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3.0 AVERAGE
3.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I saw this as a movie and thought it was the best porn movie ever made.
Disturbingly elegant. I do not believe this book should be read as erotica- the literary edge alone makes O stand out from your typical sex-centric read.
I wish I could sit in a room of feminist literary critics and just discuss this narrative and its values. That would be a party.
I wish I could sit in a room of feminist literary critics and just discuss this narrative and its values. That would be a party.
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
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
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Maybe it’s just the translation, but it read more like an abusive, manipulative relationship rather than a consensual relationship. Maybe the original French gives more agency to O, but the English translation definitely does not.
A quick read on the desperation of love and its effects on oneself. I actually had a rather in-depth discussion about this book upon finishing it (whether it was written for a female, the use of the female protagonist and its necessity, sexual and dominating love, etc etc) so I don't feel like going into detail here.
Suffice it to say, like most books I read: The idea behind this novel is both alluring and intriguing to me (see my artwork for proof) however I feel like it could have been portrayed a little better. For such a short novel, the focus fell too much on self-image and sexuality and fell short on neediness, desire, obsession, and heartache.
Suffice it to say, like most books I read: The idea behind this novel is both alluring and intriguing to me (see my artwork for proof) however I feel like it could have been portrayed a little better. For such a short novel, the focus fell too much on self-image and sexuality and fell short on neediness, desire, obsession, and heartache.
Definitely a billion times better written than the 50 Shades of Whatever books. A billion times darker, too. I don't really know how I'm supposed to feel about it, honestly. I don't know if I'm supposed to feel sorry for O. She certainly seems forced into it in the beginning, even though she embraces it at the end. I don't know if she's found real power through her subjugation or if she's just pretending that it gives her power so she won't go mad. I don't know if she's found peace or if she's just crushed so utterly that there's nothing left to protest.
Despite the obvious flaws that many people in the kink community would be offended by, this book is a somewhat accurate description of what happens in kink. At times I was disturbed & horrified, at others I enjoyed myself. The setting of this book confused me a little. I got the impression that this was in a time/timeline where bdsm & kink were more open & commonplace. Other than that, this is quite an enjoyable read.