Deconstructing O,

[Mad Lews]

there exists a second ending to Story of O, according to which O, seeing that Sir Stephen was about to leave her, said she would prefer to die. Sir Stephen gave her his consent.[/I]

Both endings are sad, and neither works for me. Perhaps thats why it enthralls me so, perhaps i simply cant let O be treated that way. In other words I want to rescue O from that terrible fate, and therefore teh story lingers within me.

O's story is indeed a sad one. She submits with a purity of purpose out of love for Rene and is given away to Sir Stephen. She submits to him with an even greater intensity and passion and is in the end abandoned by him. Was it simply O's chosen fate, a failure of her Masters ( and by extension Reage's belief in the shortcoming of males ), or perhaps its just an attempt by Pauline Reage to bring a moral ending to a tale of what would be considered debauchery in the 50s. The lack of an ending is the books flaw and also what makes it so intriguing to me. I dismiss the sequel as a fraud. It is too different in tone and composition to have been written by the same writer IMHO.

[Sir Lanceloth]

I dismiss the sequel as a fraud. It is too different in tone and composition to have been written by the same writer IMHO.

there is a sequel? and where is it

[Mad Lews]

there is a sequel? and where is it

Actually published 15 years later in1969 it's called Return to the Chateau
and is available on amazon. see if you think I'm right ....

[DomSadistMan]

Hello A/all... New to the forum, but drawn to the discussion as moth to flame.
I discovered my nature when I read the Story of O at a tender age... fortunately, I had found conventional porn prior to that, so I have never worried about whether or not I am a natural Dom or an example of those who would say BDSM literature can corrupt. (Well, maybe it can... lol)

In any case, my contribution to the discussion is information regarding the sequel and the relationship between the two. The original author, whose name escapes, me at the moment, wrote Story of O as a love-letter to her lover... who, we can presume, was at least somewhat Dom...

The publisher, who I believe was either the lover or a close associate, truncated the story. It is true there is a different tone to the remainder of the story, but that is not unusual, since if it is to be believed, the intro to the second part (titled "A Girl in Love"?) states the sections were penned and posted serially, with no editing.

The "endings" discussed above were inserted by the editor, not the author!

Without giving away the contents of the second tome, it is true the tone of the tome changes, but not enough to influence me to suspect it is not written by the same author.

There was also a completely unauthorized "part II" that turned O into a Dom! It did have some interesting scenes... but not my cup of tea.

The original cut of the 70s film was quite different from what is on DVD. If anyone is aware of that issue and is aware of where to find that cut, please contact me...

The ten part mini-series I found very nice, and that brings us to some of the reasons why Story of O has had such persistence... The competition, by comparison, is practically puerile portrayals of non-stop sex. Story of O has a story... not a great one, disjointed, but definitely a step above a blog.

Don't get me wrong, I get off on every other (heterosexual) chapter of Rice, etc., but with Rice the comparison is extreme... Beauty versus a conventional title such as Exit to Eden (not her best) or the Lasher series... shows the difference between porn and erotica.

Oh, and I put in my vote for Laura Reese, too. Anyone read her? Wow. My vote for a latter-day "Reage", even if she feels compelled to hide her proclivities in detective stories....

It has been a pleasure, glad to have discovered this spot.

Master Scott

[Mad Lews]

Hello A/all... New to the forum, but drawn to the discussion as moth to flame.
I discovered my nature when I read the Story of O at a tender age... fortunately, I had found conventional porn prior to that, so I have never worried about whether or not I am a natural Dom or an example of those who would say BDSM literature can corrupt. (Well, maybe it can... lol)

In any case, my contribution to the discussion is information regarding the sequel and the relationship between the two. The original author, whose name escapes, me at the moment, wrote Story of O as a love-letter to her lover... who, we can presume, was at least somewhat Dom...

The publisher, who I believe was either the lover or a close associate, truncated the story. It is true there is a different tone to the remainder of the story, but that is not unusual, since if it is to be believed, the intro to the second part (titled "A Girl in Love"?) states the sections were penned and posted serially, with no editing.

I believe she was saying they were posted to her lover serially, this all took place in the late 40s early 50s before the story was published

The "endings" discussed above were inserted by the editor, not the author!

That's a new one on me. Pauline Reage even refers to her lack of an ending and the two alternatives which she "allowed in a sentence" in her somewhat rambling introduction to " Return to the Chateau". I always felt she was attempting a symmetry when she offered two beginnings that weren't really a beginning and two endings that weren't really an ending.

Without giving away the contents of the second tome, it is true the tone of the tome changes, but not enough to influence me to suspect it is not written by the same author.

I'd have to say the fact that the second book was published almost 2 decades after the first, might have a bit to do with the change in style and temperament. The affair that spawned the first book had most likely ended, and affairs of such passion rarely end well. The passage of two decades had changed Reage for better or worse. It is telling that she refers to her former self as a "Girl in Love" in her long-winded preamble.

Oh, and I put in my vote for Laura Reese, too. Anyone read her? Wow. My vote for a latter-day "Reage", even if she feels compelled to hide her proclivities in detective stories....
It has been a pleasure, glad to have discovered this spot.

Master Scott

I loved Reese's topping from below until she threw in her moralistic ending. Still even De'Sade was known to hide behind morality, just look at "Justine"
It is a pleasure to have you join the conversation. Don't be a stranger

Mad Lews

[pejanon]

I believe she was saying they were posted to her lover serially, this all took place in the late 40s early 50s before the story was published



That's a new one on me. Pauline Reage even refers to her lack of an ending and the two alternatives which she "allowed in a sentence" in her somewhat rambling introduction to " Return to the Chateau". I always felt she was attempting a symmetry when she offered two beginnings that weren't really a beginning and two endings that weren't really an ending.



I'd have to say the fact that the second book was published almost 2 decades after the first, might have a bit to do with the change in style and temperament. The affair that spawned the first book had most likely ended, and affairs of such passion rarely end well. The passage of two decades had changed Reage for better or worse. It is telling that she refers to her former self as a "Girl in Love" in her long-winded preamble.
Mad Lews

Yep I am an O-phille. Maybe checking an 'overliterate' (if there is such thing) but informative www.storyofo.co.uk will clear some of factual cunfusion on Dominic Aury (Reage).

Two ending are of course the same - O dissapears.

Maybe the fascination with O has something to do with style of writting. The softcore, let's call it veiled style allow some people to see it as almost gruesome whilt to other it's just a walk in the park. It's neither - why we just cannot leave it alone (the book, not O - who'd wanto to leave O alone?)
and take it at face value? It does not have to have any 'reasons' hiden meaning, motives etc. There was a story thant Simon De Bovoar (sic) wrote it to 'get back' o Sarte for treating her as piece of trash. Intelectual rubish!

What I'd like to know: is it possible that it was purely fantasy as Aury claims - response to a challenge 'women can't write good erotica' and a love letter of course. It's just too informed, rituals to worked out' etc. Or is it veceversa - so many thing coming from O? If so she really spoiled me in my budding youth!
Have fun!

[slave802120]

Everything you wanted to know about O but were afraid to ask can be found here:

http://www.storyofo.co.uk/

It's probably THE most complete site about her and her creator, Dominique Aury (aka Pauline Reage)

kinkabella

PS: Oops! I missed reading the previous post.

[Mad Lews]

Everything you wanted to know about O but were afraid to ask can be found here:

http://www.storyofo.co.uk/

It's probably THE most complete site about her and her creator, Dominique Aury (aka Pauline Reage)

kinkabella

PS: Oops! I missed reading the previous post.

A loverly and overly inclusive ite which might tell you more than you ever wanted to know about O's story and her creator (asuming you believe Dominique Aury was Pauline Reage) but it still leaves a few quests for the audience.
I for one want to know the "Why?" more than the who and where.Not the why of her writing the tale but Why the audience still grows.
Mad

[pejanon]

I for one want to know the "Why?" more than the who and where.Not the why of her writing the tale but Why the audience still grows.
Mad

Any of the following ring a bell?

It's kind of magic.

It has a reputation. At any given moment somebody is saying: "You want to know about that D/s stuff … let's see … ah yes read that Story of O."

I have several friends (all female) who simply adore O. They are all (alegedly) vanilla and claim to see is as a 'love story' or 'parabole on quest for love', but who knows what goes bump in the dark . The book has turned on more people than any other. Again reputation.

It has just the right blend of hard and softcore.

I don’t see O as perfect victim but who wouldn't want to save or damn (as the case may be) O?

It's kind of magic!

Have fun

Pejanon

[Mad Lews]

Any of the following ring a bell?

It's kind of magic.

It has a reputation. At any given moment somebody is saying: "You want to know about that D/s stuff … let's see … ah yes read that Story of O."

I have several friends (all female) who simply adore O. They are all (alegedly) vanilla and claim to see is as a 'love story' or 'parabole on quest for love', but who knows what goes bump in the dark . The book has turned on more people than any other. Again reputation.

It has just the right blend of hard and softcore.

I don’t see O as perfect victim but who wouldn't want to save or damn (as the case may be) O?

It's kind of magic!

Have fun

Pejanon

Come on Pejanon,
You know it's not polite to make people think on Momday morning.
By the way, saw your intro and a belated welcome. I'd never guess you were ESL your command of the Queens own is better than most.
Yours
Mad

[slo18]

I did a book report on the story of O way back in highschool for the life of me I cant find it anywere. I remeber that when I read it I felt an odd combination of disgust and pitty and envy for O. disgust at the fact that she refused to put her safety as a priority pity that in the end ( my copy didnt include a fulltelling of the ending only an over view of one of the alternets) she is abadaned at the chatue(sp?) and envy that she had found her idealized Master. I also found that neither of the males int the story ( cant remeber either of there names maybe i ought to re read the story) to be at all likeable or to have any redeaming charicteristics. to abadon a slave after puting so much time and effort into makeing her into someone who at least to my mind could no longer fend for herself struck me as compleatly with out heart. half way though the story i was so disgusted with her treatment at there hands that I wanted I threw the book across the room and wanted to tear the pages out. but oddly couldent seem to stop reading. so in the end while I may of hated the story it did it its job and kept my attetion enthraled. sence then i have called it a story I hated to read but couldent stop myself. and thats most likely why i havent read it sence. I dont want to finish it and cry for her. and incase any of u are wondering my book repot got an F the teacher latter pulled me aside and explaned that report was fantatic worth an A but that the materal was to adult for someone of my age. :hairpull: thats what i get for being a precosis 17 year old.

[Mad Lews]

I did a book report on the story of O way back in highschool for the life of me I cant find it anywere. I remeber that when I read it I felt an odd combination of disgust and pitty and envy for O. disgust at the fact that she refused to put her safety as a priority pity that in the end ( my copy didnt include a fulltelling of the ending only an over view of one of the alternets) she is abadaned at the chatue(sp?) and envy that she had found her idealized Master. I also found that neither of the males int the story ( cant remeber either of there names maybe i ought to re read the story) to be at all likeable or to have any redeaming charicteristics. to abadon a slave after puting so much time and effort into makeing her into someone who at least to my mind could no longer fend for herself struck me as compleatly with out heart. half way though the story i was so disgusted with her treatment at there hands that I wanted I threw the book across the room and wanted to tear the pages out. but oddly couldent seem to stop reading. so in the end while I may of hated the story it did it its job and kept my attetion enthraled. sence then i have called it a story I hated to read but couldent stop myself. and thats most likely why i havent read it sence. I dont want to finish it and cry for her. and incase any of u are wondering my book repot got an F the teacher latter pulled me aside and explaned that report was fantatic worth an A but that the materal was to adult for someone of my age. :hairpull: thats what i get for being a precosis 17 year old.

Dearest slo18,
Not that seventeen is a babe, though I'm sure you were/are in the colloquial sense.
Good lord a High School book report. That had to take guts, no one has that much youthful naivete, admit it you were toying with your English teacher.
To the point. You did have it 90% right back then. O was an object to be pitied, Sir Stephen was despicable for being unwilling or unable to fulfill O's needs, and Rene was just pathetic and weak. O was perhaps not quite as hopeless as your first reading suggested to you but like any tragic heroine in a bloody romance she was locked into her fate by her very nature.
Maybe if you could find the time and were so inclined you might reread the story. It's relatively short. I'd be interested in how your perceptions have changed now that you've been exposed to other material in the realm of BDSM literature.

Yours truly, Mad

[Sir Lanceloth]

well i agree that rené was pathetic, i am not so sure about sir stephen. I kinda liked the way he trained O, and i didnt pity O but found her to be brave and strong. It is true that in the sequel sir stephen commits murder, O is degraded to an prostiture, but im just not convinced thats the right ending (yeah i want it my way ).

Perhaps the ending was just her (the author) way of excusing to the world... oh no ive made an hero of an submissive lol. Well in my world subs are heroes and heroines!

Yes they do treat her harshly, but isnt that what she wants? she does find out that she desires the whipping in the end, so why not give it to her? im running out of time, ill check back later. im sure we all can agree that it is an damn fine story

[pejanon]

Hi Sir L

well i agree that rené was pathetic, i am not so sure about sir stephen. I kinda liked the way he trained O, and i didnt pity O but found her to be brave and strong. It is true that in the sequel sir stephen commits murder, O is degraded to an prostiture, but im just not convinced thats the right ending (yeah i want it my way ).

Are you refering to Return to Roissy or Mad Lews of Sir Stephen's Confessions?
(Don't remember Return very well - always seen it as somehow fake, even if Reage did write it.)

Perhaps the ending was just her (the author) way of excusing to the world... oh no ive made an hero of an submissive lol. Well in my world subs are heroes and heroines!

Right on! That's it. Most of the best stories are about the subs NOT about the masters.
I was always found suprising views that saw O as a victim. From the point of storytelling at least, O is the ONLY REAL character in the book - "tragic heroine in a bloody romance" - as some like to put it.. Everthing is happening because of her, not the other way around.
At Roissy she is just 'made' to ah, participate. Then when Rene turns out to be a wimp he is, up pops Sir S.
THEN when he cannot take her further - her comes Anne-Marie et cetera. In a way O is USING them.
Even in Lews Sir Stephen's Confessions O FORCES Sir S to do what she wants. We might not be happy about her choice but it is certainly legitimate one.

(Strange book, isn't it? No matter how much you analyze it - it turn yet another cheek. And I'm not sure we can agree completely - THAT'S why it's so good )

Have fun

Pej

[pejanon]

I also found that neither of the males int the story ( cant remeber either of there names maybe i ought to re read the story) to be at all likeable or to have any redeaming charicteristics. to abadon a slave after puting so much time and effort into makeing her into someone who at least to my mind could no longer fend for herself struck me as compleatly with out heart.

And Hi slo18,
I almost agree with this. It's not very popular view, Sir Stephen (one of the guys whose names you can't remember .) being such a grand-meister and all.

If you do take your time to reread it you will certanly see other aspects of the story! That's why it is so intiguing and more than worth all the reports! Right on!

Have fun,

Pej

[slo18]

Not that seventeen is a babe, though I'm sure you were/are in the colloquial sense.
Good lord a High School book report. That had to take guts, no one has that much youthful naivete, admit it you were toying with your English teacher.
posted by mad lews (yes I still havent figured out how to do the qoutes thing)

ok yeah I was haveing some fun with her she was so prim and propor and after the einglish teacher i had for the last year and half who was much more fun and open I was used to a much more open and free exchange of ideas. einglish class with him ( first teacher ) often turned into a debate on ethics or a discussion on philosphy. I also liked the fact that he didnt care so much about a persons spelling as he did the ideas that person expressed. I hope it made her blush.

I think I will read it again. it only took me a day to read it the first time

[Mad Lews]

ok yeah I was haveing some fun with her she was so prim and propor and after the einglish teacher i had for the last year and half who was much more fun and open I was used to a much more open and free exchange of ideas. einglish class with him ( first teacher ) often turned into a debate on ethics or a discussion on philosphy. I also liked the fact that he didnt care so much about a persons spelling as he did the ideas that person expressed. I hope it made her blush.

I think I will read it again. it only took me a day to read it the first time

Just hit the reply buton inside the messege box you're replying to. The box will come up with the message inside quote boxes you just add your responce below and people will be impressed that you know your way around a thread.
Mad

[Sweep]

I'm an 'O' fanatic. I've got the original book and the (crummy) sequel and both the Just Jakelin movie and the 10 part serial.

I really love the story and more than anything else it got me into BDSM 30 years ago.

BUT - it suffers from the recurrent theme that BDSM leads to sadness and despair. That is a pity. This site attests the the fact that there are great many BDSM lovers (very likely the majority) who have been happily together for years.

It is almost impossible to get a story of BDSM involvement that has a happy ending. I tried to do it in my story "Karen and the Torture Club" in which I wanted all parties to enjoy the experience which is how it must be for the relationship to endure in the longer term.