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Story of O Paperback – May 8, 1998

3.8 out of 5 stars 2,882 ratings

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The notorious novel of dark obsession, an erotic classic first published in France in 1954.
 
How far will a woman go to express her love? In this exquisite novel of passion and desire, the answer emerges through a daring exploration of the deepest bonds of sensual domination. “O” is a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer, determined to understand and prove her consuming devotion to her lover, René, through complete submission to his every whim, his every desire.
 
It is a journey of forbidden, dangerous choices that sweeps her through the secret gardens of the sexual underground. From the inner sanctum of a private club where willing women are schooled in the art of subjugation to the excruciating embraces of René’s friend Sir Stephen, O tests the outermost limits of pleasure. For as O discovers, true freedom lies in her pure and complete willingness to do anything for love.
"Layla" by Colleen Hoover for $7.19
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pauline Réage was a pseudonym for an editor at the prestigious NRF Review in Paris, whose editor in chief was her lover. She died in 1998.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press Adult
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 8, 1998
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 0
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1562010352
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1562010355
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.5 x 0.63 x 7 inches
  • Book 1 of 1 ‏ : ‎ Story of O Series
  • Best Sellers Rank: #346,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 2,882 ratings

About the author

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Pauline Reage
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Anne Cécile Desclos (23 September 1907 – 27 April 1998) was a French journalist and novelist who wrote under the pseudonyms Dominique Aury and Pauline Réage.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
2,882 global ratings

Customers say

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with some finding it compelling while others say it didn't keep their attention. The storyline receives mixed feedback, with some praising the plot while others note the abrupt ending. The writing quality and erotic content are also divided, with some finding it brilliantly written and erotic, while others say it's not well written and isn't erotic romance. The pacing is slow, and customers describe the book as extremely sad, intense, and a waste of money.

85 customers mention "Readability"52 positive33 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with some finding it interesting and compelling, while others say it was boring and didn't keep their attention.

"Wow, reality bites! Interesting and to know that this was written in 1954. This thing has been around a long time, real or not." Read more

"Boring. No substance in the characters. Not a real D/s relationship. This was just a few men that were complete jackasses and treated her like crap...." Read more

"The subject matter was hard for me at times, but it was interesting and well written. Great storytelling." Read more

"...It does have adult themes (go figure) but it is an interesting book and nicely explores a lot of topics people can get uppity about...." Read more

76 customers mention "Storyline"31 positive45 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the storyline of the book, with some finding it great and having a good plot, while others note that it abruptly ends and lacks a final chapter.

"The story ends abruptly. A note saying the ending was "suppressed" is printed at the bottom of the page...." Read more

"...The graphic scenes are more strong and intense. There is a love story but not so mediocre or mellow dramatic." Read more

"...I use the word lovers lightly. The ending was disappointing, it felt like unfinished business." Read more

"This is a great story, if you are in to this genre. I definitely recommend reading all three books in the series...." Read more

40 customers mention "Writing quality"25 positive15 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it brilliantly and well written, particularly praising the sexual scenes, while others find it poorly executed.

"This is beautifully written and in my opinion it is pretty dark. I read this one night." Read more

"it is erotic, but writing not too good and editing terrible. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless you REALLY like this kind of thing." Read more

"The fore runner of Shades of Grey. Well written story revealing the world of BDSM." Read more

"The story is well written and maybe it was special way back when. It's more of a day in the life kind of thing more than anything else...." Read more

34 customers mention "Erotic content"21 positive13 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the erotic content of the book, with some finding it highly erotic while others describe it as fairly gratuitous.

"I thought it quite contrived. BDSM can be fun and erotic. This book was pure sadistic. Don't know why it was so popular many years ago or even now." Read more

"...Although there is explicit sexual content (It would be hard to imagine a book on the topic without), the language is devoid of tired cliches and the..." Read more

"Erotic and strange - a classic that I never read and had heard about all my life...." Read more

"Erotic...VERY Erotic!" Read more

18 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with several finding it slow, while one customer describes it as passionate and another finds it titillating at times.

"Slow moving, not my taste. Fifty Shades of Grey blew it out of the water! Love erotica and Bdsm but this book left me cold." Read more

"This is a very old novel. I had read it years and years ago so I bought it for my daughter ro read." Read more

"Great shocker when the book was first published, for 2013 makes for slow reading. But for my 8 hard earned dollars, I will finish it!!!!!" Read more

"...I had a hard time even finishing the book." Read more

16 customers mention "Sadness"6 positive10 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's emotional content, with several finding it extremely sad, while one customer appreciates how it takes readers on a journey of many emotions.

"...I found it depressing and slow. I am glad I read it, so I know what all the hype is about. There is, in my opinion, just too much hype." Read more

"Excellent book, beautifully written, heart breaking at times...." Read more

"...& interesting... But the ending was not what I expected... It was depressing." Read more

"Book is very erotic and intriguing. However, extremely sad also...." Read more

12 customers mention "Intensity"4 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the intensity of the book, with some finding it intense and extreme, while one customer describes it as devastating to the human body.

"This book was bizarre and very extreme. I guess if you are into the BDSM lifestyle it might be titillating...." Read more

"It was very intense& interesting... But the ending was not what I expected... It was depressing." Read more

"...This is erotica, not erotic romance. It's sinister and strange and shocking, exactly what I want erotica to be." Read more

"...But in terms of a good story? Meh. I got bored. Gasp, shock horror!..." Read more

14 customers mention "Value for money"2 positive12 negative

Customers find the book to be a waste of money, describing it as not worth the read or hype.

"...I submit that is pure crap, and not worth the slightest effort. The fact that I purchased this book leaves me feeling cheated...." Read more

"...It had no substance Not really worth the read" Read more

"...Was not worth the read or hype" Read more

"Complete waste of time." Read more

From Timid To Tawdry
5 out of 5 stars
From Timid To Tawdry
Erotica must have crawled out of the Garden on the back of the snake. The Story of 0 by no means the first of its kind to shock the sensibilities of its culture shaking its moral values to the core. Explicit descriptions of a “feminine nature” push the reader through its 199 pages divided into four parts, each a continuing saga of 0, a young woman willing to go to the depths of sexual depravity for her lover. Who is Pauline Réage? Male? Female? Feminist male or masculine female? Are there clues within the story—0 with masculine hands whose desires reach to her own kind? Or is the Story of 0 a penned memory? Compare the subject matter of 0 with Fifty Shades of Gray. Each landmarked a literary era. Reading one visualizes the other. Identical theme from a different perspective, but both woven into the fabric of Eyes Wide Shut. 0 is not for the Bible-thumper, or hard core. Preferably readers old enough to garner the gist and depth of the Story of 0, which delves into psychology and character and self-esteem: love, desire and lust. To instruments of pleasure/pain and to what extent 0 will suffer to satisfy her lover offers countless debates among twenty-first century women. It bothers me as a reader and woman that 0 does not see the big picture, but focuses on today’s feelings as she matures through sexual exploits. She doesn’t see the day her body is wrinkled and worn and her beauty no longer desired. Visits to Roissy Chalet will end. What becomes of her? Will she become an Anne-Marie? As a writer, I am fascinated by Réage’s writing style: erotica delicately written and though explicit, not unpleasant to the sensibilities. Fifty Shades offering an excellent comparison of cultures and writing styles. 0 struggled with acceptance whereas Fifty Shades was embraced, albeit not without controversy. Still, not the struggle the elusive Pauline Réage endured. How might that be interpreted? The Story of 0 is definitely not for everyone. But for those who do read this classic, it is a fast pace through the developing character of 0 from timid to tawdry.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have read this book many times over the years. I have a habit of lending it out and not getting it back so I decided to add it to my kindle library. Pauline Reage writes very well, the book is captivating and the dive into the mind of our lead character is fascinating. I wouldn't be surprised if the author has some psychology study in her history.

    Before Fifty Shades of Grey, The Secretary or The Piano Teacher, Pauline Reage, had the guts to write about a taboo subject from the perspective of love and the complete and utter surrender of one's complete self to the person they love. Not filthy, not smut, but a believable dive into the mind of master and slave, love and obedience (please know I mean this only from the main character's point of view) and the sacrifice of giving all or too much and losing yourself in the process. I always recommend this to anyone who shows the slightest bit of interest in pondering why people do what they do in relationships, whether it be psychological or physical abuse (pleasure), however you choose to view it. I'm not one to judge just a curious observer to the possibility that my ideas are no better or worse than those of anyone else so long as all participants are willing players in the game.

    Great read, every time for more than 20 years. Well-written, captivating, interesting, original and intriguing. I think I like it.
    40 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Synopsis:

    This novel, sexually explicit without being crude, is indeed the story of O, a woman whose love for a man leads her to increasingly submissive behavior - allowing herself to be sexually used, violently beaten, and physically mutilated, which releases her independence of thought, and eventually causes her to abandon her individual identity. As O's submission deepens and becomes more extreme, the novel simultaneously deepens its thematic explorations of the relationship between surrender and freedom, the nature and demands of love, and the spiritual aspects of sexual desire.

    The Story of O begins as O is taken by Rene, referred to repeatedly as "her lover", to an isolated chateau in the French countryside, where she is ritualistically and repeatedly subjected to the constant, at times violent, sexual desires of the men there. She is, she is told, being trained in the way of submission, learning how to dress, behave, and react in total sexual obedience as a manifestation of her love for her lover, her trust in him, and her faith that he loves her in return. Over the painful course of several weeks, O is trained physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually, and spiritually in the ways of surrender. Rene eventually returns, tells O that she is to be taken back to their home, and prepares to leave with her. As they go, O is presented with a ring made of iron lined with gold, which she is to wear constantly as a signal to her, to her lover, and to anyone (male or female) who understands the life and teachings of the chateau, that she is sexually available.

    Upon returning to her life in Paris, O finds herself transformed. Not only does she dress differently (in a much more sexually available fashion), her colleagues at the fashion magazine where she works as a photographer comment on the change in her attitude and presence - she seems, to them, to be calmer and more peaceful. At the same time, however, O is thrown into a sexually charged turmoil over Jacqueline, a beautiful model who, in O's eyes, may or may not be flirting with her. One day, O is surprised and shocked to discover that Rene intends to share her with a man who is, in many ways, an older brother to him - Sir Stephen, a British businessman and aristocrat. Sir Stephen, O soon realizes, is to be her sole master - Rene, out of respect for him, cedes more and more sexual and physical control of O. For her part, O is at first determined to remain as emotionally faithful as she can to Rene. As time goes on, however, O becomes more and more deeply devoted to Sir Stephen, coming to think of the brutal way he treats her as a sign of her worthiness to be cared for. Eventually, Sir Stephen takes O to meet Anne-Marie, the woman who, O learns, will arrange for Sir Stephen to mark her with the ultimate sign of that worth: branding with a hot iron.

    Following her acceptance of Sir Stephen's brand, O returns to her life in Paris where she is told by Sir Stephen to do whatever it takes to bring Jacqueline under his control; the goal of which, he says, is to get Jacqueline to the chateau. At first, O refuses, having fallen in love with Jacqueline herself. Later, however, when she sees the merciless way Jacqueline treats Rene (who has fallen in love with her) and when she (O) also realizes that her devotion to Sir Stephen is now so complete that she will do anything in order to please him, O manipulates Jacqueline into at least considering a trip to the chateau. O also becomes involved with Jacqueline's half-sister Natalie, who seems much more eager than her sister to follow O's path. Just what that path involves is made clear to Natalie when O, following the directions of Sir Stephen, is put on as a nude, silent, sexually titillating display at a party. The action of the novel concludes here, but an epilogue reveals that upon returning to the chateau, O was abandoned by Sir Stephen. The epilogue also suggests that there is an alternate ending to this story - that upon learning that Sir Stephen was to leave her, she begged to be allowed to die rather than left alone. Sir Stephen, narration reveals, gave his permission.

    Opinion: The author gets a little tedious with over attention to detail so some pages pass slowly but the plot moves along quickly. Some readers may be repulsed by the subject material so please know before buying that this is the story of a "vanilla" being converted into a slave.
    71 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I’m trying to keep this brief, without revealing too much… The Story of O is a remarkable piece of literature, layered with meaning at every turn.

    Behind the erotic veil lies a powerful psychological substrate, one that explores trauma theory, dissociation, and survival-based identity. On the surface, it may appear to be an erotic novel, but in truth, it is far more than that.

    This is a story about identity engineered through servitude. About survival constructed not through self-recognition, but through the gaze of the “other”, the kind of recognition that quietly insists, “If you’re pleased, I exist.”

    The Story of O is a cautionary tale of what happens when desire collides with the demand for erasure. It is about how far a person will go to preserve meaning when that meaning has become fused with pain, submission, and the need to be chosen.

    Warning: It may evoke strong, possibly disturbing feelings.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2007
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    So this was not what I expected and I dont think it lived up to the hype. It was very erotic in places, exciting, and weird in others and flat out CRAPPY in some places. And the ending blah. That being said if youre curious about S/M it is worth the read.

    3 1/2 stars is better but that wasnt offered.

    Ps :Check out Power Exchange (Christina Brashear)..that book has a bit of everything including genuwine affection.LOVE!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I recently read this book due to the reviews stating that it was a better read than the Fifty Shades of Grey series. I found this book quite disturbing about the BDSM lifestyle of "O" and the torture that she had to endure. I get the idea of the submissive lifestyle in some of these erotica books, but to go to the extreme as this book has done with the downgrading, piercing, slavery, branding and torture as depicted, insults any woman who has a strong self-esteem. In the book, "O" states she has willingly done these things out of "love" and that the characters who are her "owners" have inflicted these tortures because they "love" her. If that is what the anonymous author of this book thought love was, then I as a reader don't want any part of it. At least in the Fifty Shades series the character Christian Grey realizes when the beatings have gone too far with Anastasia and knows enough to curb his actions to win her back.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Crazy Daragaja
    2.0 out of 5 stars Not my taste
    Reviewed in Germany on September 29, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I did not really like this book but that is my Personal opinion. Others mit enjoy it. I did mit like the story
  • Elliot Z.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A classic must read.
    Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2020
    This book ignited an awareness in me like no other. It's not so much the graphic nature but the psychological that captivated me. If you're the type of person who appreciates depth in your carnal imaginations then you'll love this book. Especially if you're inclined to BDSM.
  • Kelly_M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in Australia on September 25, 2018
    This was truly an amazing book, it was well written and I could feel "O's" emotions.. Definitely recommend this book to those interested in the BDSM lifestyle.
  • LIANA
    4.0 out of 5 stars une nouvelle pornographique très connue
    Reviewed in France on July 4, 2011
    C'est un des livres érotiques les plus connus du 20ème siècle.
    L'histoire de Mlle O ou jusqu'où une femme est prête à aller au nom de l'amour...
    C'est pornographique mais pas obscène, cruel mais toujours au nom de l'amour...
    Report
  • Filippo B.
    3.0 out of 5 stars non saprei
    Reviewed in Italy on October 8, 2016
    libro strano. interessante, ma che non mi ha colpito particolarmente. é una storia bizzarra di mercificazione femminile che aborrisce senza dubbio