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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Hmm.
Okay, the first half of this book I loved. As much as it doesn’t reflect my own views, I found the whole narrative of ‘as soon as a man isn’t domineering, the woman feels the need to domineer, which is the root of sadomasochism’, interesting. Obviously inaccurate and sexist, but radical and interesting, considering its time.
Really, though, it got a little preposterous towards the end. Severin (the ‘slave’/submissive) is genuinely miserable and not enjoying himself basically all the time, and Wanda (the ‘mistress’/dominant), including her sexual wants, change from one extreme to the other depending on if Severin (intentionally or not) shows even an ounce of strength or steadfastness—so basically, we have a submissive who isn’t entirely sure they want to be dominated, and a dominant who isn’t entirely sure they want someone to submit to them. Severin even considers killing himself to be free of his ‘contract’, only being pulled back due to his sense of betrayal—and what seems to be Stockholm syndrome, since this text definitely ventures far beyond the realm of Safe, Sane, and Consensual.
And then when we get to the end, Wanda says, Actually, half of my joy came from the idea of hurting you so bad that I’d cure you entirely and you wouldn’t have these fantasies anymore. And guess what! Severin IS cured. Not really my idea of a S-M relationship where everyone’s fully on board.
While I liked the book’s parting message—until men and women are equal in rights, jobs, and education, there can be no companionship, but an endless power struggle—I felt the author seemed to not be able to bring himself to deliver a story that was reflective of his true beliefs: that sadomasochism/‘suprasexuality’ is a natural expression of one’s urges, and shouldn’t be demonised.
Okay, the first half of this book I loved. As much as it doesn’t reflect my own views, I found the whole narrative of ‘as soon as a man isn’t domineering, the woman feels the need to domineer, which is the root of sadomasochism’, interesting. Obviously inaccurate and sexist, but radical and interesting, considering its time.
Really, though, it got a little preposterous towards the end. Severin (the ‘slave’/submissive) is genuinely miserable and not enjoying himself basically all the time, and Wanda (the ‘mistress’/dominant), including her sexual wants, change from one extreme to the other depending on if Severin (intentionally or not) shows even an ounce of strength or steadfastness—so basically, we have a submissive who isn’t entirely sure they want to be dominated, and a dominant who isn’t entirely sure they want someone to submit to them. Severin even considers killing himself to be free of his ‘contract’, only being pulled back due to his sense of betrayal—and what seems to be Stockholm syndrome, since this text definitely ventures far beyond the realm of Safe, Sane, and Consensual.
While I liked the book’s parting message—until men and women are equal in rights, jobs, and education, there can be no companionship, but an endless power struggle—I felt the author seemed to not be able to bring himself to deliver a story that was reflective of his true beliefs: that sadomasochism/‘suprasexuality’ is a natural expression of one’s urges, and shouldn’t be demonised.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is where S and M began, and for many people it's a classic.
I enjoyed the fact its a submissive male, which is something we haven't seen much of. There's still a very sexist aspect to kink, with the women still submitting to a male figure and that plays into our films and novels.
As an historical aspect it's a good idea to read this.
I enjoyed the fact its a submissive male, which is something we haven't seen much of. There's still a very sexist aspect to kink, with the women still submitting to a male figure and that plays into our films and novels.
As an historical aspect it's a good idea to read this.
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audiobook: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul0Un3323Zw
Read this after one of my closest friends said to me:
"If you are sadistic you hide it well. You can’t hide the masochism, though."
Oh, how the love I have for others defines & wounds me.
Read this after one of my closest friends said to me:
"If you are sadistic you hide it well. You can’t hide the masochism, though."
Oh, how the love I have for others defines & wounds me.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
fast-paced
What a ridiculous novella. It all just seems preposterous to me. I understand masochism, but Severin and Wanda are taking that concept to the extreme... there's masochism and then there's lowering yourself to the point where you literally become a slave.
The fact that this was actually a tale of slavery and all in all a completely twisted romance rules out the idea of it being 'erotica'. Unless I missed something, it was just a woman repeatedly wearing furs, a man getting whipped so he is oozing blood, and a bunch of kissing. Where is the erotic aspect of that? It all seems utterly absurd.
Apart from that, the writing was enjoyably good and I wasn't bored while reading it. It was an intriguing story to say the least. The romantic aspect was a tad off; the idea of love being so sporadic that it can be turned on or off like a light switch is completely unbelievable. I expected more from this, especially since the word 'masochism' is rooted in the author's name.
You should read this if you like classics and/or erotica; you might as well, it's short and scandalous. But don't expect too much because I doubt you'll be satisfied.
The fact that this was actually a tale of slavery and all in all a completely twisted romance rules out the idea of it being 'erotica'. Unless I missed something, it was just a woman repeatedly wearing furs, a man getting whipped so he is oozing blood, and a bunch of kissing. Where is the erotic aspect of that? It all seems utterly absurd.
Apart from that, the writing was enjoyably good and I wasn't bored while reading it. It was an intriguing story to say the least. The romantic aspect was a tad off; the idea of love being so sporadic that it can be turned on or off like a light switch is completely unbelievable. I expected more from this, especially since the word 'masochism' is rooted in the author's name.
You should read this if you like classics and/or erotica; you might as well, it's short and scandalous. But don't expect too much because I doubt you'll be satisfied.