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The Story of O
The Story of O | Pauline Reage
The Story of O is an erotic novel about love, dominance and submission by French author Anne Desclos under the pen name Pauline Reage. Published in French by Jean-Jacques Pauvert, Story of O is a tale of female submission about a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer, O, who is blindfolded, chained, whipped, branded, pierced, made to wear a mask, and taught to be constantly available for oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse. Despite her harsh treatment, O grants permission beforehand for everything that occurs, and her permission is consistently sought. At the beginning of the story, O's lover, Rene, brings her to the chateau of Roissy, where she is trained to serve the men of an elite group. After this first period of training is finished, as a demonstration of their bond and his generosity, Rene hands O to Sir Stephen, a more dominant master. Rene wants O to learn to serve someone whom she does not love, and someone who does not love her."
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review
bekakins
Story of O: A Novel | Pauline Reage
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Mehso-so

Final #roll100 read from the May list. I feel like this would have been really shocking when it first came out but there‘s so much erotica around these days I didn‘t really think it was anything special. Onto the next one!

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keepingupwiththepenguins
Story of O: A Novel | Pauline Reage
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Pickpick

I reckon it would be an interesting read for people with a specific interest in BDSM psychology, and/or the history of erotic texts… but as a spicy read, or as an instructional text, Story Of O falls short in many respects. It‘s definitely not one for the mildly-curious recreational reader. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/story-of-o-pauline-reage/

bookishbitch Oh my! I read this 35ish years ago!! It was given to me by a man I was in the military with. I didn't put much thought into the why at the time. Now I wonder if it was a fishing expedition. I returned it after reading and said it wasn't my thing. But I've never seen or heard about it since. I do remember thinking it was quite bizarre at the time. Your longer review definitely hits those notes of why. 5mo
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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SusanLee
The Story of O | Pauline Reage
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#bookmoods #bizarre @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
One I cannot unread or forget 😱

Eggs 👍🏼😳📖 2y
7 likes1 comment
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StellaDz
Story of O: A Novel | Pauline Reage
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Panpan

There are better books out there, that are sexy, and better at portraying the BDSM relationship. And I hesitate to call this that; because the relationship here seems manipulative, deceptive and desperate. It didn‘t jive with me. Also, the use of language is a turn off (belly, portal ... don‘t even get me started).

Maybe I missed something. I get the point; but it missed its mark. You shouldn‘t want to have a nap after reading this genre.

⭐️

ReadingOver50 Maybe because it was first published in 1954 4y
StellaDz @ReadingOver50 that could definitely be part of it, at least with the language. I give it koodos for it‘s bravery, and showing that women can write this type of fiction. But the backstory and scandal behind the book, was more interesting to me. (edited) 4y
14 likes2 comments
blurb
StellaDz
Story of O: A Novel | Pauline Reage
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Last year for February, my book club did cheesy Harlequin romances. This year we are meeting and discussing (virtually, of course), erotica. So I‘m going all in and hardcore with the OG.

I‘m not even sure what to expect, or if I can handle it...

10 likes1 stack add
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redcookie
Histoire d'O | Pauline Reage
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Bailedbailed

Ero veramente molto curiosa di iniziare questo libro. Non sono riuscita a finirlo, mi dispiace recensirlo a metà. Credo sia un libro che permette di comprendere forse, molto profondamente l'erotismo bdsm. A me personalmente non permette di essere finito, affascinata da questo libro e da questa passatemi il termine "cultura" ma allo stesso tempo sconvolta e incredula. Spinta dalla curiosità ho guardato il film, non so quanto sia fedele al libro...

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wellreadredhead
Story of O: A Novel | Pauline Reage
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Pickpick

I really would like this book to be analyzed for its literary value, not for its erotic value. The exploration of female submission in a male world is applicable to the whole of society as a concept, even modern day. The sex is not the point - control and gender expectations are the point.

tournevis So many theses, on so many continents. Been done. A lot. 7y
wellreadredhead @tournevis Yes, I know. I just get very frustrated when all the reviews on Goodreads and such just say things like “eh. The sex was mediocre.” You know? 7y
tournevis @collegecatlady Oh! That's what you were referring to? Oh yes, I bet a lot of people don't get it. They didn't when it came out, why would they now? I know! 7y
wellreadredhead @tournevis Yeah, that‘s exactly what I meant! You‘re precisely right about “not getting it” spanning decades. It just makes me frustrated lol 7y
JoRead Totally agree with you! 7y
90 likes4 stack adds5 comments
review
ShawnaHunter
Story of O: A Novel | Pauline Reage
Mehso-so

An important story for its historical significance (it inspired Anna's dress in the second 50 Shades movie for a reason) but as a story? Its a little vague and the sex is glossed over.

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wellreadredhead
Story of O: A Novel | Pauline Reage
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I‘m really excited to start this English translation. Originally published in France in 1954 by an unknown author, this book promises to deeply explore female control. And yes of course they had to add a “sexy” cover and have Sylvia Day write the introduction (marketing, huh?)

ReadingEnvy A classic! 7y
BookwormM I had a real issue with this book and the idea or not of consent 7y
wellreadredhead @BookwormM I think that‘s the whole point. The author is exploring the idea that women are conditioned to submit to men and do anything that will make a man love them. O is just demonstrating this in a very intense way. This book definitely makes me uncomfortable even though I have extensive experience with classic literature. I just think that‘s the point. I think this novel needs to stop being marketed as erotica and shown as the true piece of 7y
wellreadredhead Classic literature that it is. I think the target audience is a bit off with the marketing of the novel. There are so many literary qualities to this book and the themes it considers. I hesitate to say I‘m enjoying it because the content is disturbing but the writing and ideas are phenomenal. 7y
101 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Pammcakes01
Story of O: A Novel | Pauline Reage
Pickpick

It was an interesting read. I was surprised at how emotional I was by the end.

BookwormM I really hated this one 🤣🤣 7y
2 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jokila
The Story of O | Pauline Reage
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If you've ever had an interest in checking out The Story of O, the "Fifty Shades" of 1950s France, it's just 2 bucks American today. I'd recommend it for the WTF quotient and to anyone with a scholarly interest in erotica/feminine desire in literature. Not necessarily to modern erotica fans. I mean, there's an alternate ending in which the heroine dies, so that should tell you it won't play to your expectations of a safe, sexy time.

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AmandaV
The Story of O | Pauline Reage
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I usually have an audiobook, an ebook, and a library book going at all times. Next up in audiobooks is The Story of O. So far it has an Eyes Wide Shut vibe going on with all the capes and costumes but no creepy music or masks #audiobooks

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