This book is not exactly pornographic in nature, but I could say that it may be classified as erotica. It also has a dash of intellect, although I felt as if the entire BDSM thing was brushed off as a deviance in the end.
Because yes, this is a book about bondage / discipline / dominance / submission / sadism / masochism.
This book was written by (what I’d imagine to be) a smart man, using a rather intellectual way of writing. Sure, it’s about a rather known-to-be-deviant subject, but he does it in such a rational and broad-minded way.
Indeed, the topic (BDSM) is something most people would consider odd. His characters themselves think it’s odd, but you are led to understand that some behaviors may have stemmed from deep-rooted sources. You are led to understand that there are people out there with slightly different sources of pleasure. You are led to understand that as odd as it can be, that’s just how some people work. (In this instance, there’s a possibility of cure, but why cure something that may not exactly be bad, only misunderstood, in the first place?)
The plot is so-so, but I really stayed on this because I found the psychological look into the matter quite fascinating. I was surprised at the pseudo-dominatrix and how she acted about her slave. I was awed at how the sub would cry in anger but love in delight. I was shocked by the deserved (?) ill-treatment of the slave at the very end.
I was rather sad to see the book end so fast, but I was rather disappointed that it ended up almost saying that enjoying the BDSM thing is something an ass would do. I’m not sure how modern society will take this, but I’d guess that the more conservative people will be shocked by the thought, the more liberal will be angered by the seeming misconception, and the open-minded ones will shrug indifferently.
I liked the psychology in it. I thought it was a quick read. There isn’t much graphic sexy time here. I was disappointed by the ending.
Oh, and I tried to look for a photo of the Venus in Furs painting that is described in the book. I think that this photo does it the most justice. (Pro-tip: A lot of NSFW pics come up if you search “venus in furs” in Google images >->)
Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
