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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
I started reading this out of curiosity, but I was happily surprised with how philosophical and fun this was to read. It wasn’t that heavy despite being about masochism haha
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual violence
Read it because i had the velvet underground stuck in my head
What an odd bloke
What an odd bloke
I adored this book.
I initially was worried that it would be too simplistic in its approach to sexuality, kink, and dominance & submissiveness in sexuality (much as early science fiction books are sometimes are the epitomies of genre cliches regarding time travel, this book could easily have fallen into a genre cliche of the female with the whip). And from what I had first encountered, I had plenty of reason to be expecting this.
For one, it is no secret that this book contains such an extreme depiction of submissiveness and pain as a romantic outlet that it actually inspired the creation of the word "masochist", taken from the author's name, Sacher-Masoch. Then, the initial scenes were very polarized -- containing an all or nothing view of dominance, sexual martyrdom, and pain. The book continues to depict a character named Severin and his idealization of sexual martyrdom -- narrated to a friend to illustrate why one should always rule women rather than be ruled by them.
But after this polar start, the Sacher-Masoch quickly enters a very captivating depiction of early love and of the formation of a very, very involved romance. From here, the story continues with an addictive narrative and plot.
And the ending, which I won't spoil, left me feeling very fulfilled -- complex and well-earned by a writer who was willing to really flesh out his characters. I'm incredibly glad that I tracked this book down and read it.
I initially was worried that it would be too simplistic in its approach to sexuality, kink, and dominance & submissiveness in sexuality (much as early science fiction books are sometimes are the epitomies of genre cliches regarding time travel, this book could easily have fallen into a genre cliche of the female with the whip). And from what I had first encountered, I had plenty of reason to be expecting this.
For one, it is no secret that this book contains such an extreme depiction of submissiveness and pain as a romantic outlet that it actually inspired the creation of the word "masochist", taken from the author's name, Sacher-Masoch. Then, the initial scenes were very polarized -- containing an all or nothing view of dominance, sexual martyrdom, and pain. The book continues to depict a character named Severin and his idealization of sexual martyrdom -- narrated to a friend to illustrate why one should always rule women rather than be ruled by them.
But after this polar start, the Sacher-Masoch quickly enters a very captivating depiction of early love and of the formation of a very, very involved romance. From here, the story continues with an addictive narrative and plot.
And the ending, which I won't spoil, left me feeling very fulfilled -- complex and well-earned by a writer who was willing to really flesh out his characters. I'm incredibly glad that I tracked this book down and read it.
challenging
dark
You really understand why masochism is named after this author although I don't remember the book super well as I'm putting this review in well after reading.
In Masoch’s fable, all ground is conceded to play, all morality shaped by a desire to act as a slave, all reflections on gender relations (of which there are too many) plagued by an unshakable sense of male submissiveness.
The book longs for and dreams of a sexual depravity that never graces its pages and, in doing so, imbues all interactions with a latent, and potent, eroticism.
Amazing that over a hundred and fifty years later, few authors have come close to capturing the nervy, pulsing sensation that accompanies the realisation of a fetish.
The book longs for and dreams of a sexual depravity that never graces its pages and, in doing so, imbues all interactions with a latent, and potent, eroticism.
Amazing that over a hundred and fifty years later, few authors have come close to capturing the nervy, pulsing sensation that accompanies the realisation of a fetish.