Erotica & Fiction Book Suggestions (II)

You can click on any book cover below or on the "I want this book" graphics to order a book. A new window will open direct from the Barnes & Noble site so you can order easily and securely (usually at a good savings off list price too). Just close the Barnes & Noble window when you're done and you'll be right back here.

The category names below are clickable and each leads to a page focused on that category. Use the New Releases link to return to the first page of book suggestions.

The Story of O

by Pauline Reage; translated by Sabine D'Estree; preface by Jean Paulhan

When Story of O was first published in 1954 in Paris, it narrowly escaped censorship by the Department of the Interior and eventually became the most widely translated French novel in the world. It describes in cool, elegant language the experiences of a young woman as she willingly enters a dark maze of perverse sexual practices within a clandestine amoral society. Revelling in pure fantasy, its theme is total submission through love to excesses of sadism and masochism, and the bond of "ownership." It is a unique work not to be missed. The author of this classic erotic tale remained anonymous for many years and was only recently reveled to be the pseudonym of Dominique Aury.

Random House, 199 pages, ISBN: 0345301110

The Illustrated Story of O

Doris Kloster, photographer;
introduction by Jean Jacques Pauvert

The classic erotic novel, THE STORY OF O relates the love of a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer for Rene. As part of that intense love, she demands debasement and severe sexual and pychological tests in order to demonstrate her total submission. Now, Doris Kloster, a photographer specializing in issues of women's sexuality and power, has realized a long-standing dream. She has created a photographic representation of one of the most famous and controversial erotic novels ever published. The Illustrated Story of O presents over 50 superb images which mirror perfectly the intense eroticism of the novel. Shooting entirely in Paris and its environs, Doris Kloster has succeeded in matching characters, locations, costumes and props to the original descriptions. And each magnificent color photograph is accompanied by a short extract from the novel. In addition, there is a Preface from Doris Kloster herself and an Introduction from Jean-Jacques Pauvert, the original publisher of the novel. The Illustrated Story of O presents a rich visual feast that will delight fans of Doris Kloster's work, and appeal strongly to connoisseurs of the darker excesses of sexuality. It is destined to become a classic collector's edition.

St. Martin's Press, 120 pages, Hardcover
Published: August 2001, ISBN: 0312266057