The Story of O?

Question

Has anybody read "The Story of O?" I found it highly disturbing, at times, I even had to take a break and go back to reading a few days later...nevertheless, I found it very interesting because:
1- It was written by a woman.
2- I believe the book had a deeper message than the obvious.

If you've read it, please let me know what you gathered from the book.

It was written by a woman, Ann Desclos whose alias was Pauline Reage. When I lived in Europe 15 years ago, I watched her interviews...I believe she died a few years ago...nevertheless, it was written by her.

Answer 1

My first experience with "Story of O" came from the film version starring Corinne Clery. To be honest, I'd seen Clery in the Bond film "Moonraker" and tracked down other films she'd been in. After that, I tracked down the novel.

I won't say that parts of the novel didn't entice me...but I was always curious why 'O' put herself through this. I had a hard time believing it was all for her lover Rene or Sir Stephen.

By the end of the story, I felt 'O' had overcome everyone. Yeah, she's naked in an owl mask at a party..but it's nothing she hasn't been through before. Has she become totally submissive, or has she learned the effect her sexuality has on those around her? There's almost this sense she's become a work of art...like a dancer at a stip club. Stare all you want, but you stare at me and I am in control.

Answer 2

I can understand your distress and you having to take breaks from reading it. Yes, it was very intense and the ending quite disturbing. What you should gather from it is that it does have a deeper meaning, and that yes, things like this do exist. Although they should only be considered in controlled environments when the situation is safe sane and consensual. While this type of thing can be erotic and exciting, it can also be dangerous and even deadly when entered into without prior knowledge of certain basic safety information. I always urge people who read this book to consider expanding their reading on the subject before they make any kind of a decision. The Story of O just represents one side of the picture, and a tainted side at that.

And yes it is true, no one really knows for sure if it was written by a woman or not. Pax - C

Answer 3

I read this many many years ago and it is a very disturbing and intense book. The writer intended to write this as letters to her lover who was a fan of the Marquis de Sade. An unusual way to excite a lover but it served her purpose I suppose. The book is about the total objectification of women even to the name of the woman "O" which was the first letter of the heroine's name but could stand for many other sexual terms. The author never used her real name but a pen name for the book. In those times, it would have been more difficult for a woman to publish such a racy novel. A movie was made out of this book and is possibly still available but I'm not sure I could sit through something like that. The book was intense enough.

Answer 4

We do not know for certain that it was written by a woman. I read it a great many years ago and just remember it as soft core porn. I did not gather anything from it, although I know S&M is very popular and some women are aroused by these fantasies, even if they would find it too confroting to follow through in real life. If you found it sexy that is cool, but I am not sure what you mean by a deeper message.