The Confessions of Wanda von Sacher-Masoch (Re/Search Classics) (Paperback)

by Wanda Von Sacher-Masoch (Author), Marian Phillips (Author), Caroline Hebert (Author), V. Vale (Author) "In 1907, during a meeting at Mercure de France, Paris's foremost publisher, a little old lady in a ratty fur coat marched in and announced..." (more)
Key Phrases: Sefer Pasha, Madame Frischauer, Madame Ries (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Confessions of Wanda von Sacher-Masoch is the first English translation of this early 20th century feminist classic by an SM pioneer. It is the racy and riveting memoir by the woman who was married for ten years to Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the author of Venus in Furs. The games Wanda played called into serious question who was the Master and who the Slave. Some amazing adventures and wild characters populate this love story, including the mysterious Ludwig II of Bavaria, creator of the amazing Neuschwanstein castle and other baroque wonders.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: V/Search; Rev Exp Su edition (February 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940642239
• ISBN-13: 978-0940642232
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #865,170 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into sado-masochistic relational dynamics, March 23, 2008

By	Night Owl (Boston, Mass.) - See all my reviews

This is a fascinating read (I devoured it in 2 days) about some murky corners of human nature. Every woman who is in a relationship with an abusive, perverted, manipulative partner should read this book to see where such things may lead -- what a big toll they take; what a nonsensical journey it is (and how harmful to children of such couples).

Of course, at the time when the events described in that book took place (2nd half of the 19th cent.), women were more dependent on men for survival, especially when children were involved, but you can nevertheless imagine someone being in an identical situation today.

I really loved the personal, biographical tone of this book, and the quaint picture of life in 19th cent. Europe that it brings to life. It left me hungry to learn more about the writer -- how and where she eventually died, what happened to her son, if she left any other personal papers -- but a google search was disappointing.

The reason I have not given this book 5 stars is because the quality of translation is embarrassingly poor. Also, the book has been published in a very sloppy, amateurish way. There is a complete absence of professional editorial care; there are no explanations of obscure, historic names; the illustrations are ridiculous (silly, contrived and contorted images where readers would have enjoyed some relevant old photos of people and places mentioned in the book).

But in spite of all that, I'm glad this book was made available in English. It would be good if it was republished as a part of a well-researched and properly illustrated monography.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good first step in opening our eyes, April 8, 2003

By	TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

For some people Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch is a great artist, for other an inspiration, but if anyone takes his fiction to heart, you need to read this book first. Here you'll read about how the man she thought was her savior turned into a nightmarish character who used money and her children to get her to publically and privately transgress her own morals and her own desires. I'm not convinced that the translation is the best and frankly the translators need more time giving us their creditials. I also found the images that are included to be distracting from the main message: she was abused, she was never a dominant or a sadist. Wanda's life is a sad reminder that women have not been legally equals to men for most of human history and that any "incidents" of SM we see in the past is probably not BDSM but instead a reflection of the abuse that such unequal societies promote and sanctify.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars insight to one of history's sex legends, August 4, 2000

By A Customer

high quality paperback. this book offers insight into the legend of Von Sacher-Masoch, his life and times thru the eyes of his wife who made it all possible. billed as a feminist classic- this story is a prime example of what a woman will do for love and survival. A good read. Not what you would expect. Read this book.