The Story of O

     The Histoire d' O is the tale of a young French girl who willingly enters into a world of sexual slavery and degradation at the request of her lover.

     Upon publication, a firestorm of controversy erupted in the salons of Paris, and shortly after, the work received the Prix des Deux Magots, a literary award presented to new unconventional works. A short lived Official Inquiry by the police was suddenly and mysteriously dropped, a fact that is noted without comment.

     The subject of the book, "O", is taken by her lover to the Chateau Roissy which is both a private club and brothel. Upon her arrival she is bathed and prepared for her introduction to the Masters, who violate and whip her. Informed of the rules of the house she is also informed that she may leave anytime she chooses. She elects to remain with the community of women who's only task is to lend themselves.

      In much the same way as Nuns in a Cloister, the women are bound by rules of Silence & Obedience. To punctuate their status, they are required to wear uniforms that expose the breasts and leave their loins accessible to whomever should desire to use them.

      After a two week stay at the Chateau, O returns to the outside world, not free, but rather a trained submissive for all who understand the meaning of the ring that she wears upon her finger.

      Having been informed that all that she has endured was to prepare her for being turned over to Sir Stephen, a cosmopolitan man nearly twice her age. As cruel as he is handsome, Sir Stephen mercilessly uses her and then prostitutes her to his friends. The more he uses her, the more profoundly she becomes attached to him.

     Told from a 3rd person narrative, the story is shocking, but not particularly graphic. Seeming to confirm the gender of the author, the story sometimes revels details of O's character that demonstrate a remarkable degree of tenderness. Aside from the disturbing nature of the plot, the book challenges the reader on some more profound level. The expression of power is as unsettling to the men in the story as it is to the reader.

     Sir Stephen is awed by the power he holds over O and is stunned by her increasing devotion to him she has as he inflicts new and terrible acts upon her.

     The book challenges our perceptions of what power is really about. Can it be true that O holds power over the men because of her submission? Do the slaves really rule? It is a rare reader indeed who is unmoved after reading the Story of O. Even in this age when B&D/S&M have gone mainstream with large numbers of weekend practitioners and young people with multiple piercing and facial tattoos, this book stands as a monument for those who experience first hand the politics of sexual power relationships.

A number of film versions of The Story of O have been made over the years, but is generally conceded that the 1974 French version is the most faithful to the original novel in both plot and style.