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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 1:58:20 PM

mstrjx

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The Story of O was written under the pen name Pauline Reage. The author's real name, as it came out later, was Dominique Aury. Yes the original text, from the 50's, was in French.

There was a companion book written, 'Return to the Chateau - Story of O pt. 2'. It's been ages since I read that, although I have it right here, so I don't know whether there was a satisfactory ending or not.

Let's face it. The BDSM world we live in today espouses, to a greater or lesser extent, SSC. Whatever it is that we do, we negotiate, until we determine that no more negotiation is necessary.

In O, she is hand-picked by Rene to submit. But not to him, at least not directly. She is taken to Roissy where she is expected to submit to Rene and his pals and the trainers. O doesn't find out until later that Rene actually is giving her to Sir Stephen, which was the plan all along. Not much consensuality or negotiation.

But the idea of all this is rather hot anyway, since it's not us and it's not exactly real.

I think the 'end', in which there is no end, is left ambiguous because we are left to believe that whatever happens to O will not be of her own accord and that the rest of her life will be in servitude. To whom, we don't know, and to the characters it doesn't matter.

I've seen the original movie a few times, and the miniseries countless times. (Neither stray so far from the movie that it becomes any more explanatory.) But one of the things that I've always picked out is where Sir Stephen points out to O that she will readily submit to anyone who demands of her, that she is 'easy'. I've always believed that to mean that for O's life to make any sense, that she must be owned. If she is an any phase of doubt, she will find someone to submit to. She is a slave to the core.

From last weekend's thread about movies, I was able to track down a copy of the documentary 'Writer of O' today at my local Tower Records (which just filed Chapter 13 - boo!!!!). I haven't seen it, but it is possible that there will be more explanation to be found here.

If anyone's still reading this, thanks for hanging in. I do sometimes get carried away on subjects I know something of.

Jeff

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Post #: 21

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 2:01:27 PM

mstrjx

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quote:

ORIGINAL: justanotheclaire

It became my greatest fear in bdsm to love your Master so much than when you could no longer be his you could no longer bear to live.

This is commonly known as the 'Ultimate Submission'. Another book from probably 15 years ago, 'The John Q Letters', describes how the author was offered this by one of his slaves. Again, not very SSC, is it?

Jeff

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Know thyself. It's the best gift you can ever give yourself.

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Post #: 22

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 2:20:33 PM

cariad

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i have read the book both in french (looooooooooooong ago, seeing i no longer speak french...being part French, Italian, Cree, Scottish, Irish, German and Canadian it was not hard to read the book in french seeing they taught french in school and i had a friend to converse with in French, but sadly she moved away and there went my French...... right down the tubes....LOL), and in english but i found the english version lacking and very poorly translated.

the movie however, oh boy did i get engrossed in it at a Dom friends a couple years ago while He was fixing my pc. He put it on and ordered pizza for dinner, well wouldn't you know it i got so into the movie that i forgot He had ordered dinner. LOL

He had to pause the movie and tell me to eat, once He saw i started eating He put the movie back on and i again became engrossed in it and almost wore my pizza. LOL

i would like to again see the movie and read the book after, but i don't think it would be the same as seeing it the first time.

blessed be, stay safe and play hard

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Post #: 23

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 2:21:47 PM

windchymes

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With the book written at least 30 years ago (not sure of the exact date), for it's time it was pretty naughty racy stuff. So, it got a lot of hype and built up the expectations way more than what's actually delivered. By today's standards, it's pretty tame.

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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 3:21:36 PM

angelic

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sorry but what is SSC?

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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 3:22:32 PM

cariad

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SSC is Safe, Sane and Consentual

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Post #: 26

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 3:23:11 PM

angelic

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Thank you!

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Post #: 27

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 3:25:07 PM

cariad

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*smiles softly* you're welcome

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Post #: 28

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 4:13:58 PM

Sunshine119

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When I first heard about this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I had just discovered BDSM and hadn't yet discovered the fiction now associated with the "lifestyle". So....this was my initiation into BDSM fiction.

I was truly horrified and began to wonder what I was getting myself into. Was this what BDSM was really about? Is this what I would become in time?

Now in a long-term, 24/7 relationship with a Dominant who cares more about the D/s relationship than the numerous human "play-toys" that money can buy (I'm with you on this one Homested), I judge this to be one badly written (I read french too) piece of crap!

Maybe it was titilating for those in the 50s and maybe it peaked the interest of some, but frankly, if this were a valid representation of the majority of those in the lifestyle, I wouldn't have stuck around!

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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 5:49:05 PM

porcelaine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: angelic

by Pauline Reage. i just, last evening, finished reading it. Quite honestly, i am wondering if maybe i purchased a 'condensed' version as i was very sorely disappointed. i had heard so much about the book and then the movie (now i'm not so sure i want to see), that i expected so much more from the book. There were great holes of information (imo) missing. And the ending was just a great disappointment as it just sort of ended with a couple of 'potential ending' notes: One being that O was at some point taken back to Roissy where she was eventually abandoned by Sir Stephen (what happened that caused the abandonment?) and the other was where she was permitted to die since Sir Stephen no longer wanted her. Is there another version? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book because I viewed it from a different mindset. For me, the Story of O was an introduction into one aspect of slavery. O's experiences at Roissy and at the hands of Sir Stephen have enabled her to understand a large portion of her personality that remained dormant and hidden. I don't feel Sir Stephen was horrid to her at all, for as the book reveals she has opportunities to leave with another but has consciously chosen her fate and service to him. If you strip away all the fantastical elements and focus on the core instead, O is merely a woman that has devoted herself to another. I will not say this is an unselfish act because she receives a great deal of gratification and fulfillment from what she experiences.

The miniseries brings the tale to life and there were moments when I found myself questioning my own interests and desires. She is the epitome of objectification and those of us that enjoy or desire to follow this path would be wise to read it just for education's sake. Sexual slavery isn't always wrapped up in pretty little bows. It is my opinion that the story is a glaring reminder that what appeals to the mind is clearly worlds apart from the stark realities of the truth. Some find enjoyments in certain aspects of her life, but relatively few would be willing to accept every part. The same holds true for each and everyone of us that chooses to kneel at the side of one.

In response to the ending, The Return to the Chateau does place O back at Roissy. She becomes a prostitute and accepts many clients. There are times she abhors the act and others she relishes it. She is awaiting Sir Stephen's return but that never occurs. He got into trouble with some questionable business partners and eventually is found dead if I recall. The continuation won't provide all the answers you seek but will help to round out the character. It is my opinion O is where she wants to be simply because every fiber of her being desires this.

porcelaine

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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 6:14:44 PM

angelic

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porcelaine,

thank you very much. This is what i was trying to get when i originally posted the question......other's views on it. i knew when i first started reading it i was responding to it in a way that someone else may not. you were very eloquent in your understanding of the book and of O. i tend to over analyze many things. i do, though, wish the author had given just a bit more of what O's thought processes were, instead of 'i do this for love' sort of thing. yes she did take great pride in her service... but i wanted to know more of her... she seemed a bit one dimensional... but maybe i just need to re-read it again to catch the parts i may have missed.

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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 6:29:28 PM

juliaoceania

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Who here thought Rene was a latent homosexual that was actually a submissive male that got great thrills out of procuring female slaves for men like Stephen? I was wondering who else may have gotten that impression and if it sounds like I just made it up in my head...

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Post #: 32

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 6:36:54 PM

letcandb

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Now that I reflect upon it, the name Rene does have an effeminate quality to it...:)

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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 6:49:08 PM

angelic

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i don't necessarily think Rene was homosexual, but i do think he was submissive and that Jacqueline eventually Dommed his arse. He was madly in love with Jacqueline because she was unapproachable to him where love was concerned.

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Post #: 34

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 7:12:32 PM

smilezz

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It's on my top worst reads list. ughz! i told myself i would read this book and get through it! it took me 3 years. Poorly written. I was thankfull that it was not one of those romance/love story crap books....ack!!
When i decide to read a book now, if it does not get my attention in the first few pages, i'm done. I'm not wasting my time on it.

~smilezz~

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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 7:52:18 PM

juliaoceania

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quote:

ORIGINAL: angelic

i don't necessarily think Rene was homosexual, but i do think he was submissive and that Jacqueline eventually Dommed his arse. He was madly in love with Jacqueline because she was unapproachable to him where love was concerned.

It seemed as though he loved the idea of procuring submisssives to be used by others, as if he got off on this aspect. He wanted to share O for example, and he seemed madly in love with her at first also. There are some people that cannot come to terms with their homosexuality that live vicariously through the women they offer up to others, he was so deferential to the other dominants in the book, and it made me wonder if he was wanting to please them first and foremost... I could be off base of course seeing I am not a latent homosexual and this could be psycobable on my part

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Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

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RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 8:00:50 PM

Homestead

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quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

quote:

ORIGINAL: angelic

i don't necessarily think Rene was homosexual, but i do think he was submissive and that Jacqueline eventually Dommed his arse. He was madly in love with Jacqueline because she was unapproachable to him where love was concerned.

It seemed as though he loved the idea of procuring submisssives to be used by others, as if he got off on this aspect. He wanted to share O for example, and he seemed madly in love with her at first also. There are some people that cannot come to terms with their homosexuality that live vicariously through the women they offer up to others, he was so deferential to the other dominants in the book, and it made me wonder if he was wanting to please them first and foremost... I could be off base of course seeing I am not a latent homosexual and this could be psycobable on my part

Rene reperesented the classic "fluffy dominant" in my eyes. The sort who has a knack for infatuation and romantic seduction, but who tires of the object once it has been taken in hand. I never saw him as effeminate-so much as I did fickle.

Handing off his conquests seemed an ideal way to clear his plate for the next one. Rene was a temporary collector- nothing more.

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Post #: 37

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 8:31:34 PM

Lordandmaster

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Or "fluffer dominant"...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Homestead

Rene reperesented the classic "fluffy dominant" in my eyes.

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Post #: 38

RE: The Story of O - 8/26/2006 8:38:08 PM

catize

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I don't know how to do the link stuff, sorry! Google 'author of the story of o' and it will come up

< Message edited by catize -- 8/26/2006 9:07:04 PM >

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Post #: 39

RE: The Story of O - 8/27/2006 7:44:24 PM

cheekierjess

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for allof you who do not know there are 2 more books in the "O" series that explain so much more
they are called Story of O part II, same writer and then the next is "the modern day story of O" written by julie hilden if you are looking for a great story to read it is based on her own experience the book is called "Submission" by Marthe Blau i love this book as it tells you of her inner most thoughts feelings everything she thinks as she experiences the life of submission

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Post #: 40

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