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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So I have a few thoughts, I guess!
I think a main point against this book I've seen is that it's a pretty poor representation of BDSM. I can't personally say I've read a lot of books on the subject so I'll concede to that point. However, I also don't think this book was trying to be about BDSM, or even really erotica. The main character, Severin, is a masochist, sure. But the theme of the book is really about who has power in relationships.
Old Severin, who we see briefly at the beginning and the end, is convinced that women should not be given any power in a relationship, and advocates for such practices as beating your wife. He cites his manuscript as the reason why he thinks this.
But see, the rest of the book is the manuscript. And really, all that it showed was that no one in a relationship should have such a huge amount of power over another. Young Severin's mistake wasn't not beating Wanda, it was letting her have that much power over him in the first place.
So I can certainly see why people might say it's a bad representation of BDSM! But, if I understand correctly, BDSM often has very clear rules and boundaries that keeps the parties involved safe, and Venus in Furs is a fantastic example of what happens when there aren't boundaries in a relationship.
But that's really only my two cents, I suppose! At any rate, I did like the book, it really made me laugh in places.
I think a main point against this book I've seen is that it's a pretty poor representation of BDSM. I can't personally say I've read a lot of books on the subject so I'll concede to that point. However, I also don't think this book was trying to be about BDSM, or even really erotica. The main character, Severin, is a masochist, sure. But the theme of the book is really about who has power in relationships.
But see, the rest of the book is the manuscript. And really, all that it showed was that no one in a relationship should have such a huge amount of power over another. Young Severin's mistake wasn't not beating Wanda, it was letting her have that much power over him in the first place.
So I can certainly see why people might say it's a bad representation of BDSM! But, if I understand correctly, BDSM often has very clear rules and boundaries that keeps the parties involved safe, and Venus in Furs is a fantastic example of what happens when there aren't boundaries in a relationship.
But that's really only my two cents, I suppose! At any rate, I did like the book, it really made me laugh in places.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ummmmm..... okay. That happened. Major takeaway: masochism is a weird and confusing thing.
Ordynarna, mocno odzwierciedlająca pogląd (a może prawdę), z którym się zmagamy także w dzisiejszym świecie - że, między płciami wiecznie toczy się wojna, wynikająca z niezrozumienia siebie nawzajem i braku życzliwości. Święte małpy z Benares - zagorzałe feministki - vs. mężczyźni, którzy są na tyle mało męscy, by pogardzać istotą kobiety i pogardę tą na każdym kroku im - nam - okazywać.
To chyba jedyne, co rozsądnego można wywnioskować z treści „Wenus w futrze” - ani ona kusi piękną treścią, ani porywa fabułą, urzeka jedynie tych, którzy chcieliby oddać się pod kobiecy pantofel, albo tych, które pozwolą by nad ich nisko schylonymi głowami dzierżono bat.
Tymczasem mnie brzydzi przemoc.
To chyba jedyne, co rozsądnego można wywnioskować z treści „Wenus w futrze” - ani ona kusi piękną treścią, ani porywa fabułą, urzeka jedynie tych, którzy chcieliby oddać się pod kobiecy pantofel, albo tych, które pozwolą by nad ich nisko schylonymi głowami dzierżono bat.
Tymczasem mnie brzydzi przemoc.
Wow, what a reading experience. This was really ahead of its time in the way it discusses sexuality and gender - I needed to keep reminding myself that this was published in 1870! I wasn't massively in love with the sentiments at the end, and there was some crazy repetition at times (if I see the word suprasensual one more time I swear I'll flip), but for the most part this was a bit of a wild ride and I was captivated. The translation by Fernanda Savage was absolutely gorgeous, and it kept me flipping through the pages like nobody's business. Highly recommended if you want a real experience that's short if not so sweet!
It's hot but it's very very stupid, and has extremely questionable things to say about women. But hey, whipping!