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saturnsmoons's review against another edition
an absolutely incredible amount of stuff to say here.
sex is so complicated here. it’s not really an erotica when you think about it. naturally i understand that this book IS predominantly on the topic of sex, yet it’s still so shocking that it feels so asexual as a piece.
this piece is evidently overly sexual to mock/satirize western cultures views of pornography and such… but i also think it’s an evident allure to youth culture and sex. a certain recognition or oath to the discovery of sexuality.
if i’m talking about how this piece made me feel, uncomfortable is the first word that comes to mind. in both good and bad ways for that matter.
also just ran into an old friend who read me this story some time ago just as i was writing! i really miss them. anyhow my point still stands. evidently bataille wrote this story to shock to concern etc etc. but i think some truth still lives in here. especially when comparing it to eroticism and death, the idea that sexuality is so intrinsically related to violence and such. i can’t say i enjoyed reading this book but i don’t regret it either. and especially the religious scene wow! bataille n’est quand même pas fucking gener non plus…
sex is so complicated here. it’s not really an erotica when you think about it. naturally i understand that this book IS predominantly on the topic of sex, yet it’s still so shocking that it feels so asexual as a piece.
this piece is evidently overly sexual to mock/satirize western cultures views of pornography and such… but i also think it’s an evident allure to youth culture and sex. a certain recognition or oath to the discovery of sexuality.
if i’m talking about how this piece made me feel, uncomfortable is the first word that comes to mind. in both good and bad ways for that matter.
also just ran into an old friend who read me this story some time ago just as i was writing! i really miss them. anyhow my point still stands. evidently bataille wrote this story to shock to concern etc etc. but i think some truth still lives in here. especially when comparing it to eroticism and death, the idea that sexuality is so intrinsically related to violence and such. i can’t say i enjoyed reading this book but i don’t regret it either. and especially the religious scene wow! bataille n’est quand même pas fucking gener non plus…
lottiemorton's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really don’t know how I feel
mopilla's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
loki_the_gnome's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating work of pure transgression, possibly pornographic depending on one's definition but far from erotic, utilizing sex for a dense, multilayered and circular central metaphor, this is one hell of a metaphysical and absurdist text, one that's certainly bizarre, alluring, disgusting, provoking, and fascinating all at once.
The most compelling portions of this novel were less any specific segments within, but more the one's I read after, that of the artists' prelude, his ruminations on his own trauma's and memories being unintentionally written into the novel, and that of the essay on the Metaphor of the eye, which retroactively makes the work strangely genius in its own sick way, a reflection of trauma is laced in each image, intended or not even something so strangely depraved and absurd as this can't help but speak to the authors soul, for better or worse (probably worse.)
A compelling read, the first chapter made me immediately think "what the hell am I reading?", but luckily I stuck around made curious enough by the essay in the end, Bataille is a self admitted provocateur, proudly describing the story as "immature", but he has quite a sense of prose even in its immature form, the surrealist bleeding of chapters and absurdity of images is quite striking, and even in its intended provocation, it mostly comes off as more absurd than crass, which feels by design, and ultimately upon conclusion much of that absurdity is converted into a strangely somber reflection given the meaning of many of these symbols.
Regardless, not for the faint of heart, probably a decent start to transgressive literature as:
1. It's quite short
2. most of its transgressions are relatively inoffensive (assumedly) compared to what else you'd likely find, mostly revolving around bodily fluids, sacrilegious acts, and a whole lot of eggs (or eyes?), although it's grotesque and provocative, it actually moves on from said vulgar acts quite quickly, having more interest in the repetition of them than in their actual form.
Tw's (Large spoilers here):
Sexual violence (including, most predominately, towards minors)
Egg's in sexual acts
Bull testicles in sexual acts
eyeball's in sexual acts
Sacrilege
A lot of urine
Suicide
The most compelling portions of this novel were less any specific segments within, but more the one's I read after, that of the artists' prelude, his ruminations on his own trauma's and memories being unintentionally written into the novel, and that of the essay on the Metaphor of the eye, which retroactively makes the work strangely genius in its own sick way, a reflection of trauma is laced in each image, intended or not even something so strangely depraved and absurd as this can't help but speak to the authors soul, for better or worse (probably worse.)
A compelling read, the first chapter made me immediately think "what the hell am I reading?", but luckily I stuck around made curious enough by the essay in the end, Bataille is a self admitted provocateur, proudly describing the story as "immature", but he has quite a sense of prose even in its immature form, the surrealist bleeding of chapters and absurdity of images is quite striking, and even in its intended provocation, it mostly comes off as more absurd than crass, which feels by design, and ultimately upon conclusion much of that absurdity is converted into a strangely somber reflection given the meaning of many of these symbols.
Regardless, not for the faint of heart, probably a decent start to transgressive literature as:
1. It's quite short
2. most of its transgressions are relatively inoffensive (assumedly) compared to what else you'd likely find, mostly revolving around bodily fluids, sacrilegious acts, and a whole lot of eggs (or eyes?), although it's grotesque and provocative, it actually moves on from said vulgar acts quite quickly, having more interest in the repetition of them than in their actual form.
Tw's (Large spoilers here):
Sexual violence (including, most predominately, towards minors)
Egg's in sexual acts
Bull testicles in sexual acts
eyeball's in sexual acts
Sacrilege
A lot of urine
Suicide
chromatography's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
casparb's review against another edition
3.0
An infamous text here. I suppose the easiest comparison for me to make is Burroughs' Naked Lunch, though I do think I prefer Story of the Eye. All the same, it's a difficult read: a literary aristocrats joke, constantly reinventing its own audacity, searching for the next taboo to trample on. Story of the Eye is at least a story, unlike Burroughs, and for that I commend it. I didn't not enjoy this text, I'm just not certain that I got a whole lot out of it.
This is an entirely negligible point for just about everybody but there seems to be a strong link between this and Un Chien Andalou, which was released a year later. In one scene, Simone links associationally an eye - a razor - a calf - a calf's eye. This is quite uncanny to me.
I ought to also mention that I read Bataille's second published work, the spectacularly titled 'Solar Anus', which I enjoyed a great deal more than Story of the Eye. The Solar Anus was a fascinating and original Surrealist text which I have only neglected to list here as a separate book due to its brevity.
Anyway, I think it's impossible for me to earnestly recommend the Story of the Eye to anybody but the most intrepid. It never stops.
This is an entirely negligible point for just about everybody but there seems to be a strong link between this and Un Chien Andalou, which was released a year later. In one scene, Simone links associationally an eye - a razor - a calf - a calf's eye. This is quite uncanny to me.
I ought to also mention that I read Bataille's second published work, the spectacularly titled 'Solar Anus', which I enjoyed a great deal more than Story of the Eye. The Solar Anus was a fascinating and original Surrealist text which I have only neglected to list here as a separate book due to its brevity.
Anyway, I think it's impossible for me to earnestly recommend the Story of the Eye to anybody but the most intrepid. It never stops.
usopppxx's review against another edition
3.0
I began this novel not getting it. I was looking for a story, that was the problem. So I took a step back (mentally) and went back in without searching for anything, without looking for an answer, and I got a long with it a lot easier.
Bataille has this seriously interesting perspective on the world. Instead of questioning the characters actions and instead following along with their train of thought, there were so many intriguing ideas, images and feelings explored. Sensuality was present in situations I would not have thought sensuality could be present.
Strange book, will definitely need to re-visit this to grasp a better idea of some of the things explored. I feel frustrated that there’s things that I just couldn’t grasp naturally. Makes me want to grow as a reader.
Can’t wait to pick this up in a few years when I have a firmer foundation of books I’ve read.
Bataille has this seriously interesting perspective on the world. Instead of questioning the characters actions and instead following along with their train of thought, there were so many intriguing ideas, images and feelings explored. Sensuality was present in situations I would not have thought sensuality could be present.
Strange book, will definitely need to re-visit this to grasp a better idea of some of the things explored. I feel frustrated that there’s things that I just couldn’t grasp naturally. Makes me want to grow as a reader.
Can’t wait to pick this up in a few years when I have a firmer foundation of books I’ve read.
skinmeat's review against another edition
2.0
literally only read this as a prerequisite for maeve fly and i nearly regret it!! the disgusting shit talked about in this porn novella just had me so confused and concerned for the people who genuinely think this is a fantastic read. maybe i just don’t get it but YUCK! sex crazed, obsessive, murderous perverts is perhaps just not my thing! y’all fuckin up on eggs and eyes? and balls?
twocats's review against another edition
genuinely the most vile thing I have ever read. I Decided to read story of the eye after hearing it mentioned in of Montreal's song the past is a grotesque animal. It sucks ok im going to just be so blunt this sucks so bad.