and is probably one of the first heroines in history to do absolutely anything to keep her love. But love fades anyway . . . God this story can make you mad. The slave is glad to be a slave- the master is proud to have the slave, everyone one wins for awhile. The story is sexual in detail, but the theme is more generalized. I think that we all have blind devotion to something in life- we are all slaves, and it's not necesarily a bad thing. at the end of the book, it is up to the reader to decide whether love is worth slavery. It is a decision we all make everyday, not just in the area of love- in everything, everything. Read this book. There are good reasons to love and hate it. Read it. Find out for yourself. I read it in one day. You'll regret reading it, but you'll love it. Just read it.

The story of O could easily had earned a 4 or 5 stars rating when it first came out decades ago. It was one of the very first books of its kind, and it had a huge shock value as well as creative value back then. But during the intermediate years from its published date to our present time, the sexual revolution had already made a lot of changes to the SM landscape. Many new theories and techniques on SM literature had been developed since, which in turn had made the ideas and writings in 'the story of O' seem very primative and out of date. My bottom line is that it's not worth awhile to spent money or time on this book unless: 1) you are doing a research on the history of erotica/literature 2) you are an avid collector and want to collect all the erotica writings there is

One of my favorite erotic classics ...absolutely absorbing and exciting. If you like the genre and want something well written which will leave you to imagine this story and find beauty as well as excitement, then this is the story for you. Very seldom is one able to find a classy erotic novel that allows this level of intoxication. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for the sensual reader who enjoys quality writing.

Maybe it's because she wrote the book so long ago, but I really got the impression that Reage was trying too hard with the shock effect in this novel. Any initial shock wears off shortly, because sexually explicit descriptions are so indiscriminately employed! Therefore, by the fifteenth page, The Story of O loses any potential eroticism it might have suggested at the beginning; actually, I found the story pretty banal by the end. It's still worth the read, though--if for no other reason to discover what all the hype is about, and for those first fifteen-or-so pages.

John Paul Hand is NOT a person. "He" is not the translator NOR the author of the Story of O.
"John Paul Hand" is a sound-alike of Jean Paulhan, who wrote the preface / foreword of the original 1954 version.

He was a well-known man of letters during the French occupation / resistance.

Perhaps I'm coming at _Story of O_ from a completely different direction, since I was hardly compelled to feel anything toward the characters in the novel. The translation of Reage's novel is bumpy and broken, and often it is difficult to follow thought patterns and dialogue of the characters. If readers do manage to make sense of the prose, they will find a story of whips and chains, S/M, bondage, and so forth--actions still considered taboo in most social circles. Readers will find the central character, O, enigmatic, confounding, and ambivalent: Why would anyone submit themselves to such emotional and phyiscal pain? Love would be the most obvious answer, but surely Reage was thinking of something more postmodern ... Of course these are purely subjective thoughts of mine. One must remember, while reading this book, that one's dislike of pain is another's passion.

I come to this book for love and sex. I was wrong. It has nothing to do with love or even sex. It is a story of violence and slavery. And how effective violence is, in the author's whimsical imagination, in enslaving women. Just like history of slavery and colony rule in 19th century and early this century has shown us, slave owners always justify themselves by that slaves enjoy being exploit by nature. That slaves enjoy to be whiped, used, exploited, and disposed at owner's will. That is why O was told to be always available, accessible, and obedient sexually to her owner Rene. She was finally given away and exploited to death. I wish I have the opportunity to exploit the author the way Rene exploit O, no matter the anonymous author is a male or female. That satisfys my feeling of revenge and probably the cruelty inside me.

Unforgettable BDSM! I decided to get this book after seeing a review from another book I loved called Simply Scarlet by Sai Marie Johnson. I was blown away by the writing, which is energetic and stunning. While O may do whatever her dominant asks of her she also displays a type of innocence many women hold with regard to the lifestyle. I would highly recommend this book or even the one that brought me to it, Simply Scarlet, if you're looking for something a little more in depth than Fifty Shades of Gray.

This novel is very well written. It's a very unusual erotic s&m novel written by a woman in a time when this was pretty much unheard of. I was a little disappointed in the book because it was very short and glossed over everything instead of going into more details of the characters. I felt it did not delve into their motivations or backgrounds or really let you know them. There was no hero or heroine and no one that you cared about. What really upset me about this book though, is that one is cheated out of the ending! This book is missing the ending. There supposedly are two but they have been censored from this edition! I would not buy this book again and do not recommend it because of that. I feel as though I have been cheated and would not have bought it if I knew that I would not get the ending ahead of time. Shame on the store for not warning customers that the ending has been censored out of this book!

It seems many of these readers are into BDSM or looking to get off. (If that's what your looking for go to thehun.net and save yourself some time) I was just looking to read a good book, and was neither of the above. It's a great book, intense none the less, but entertaining and stimulating. Don't look too deep into and you won't be able to get up until you've finished. I know I kept wanting to sneak a peak at the last chapter to find out where it was headed. I must say I was slightly disappointed with the end, but I appreciate why it was written as such. Don't look into it, enjoy it.

M

This title was a delight to my submissive nature to read it. It was full of great detail and many erotic thrills. I truly believe the author was ahead of her time, although even in this day of age to be a submissive woman is to be looked down upon by the majority of female society. What snobs females have become!

Sure, it has moments of fantasy hotness. But by the standards of what people I know are doing in their own bedrooms these days, much of O is really quite tame. It's the "thought of it" that titillates our naughty bits. The book touches on various concepts and extreme practices, like shaping-corsetry and branding, but in a glossed over manner.

Read it so you can say you read it, and then go read one of my own books to read something far more engaging, detailed and realistic.

PEEPER (Gethis: History of a Planet)
The Healer (Gethis: History of a Planet)

I first came across Story of O while in graduate school--back in 1977. It is a story of a woman who gives up and/or gives into herself in the name of love. Let's face it, don't we all do that especially--when it comes to money, sex, raising children, intimacy, working, etc. This book is a paradox. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Damned if you're with Rene or Sir Stephen, and damed if you're not. It is really about the story of life. That's why I still get turned on by it after all these years.

It is a good book to meditate on. To notice ones thinking and how one might judge things. I found Story of O a great book for disciplining my etiquette and manners. I also liked how Pauline Reage wrote, she got the idea across in proper etiquette. The book had a unique romantic nature about it that many books lack. The ending is a bit odd although, but still a good book to introduce one into the subject of S&M. I suggest anyone who needs discipline of any sort read this book.

WOW!!!! This book is truly a masterpiece. It is well written and truly convincing. It is unlike many books in this genre of literature because it is quite graphic in "realistic" detail. The reader comes away with a sense of amazement and a whole lot to talk about. Would someone really enjoy such treatemnt? Could you really lose your entire sense of self in order to please another human?
I would recommend this book to anyone with an open mind or anyone who has the slightest interest in alt. lifestyles.

This is the first and only time I will read this book. I did not like the story and was aghast at the treatment of O. I don't understand this kind of behavior and hope i never do. I can't even feel any sympathy for O. I didn't like any of the characters at all. I wanted to read this only because it was book club this month. I'm glad I just borrowed it because it would have been a waste of money. Now I need to read something happy to get these images or of my head.

I purchased the Story of O with great excitement and could not wait for it to come in and read it. It was everything I had heard and hoped it would be, HOWEVER, after you're reeled into the story and you want to know more the "FINAL CHAPTER HAS BEEN SUPPRESSED". I was not happy. I still have no idea what happened! Before purchasing I suggest you contact the seller and see if it has a suppressed ending or if you are purchasing the full book. Good Luck!

An out of print all time classic, this book is truly a treasure in any library. I am not sure what the other reviews are referring to, but in the hardcover book that is listed there are no photos, it is a book of words, and it is way better than the movie, as is usually the case with the book version. The Story of O was ahead of its time, very much before Fifty Shades of Grey and when taken into context, should be considered all the more bolder because of its timing, and the era that it first emerged in. Not for the faint hearted...

The Story of O is accepted in the book market as an erotic fiction. To some it may be. To others, with the required exposure, it is the legitimization of lifestyles for the elite few existing in the South and Europe for a very long time. It is the story of submissive women trained in the care of dominant women (like Marie) for the male Masters they serve. It is not about crimes, or morals, or forced servitude, or slave markets. Every act is voluntary by every individual. It is about roles, and specifically sexual roles, in a society of choice. It is the type of society in which only those free to choose could meet the needs of all. While the choices once would have surprised the general population, today Americans would be more willing to accept them as true free choices made by people with the right to make them. It deals with the pleasure of creating pleasure.
No doubt, the book is very erotic, as is much of life. However, once the erotic nature of the book has been enjoyed, please reread this classic work from the perspective of roles and specifically submission, responsibility, and true caring. It will make you much more than just a better lover. You might just find your role in life.

"Story of O" is an erotic tale about a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer intent on giving herself completely to her lover as a slave. O consents to spend two weeks at Roissey, which is a training facility that teaches women how to become completely submissive to their masters and other male members of this exclusive "club." O is constantly whipped and flogged, chained to her bed every night, and practically gang-raped by the men at Roissey. However, although the violent sexual descriptions make O's experiences seem like rape, she actually consents to everything that happens to her, including transforming her entire life after leaving Roissey and making herself available to all the other male club members whenever they request her.

I did not enjoy this novel at all. O is completely submissive, both physically and psychologically, and she doesn't have to be. She takes no pleasure from these sadistic encounters: The only thing that pleases her is when she receives affection from her lover, Rene. The author of the book makes a point of having the male characters ask for O's consent over and over again, and she continuously gives it to them. I do not understand it, and I certainly cannot sympathize with O because of it. Also, the violent and sexual descriptions in this novel are very extreme even for my taste...and I'm certainly no prude!

Overall, this is a horrendous example of the lengths some women will go to in order to please a man. I guarantee that it will disturb everyone who reads it.

This book is one I reccomend for lovers who want to test how their partner will respond to the suggestion of BDSM or kink. Tell them that you heard it was a sexy book for reading before foreplay. If your partner wants you to stop and turns away not good... if your partner is curious they will let you read on a bit, and if they are a big ol' perv just waiting to happen they will not be able to make it very far with out trying to pleasure either you or themself.

My only disappointment with this book is its conlusion, which does not exist. There is a story behind why this is so, but I've forgotten it. I like the confidence with which the thing is written--everything is so matter of fact. The narrator is the perfect host and guide into this world where very little is taboo. It worked so well as a unique twist on the "novel," that I can't help but wish it had been concluded. HOW do you conclude a thing like this? I am still waiting.

when i first read it i was a young teen-ager and it had a profound influence on me. yes i am male, and yes the debasement and torture of O aroused me greatly, but it also had a deep spiritual effect which is difficult to explain. i won't apologize for, try to justify, or write a disclaimer for this book. neither will i speculate as to whether it is pornography or literature, as surely these are not mutually exclusive. nor will i offer the fact that the book was written by a woman (it was) as its justification, as it is better served without any, and because theorizing about the significance of this fact is usually just political point scoring of one sort or other. but what i will do is offer up a little bit of history to dispel some of the misinformation i have seen in other reviews, and then of course my own opinion which is the point of writing a reviews is it not?

in 1994 Dominique Aury (which wasn't even her real name, but yet another pseudonym), a prominent french literary figure and editor finally admitted to having written the book. she wrote it over several months every night in pencil instead of ink, so as not to stain the sheets of her bed where she lay writing. she didn't write any first drafts, did no editing, and every few days sent what she had written to her lover, the French writer and editor Jean Paulhan. he slept around and she wanted to arouse him and keep him interested; it worked.

the novel was published in 1954 under the pseudonym Pauline Reage as a homage to Pauline Borghese and the 19th-century feminist/socialist Pauline Rolan. there was much ado about the book when it was published of course, with bannings and burnings in the U.S. and Britain especially. it was exclaimed that it had to be the work of a man, which just made Dominique laugh. like O, she was deeply in love with Paulhan. she was fascinated by his ability to marvel at both the most terrible and awful, as well as the most cheerful and beautiful things. is the book about spiritual transcendence, or the 'basest' of debauchery? yes of course, it is both of these things. but most of all, in my opinion, it is about affirmation, in the Nietzscheian sense of an 'amor fati', total abandonment and laughter in the face of death and pain, as well as love and joy; a love and respect for the eternal contradictions of life. Dominique once repeated the well known saying that a leopard never changes it's spots, and added something to the effect of: "that we should just let her go with her contradictions". and so we should.

Story of O was my first erotic novel, but I have heard from others that in reality the Story of O is not, by many, considered erotica.
I have to say that there where some parts that totally scared me, but in turn there were parts that thrilled me. A strange understanding of the character "O" began to claim me, and I realized that the story itself is not about sex, it's not about S&M - it's really about a woman who NEEDS to be loved - NEEDS to be desired, a woman that we carry in all of us (women that is). I think over all we need the abandonment sometimes - we want to be desire so that we become enslaved, but most women can draw a line in the sand and say - I will not allow this to be done to me just to prove my love, but others like "O" are not strong enough to withstand the consequences of what may happen if we do not obey.
I loved this story - it did change me. But I still would never want to be flogged.

This story is extremely sensual and explicit. It is the story of a woman who surrenders to her inner desires to be dominated. The guy definitely takes charge and does not need to be told what to do. The first half of the book was outstanding, but from there it went a little down hill in my opinion. Don't get me wrong - I could not stop reading, but even so the events became a little difficult to be able to relate to (for me). I can relate to being tied up, for instance, but not to being cut or scarred (ouch!). Anyway, it is definitely worth reading if you haven't read it yet, and two more better than usual books of erotica that I would recommend along with this book are "Bedtime Stories for Women" by Nancy Madore and "Beauty's Release" by Ann Rice. Each book will leave you completely breathless.

In my opinion, this is a good "romance" novel. I don't mean it's one of those crap fest books with a picture of a shirtless man on the cover, but the content is comparable.

What I liked about it - The vocabulary. The vocabulary of the book helped me out greatly because I'm always in search of different words. Also I found her similes incredible. Truly stimulating. Full of ideas that have changed my sex life for the better. My girl friend sends her gratitude.

What I didn't like about it - I found it rather dry and corny at times, hints to why I slightly compare it to a traditional romance novel. To give one of the many examples : When O leaves the chateau and arrives at another location, she begins to go through the make up Rene (her lover) has chosen for her. I guess you'd have to be me to get it, but I found that rather silly.

Over all, I highly recommend this book, but I'll most likely never read it again.

The Story of O is what many of us started with on our journeys to self-discovery wheather we were Dom or Sub deep within. It is the erotic story of a young Parisian girl whose devotion to her lover leads her into the world of BDSM, sexual, physical and emotional slavery, discipline, love, and ownership by a strong Master. It details her introduction into the alternative sexuality world and describes her education and indoctrination as a slave.

Having said that, this novel is fictional. Let the following be a wake up call to all would be Masters, Mistresses and submissives out there who after reading this book think they are going to just jump into an alt lifestyle. Real time and real world D/S and BDSM do not and never have worked as this novel portrays!!! The lifestyle is far more involved and complicated, takes years of practice, experience, and study!! This novel is an ideal, its purpose is to stimulate the mind (and loins) and push your cerebral interest in BDSM into action. I highly recomend that those interested also read 'Venus in Furs' writen by Masoch. It is a classic novel which describes the mental and emotional pitfals of Masochism and a love so deep it transcends worship. The novel does not contain any sexually explicit situations or erotica which I am sure is disappointing to many:)

Play safe:)

Master Khan.

most people seem to get offended when they read this book. O does victimize herself, but it's a willing surrender, she is detaching herself from her body, desensitizing herself. i don't agree with what she's done, nor can i understand that sort of mentality. however, that makes the book all that more interesting, to see viewpoints and thoughts of others.

O, is a woman who, although submissive to Rene' & Sir Stephen, seemed very in control of herself in that she knew what she wanted in regards to pleasure seeking & how to get it. She liked being dominated, but she was doing something for herself at the same time. I saw her point of view clearly throughout the book. It is a great piece of erotic literature.

The Story of O is about a young, beautiful Parisian photographer named O who wants nothing more than to be her lover's slave. She goes through strict "training" for two weeks at Roissey, a club where other women like her learn how to "obey" their masters in whatever they order them to do, whether it be for their masters alone or for other members of the club. O goes through harsh punishments, such as being whipped and flogged daily and being chained to her bed every night. What is most disturbing about this first part of the book, is not O's harsh punishments that she endures, but the fact that she endures all this debasement willingly.

Though she may be considered as a masochist at the beginning of the novel, it becomes clear while reading through the rest of the novel that this is not the case. This is not so much a story about masochism, as it is more a story about love, about how much a woman would sacrifice for it, and the length a woman will go to keep her lover, Rene, happy. O derives no pleasure from the physical, emotional, and psychological torture she endures. Rather, her pleasure is derived from the aftermath of those things: the lashes to her skin, the debasement and objectification of her body and the cruelty that she willingly chooses to endure makes O "happy" in the fact that she is doing all this to please her lover.

O is not a prisoner or slave in the normal term of the word, but rather she is a slave to her love for Rene, as he has made it clear to her that she is free to leave anytime she desires. But she is blinded by her love for him and feels that by enduring the punishment he puts her through, she is becoming closer to him. Or rather, she is becoming his, his object, his property. O cannot stand the thought of losing him or of being separated from him and she feels that her submission to him proves to him that she is his and only his and he can do whatever he wants with her so long as he dos not leave her:

"O was happy that Rene had had her whipped and had prostituted her, because her impassioned submission would furnish her lover with the proof that she belonged to him, but also because the pain and shame of the lash, and the outrage inflicted upon her by those who compelled to her pleasure when they took her, and at the same time delighted in their own without paying the slightest heed to hers, seemed to her the very redemption of her sins."

I saw O, at times, when in the presence of her "masters" as very naive, bordering on the edge of foolish, but cannot help but feel that she deliberately acted this way to seem all the more submissive to them. The only time I ever see O, the real person and not as an object, was when she was with her lover Jacqueline. But I found it odd that O took on many of Rene's domineering characteristics while with Jacqueline, wanting to be in control of Jacqueline intimately, wanting to control her body the way Rene controlled O's. It was only when Jacqueline saw O's body, the marks of the flogging and her scars, that Jacqueline began to back away from O and O had "felt insulted at seeing Jacqueline's contempt for her condition as a flogged and branded slave, a condition of which O herself was proud".

This novel is definitely not for everyone. In fact, it's not for a lot of people due to the neverending violence. I have heard many people call this book "erotic" but it was nothing like that for me. The only reason I kept reading was because I was more intrigued by O. I wanted to understand her, but I think at the end, I was only more confused by her and her mindset. I began thinking toward the end of the novel that she was nothing more than a [...], which ironically, is just what O wanted people to think of her. I also began to greatly dislike her, whereas at the beginning of the novel I was indifferent to her. The ending of this book also left me with a feeling of emptiness as I still had more questions that will forever be unanswered.

What probably disturbed me most about this book, though, was surprisingly not the torture that O endured. If she had been unwilling, it would have caused me to sympathize for her but because she was a willing partner in it, I could not seem to find any kind of sympathy for her, except for at the very end which I will not give away here. That, in itself, disturbed me but what also disturbed me was the fact that I saw in O many characteristics that I have seen in a lot of women today: her willingness to please her lover, to go to drastic lengths to make her lover happy, and her blind passion for him.

I read this book in a matter of hours and I have to say I enjoyed what I read. I enjoyed taking the journey with O and discovering what was waiting for her around the corner. I especially enjoyed seeing into a world that is considered dark and foreboding.
I know as a woman I should be offended and outraged over the way O was treated, but I wasn't because I found O as into the bondage, the sex and the debasing that was being done to her just as much the person doing the deeds.
While O was put into the role of the "dominated" I didn't think for one second that she felt she was being dominated or submissive - especially when she decided to make her "Master" fall in love with her.
I found O to be erotic and arousing. My mind was opened up into a whole new genre that and look forward to rereading the Story of O again and again.

The story of O is a great story about what a person will do for love. It symbolizes the slavery each of us chooses in our own life. Slavery to what we want, namely, love. And what extremes we will do for it. It's a deeply moving novel told in a frighteningly erotic way, which makes it hard for some to see the true story. It's a book you can read over and over and see more each time

A few years ago just prior to her passing, Ms. Reage finally revealed herself - even offering interviews. What she has created, what she has defined and brought into the open for our age (opening the door in the 1950's,) we cannot easily repay. Before her work, there were no publications in the genre save the puerile, repetitive musings of de Sade: "Justine" and "101 Days." Ms. Reage changed this. She re-invented it. She brought it forth from the darkness. Just, for example, in creating the "chateau" device - seemingly obvious, even simple - yet it remains the most copied to this day. But chiefly, I believe, she brought a feminine wisdom to the characters, seeing actions and intent - bereft of particulars, specifics or trivia - through O's eyes as only a woman could. If you read it, take careful note not only of the symbolism of O's name but of how she is an anywoman, she has no physical characteristics save those shared of all women. I cannot do justice to Story here, but it is, truly, literature.
The submissive emerges as human for the first time in O. In the Story Reage gave reign to the freedom of mind inherent in humanity. And it is because of that that O is able to desire her freedom's diminishment for - and all the while despite - herself. Indeed, she completes her own submission - not merely because she has in her possession the freedom itself to relinquish - which de Sade's heroine's did not - but as party to her own subjugation she proves her worthiness to be possessed, affirms her subjugation, gives to her masters a freedom that is inconceivable in lieu of her consent.
When Ms. Reage still sought anonymity, it was written that the Story, like O, would stand naked before her judges. Sadly, Ms Reage's apologetic noises about Story's harshness and its unlikeliness, I believe, directly contrive to render Story's criticism a certain chic-ness in the community - criticism most undeserved: Especially when Story is appreciated in its context.
With this book Ms. Reage provided a defining statement for what would become today's D/s.
Story is not a classic. It is THE CLASSIC.

I enjoyed this book very much but I couldn't help feeling like I had read it before. The character O is very much like Beauty of Anne Rice's erotic trilogy (The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, Beauty's Punishment, Beauty's Release.)I found that to be a tad annoying.
O's devotion to her lover is inspiring, however I enjoyed her transformation to being completely devoted to Sir Stephen more.
The only thing that really made me almost angry we are led to believe that O kill herself.
I heard something about a 'part II' to this novel but I looked it up and there seemed to be one but it had nothing to do with O.

I was amazed when I read this book. I didn't know anything of this type was even available at the bookstores. I was shocked at the vivid details used to show the torture suffered by O. It was revealing in that I learned some things about myself while reading this that were somewhat scary but intriguing.

I must say I was disappointed by this book. Parts of it were arousing and well written, other parts just gratuitous sadism. It is my understanding that there are people who enjoy that sort of thing, and for those people I would highly recommend this book. For those of you looking for a "blindfold and feather" book, look elsewhere. This is a story about riding crops, bullwhips, and even branding. For those of you with a weak stomach for sexual deviancy, I would advise you not to read this book.
I found the characters unrealistic. Their personalities vary widely from chapter to chapter, and this makes for a confusing read. At least it's a quick one. Unfortunately, I just didn't really like it. I'm sure that there's plenty of more gratifying erotic literature out there. Thise one left me wanting a different ending.

Thats when this book was first written, so it tells you right there it is NOT graphic or very sexual. It is aboout a man who loves his girlfriend so much he makes her sleep with other men, her eyes always have to be down and she is not allowed to talk. THEY lock her up so anyone can have her. She is almost always kept naked, except in the day when she has to lift her skirt up so they can do what they do to her. It's like a S & M book that's very PLAIN not descriptive. If that helps at all.

Before the Internet, before Anne Rice, before the Bettie Page revival, there was only this slender volume about a French girl's ascent through degradation that was available to those of us who were utterly confused and captivated by our dark desires. So we hid purloined copies under our mattresses, reading its words over and over until we had it practically memorized. Seminal, to say the least.

This book is a must read. Words alone do not suffice to describe the journey one takes following O's story. Your paradigms will shift, and you will look at the world with a new set of eyes...the Nietzschean baby if you will.
Keep an open mind...do not let your biases cloud your views on this unique literary experience.

This was an amazing journey, the kind of book you can't put down, turning the pages as you hold your breath. I was also surprised to see how good of a translation it was (not perfect but very close). The psychodynamic of the young woman's tale is pretty traumatic. Her extreme devotion is petrifying and yet sickly attractive. It was as if her very existence was completely dependent on her lover, her master. This type of writing makes you ponder how many women succumbed themselves in situations where the happiness of another becomes their own... I think too many.

In this age of political correctness, it's probably difficult for people to deal with a book like "The Story of O". However, if you remove sexual politics from the story, what you have is a story of a true submissive. O finds freedom in submission. By surrendering her will and her ego to another person, she's liberated. In a way, it's almost spiritual. And, yes, it also gets her off. I found the book interesting and thought provoking, as well as exciting. If you're looking for a more explicit and elaborate delve into female sexual fantasy, I'd recommend "Delta of Venus" or "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty".

This book started promisingly with a description of how O's boyfriend removed her underwear during a taxi ride; this was good, sophisticated erotica. After this, there was an awful scene where O was whipped. There was more good stuff as O had to go about her normal daily life with no underwear or suspenders and to roll the tops of her stockings to stop them from from falling down. However, after this O was treated more and more cruelly and eventually mutilated with a red-hot branding iron. This required a strong stomach. Beware - only read this book if you can stand such writing. I doubt that this book was really written by a woman; it doesn't have the right feel.

I heard a lot of hype about this book and decided to go and read it.

I was expecting something in the sense of Anne Rice with her sleeping beauty novels.

Well, this novel is much more hard core than that. Ok, it's not that I am not open minded about things like that, because I am very acceptant usually. But I thought that the whole point of sadism and masochism was not the pain, but the love. The "slaves" want to be abused by their masters so that they feel like they belong, like they are living and enjoying the moment, that they are loved because of their suffering.

But you don't really see much of that in this book. It's not really deep and it doesn't go in a lot of detail about anything, except the dry descriptions of the acts. You can't really tell what O is feeling, so a connection to the characters is basically impossible. And again, it seems like all is done for nothing, because (SPOILER! ) her "master" leaves her in the end. For him she is nothing, so he doesn't really care cause he had his fun. She, however, instead of moving to another master like she should have done if she wanted to continue the lifestyle, she asked permission to kill herself from her master. I think that is really sad and absolutley stupid.

I gave it 3 stars because of its boldness with the subject for being written in the 70's/.

The Story of O is a guidline for all dicipline minded erotica. However, I felt the moments of passion could hve included a more involved description of O's own feelings. I know it's supposed to be a classic but I felt too much time was spent describing the actions and not enough on the emotions.

The fact that many think that to degrade and to surrender one self to others are the opposite of freedom, is a very superficial assumption. Through this novel the woman writer explores sex roles, desire, and philosophical ideas of devotion and freedom that are beyond sex: the immoral side of culture, and even the immoral side of faith and martyrdom. An exiting book in all the scope of the word. A treaty in sex from a female point of view, that blurs into systems of faith and the angst of existence. Not for the moralist superficial.

IF your earlobes are truly burning with the real life possibilities, you Need to Know for Sure. "The Story of O" holds a permanent place in my private collection since the 1970s when Elaine presented me with my first, now dog-eared, copy without a word of explanation. She only asked I thoughtfully read her gift and then share my feelings with her. Elaine awakened the Sir Stephen in me and became my first "o". On January 13, 1998, I discovered the store.com and their reader review section and shared my personal opinion in a review. This morning, years later, I rediscovered a computer link and scanned over 145 reviews and realized my review was #4 in a growing list! As I perused the comments, I realized there were three distinct categories of readers of "o"... Book worms who read to read and look no deeper, Skeptics who have never experienced BDSM in real life, and Practitioners of the lifestyle. You are only limited by your perceptions. IF "o" is indeed a fiction, I can promise you there are some using this text as a real life primer in their pursuits of an alternative lifestyle. One rarely discovers another's true spirit without considerable effort. I have found "o" to be one of many ways to unlock a special passageway into another kindred spirit's soul to see them as they really are... and... to introduce my private self to them. So, after seven years, I again propose "The Story of O" to be a true cult classic so to say. Further, I continue to maintain the Reality these pages hold for the open-minded reader bold enough perceive the possibilities proposed by this mere fiction... this novel... or Is it? James.

yuck!! after all the hype, i set myself down to read a riveting story about one womans journey thru this lifestyle and got up a few hours later thinking whats the draw in this one??? i believe that the fact that this was written so long ago is one of the things that people find so appealing about this...perhaps im wrong, however, i found this, The Story of O, to be a total bore and im none the better for reading it...

The story of O is, in my opinion, one of the most misunderstood novels of the modern era. It exposes the reader, who may otherwise be unfamiliar, with a sub-culture that is, at first blush, quite disturbing. However, a deeper examination of the text reveals a darker side to the human spirit which is, to some extent, within us all. Although I have not had the opportunity to read this work in its native tongue (in part due to my lack of proficiency in french), I find that the translation does retain qualities which make the novel exciting, and to some, morbidly fascinating.

The Story Of O is THE definitive D/s, BDSM, Romantic Erotica novel of the 20th century. It has spawned many imitators, but--as yet--nothing has come close to capturing the charged atmosphere of the Pauline Reage classic. A 'must read' for fans of the gendre.

Many others say that this book is about more than just bondage and S & M, but a tale of love. I think it is more about discipline and submission and how men truely do like that, than it is about "love". O is fickle when it comes to her lover(s), which leads one to believe she isn't really in love with any of them. The novel did not distub me in any way, but it also leads one to believe that most people find this okay, which we know is not the case. It definately fits the genre for whom it was intended, and for that I agree it is a work of fine fiction.

This,the third volume of Guido Crepax's illustrated series of books based on the classic "Story of O", goes beyond the original work. It relates the Story of O, obviously after her return to the chateau. At this point in her life, she seems to be using her sensuality and what she has learned with Sir Stephen to target and destroy certain individuals, apparently for hire. This is not as good a book as either the original text version, or his two other illustrated volumes, although it is good enough that those who enjoyed the others will probably like this one. More Crepax than Reage, and it shows. Finally, this volume appears to anticipate the "New Story of O", which has recently been published.

This book is a cult classic to the BDSM community, so after 2 1/2 years in the scene (as both a submissive and a dominant), I finally got around to reading it. I agree with the majority of my peers--it's a good, hot, erotic story, but it's still fiction, and not a real or accurate portrayal of our world. Aspiring dominants would do well to avoid the common novice mistake of emulating sir Stephen.

This was a very interesting novel of a woman's sex awakening into BDSM. She goes in voluntarily and she tells the in a matter of fact and up front way. Don't know if I will ever understand the Pain as pleasure angle but she makes it palitable.

As far as the structure of the novel itself goes, The Story of O is amazingly engaging. I say engaging because as one reads, one becomes intrinsically involved in and empathetic to O's experiences and situations.
However, one searching for eroticism should not read this book; despite the events in the story, this book is neither sexual nor erotic in nature. Much more prominent are the male vs. female , human vs. inhuman plots that occupy life. Additionally, the tone of the book and the characters lead me to suspect that this story was written by a man and not a woman, which serves to alter the reader's appreciation and understanding of the novel.

I read The Story of O after seeing it referenced a few times in someone else's story. The idea was good -- get a peek inside this particular lifestyle (and for some people, it really is a lifestyle or way of life) and O's head at the same time -- but the writing was only so-so. It read like a high school boy's fantasy. The material itself was not the least bit shocking to me and I was not offended by any of it. But I've read fanfiction that was written better. I was not impressed. I'm glad I didn't pay to read it.

Never let anyone, especially a rabid feminist, say anything against this book. More than anything else, it is a novel of a woman's right to choose. If that choice happens to be that of giving up her choices, so be it. That in and of itself is the greatest of choices. It is also a novel of love... the simple words "I Love You" mean little next to the act of giving oneself freely to another. These are the points that Reage illuminates with her work, done with a flowing sense of style and a wonderful grasp of the written word

I read and reread this book 4 times and love it from the beginning to the end. It is a great starter book for first time erotica readers and an even better book to spice up your day or night. Age is not an issue. It is a mix of being so absorbed in love with someone and doing whatever it is that would please them and completely giving yourself up to purely erotica ideas. It allows your imagination to run wild with thoughts of a world that is going on under our noses, quite a fantasy trip. I found it to be a guide to being sexier, it makes you want to be sexier in many ways. Wonderful story and had me consumed. Definately a page turner!

My fantasies tend to be of the very perverse and violent nature, so I was looking forward to reading L'Histoire d'O. I had a long plane ride, and was hoping it would help me while away the house.
Alas, O proved to be boring in the extreme. My thoughts were pretty much "Oh look, she's getting beaten again" and "Oh look, she's getting gang raped again" and "Oh look, she's being sodomized again." How boring. How dull. There was no tension at all in the book, because there was no conflict. O just accepts everything that happens to her. In order for a story to be interesting, there must be some sort of conflict that needs to be resolved. There is none in this novel.
It seems to me that the author tried to get by on the shock value alone, which is not enough in and of itself to make a book worth reading. Plot helps, too.

This book was enticing. I could not put the book down, finishing it in only 2 days. I was disappointed that it didn't have the 5th and final chapter, but that is it. I truly loved it and have given copies to a few friends to read as well. The story is haunting and real and full of powerful emotion. A must read.

Perhaps not the raunchiest story I've ever read, but when you keep in mind it is one of the first novels to bridge the gap between pornography and *legitimate* literature, The Story of O can't fail to impress. Not as vicious as de Sade, not as sappy as Anne Rice's Beauty series, it maintains a serious/fantasy balance for every writer who followed to envy. True, it asks to be re-written and updated here and there, its ending tweaked, but overall its dark sexuality and obedience/pleasure theme can move any reader who recognizes the novel's place in time.

The Story of O shows us a psycho-sexual perspective on the subject of slavery. It is the slave owner who is in chains. It is he who must come up with the rules. It is he who must punish when it is time to punish. The slave is really free. Free from making decisions, free of control. It is O who decides to stay and O who decides to allow herself to be used in this fashion. Therefore she is the one in control. She can leave at anytime, but chooses not to. She chooses bondage, and choice is the greatest freedom. The Story of O is a wonderful book on so many levels.

The individual scenes in this book can be very erotic and powerful. However, beyond the description of the actual events, this story goes nowhere. In the end, the things O is willing to have done to her stretch the bounds of believability.

I could not put this book down. Despite its almost vulgar honesty, it is entirely enthralling. Not for the faint of heart...the story of O is a mysterious wander through a dark sexual community, fascinating at every turn.

In this 3-volume series of graphic novels, Guido Crepax has faithfully illustrated Pauline Reage's novel "The Story of O". His drawings are rendered in black and white and his style seems oddly appropriate for the time in which the novel is set. The dialog is quite spare, while the subjects of some frames are fairly detailed. He has not sensationalized the story, nor does he use his illustrations for shock-value: he simply tells the story using his art instead of comic strip-style balloon chitchat. An excellent series.

The copyright on this book is 1954. There is no comparison. 50 Shades is copycat of so many that have come before and we're never given the attention they deserve. This book is amazing. If you are tired of BDSM books then stop buying them. There are plenty of erotica books out there that do not involve BDSM and billionaire's. Again I would recommend this book to anyone...especially those interested in seeing what has changed in the BDSM world in the last 60 years.

I have never read any books before like this, about someone choosing to be a slave and accepting punishment of a harsh physical nature. Having said that, I thought that the book was very well written, but also very graphic, so if you are faint of heart and easily horrified, this book is NOT for you. The only thing that I did not like about this book, and this is a bit nit-picky, was the ending.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is surely most men's fantasy to have a pretty young woman who will do whatever you want, purely for your gratification. Some of the things that were done to the poor girl were pretty gruesome though, and I don't feel proud of myself for enjoying those bits. On the authorship, I don't want a whole controversy, but the authoritative "Visual Dictionary of Sex" says that despite the claims that it was written by a particular female, in fact the author was really a man.

In a nutshell, this book is really sexy if you share the author's fantasy, and really boring if you don't. It's endlessly repetitive, and there's no plot or real characterization; in fact, nothing happens in this book, other than the constant sex and abuse. If you're just looking for a competently-written story about a girl getting sexed up and treated poorly by a succession of masters, you'll love this book. Otherwise, your time would be better spent on erotica that does cater to your tastes.

Okay, I would say this is BDSM but AMPED up. The story really goes into some darker territory than I am used to, as this is about total submission, along total enslavery. It starts out innocently enough, then gets darker and darker. While this isn't one I'd want to read over and over, it is good and a classic read. So, yeah, I'd recommend it, along with The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.

THE STORY OF O is a truly special work of literary art. For many of us, this was our introduction into a world that we didn't know existed outside of our own twisted minds. It was the first sign that we weren't freaks, or at least there were other freaks in the world, and we weren't alone.

There are aspects to this tale that may shock some people, or leave them with an unpleasant feeling after finishing it. And because of this, I believe it is important to understand why this book was written. THE STORY OF O was written by a French journalist named Anne Desclos (Dominique Aury) as both a love letter and the answer to a challenge by her boyfriend. He was an admirer of De Sade's erotica, and claimed that a woman could not write good erotica.

In the tradition of De Sade, she wrote a story of a young woman's descent into sexual degradation. O falls deeper and deeper until she reaches bottom and there is nowhere left to go, nothing left to do. What makes it truly stand out from De Sade and other male authors is the utterly feminine twist to the story: it is not lust that drives O down this path, but love: her love for Rene, at first, and later for Sir Stephen. O is a metaphor for Desclos' love for her lover, the whips and chains symbolize the strength of her devotion to him. The ending represents her fear of her lover tiring of her and abandoning her for a younger woman. (This is a very simplified explanation, there are several excellent essays of the various interpretations of the symbolism in this book, and can be found by doing a search for `The Story of O'.)

Desclos' lover was so impressed by her story he encouraged her to seek publication. And so she did, using the pseudonym, Pauline Reage. The novel was a near instant success, and for forty years no one knew the true identity of the writer and there were countless theories and rumors. Credit was given to numerous authors, some of them men. Just before her death in 1998, Anne Desclos revealed that she was the mysterious Pauline Reage.

When I first read this novel I had very strong mixed feelings about it. On one hand I was entranced by it. It was incredibly hot, but it was also elegant. This was not pornography meant to be read once and thrown away. The elegant prose, and unashamed, cultured voice told a story of a love so deep death was preferable to its loss, while simultaneously teasing with taboo elements `good' people did not speak of.

But I hated the end. O's masters didn't deserve her. I wanted to rewrite the ending, make O kick those jerks to the curb and run off with her girlfriend. And it disturbed me, because I've known women in my life that would go that far to keep a man from leaving, and they always ended up betrayed and abandoned in the end, too. THE STORY OF O inadvertently illustrates a terrible truth of womanhood, and it's easy to forget that the author wasn't trying to make a statement. She was merely telling a story, not advocating abuse or codependency.

TSOO is an erotic fantasy, nothing more. You'll get the most enjoyment out of it if you just allow it to be what it is and try and avoid reading into it any deeper messages. And if it's still not your cup o' tea, well, that's fine, too. I'm sure there are countless other books that will be. For the rest of us, this book is something special and will always be treasured despite, or maybe because of, the controversy surrounding it.

I'll be honest, I couldn't make it past the first chapter. The violence, abuse and self-deprecation was too much for me to stomach. What offended me most was the use of the word Love throughout the chapter. This word was used(or should I say mis-used) by both the tortured and the torturer. Although the subject matter sickened me, the writing style and attention to detail was excellent (and scary). If you can stand it I'm sure there's something to be gained from reading this book. I personally will never know.

To give this book any more than two stars would be a mere act of pity. This book is more a psychological study of a disturbed woman, and a bunch of extremely domineering males than any sort of erotic tale. I was far too busy wondering when she was going to grab the riding crop and beat Rene and Sir Stephen until they cried for her mercy to get any sort of enjoyable sexual charge out of this story. I also found the writing style to be extremely redundant, and the "plot" to be no more than a series of the same beatings and sexual mistreatments in different settings. And the issues above are nothing compared to the fact that they cut off the ending. You don't get to find out what happens to O, much less poor little Natalie, an impressionable fifteen-year-old who is sucked into this world by Sir Stephen. The summary of the missing conclusion is one sentence long. I think that speaks to the importance the book places on any sort of plotline. As I said, a great disappointment.

I read this book 2 years ago and found it very profound. It has stayed with me and I consider it a classic. The main character gives up herself completely to her lover to lose him and eventually find personal ruin. The attraction I had to this book was not in the eroticism but in the shocking ways O, gave in to her lover. O, becomes the ultimate sex object but in the most humiliating way. This book is a worthwhile experience, you'll never be the same after reading it.

i have read this book so many times, and it always makes me cry. why you ask? not just the ending, but the simple fact that this story can be very true for many slaves. this particular lifestyle, D/s, is very intense, i myself am a slave, and the thought of my Master abandoning me is something i would rather not think about.
O gave up everything she had to him, for his happiness, attention and heart, then he just threw all that away, i really don't blame her for ending her life, not that i would, but the thought would cross my mind, if abandoned.
i suggest this book to anyone with an interest in the lifestyle, but i don't suggest suicide. this is a great story!
if you took a liking to it, read Justine, by Marquis de Sade.

A beautiful, remarkable woman is subjected to a life of total subordination, sexual and psychological. How does this affect the way she thinks about men and sex?

Descriptive and thought-provoking.

This was my first experience with S&M literature and it was quite an experience. First, to see how this lifestyle can indeed BE a lifestyle and how far one can be drawn into it. The second amazing fact was that this book was written in the 1950's. I imagine that there was, and still is quite an underground following for this book.

I started reading "O" with the expectations that this book held many of the secrets of what makes a submissive/slave submit. It was interesting, but I found myself forcing myself to read further, hoping I might get to the "good part". I know that it was considered provocative at the time of its release, it is rather tame to anyone who has read amateur erotica published today. After reading it, I passed it on to a "friend" ... would I suggest anyone buy it. NO. But if you can borrow a copy or own a copy, share it freely.

I just finished reading this book this weekend. It is highly erotic. You have to have a strong stomach to take some of the things done to her. Also remember it is just a story and no real woman would reduce themselves to a slave. There is a lot of hot heavy sex and pain. But it is a classic so I am giving it 5 stars.

When I first bought "O" I was unsure about reading it. I was brought up to be a liberated woman and not to be submissive to anyone. But upon my first hesitant glance at it's contents I was hooked. As O found power through surrender so did I and as O suffered I thrived. This erotic masterpiece has forever changed my life and brought a new perspective to my sexual desires. It opened my eyes to a wonderful new world and I will forever praise Pauline Reage for creating a world of desire that I envy.

Having been advised to read this book by an aquaintance, I was throughout shocked and intrigued by the goings on in the life of the illustrious 'O'.
A beautifully written story by 'Reage' or in actual fact Aury (who admitted to being the author in an interview with the New York Times in 1994).. If you have a taste for the slightly perverse this book will enthrall you!

This book was my first introduction into the world of submissiveness. Before I read this, I had no idea that there was a formal separation of power between a man and a woman. Obviously, this is just a casual book about an affair in France that would be thought of as nothing today. But, when I read it as a young American woman, I was mesmerized that a woman would go to such extremes to please a man. It makes me blush just thinking about it.

The story of O is really just that. A story of a lady named O who is in an S&M relationship - although you get the feeling that she wouldn't choose it. An eye opener to see how people who are into S&M live - but not a literary work of art though.

Oh could not finish this book. What was I reading?? I read so many reviews that said this book was 100% better than 50 Shades. I don't know how there is any comparison. I never once felt connected to O and Rene through the 50% that I did read. Sharing your lover and taking her to places to have her used or prostitute is not what I expected. There is NO dialogue between the characters and she just takes everything he has done to her because she loves him??

I read this book on my way to an out of town wedding. It was a great way to pass my time-I finished the entire book in a few hours! I found this book to be not quite as "explicit" as the Beauty Series but definitely comparable. Anyone with an open mind will find this story captivating and will not be able to put it down!

I thought this book transended any kind of morals or values that my mother taught me. This kind of work can hardly be called literature, and definately not a classic. I do not believe in banning books, but if I did then this would be at the top of my list.

I wanted to like this book, really I did. I had heard so many good things about it. Then I read it.
The story lacks passion/lust/love/hate and it shows. I just wanted to shake O and say "FEEL something damnit!" Thank god most real D/s relationships arn't this cold or we all would be suffering from frost bite.

I am very new to the world of S/M, but certainly in for it. I read this book to help me see what it is that goes on inside of me, though the book appear really hard and scary at times, there is so much truth in it. There is a certain amount of greatness and joy in submitting totally to other's will and to find yourself - at last! - freed from the weight of your own lusts, interests and complexes! I strongly recommend it.

I've read BDSM stories before but this one was truly disturbing. I mean 50 Shades of Grey was silly but at least that chick got shoes, clothes and jewelry out of that mess. In the quite sad story of o, the main protagonist doesn't get squat and actually, doesn't even give the impression that she's enjoying the sex. She's just in it because people beat the sense out of her every time she protests. And that's just the first part of the book. In the second part, her sense of self has completely disappeared and she is an object with no will of her own, no feelings, no opinion. Blank. Compared to her Bella (the high school dropout who was into dead guys in those books) and Anastasia (the idiot from the shady trilogy) are Misses Personality. Anastasia would gush: "OMG! Christian Grey wants to whip me.... But I'm a 22 year old virgin who hasn't gotten a spanking since... Well, ever, actually. And he did say he wanted to see me bleed... That can't be good... But then again, it is Christian Grey... Look at those abs, look at that jazz, my my my... Okay, fine... I'll do it." And Bella would probably bawl "I didn't know what love was until I gazed into your soul less eyes. From this moment on, Edward Cullen, thy wish is my command. Thou shall never walk on earth like a regular dude cause I will put you on a pedestal and kneel at your feet so you can walk allover me every single day of your never ending life."
O on the other hand... She is not in love with her "lovers", they are not in love with her either. The guy just goes "It's such a beautiful summer day today... The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, nature is in bloom. It just makes me want to beat you senseless. O, my love, go get bullwhip. I want to paint 50 shades of red on your back" and O hurries to get the instrument of torture, making sure she picks the biggest whip in his arsenal. That's just how they roll.
It is not about submission and dominance. Rather, it's about a sadist who was lucky enough to find a girl with a high threshold for pain, a good health insurance policy, no shame, no self esteem and no feelings.

I wish I could say I enjoyed this book. Sadly, I did not. Although I do not know too much about the world of S&M, this book did nothing to educated me. I am no prude, but I could not fathom any reason why someone would enjoy the kind of behavior described in the book. If you like being tortured, go commit a crime in a third world county and then tell me how much you like being tortured. I was sickened by Sir Stephen and his attitude towards O as his property. Did he not see her as a human being? as a person with feelings? But at the same time, I kept wondering why she would choose to be a slave and consentenly be tortured. The author tells you what is happening, but does not tell you why. I wouldn't recommend anyone waste their money on this garbage.

This book is so eloquently and beautifully written particularly given the dark topic. I loved how the author painted a colorful picture for me of O's life, surroundings, experiences, acquaintances through such descriptive yet discreet verbage. A must-read for anyone interested in BDSM.

I just wanted to inform everyone that has ever been involved in BDSM to read this exciting and erotic literature. I was most pleased by the information and material presented to me. As a woman living the life of a submissive I believe that this book is an exciting read, I couldn't put the darn thing down. If anyone dares to venture into this completely erotic dark literature I grantee that you won't be disappointed.

The Story of O was one of the best books ive ever read... Very descriptive in the tortures and humiliations O went through. I felt sorry for her at first, but soon became envious of her. The power and control a man can have over you is very erotic. I liked it so much i ordered the video... cant wait to watch it. i discovered i, too, am a slave and found my Master about 5 yrs. ago. Am so glad i found out there are more of "us" out there.

I wonder how much one would have to hate themselves, in order to hurt another human. Never mind how much they hate life and how they choose self-indulgence to that extreem as way of expressing that. I do believe that this book was a very good depiction of how one would become a slave...and i did not pity O as she had the right to leave if she chose...but truly i wonder how anybody (without ever having violence introduced to them) could ever hate themselves so much to think that true love, power, control and honour can come from an external source. In past wars, civil and international, people were victimized by fear and violence. Whole nations/ethnic groups lost their identity. "Your this religion now", "Your people have no rights." Was it in those situations a different kind of power that was sought?.. I suppose without these examples before us...new ways of living cannot be invented. I learned a lot from this book. And i only reccomend it, if you understand the kind of hatred you may have for yourself. If you think power is external...then you might as well be whipping yourself.

First read this story in 1975 or thereabouts. I really think that todays reviews of this story are probably a bit too much
as I believe the story was written as a challenge to the author that she could not write an erotic novel without it being called pornographic. I feel that she succeeded admirably and I have a copy which is well used! Also the movie is possibly the best one I have seen that portrays the book as is with no deviating from the storyline.

The Story of O is an intensly erotic story of one woman's journey into the submissive lifestyle. Although it is, at times, a bit difficult for the average reader to understand, its extreme eroticism and excellent scene descriptions will take you into O's world of love, passion, misery, and ecstacy. It is a must for anyone in or thinking of getting in to the BDSM lifestyle.

Aside from all of the abuse, humility and torture O sustains, I believe she was only going through the motions in order to be loved. That was the underlying theme of this book to me. It was sad and rather empty in terms of plot and characters aside from O. I understand she is the main character, but the others seemed to have no feelings at all. Not my first choice for others to read.

WOW, this book made me incredibly angry. Because it elicited such feelings and because the writing was not bad it got 2 stars instead of one. I was angry from page one to the very last page. I also feel like the book should have started out with why O fell in love with Rene, it was very unbelievable as to why she loved him and put up with all that. I really hated every single character in this book. The men I wanted to strangle and O was stupid.

Lastly, there was absolutely nothing hot/sexy about this book.

I am not into BDSM, besides maybe a spark of curiosity and I read this book and found it fascinating. Read the review that talks about existentialism as I'm not going to repeat it here, but there's a lot more to the book than appears on the surface - a simple story about a woman and her lover. You have to dig a little deeper.

The writing is great, good imagery, as long as you know what you're getting into from the beginning. Some of the scenes were pretty disturbing.

The end, however, killed it. She couldn't have stopped writing two paragraphs sooner? Seriously? I was so annoyed and angry, I returned the book.

I didn't like this book as well as I thought I was going to. I was disappointed in the ending. It was very hard to read, jumping back and forth from English and French and points of time. A lot of imagination had to be used when the writer described things.

Despite it's years, this is the defining classic maledom book written by a woman, who in so doing reveals the thoughts and underlying emotional landscape of the sexual submissive female mind and her need to serve. It is a great insight in the mind of women in general, allowing you to see from their first person persective, the many fantasies that so many woman are ambivlent with entertaining in the post-feminist age. On the one hand, a woman wishes to be respected and be seen equal and be seen as strong and independent, yet on the other hand many if not all want a man to take strong hold of the reigns. This is a wonderful story of one woman's giving in to that urge and not looking back as she enters a realm that many woman fantasize and desire of going to but few dare to do.

This was a story...which simply put was ruined before it started..if you decide to read it skip everything till the first page of the story itself! Other than that it was interesting and somewhat well written. However it would have been better if it had not just jumped right into things or maybe given a little input as to how the relationship had started between O and her lover... seeing as it didn't I had a hard time understanding her actions at times. It was at most for me an introduction to BDSM and unreal expectations of it at that. If one is interested in BDSM there are far better stories out there.

The original "Story of O" is a novel. There is a comic book version by Guido Crepax which is NOT the novel. the store.com has mistakenly combined the reviews for the book and the comic book, which is very misleading because I wanted the novel and got the comic book!

I found this book to be very erotic. I have read this book a few times now,and enjoyed it every time. It is extremely arousing,and opens your mind to new possibilities.This book made me realise how submissive I am. My lover and I, have both enjoyed the book,and it is often still a topic of our conversation,and it has created some very unforgettable nights!

At the innocent and naive age of twelve, I discovered "The Story of 'O'" lying on a dusty shelf in an old bookstore much to the dismay of the bookstore's owner. As soon as the old man warned me that the book was filled with "bad things" and "wasn't appropriate for a young girl of my age" I knew I had to possess it. From the first reading of this intriguing and passionate novel, I knew that my innocence and naivite was no more. And every year since my "sexual awakening" I have read "The Story of 'O'" Even now, 12 years later, I find myself coveting this tale of sexual domination and submission. To some, "O" endures only pain, but it is this very "pain" that she treasures. And after all, isn't pain merely pleasure from a different perspective? Though "O" is offered her freedom on several occasions, she chooses the physical bondage and torture over this freedom-perhaps her release comes from being dominated. Readers will experience an intense intimacy with "O". For aren't we all in some form of psychological, physical, or mental bondage in our lives? "O" teaches us that to accept this bondage is to receive unbountiful pleasure, but to deny our environment is to suffer unnecessarily. Those readers who are not stimulated by this novel are deaf and blind to life (or simply do not understand the novel itself.) I highly encourage you to read this novel. It will change your life and most assuredly alter what you consider pain and pleasure.

I'm not sure what ending other versions of the book come with, but this one includes two one liner type endings that just kill you after reading such an absorbing book. I definitely reccomend the book, but not this edition.

From one who has been there, and still is for that matter, I can certainly state this author has hit the nail on the head. Actually you must live the life to truely understand this work. Give it a try, you might find something here for you though. I loved ever page of this one.

The Story of O is about a young, beautiful Parisian photographer named O who wants nothing more than to be her lover's slave. She goes through strict "training" for two weeks at Roissey, a club where other women like her learn how to "obey" their masters in whatever they order them to do, whether it be for their masters alone or for other members of the club. O goes through harsh punishments, such as being whipped and flogged daily and being chained to her bed every night. What is most disturbing about this first part of the book, is not O's harsh punishments that she endures, but the fact that she endures all this debasement willingly.

Though she may be considered as a masochist at the beginning of the novel, it becomes clear while reading through the rest of the novel that this is not the case. This is not so much a story about masochism, as it is more a story about love, about how much a woman would sacrifice for it, and the length a woman will go to keep her lover, Rene, happy. O derives no pleasure from the physical, emotional, and psychological torture she endures. Rather, her pleasure is derived from the aftermath of those things: the lashes to her skin, the debasement and objectification of her body and the cruelty that she willingly chooses to endure makes O "happy" in the fact that she is doing all this to please her lover.

O is not a prisoner or slave in the normal term of the word, but rather she is a slave to her love for Rene, as he has made it clear to her that she is free to leave anytime she desires. But she is blinded by her love for him and feels that by enduring the punishment he puts her through, she is becoming closer to him. Or rather, she is becoming his, his object, his property. O cannot stand the thought of losing him or of being separated from him and she feels that her submission to him proves to him that she is his and only his and he can do whatever he wants with her so long as he dos not leave her:

"O was happy that Rene had had her whipped and had prostituted her, because her impassioned submission would furnish her lover with the proof that she belonged to him, but also because the pain and shame of the lash, and the outrage inflicted upon her by those who compelled to her pleasure when they took her, and at the same time delighted in their own without paying the slightest heed to hers, seemed to her the very redemption of her sins."

I saw O, at times, when in the presence of her "masters" as very naive, bordering on the edge of foolish, but cannot help but feel that she deliberately acted this way to seem all the more submissive to them. The only time I ever see O, the real person and not as an object, was when she was with her lover Jacqueline. But I found it odd that O took on many of Rene's domineering characteristics while with Jacqueline, wanting to be in control of Jacqueline intimately, wanting to control her body the way Rene controlled O's. It was only when Jacqueline saw O's body, the marks of the flogging and her scars, that Jacqueline began to back away from O and O had "felt insulted at seeing Jacqueline's contempt for her condition as a flogged and branded slave, a condition of which O herself was proud".

This novel is definitely not for everyone. In fact, it's not for a lot of people due to the neverending violence, or, depending on the way you see it, gratification. I have heard many people call this book "erotic" but it was nothing like that for me. The only reason I kept reading was because I was more intrigued by O. I wanted to understand her, but I think at the end, I was only more confused by her and her mindset. I began thinking toward the end of the novel that she was nothing more than a whore, which ironically, is just what O wanted people to think of her. I also began to greatly dislike her, whereas at the beginning of the novel I was indifferent to her. The ending of this book also left me with a feeling of emptiness as I still had more questions that will forever be unanswered.

What probably disturbed me most about this book, though, was surprisingly not the torture that O endured. If she had been unwilling, it would have caused me to sympathize for her but because she was a willing partner in it, I could not seem to find any kind of sympathy for her, except for at the very end which I will not give away here. That, in itself, disturbed me but what also disturbed me was the fact that I saw in O many characteristics that I have seen in a lot of women today: her willingness to please her lover, to go to drastic lengths to make her lover happy, and her blind passion for him.

It is hard to believe in this day and age that O does what she does - giving herself so completely over to a lover. I am still not sure what her motivations were. The story is quite choppy and I can imagine that it was risqué when first published, but it is almost tame compared to what one can see online today.

I love this erotic book. It still gets me so hot and bothered. I would give this book to all my boyfriends and lovers as a not-so subtle hint. Not to long ago my sister found my young 19 year old niece with a copy of her own. We both laughed, for as young women we would hide the book from our mom too! Make us wonder what mom was reading! Hmm...

This is a great book for those interested in this topic. The ONLY thing I didn't like was that O never got to get her own orgasm. Otherwise, it's an excellent book that shows how dedication is to be done. ;-)

I read this book a long time ago. I have this habit of becoming the character while I read, as I am sure many people do... If you are looking for a book with love and a happy ending.. this is NOT the book. I found myself literally depressed at the end of this book and in desperate need of a hug.

I knew going into this book it was a BDSM classic, but I didn't know how hard-core it was. I found the brutality of it quite disturbing. It was on the same level as Anne Rice's "Sleeping Beauty" trilogy--very violent. While a lot of people, obviously, like the book, it wasn't for me.

If you can't see yourself in this book, then it's not the book for you.
If you can, however, then you will appreciate the beautiful writing and allow the book to stretch your imagination to its outer limits.

I know this is supposed to be a literary classic, but it was a thumbs down for me ! The females in this book had no sexual pleasure, they were degraded, used, and abused. This disgusting behavior had total disregard for another human life. Pimp and prostitute was all it was about, only she got no pay, just room and board. Women were considered property, with nothing in return, emotionally. O endured her torture willingly, so I have no sympathy for her. Her "blind passion" was a turn off. This is my opinion, but to each his own. Many find this book "terrific", BUT NOT ME !!

Besides being an amazingly well-written story from a literary perspective, the storyline is timeless.

If you don't find yourself identifying with either O or Rene by the second chapter, this is probably not a book that you will appreciate. Contrary to other reviewers, I don't feel The Story of O is a good BDSM primer. You will either see yourself in this novel or you will not.

This is a unique and fascinating story of the unadulterated surrender of ones body mind and soul. That one, is a woman who is mysteriously named "O".

"O"s lover Rene, submits her to a strange house in which women are bound, blindfolded, and required to obediently do whatever they're told, for whomever tells them. The story is beautifully written, and really conjures up powerful mental images as you lose yourself in the story. I read this cover to cover on a three hour car ride, and it made the time pass far more quickly.Many debate over the authors true identity. Some think Pauline Reage is a man, but I can't understand why. There are so many details in this book that are clearly feelings of a woman, and the entire book is seemingly written from a womans point of view. I don't think a writer can fake that, especially in sexual matters.

Of all the books I've read in the classic erotica realm, this is among my top favorites. It ranks up there with "Erotica" from Anais Nin, and the more humorous "Tropic..." classics of Henry Miller. However, "The Story Of O" is far more powerful than the aforementioned due to the bizarre deviance of the erotic content. It's certainly not for everyone, but for those of us with an open mind, and a penchant for something wild and extraordinary, here's a story that will definitely satisfy in more ways than one.

This was written on a dare that a woman could not create such a book. She did in the late 1940s and it has endured but is now a little worn. Still worth reading--you want to be able to drop "Sir Stephen" and "Nathalie" into conversation and see if the other person KNOWS--but it has been surpassed by later works.

The people that said this book is "erotic" must also consider a kick in the nuts to be foreplay. There's very little that is erotic or even sexy in this book. Some crazy broad named O likes getting abused for no reason. In the end, her lover dumps her for a model. No surprises there.

Want erotic? Read Delta of Venus, by Anais Nin. Way better.

With stories like this one, the ones who love them tend to turn their noses up at the ones who don't love them, simply stating that we "don't get it". Trust me...I get it. It has nothing to do with being close-minded or out of touch with my own sexuality. The truth is that the "Story of O" is just DULL. Anatomy books could stimulate me more than this by-the-numbers dreck. "He did this and then she did this and OOOOOOHMYGAWDTHEPAINISPLEASUREISPAINIS..." And this goes on...and on...and on. Who cares?

I was curious and bought the kindle version of this book
Besides being very disturbing, it was not even well written
I consider myself very open minded but there was nothing
Remotely classic or erotic about this book
I was sickened by how this book could be deemed sexy or erotic
It was blatantly violent and demeaning , the protagonist is lifeless
Buy this book for mere discuss factor!!!

I HAD ALWAYS WANTED, THROUGH THE MANY YEARS SINCE IT WAS PUBLISHED, TO READ THIS BOOK. I HAD ALMOST FORGPOTTEN IT WHEN I GOT IT FROM the store. THE IMPACT WAS TREMENDOUS. ITS DESCRIPTIONS, THE INSIGHT ON THIS SUBMISSIVE AND YET STRONG WILLED YOUNG WOMAN IS EXTRAORDINARY. IT TAKES, PERHAPS, A WOMAN, TO UNDERSTAND THE MOST INNER SEXUAL DESIRES AD CRAVINGS OF OTHER WOMEN. I FELT , THROUGH ITS PAGES, INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH "O", AT TIMES SAD FOR HER, AT TIMES, COMPLETELY INMERSED IN HER TORTURES, HER WISHES, HER WANTOMNESS. ENJOYED IT A LOT AND WISH IT WOULD HAVE CONTINUED AT ROISSY.

Silly but harmless. Amazing how this has survived so many years, as it isn't a "classic" or "deep" - although there are some for whom it is a life changing event. Who knows - perhaps it will be for you also? But you may find the dark side pretty crowded already when you "cross over." You might be surprised at who has read this supposedly sexy but actually cold little book. So many of your friends and co-workers. Your boss. Your Mom's lawyer. Your real-estate person. The guy behind the counter at the convenience store. Everybody in fact. Or almost. What a strange world we live in. Soon it will be spring.

Years ago I read a Vanity Fair article about this new "hot" book - One Hundred Strokes of the Brush Before Bed by Melissa P - a supposedly true story of the sexual awakening of a 15 year old Italian girl. While searching for it online I read a review which recommended The Story of O instead as real erotica. Intrigued - especially since I had, of course, heard of Story of O as a "classic" and a somewhat naughty book with an infamous reputation - not unlike another French novel I love, Lolita, I also purchased Reage.

I could never put my finger on exactly what bothered me about the book. I found nothing of interest and found myself only and solely frustrated with this doormat of a "heroine." How could someone subject themselves to being treated as such an object, a possession of another person? How could anyone find anything erotic in tales of a woman being tortured? What kind of man is O's lover, who would require her to be treated as such? What kind of man would take pleasure from the pain of his supposed beloved?

I spent a lot of time studying the book - learning the history behing its inception and the controversy around its publication - and all the treatises written on feminist themes in the book - all of which I rejected. After all, isn't the first tenet of feminism being the equality between the sexes, not the subjugation of one to another

I reject O and the book as relevant and erotic because it underscores the problems that still exist with women today. So many subscribe to the blind follower theory of love - they become nothing but vessels into which a man can pour his own desires, his own needs while she refuses to name any of her own. She nods her assent to every one of his requests and fears asking of him for fear he'll leave her. She "proves" her love by refusing to exist as her own person, instead trying to bind him to her by being sacrificial. But who can love what they do not respect and how can any man respect a woman who says, "Yes, hurt me in any way you wish and I'll do nothing but ask for more and smile with love towards you?"

I don't care at all for the S&M of the novel - perhaps my disinterest in such a thing strips the novel of any possible eroticism for me. But I can even understand how a little pain might be erotic - even Phoebe on "Friends" enjoys some "gentle spanking." But to put one's self into that level of depravity marks a person with such a truncated sense of self that they don't value themselves enough to reject being used and abused.

Outside of that, the prose is plodding and boring. It lacks depth and creativity. Judging against other erotica, it lacks any soul. It is a recitation of abuses without any context. We never find out why O is so flawed, why she would subject herself to such abuse. At least in Lolita you understand Humbert's flaws, which makes him a full fledged person and more than a cliche. O, however, flounders under disection. The plot lacks any theme and any connective tissue. The ending, as all scholars agree, is tacked on - revealing the fact that it was never to be published at all.

I think the book's fame is derived more from its controversy than its quality. If it weren't for the "who wrote it" mystery, there'd be little to recommend it as a book for the ages.

I wish I had not read it.
Very, very cleverly and smoothly written to seduce you into thinking this sickness is erotic. Pages and pages of philosophical claptrap that seduces the reader to "buy into" a few pages of very arousing scenes.
After you have read it there is a bad kickback due to the impersonal cruelty of the men, the self-humiliation of the women, and the the corruption of the child. I recently shredded my copy.
I wish I had not read it.

I read at least two books a week and because of that, I felt my comments on this book are warranted.

In this book, Story of O, I found that the use of commas in conjunction with too many descriptive words, a bit much. It seems as though you can't get through one sentence (at least a quarter page long) without having to go back to the beginning of it just to regain the authors original thought. I found this very distracting. I feel this book was not very well written and as a result wouldn't readily recommend it.

The Story of O wasn't what I was expecting. I thought it would be a love story describing the intense, kinky, sensual, relationship between a dom and his submissive parter. However, it wasn't - it was about a woman who was used, abused, and discarded. I was impressed and was disappointed.

The introduction was rambling & confusing. Once the story started it was just hard to swallow. I only read 24% of the story & that was with skimming a lot, I could not take anymore of the treatment. It makes ROOTS look good.

I was filled with anticipation when my book arrived and was looking forward to reading it. What a disappointment! I didn't even get past page 8. It bored me to death. I think that this book is such a waste of time. I was so disappointed with it I immediately sold it. If you're planning to read some erotica, better read Anais Nin's 'Delta of Venus". Now that is a good book!

This story is horrible, disgusting, filthy, dehumanizing. An aberration, a perfect depiction of evil. It's good for what it shows about what evil is and what evil cand do to a human soul.

I'm not one for censorship; let people think, write, read, do as they want when not in violation of the law or the rights of others, but also let people call things for what they are. And, as someone wrote on another review, if you have felt guilty for having wanted to subject another human being to any of these things, then you should feel guilty. Try to figure out where that comes from and address it. You are too precious to live like that. Don't let anything or anyone lead you to believe otherwise. "To deny the dignity of a human being is to deny the dignity of every human being."

This is perhaps the best book I've ever read. For years I have had fantasies of torturing and abusing women. I used to feel guilty about this. But after reading this masterpiece, I now realize that women actually want to be tortured and abused, even if they cry and resist at first. It must be something inherent to the entire gender, I guess? Anyways, the good news is I no longer feel guilty. Thanks, Pauline Reage! You've changed my life.

I'm so sick of these books using 50 shades for sales. Can't anyone be original?? I'm burnt out on all the BDSM books. Every one of the men are billionares and are gorgeous....WTF? I'ts all typical wanna be 50 Shades.