Beautiful, powerful and sensual classic, 03 Nov 2008
Having read other readers' reviews (which I enjoy doing), it appears that this book has a very mixed bag reception. You either love it or hate it. I'm with the former camp. The book was beautifully written, tasteful and elaborative in its description and representation of the needs of a woman to totally and unconditionally submit. I also like the ancilliary characters of Jacqueline and Nathalie, two sisters who have differences of opinion to O's self-expression, in that one gets it and the other does not. It is a serious read that is indeed not for those who are easily shocked. Indeed, it must have been quite an eye opener when it was a contemporary piece of erotic literature. It covers not only flagellation and bondage, but also other genres of BDSM, such as piercings, corsetry and scarification. For those rated between 1 and 3 stars, and found the story hard to follow, I would advise to read it again. I have read it twice and although I enjoyed the first outing, the second trip brought a more clarified and indepth understanding.

An erotic masterpiece, 12 Dec 2007
I don't know what I could possibly add to any discussion of this erotic masterpiece, so I'm happy just to contribute my voice to the chorus of praise. Miss Reage's "love letter" is as potent now as it ever was. Please give us more strong, self-assured women like Pauline Reage, Belle de Jour and Niki Flynn!

Could not put it down, 05 Sep 2007
This is a book which I had often heard of but never really come accross. Afer starting the book i found i could not put it down as it is just so entertaining. At first you think what on earth? Why is this woman allowing her lover to treat her like this? As soon as you carry on reading it soon becomes obvious just how complex this character is. As a fan of all gothic like books this is the best one by far. Sometimes the language can get a bit confusing as it is not that clear but you soon become accustomed to this and really become engaged with the story.

Outdated Much?, 08 Feb 2007
Don't get me wrong, I found this book compelling and could hardly put it down. Although the way it is written is impossible to read and follow the plot. You will find yourself in one place and time and within a sentance something completly different is going on in an entirely different setting.
I agree it's a must read for anyone with a bit of kink inside them but make sure you give it your full attention or you will struggle!

good read, 22 Jun 2006
Telling the story of a woman who is so in love with her lover that she is willing to endure pain and humiliation, "The Story of O" is not for the faint hearted, or in fact the weak stomached.

After reading this book and wanting someone elses opinion on it, i have passed it on to my friends. All 4 of them that a passed it too, have been unable to read it, claiming it too be 'sick' and 'disgusting'. In fact, so many people who read this book, miss the point of it entirely, or don't read far enough to understand the beauty of the story.

My only let down about it was that, even written decades ago, it still feels like a book written with a sequal in mind. And don't even get me started on the paragraph containing the "Alternate Ending." My initial feeling about the ending is that Reage intended to make the alternate ending the ACTUAL ending, but was then advised against it as it closed any doors for another book. A great shame.

Apart from this, a truely beautiful, but greatly misunderstood story.

Beautiful, powerful and sensual classic, 03 Nov 2008
Having read other readers' reviews (which I enjoy doing), it appears that this book has a very mixed bag reception. You either love it or hate it. I'm with the former camp. The book was beautifully written, tasteful and elaborative in its description and representation of the needs of a woman to totally and unconditionally submit. I also like the ancilliary characters of Jacqueline and Nathalie, two sisters who have differences of opinion to O's self-expression, in that one gets it and the other does not. It is a serious read that is indeed not for those who are easily shocked. Indeed, it must have been quite an eye opener when it was a contemporary piece of erotic literature. It covers not only flagellation and bondage, but also other genres of BDSM, such as piercings, corsetry and scarification. For those rated between 1 and 3 stars, and found the story hard to follow, I would advise to read it again. I have read it twice and although I enjoyed the first outing, the second trip brought a more clarified and indepth understanding.

An erotic masterpiece, 12 Dec 2007
I don't know what I could possibly add to any discussion of this erotic masterpiece, so I'm happy just to contribute my voice to the chorus of praise. Miss Reage's "love letter" is as potent now as it ever was. Please give us more strong, self-assured women like Pauline Reage, Belle de Jour and Niki Flynn!

Could not put it down, 05 Sep 2007
This is a book which I had often heard of but never really come accross. Afer starting the book i found i could not put it down as it is just so entertaining. At first you think what on earth? Why is this woman allowing her lover to treat her like this? As soon as you carry on reading it soon becomes obvious just how complex this character is. As a fan of all gothic like books this is the best one by far. Sometimes the language can get a bit confusing as it is not that clear but you soon become accustomed to this and really become engaged with the story.

Outdated Much?, 08 Feb 2007
Don't get me wrong, I found this book compelling and could hardly put it down. Although the way it is written is impossible to read and follow the plot. You will find yourself in one place and time and within a sentance something completly different is going on in an entirely different setting.
I agree it's a must read for anyone with a bit of kink inside them but make sure you give it your full attention or you will struggle!

good read, 22 Jun 2006
Telling the story of a woman who is so in love with her lover that she is willing to endure pain and humiliation, "The Story of O" is not for the faint hearted, or in fact the weak stomached.

After reading this book and wanting someone elses opinion on it, i have passed it on to my friends. All 4 of them that a passed it too, have been unable to read it, claiming it too be 'sick' and 'disgusting'. In fact, so many people who read this book, miss the point of it entirely, or don't read far enough to understand the beauty of the story.

My only let down about it was that, even written decades ago, it still feels like a book written with a sequal in mind. And don't even get me started on the paragraph containing the "Alternate Ending." My initial feeling about the ending is that Reage intended to make the alternate ending the ACTUAL ending, but was then advised against it as it closed any doors for another book. A great shame.

Apart from this, a truely beautiful, but greatly misunderstood story.

Talk about an anti climax, 03 Feb 2002
The 'Story of O' fasinated, enthralled, disturbed and aroused me. I was hoping for more of the same. In 'Return to the Chateau' however, Reage seems to have abandoned O to the whims of the mostly absent Sir Stephen. He returns her to the place of her initiation, alone this time, to be prostituted and cry herself to sleep each night. I so wanted her devotion to be rewarded - but maybe a true submissive does not even hope for that? Is this the point Reage wants us to see? I'd make a terrible subbie I think.

A poor relation to the superbly written 'Story of O' part I, 28 Feb 2000
I first read 'The story of O' as a newwcomer to the S&M scene 5 years ago. In my opinion 'The Story of O' is one of the most beautiful and touching S&M stories i have read. The same cannot be said for 'The Story of O part II. The story lacks the depth and sincerity of Part I and is disjointed and confusing to say the least. After taking a mere 45 minutes to read cover to cover I was left with a 'what the hell was that all about' feeling. Uncomparable to Part I in every way.

O is further degraded and finally abandoned, 06 Feb 2000
I thought this excellent, and like the original - there is an emotional intensity here. It continues the tale - with O prostituted for money now and then abandoned after her lover murders someone. A serious tale with none of the airhead fluffiness of much modern erotic fiction.

A highly erotic novel, 08 Aug 1999
Whether you find The Story of O erotic will depend entirely on your tastes - but for the reader who finds the idea of S&M pleasureable, this book feeds the imagination well.

Even worse that the original - if that's possible!, 23 Mar 1999
What a shame. Story of O wasn't too great a book, but it did have a historical novelty. This on the other hand looks like a poor attempt to make a few more pounds from the 'O' tie-in. It seems like a rushed book, with no new ideas of note, it is much thinner than the first book (I am not sure if that's a bad thing as you get to finish it quicker). Sorry, am I being unkind? There are far superiour books written on this same subject. If you have read 'O' and liked it, you will probably like this too... I read both and didn't like either :)

Beautiful, powerful and sensual classic, 03 Nov 2008
Having read other readers' reviews (which I enjoy doing), it appears that this book has a very mixed bag reception. You either love it or hate it. I'm with the former camp. The book was beautifully written, tasteful and elaborative in its description and representation of the needs of a woman to totally and unconditionally submit. I also like the ancilliary characters of Jacqueline and Nathalie, two sisters who have differences of opinion to O's self-expression, in that one gets it and the other does not. It is a serious read that is indeed not for those who are easily shocked. Indeed, it must have been quite an eye opener when it was a contemporary piece of erotic literature. It covers not only flagellation and bondage, but also other genres of BDSM, such as piercings, corsetry and scarification. For those rated between 1 and 3 stars, and found the story hard to follow, I would advise to read it again. I have read it twice and although I enjoyed the first outing, the second trip brought a more clarified and indepth understanding.

An erotic masterpiece, 12 Dec 2007
I don't know what I could possibly add to any discussion of this erotic masterpiece, so I'm happy just to contribute my voice to the chorus of praise. Miss Reage's "love letter" is as potent now as it ever was. Please give us more strong, self-assured women like Pauline Reage, Belle de Jour and Niki Flynn!

Could not put it down, 05 Sep 2007
This is a book which I had often heard of but never really come accross. Afer starting the book i found i could not put it down as it is just so entertaining. At first you think what on earth? Why is this woman allowing her lover to treat her like this? As soon as you carry on reading it soon becomes obvious just how complex this character is. As a fan of all gothic like books this is the best one by far. Sometimes the language can get a bit confusing as it is not that clear but you soon become accustomed to this and really become engaged with the story.

Outdated Much?, 08 Feb 2007
Don't get me wrong, I found this book compelling and could hardly put it down. Although the way it is written is impossible to read and follow the plot. You will find yourself in one place and time and within a sentance something completly different is going on in an entirely different setting.
I agree it's a must read for anyone with a bit of kink inside them but make sure you give it your full attention or you will struggle!

good read, 22 Jun 2006
Telling the story of a woman who is so in love with her lover that she is willing to endure pain and humiliation, "The Story of O" is not for the faint hearted, or in fact the weak stomached.

After reading this book and wanting someone elses opinion on it, i have passed it on to my friends. All 4 of them that a passed it too, have been unable to read it, claiming it too be 'sick' and 'disgusting'. In fact, so many people who read this book, miss the point of it entirely, or don't read far enough to understand the beauty of the story.

My only let down about it was that, even written decades ago, it still feels like a book written with a sequal in mind. And don't even get me started on the paragraph containing the "Alternate Ending." My initial feeling about the ending is that Reage intended to make the alternate ending the ACTUAL ending, but was then advised against it as it closed any doors for another book. A great shame.

Apart from this, a truely beautiful, but greatly misunderstood story.

Talk about an anti climax, 03 Feb 2002
The 'Story of O' fasinated, enthralled, disturbed and aroused me. I was hoping for more of the same. In 'Return to the Chateau' however, Reage seems to have abandoned O to the whims of the mostly absent Sir Stephen. He returns her to the place of her initiation, alone this time, to be prostituted and cry herself to sleep each night. I so wanted her devotion to be rewarded - but maybe a true submissive does not even hope for that? Is this the point Reage wants us to see? I'd make a terrible subbie I think.

A poor relation to the superbly written 'Story of O' part I, 28 Feb 2000
I first read 'The story of O' as a newwcomer to the S&M scene 5 years ago. In my opinion 'The Story of O' is one of the most beautiful and touching S&M stories i have read. The same cannot be said for 'The Story of O part II. The story lacks the depth and sincerity of Part I and is disjointed and confusing to say the least. After taking a mere 45 minutes to read cover to cover I was left with a 'what the hell was that all about' feeling. Uncomparable to Part I in every way.

O is further degraded and finally abandoned, 06 Feb 2000
I thought this excellent, and like the original - there is an emotional intensity here. It continues the tale - with O prostituted for money now and then abandoned after her lover murders someone. A serious tale with none of the airhead fluffiness of much modern erotic fiction.

A highly erotic novel, 08 Aug 1999
Whether you find The Story of O erotic will depend entirely on your tastes - but for the reader who finds the idea of S&M pleasureable, this book feeds the imagination well.

Even worse that the original - if that's possible!, 23 Mar 1999
What a shame. Story of O wasn't too great a book, but it did have a historical novelty. This on the other hand looks like a poor attempt to make a few more pounds from the 'O' tie-in. It seems like a rushed book, with no new ideas of note, it is much thinner than the first book (I am not sure if that's a bad thing as you get to finish it quicker). Sorry, am I being unkind? There are far superiour books written on this same subject. If you have read 'O' and liked it, you will probably like this too... I read both and didn't like either :)

Not really that bad.., 05 Sep 2007
Ok so this book is nowhere near as good as the first. The writing seems a different style, the imagination has been lost a little bit, and you being to lose empathy with the character. However despite all of this i really do not think the book is that bad! It did keep me reading and I did want to know what happened in the end. If you were to read this book having never read the first one you would probably be quite happy. It is still worth reading as a sequel though. Give it a try.

Disappointing., 07 Aug 1999
After searching for this book for so long, I finally found it - unfortunately. I guess there was nothing left to do after the Story Of O. Absolutely nothing happens in this book. The writing style doesn't even seem the same. You are much better off getting The Passive Voice by G.C. Scott. That book is written in the style of the Story Of O only not quite as dark.

Lacking in sensuality compared to Story of O, 06 Mar 1999
I was anticipating a continuation of the overwhelming sensuality found in the Story of O. My hopes were not only thwarted, they were dashed. Return to the Chateau portrayed a dark heavy scenario... O's desertion by her Master, discarded and unwanted, forced into a life little better than that of a common prostitute. It is incomprehensible to me that the two books were written by the same author. Obviously when this was written, the author was sadly disillusioned by the Lifestyle she once so warmly and passionately embraced.

Still exciting but somewhat disappointing, 07 Nov 1998
This book was great, but did not compare to Story of O. I was disappointed. I still recommend this if you are curious about O.