1972*1st* The Story Of O - Pauline Rèage(Corgi Books)

Good clean paperback for age. 

Story of O (Histoire d’O) by Pauline Réage is a famous and controversial erotic novel first published in 1954 in France. It was later translated into English and published by Corgi Books, an imprint known for making widely accessible paperback editions.

Overview:

• Author: Pauline Réage was a pen name for the French author Dominique Aury. The novel was originally written as a series of love letters to her lover, Jean Paulhan, a prominent literary figure at the time. The identity of Réage as Aury remained a secret for many years and was only revealed in the 1990s.

• Publication by Corgi: Corgi Books, a British paperback publisher, released the English edition of Story of O in a more accessible format. The Corgi edition played a significant role in making the book widely available in English-speaking markets.

Plot Summary:

Story of O is a tale of sexual submission and explores themes of dominance, love, and surrender. The protagonist, known only as O, is a Parisian fashion photographer who enters into a submissive relationship at the behest of her lover, René. The novel details her journey as she is taken to a château where she undergoes training in submission, including bondage and various rituals designed to test her obedience.

René eventually transfers O’s “ownership” to Sir Stephen, a powerful man who continues her training, pushing her further into submission. Throughout the story, O undergoes a series of trials that challenge her autonomy, and her experiences are framed as acts of love and devotion, albeit through a lens of consensual, albeit extreme, submission.

Controversy and Impact:

• Story of O has been both celebrated and criticized since its publication. It is often compared to works like The Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille or Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch due to its themes of eroticism and submission.

• It was initially banned in several countries for its explicit content but has since gained recognition as a significant work of erotic literature.

• The novel raises questions about power dynamics, sexuality, and the nature of desire, making it a frequent topic of discussion in literary and feminist circles.

Legacy:

The book has had a significant cultural impact, inspiring a 1975 film adaptation directed by Just Jaeckin, as well as numerous literary and artistic works exploring themes of BDSM and erotic submission. Despite its explicit content, Story of O is considered a classic of erotic literature and is notable for its exploration of complex themes around love, power, and identity.