Wikipedia

Story of O

This article is about the novel. For the 1975 film, seeStory of O(film).For the film sequel, seeStory of O: Chapter 2.

Story of O(French:Histoire d'O,IPA:[istwaʁdo]) is anerotic novelwritten by French authorAnne Desclosunder thepen namePauline Réage, with the original French text published in 1954 by Jean-Jacques Pauvert.

Story of O
Cover of the 1962 edition
AuthorPauline Réage
LanguageFrench
GenreErotic novel
PublisherJean-Jacques Pauvert
Publication date
1954
Publication placeFrance
Media typePrint

Desclos did not reveal herself as the author until 1994, 40 years after the initial publication. Desclos stated she wrote the novel as a series of love letters to her loverJean Paulhan,[1]who had admired the work of theMarquis de Sade.The novel shares with the latter themes such as love,dominance, and submission.

Plot

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Story of Ois a tale offemale submissioninvolving a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer named O, who is taught to be constantly available fororal,vaginal,andanalintercourse,offering herself to any male who belongs to the samesecret societyas her lover. She is regularly stripped, blindfolded,chained,andwhipped;her anus is widened by increasingly largeplugs;herlabium is piercedand her buttocks arebranded.

The story begins when O's lover, René, brings her to the château inRoissy,where she is trained to serve the members of an elite club. After this initial training, as a demonstration of their bond and his generosity, René hands O to his elder stepbrother Sir Stephen, a more severe master. René wants O to learn to serve someone whom she does not love, and someone who does not love her. Over the course of this training, O falls in love with Sir Stephen and believes him to be in love with her as well. During the summer, Sir Stephen sends O to an old mansion inSamoissolely inhabited by women for advanced training and body modifications related to submission. There she agrees to receive permanent marks of Sir Stephen's ownership, in the form of abrandand a steel tag hanging from alabia piercing.

Meanwhile René has encouraged O to seduce Jacqueline, a vain fashion model, and lure her to Roissy. Jacqueline is repulsed when she first sees O's chains and scars, although O herself is proud of her condition as a willing slave. But Jacqueline's younger half-sister becomes enamored of O, and begs to be taken to Roissy.

At theclimax,O is presented as asexual slave,nude but for an owl-like mask and a leash attached to her piercing, before a large party of guests who treat her solely as an object. Afterward, she is shared by Sir Stephen and an associate of his who is referred to only as "The Commander".

Some early editions included several different variations of an epilogue which note that Sir Stephen later abandoned O, though there is debate as to whether Desclos intended it to be included in the finished work; in one such version, O is so distraught by the threat of this abandonment that she insists she would rather die and asks for permission to commit suicide, which is granted.[2][3]

One version of the Roissytriskelionring described in the book
Movie-styleRing of O,as sold in Europe.

Publishing history

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In February 1955,Story of Owon the French literature prizePrix des Deux Magots,but the French authorities still broughtobscenitycharges against the publisher. The charges were rejected by the courts, but a publicity ban was imposed for a number of years.

Olympia Presspublished the first English edition in 1965.Eliot Fremont-Smith(ofThe New York Times) called its publication "a significant event".

Criticism

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A critical view of the novel is that it is about, and derives its erotic power from, the ultimateobjectificationof a woman. The heroine has the shortest possible name. Though this is in fact a shortening of "Odile", it could also stand for "object" or "orifice", an O being a symbolic representation of any "hole". The novel was strongly criticized by manyfeminists,who felt it glorified the abuse of women.[4][5][6]An article bySusan Griffinthat appears inAgainst Sadomasochism: A Radical Feminist Analysis(reprinted from Griffin’s bookPornography and Silencewith an introduction) criticizes the novel; Griffin argues thatStory of Oshows "how a pornographic society turns a woman's heart against herself."[7]

When the filmStory of Owas released,L'Expressmagazine ran a feature on the novel and film. This resulted inL'Expressbeing picketed by feminists from the groupMouvement de libération des femmes,who found the novel and film objectionable.[8]JournalistFrançois Chalaisalso criticizedStory of O,claiming the novel glorified violence; he described the novel as "bringing theGestapointo the boudoir ".[8]

Hidden identities

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The book's authorAnne Desclosused a pen name, then later used another pen name, before finally, just before her death, revealing her true identity. Her lover, Jean Paulhan, wrote the preface as if the author were unknown to him.[citation needed]

According toGeraldine Bedell,writing in 2004,[1]"Pauline Réage, the author, was a pseudonym, and many people thought that the book could only have been written by a man. The writer's true identity was not revealed until ten years ago, when, in an interview with John de St. Jorre, a British journalist and sometime foreign correspondent ofThe Observer,an impeccably dressed 86-year-old intellectual called Dominique Aury acknowledged that the fantasies of castles, masks and debauchery were hers. "According to several other sources, however, Dominique Aury was itself a pseudonym ofAnne Desclos,born 23 September 1907 inRochefort-sur-Mer,France, and deceased 26 April 1998 (at age 90) in Paris.

The Grove Press edition (U.S., 1965) was translated by editorRichard Seaver(who had lived in France for many years) under the pseudonym Sabine d'Estrée.[9][unreliable source?][10]

Jean Paulhan

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Jean Paulhan,the author's lover and the person to whom she wroteStory of Oin the form of love letters, wrote the preface, "Happiness in Slavery". Paulhan admired theMarquis de Sade's work and told Desclos that a woman could not write like Sade. Desclos took this as a challenge and wrote the book. Paulhan was so impressed that he sent it to a publisher.[11]In the preface, he goes out of his way to appear as if he does not know who wrote it. In one part he says, "But from the beginning to end, the story of O is managed rather like some brilliant feat. It reminds you more of a speech than of a mere effusion; of a letter rather than a secret diary. But to whom is the letter addressed? Whom is the speech trying to convince? Whom can we ask? I don't even know who you are. That you are a woman I have little doubt."[12]Paulhan also explains his own belief that the themes in the book depict the true nature of women. At times, the preface (when read with the knowledge of the relationship between Paulhan and the author), seems to be a continuation of the conversation between them.

In an interview[13]Paulhan explained that O, in a religious-like obsession, was seeking the loss of responsibility for her body and mind much like many religious women seek to surrender themselves to the mercy of God. In both cases it is the joy of destruction. Paulhan was also quoted: "To be killed by someone you love strikes me as the epitome of ecstasy". Discussing the ending, Paulhan states, "I too was surprised by the end. And nothing you can say will convince me that it is the real end. That in reality (so to speak) your heroine convinces Sir Stephen to consent to her death."[citation needed]

One critic has seen Paulhan's essay as consistent with other themes in his work, including his interest in erotica, his "mystification" of love and sexual relationships, and a view of women that is arguablysexist.[14]

Legacy

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Emmanuelle Arsanclaimed theStory of Oinspired her to write her own erotic novelEmmanuelle(1967).[8]

A sequel toStory of O,Retour à Roissy(Return to Roissy,but often translated asReturn to the Chateau,Continuing the Story of O), was published in 1969 in French, again with Jean-Jacques Pauvert,éditeur.It was published again in English by Grove Press, Inc., in 1971. It is not known whether this work is by the same author as the original.

The townSamois-sur-Seineis mentioned inStory of Oas the location of the fictional mansion managed by Anne-Marie, alesbiandominatrix.In 1978, the nameSamoiswas adopted by alesbian-feministBDSMorganization based inSan Franciscothat existed from 1978 to 1983. It was the first lesbian BDSM group in the United States.[15]

In 2007, theNational Leather Association Internationalinaugurated awards for excellence in SM/fetish/leather writing. The categories include the Pauline Reage (a pen name ofAnne Desclos,author ofStory of O) award for fiction novel.[1][16]

In 2020, Anne Desclos was inducted into the Leather Hall of Fame.[17]

Adaptations

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Film

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American experimental directorKenneth Angermade a 20-minute short film version,l'Histoire d'O,in 1961.

French directorHenri-Georges Clouzotwanted to adapt the novel to film for many years, which was eventually done by directorJust Jaeckinin 1975 asHistoire d'O(Story of O) produced byEric Rochatand Gérard Lorin, starringCorinne CléryandUdo Kier.The film met with far less acclaim than the book. In the United Kingdom it was refused a certificate by theBBFC,and was not passed until February 2000.

In 1975, American directorGerard Damiano,well known forDeep Throat(1972) andThe Devil in Miss Jones(1973), created the movieThe Story of Joanna,highly influenced by theStory of O,by combiningmotifsfrom one of the book's chapters and fromJean-Paul Sartre'sNo Exit.

In 1979, Danish directorLars von Triermade the short movie entitledMenthe – la bienheureuse,as anhomagetoStory of O.His 2005 filmManderlaywas also inspired by the book, particularly Paulhan's introduction.[18]

Five years later, in 1984, actressSandra Weystarred as "O" inStory of O - Chapter 2,written, directed and produced by Eric Rochat.

In 1992, aBrazilianminiseriesin 10 episodes entitledA História de OstarringClaudia Cepedawas written, directed and produced by Eric Rochat, who was the producer of the original 1975 movie.

In 2002, another version ofOwas released, calledThe Story of O: Untold Pleasures,withDanielle Ciardiplaying the title character.

Comics

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In 1975, it was adapted for comics by the Italian artistGuido Crepax.Both the original and Crepax's adaptation were parodied for comics in 2007 byCharles Alversonand John Linton Roberson.[19]

Documentaries

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Writer of O,a 2004 documentary film byPola Rapaport[de],mixed interviews with re-enactments of certain scenes from the book. In the documentary, the real author ofStory of O,Dominique Aury (actually apen nameofAnne Desclos), talks about the bookA Girl in Love.This book was written about howStory of Owas written.

A documentary was also made forBBC Radio 4entitledThe Story of O: The Vice Francaise,presented byRowan Pelling,former editor of theErotic Review,which looked at the history of the book and its authorAnne Desclos.

Erotica: A Journey Into Female Sexuality,a documentary film byMaya Gallusproduced byRed Queen Productionsin 1997, featured the final interview with 90-year-old Dominique Aury (a pen name ofStory of OauthorAnne Desclos) before she died. In the film, she recounts the extraordinary love story behindStory of Oand marvels that she has reached such a grand age.

Songs

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The 2018 single "O"[20]by the artistShygirlis based on the book.

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcBedell, Geraldine (24 July 2004)."I wrote the story of O".The Guardian.Archived fromthe originalon 24 March 2008.Retrieved20 March2008.
  2. ^Réage, Pauline (1973).The story of O.Ballantine. p.203.ISBN0345301110.There exists a second end to O's story. In that version, O, seeing that Sir Stephen was on the verge of leaving her, preferred to die. Sir Stephen gave his consent.
  3. ^"On the Death of O".The complete Story of O website.Archived fromthe originalon 25 March 2018.Retrieved28 November2018.
  4. ^ Dworkin, Andrea(1974).Woman Hating: A Radical Look at Sexuality.New York: Dutton.ISBN0-452-26827-3.
  5. ^ Griffin, Susan(1982). "Sadomasochism and the Erosion of Self: A Critical Reading of Story of O". In Linden, R. R. (ed.).Against Sadomasochism: A Radical Feminist Analysis.East Palo Alto.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ Smith, Joan(1998).Different for Girls: How Culture Creates Women.London.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^Griffin, Susan (1982). "Sadomasochism and the Erosion of Self: A Critical Reading ofStory of O".In Linden, Robin Ruth; Pagano, Darlene R.; Russell, Diana E. H.; et al. (eds.).Against Sadomasochism: A Radical Feminist Analysis.San Francisco: Frog in the Well. pp. 184–201.
  8. ^abc Destais, Alexandra (2006). "Réage, Pauline". InBrulotte, Gaétan;Philips, John(eds.).The Encyclopedia of Erotic Literature.London: Routledge. pp.1080–1086.ISBN978-1-57958-441-2.
  9. ^ "The True Story of 'The Story of O' by Pauline Reage".h2g2.3 November 2006 [13 November 2001].Retrieved15 November2012.
  10. ^Weber, Bruce (7 January 2009)."Richard Seaver, Publisher, Dies at 82".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved18 June2015.
  11. ^Ciuraru, Carmela (11 June 2011)."The Story of the Story of O".Guernica.Retrieved31 December2013.
  12. ^ Story of O.Ballantine Books. p. xxiv.
  13. ^InterviewYouTube min 10:00
  14. ^ Syrotinski, Michael (1998).Defying Gravity: Jean Paulhan's Interventions in Twentieth-Century French Intellectual History.SUNY Press. pp. 74–75.
  15. ^Jeffreys, Sheila(1993).The Lesbian Heresy.North Melbourne, Vic., Australia: Spinifex. p. 130.ISBN978-1-875559-17-6.
  16. ^"NLA-I Accepting Nominations for Writing Awards".Chicago Den - The Midwest's Fetish Newspaper. Archived fromthe originalon 13 April 2013.Retrieved1 April2018.
  17. ^"> Inductees".Leatherhalloffame.com.Retrieved1 January2020.
  18. ^ Bell, Emma (10 October 2005)."Lars von Trier: Anti-American? Me?".The Independent.Retrieved8 August2015.[dead link‍]
  19. ^ Alverson, Charles; Roberson, John (2007)."Story of OH!".Retrieved15 November2012.
  20. ^O,1 May 2018,retrieved1 August2022
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