O for Over-rated!

[Marcus]

Ok, I admit I'm playing devil's advocate here!

The Story of O was the first BDSM book I read. (Well, I think so. I was a long time ago!) I re-read it recently and was not overly impressed, particularly with the second half.

How does it REALLY compare with other fiction published in the last 50 years?

Is it actually just revered for its historical, 'sexuopolitical' importance?

[Jennifer-Nylon]

It was the first book that made me feel that with sub tendercies I was not alone. Later, I investigated it a little more and found other stories and other writers have added much.
I was only 15 at the time and it really effected me.

[boccaccio2000g]

I read "The Story of O" as a 'yute' as my cousin Vinnie Boccaccio would say, and wasn't 'thrilled' by it. It was written by a woman, of course, and at the time my 'thinking' was probably "What do THEY know about sex?" :-) Or at least pornography.

Needless to say, my views on that subject have changed.

But not so much that I have ever taken the time to re-visit 'O'. Not sure why.

My recollection is that it was slow and introspective -- qualities that a male teenager doesn't usually have much use for.

Boccaccio

[Jennifer-Nylon]

It was slow and she wrote it for her male lover, to entertain him. I guess she never expected it to become so famous.

It still struck a chord with me.

[luvsubbbbb]

Originally posted by Jennifer-Nylon
It was slow and she wrote it for her male lover, to entertain him. I guess she never expected it to become so famous.

It still struck a chord with me.

greetings, all......

me too.....i read Story of O as a teenager......and found it changed my life.....made me realize who i was meant to be....

the only books which come close to that is:

The Beauty Series by A.N.Roquelare (Anne Rice)

very good erotic material!!

[Venus]

mmmmm...yeah "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty" , " Beauty's Punishment" "Beauty's Release" by A.N.Roquelare (Ann Rice).

I would say this trilogy are among my favourite books.

[Jennifer-Nylon]

The early Ann Rice stuff was erotic and a little romantic. It was nice

[Finding_Fantasy]

I read The Story of O about 2 years ago, and I, like a lot of you, was not overly impressed with it. I don't know, maybe it was because it didn't really strike me as something that would really happen. It seemed a little unrealistic to me. Which in itself is kind of funny since I am a fantasy/adventure author. Perhpas it is because I would like my BDSM to be realistic, as in something I could actually apply to my everyday life. But that is just my opinion.

[Jennifer-Nylon]

There was no emotion in it? There was no connection between O and Sir Stephen and the others. How can you submit if there is no connection?

[Finding_Fantasy]

Who said that there was no emotion in it? I know I didn't.

My opinion was that it was unrealistic. Not something that I think would truly ever happen.

[agp_millie]

Having taken time to become accustomed to 'O' i find it very full filling and can digest it well.
It took me a long time, however, but once you have swallowed the basic drivel and adjusted to the length, it became more and more vibrant and pulsating, culminating in a rush of feeling and i found, almost choking in it's gritty manner. Infact 'O' is something i enjoy chewing over with close friends around a log fire.

Yours faithfully,
millie mooe (mrs)

(smile) xxx

[Finding_Fantasy]

Perhaps I will read it again when I have finished with the loads of other books I still have to read. I'm not saying it wasn't a good story, but I just didn't really find much that I could apply to my everyday life as a submissive. Maybe I am less of a submissive because I am not as effected by it, but There just isn't much there to 'inspire' I guess that is the best word for it.

[agp_millie]

Dear robin,
ha ha ha, really sorry, it was my crude mind. If you read my response to 'O' again, you may realise i was refering to a different type of 'O'

xxx millie

[YNHumiliator]

Well I have to say that the "Story of O" was and still is a classic. I read O when I was about 14. I stole it from a bookshop on the way to school one morning having no real idea of what it was. It changed my life - the book not the stealing of it!!!!!!
How you can say it doesn't contain any emotion....it leaps from the page at me!!! The emotion is what you feel inside when you digest it (No Millie - not in that way!) - when Sir Stephen taps his cigarette and the ash falls onto O the emotion is intense. The book to me is about O's submission, her surrender. That in itself is emotional. Ask anyone who has submitted totally to another and I'd be surprised if they don't identify with O in some way. The "coldness" of the text is what makes it erotic to me. Makes it real. I have similar views on "The Image" as well.
Have probably bored you all stupid with that little diatribe so I'll shut up now.......

[nikki]

'O' is one of the most moving stories i have ever read, by the end it is as if she has totally surrendered herself, her situation seems almost hopeless, there is nowhere left for her to go, nothing left for her to give...sooo romantic



nikki

[Michelle Byssom]

Amusing to see my two fav classics mentioned here: O, and the Beauty series by Rocquelaire. I first read O when I was 16 and I burned with the excitement of self-discovery as I read it. I still find some of that feeling when I re-read it. I showed it to a friend of mine recently whose comment was 'O does not sound like a very smart girl'! Needless to say, not a relationship that I had much interest in continuing -grins-

I found the Rocquelaire series a little disappointing stylistically - after utter shame has been experienced for the first time, what do you do afterwards? Experience it again I suppose. The first half of the first book however is a jewel.

Pauline Reage, whoever she is (blessings to her) showed me how to write as a woman about the kind of bdsm sex I enjoy. I suppose I must be about the same age now as she was when she wrote it and my advice to her would be to let her feelings show through more. Masters... doncha luvvem!

[Carmenica Diaz]

The Story of O certainly impacted on me at an early age but for various reasons.
I mentioned it to a close friend of mine (she is proudly French) and she told me that Dominique Aubry (spelling is probably terrible) wrote the story for her older lover, trying to keep his interest. It is clincial at times but ground breaking. Her lover was older, an academic and unfaithful.
What is it about academics?
I love to research and i followed through - she even met Charles De Gaule who rememebred her as the woman who wrote The Story of O Ah, those French!

[Chuckdom19]

My first exposure to BDSM was the writings of Marquis de Sade. Juliette & Justine made my pulse (and other things heh-heh) get excited, but it seems those writings are more aimied at men than women. Or at least, at Doms / Dommes. "O" is certainly beautiful in places; the chance to walk through the character's thoughts and fears helps one understand some of their own feelings... that there's something natural and common about them, not perverse. It removes some of the lonliness.

de Sade's writings are the glorifying of the Top's feelings. Those tomes deal with either learning to understand and like the emotions experienced by controlling another. And, again, it removes some of the lonliness in the belief you're the only one in the world who feels that way. In a sense, it frees you from the stigma of "wierd" and simply makes one unique.

[BDSM_Tourguide]

I guess I'll have to actually read the book so I can post an opinion, one way or another, on this thread.

[Finding_Fantasy]

As I said, perhaps because The Story of O does not affect me like the rest of you, means that I am less of a submissive. I guess I just can't see the actual reality of it. I guess it isn't something I would see myself putting up with, as in practically being given away by my boyfriend/lover. I just find it strange.

[Venus]

Finding_Fantasy I agree with you about the being given away by boyfriend/lover. A also can not understand that. To be honest when I've read The Story of O, I did find that O was a true submissive, but the master I have doubts about. I guess I expect different things from a master. In the book I didn't find the master being dominant enough. At least not for me.

[Finding_Fantasy]

This is true. He didn't seem overly dominant, at least not my personal view of what it is. Now that you mention it, I think I agree with you there. I guess that there are different levels of submission, and I could never go that deep. I mean there are too many things that I want that I would have to give up if put in her situation, things that I have strived for my whole life and am not about to give them up because they, too, define who I am.

I have always been a strong person, and actually was quite the forceful one when I was a kid. Granted I had an older brother who like to beat the snot out of me with all of his friends. Iliked O for the story value, but, like I said, it is not something I could see myself doing in my life...at least not with a HUGE fight because it would be just too much for me. I would feel like a prisoner, not a submissive.

[YNHumiliator]

Surely reading something in a novel doesn't mean that we want that thing to happen in real life? In stories that contain harder elements surely you don't think that they should happen in real life? The story of O is a fantasy, as are 99.9% of the written words on this site. It just happens to be an extremely well written fantasy. Yes it contains references to real life but surely very few of us have the resources or lifestyle to be able to adhere to those of Sir Stephen and his ilk. Those that do are the lucky few! The "dominants" in O's life are, I would have thought, as dominant as you could get?
Being given to another person by your master is a supreme act of submission and trust. The equation is balanced equally between the pair of you. I am very lucky to have met a submissive person at this time in my life. I respect and in effect worship her. If I decide to give her to others for my entertainment it will only be with the utmost care and responsibility on my part.
I'm surprised that some of you find "O" to be lacking in emotions. What are your views on the "Image" ? Does that also lack emotion? Again the wordplay is cold but very intense.

[Finding_Fantasy]

I would fell that my trust and what I have given to my Master would be violated if I had been given away. When I submitt it is to one person, and one person only. Those that know me will know that I am submissive to my Master in the best I know how, but I could not be submissive to someone else, let alone a total stranger. I just couldn't do it.

Not only would I fell the turst violated, but I would also begin to question my value if someone could just give me away. Maybe I have a low self esteem, but I would still question. Maybe The Story of O works for some people or perhaps I just have a really differnt way of looking at things...or maybe I am just talking out of my ass. Who knows?

[YNHumiliator]

If you can really do it - thats something I'd pay to see !!!!
Talk out of your ass I mean !!!
*grin*

[BDSM_Tourguide]

It speaks... Loudly at times. LMAO

[nikki]

not the ass-talking bit...

It is really interesting to see the different views of everyone, it just goes to show that 'O' is indeed an important piece of work that has stood the test of time well.
Everyone has their boundaries, there is no right or wrong, and not fully submitting is not a bad thing, its got to be about whatever makes you happy.
i would not see being given to another as a violation of my trust, this is because my Master knows that i am comfortable with this, and that my need to please Him is abolute, and, although surprises are nice, niether of us would involve anyone else without having discussed it first.

nikki

[Finding_Fantasy]

Yeah...well... at least mine doesn't have morning breath!

[nikki]

i liked this too, but on a different level to 'O' i think, and i didn't empathise with the characters to the same degree, it doesn't have the emotional intensity of 'O' but is colder, less personal. it does explore the more practical issues of D/s, i remember a bit where the guy (i cannot remember anyones names, and i don't have a copy of the book) goes into the bookshop and bumps into the sub, and she basically refuses to acknowledge him...which brings about confusion and doubt in his own mind, something which few Doms admit to feeling

i also liked the rose incident in the public gardens...


nikki

[YNHumiliator]

Nikki,
If you understand the emotional intensity of the rose thorn you perfestly understand what is happening in the Image. The coldness is the intensity of what happens between the main players. Intensity is the basis of all SM relationships, well those of any lasting worth. I wish I knew you in real life, your insight is everything that a real dom could wish for. I've asked you before but I'm asking again - are you owned by anyone? If so he or she is very lucky to have happened upon a person of such depth. All power to you and your pussy. *YN smiles and hardens*