Rating: 
Summary: Fades Off Into The Sunset...
Review: I read "The Story of O" upon the recommendation of a friend of mine and found it very enlightening. I can easily understand why she had the feelings she did for both Rene and Stephen, and why she endured the things she endured for them. It was in her nature, plain and simple. Those who thought it was a violent book obviously do not understand the mindset of the kind of people involved in this lifestyle. Anyone who has read the book should note that O is never, ever held against her will and is free to go whenever she chooses. The same thing goes on around us everyday, although most of us will never be aware of it. It is very fulfilling for those of us who choose to live this way. "The Story of O" could very well be a basic primer for anyone who is interested in learning more. The only problem i found with the book is the ending which just, as i said in the beginning, just fades off into the sunset and is never resolved.
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Summary: Sex as spirituality
Review: This novel could as easily be considered a story of spiritual exploration as that of sexual exploits. Every major world religion considers total submission of the self to a higher power to be a prerequisite to true spiritual fulfillment. Although the pretext for the relationship O experiences with Rene is a love affair, as the novel continues, it becomes clear that Rene is indoctrinating O into another type of existence, one in which how these two particular people relate to and feel about each other becomes increasingly secondary. What becomes primary to the student (who eventually surpasses her first teacher) is the belonging, not the identity of the master. Religions have long equated the relationship between mankind and the divine with the relationship between a woman and a man. The early Christian church was frequently referred to as "the Bride of Christ." And, just as a woman was expected to submit her will to her husband and their marriage, so was a Christian required to freely submit his or her will to that of God. O chooses the same kind of submission, just to a different degree, in a different context, but to the same end. She accepts the first, most basic premise of any religion. One must sacrifice the self, relinquish the entire identity, to something greater than the individual before spiritual fulfillment can be attained. As O drifts further away from what people would recognize as a normal existence, she becomes more ecstatic. She has left behind her old life, with its shallow pursuits of romantic attachments, and has devoted herself wholly to the new life she has chosen. She has been converted. Often, people are drawn to a religious organization by a charismatic individual (a preacher or teacher), as O was drawn to her life of submission by Rene. But as those serious about discovering truth eventually transcend the attachment to any one teacher or personality, so did O finally discover that it was a state of submission and ownership that gave her emotional satisfaction and a type of power, without respect to the identity of the owner.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware those faint of mind!!!
Review: If you are the least bit close-minded, this book is not for you. To appreciate this novel, one must enter its pages submissively with an open mind. Despite some of the adverse reviews this novel has received, I feel that the persons who delivered those reviews originially entered its pages with an open mind, but through conforming to society's rules, decided that the book was filfth and deviant. What "O" endures is repulsive and needless to many. But in reality, all of us face what "O" does in our lives. It is within the choices that we make that distinguish us from her. "O"is given the choice to be free or to be bound; hence, she chooses the bondage and in doing so strengthens her love for Rene. This parallels with the choices we make to remain in our stifling jobs (and our love for money, social status, and physical possessions.) Or how we choose to engage in marriage (which is a union founded in possession, bondage, domination, and submission) and see it through despite our disappointments, outside lusts, and yearning for freedom. To say that "O"'s motivations are not founded and explainable is ludicrous. Deeply search your life for what motivates you to love, lust, work, dream, and trust and therein you will discover why "O" chooses the path she does. I believe that "O" is the greatest love story ever written. To truly love someone is to do anything in your power to make that person happy. "O" shows Rene her unconditional love for him by fulfilling his desires and obeying his wishes. With a closed mind, one would not see this.
Rating:
Summary: I liked it, but where's the end?
Review: I'm incredibly disappointed that the last chapters of this novel are still suppressed in the translation (and be sure not to get the version translated by the man, it's more of a condensation than a true translation) I enjoyed it, although I am as independent a woman as many I've met. It is worth reading for its intense psychological revelations and the thoughts it provokes about yourself and society. Don't be embarassed to go check it out. Like many I wish the author had been more plainly explicit about O and why she did the things she did, but I while reading it I was helplessly swept along by her beautiful writing and symbolism. It was a novel I had to talk to others about after I read it.
Rating:
Summary: A strange book that must say something about the reader
Review: The book begins with the climactic scene, the complete submission of O to her lover and his sadistic friends. No explanation of her decision (assuming it was a concious desicion) is forthcoming. The rest of the book meanders through O's life as a submissive with little to enlighten the reader about her. The fact that this novel still sells so well and is praised by so many says something about the readers, but I'm not sure exactly what. I believe I can speak for most of the men, who likely had the same reaction I did - where do I sign up for Rene's club and short of that, where can I find someone like O for myself. The reaction of the women (assuming some of the buyers and reviewers are women) I understand not at all. If any of you would care to write and explain it to me, please do.
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Summary: A "B/D, S & M" classic ...........
Review: I found the Story of O to be disturbingly erotic. While I found most of the situations that "O" found herself helplessly engaged in ... arousing, I pitied her for her misdirected love and devotion. I believe the Story of O is one the the more truthful depictions of a "B/D, S&M" relationship, appealing to Doms and subs alike. If you prefer a softer version of this type of erotica, minus the brutality, delve into Miranda Reigns' world of self-discovery and submission through her newly released erotic novel, CyberWebs.
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Summary: Freedom is Slavery, Slavery is Freedom
Review: The Story of O shows us a psycho-sexual perspective on the subject of slavery. It is the slave owner who is in chains. It is he who must come up with the rules. It is he who must punish when it is time to punish. The slave is really free. Free from making decisions, free of control. It is O who decides to stay and O who decides to allow herself to be used in this fashion. Therefore she is the one in control. She can leave at anytime, but chooses not to. She chooses bondage, and choice is the greatest freedom. The Story of O is a wonderful book on so many levels.
Rating:
Summary: Control & Lust Vs. Equality & Love
Review: The images intrigued me. I could not understand her motivation, but I wanted too. Even though I found her a victim, I was attracted to her. I did not want to "rescue" her, but rather to make her mine. O, so willing to be controlled, the question, can love come from freedom no longer required an answer. I chose control & lust from my lack of character and laziness, but I still pine away for equality and love.
Rating:
Summary: Never ends
Review: The english version does not have the last chapter, just a small description.
Rating:
Summary: Still get turned on after all these years
Review: I first came across Story of O while in graduate school--back in 1977. It is a story of a woman who gives up and/or gives into herself in the name of love. Let's face it, don't we all do that especially--when it comes to money, sex, raising children, intimacy, working, etc. This book is a paradox. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Damned if you're with Rene or Sir Stephen, and damed if you're not. It is really about the story of life. That's why I still get turned on by it after all these years.
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