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· 789 ratings · 55 reviews
Start your review of Return to the Chateau (Story of O #2)
Not nearly as intense as The Story of O, but somehow fitting. The life O had perhaps hoped of, as the previous book closes, fizzles out and dies. How exactly does one pledge servitude forever to something so capable of fickleness as another human being?
Sucked. A sequel was not necessary for "O". Sucked. A sequel was not necessary for "O". ...more
I was in tears at the end, I was so attached to "O". I was in tears at the end, I was so attached to "O". ...more
If The Story of O wasn't your thing—and it doesn't seem to be for most—then absolutely stay far away from this. In many ways it's even chillier & less erotic than its infamous predecessor, & even Réage/Aury herself conceded that O didn't need a follow-up, but I still found it very worthwhile. While I was ultimately unsatisfied with the overall narrative trajectory & resolution, I appreciated the way it depicts even the most intense & involved S&M dynamics ultimately must contend with the continu If The Story of O wasn't your thing—and it doesn't seem to be for most—then absolutely stay far away from this. In many ways it's even chillier & less erotic than its infamous predecessor, & even Réage/Aury herself conceded that O didn't need a follow-up, but I still found it very worthwhile. While I was ultimately unsatisfied with the overall narrative trajectory & resolution, I appreciated the way it depicts even the most intense & involved S&M dynamics ultimately must contend with the continuance of everyday life & its pesky mundanities. There's an odd power to this book's deep ambivalence. [Read #18 of "2021: My Year of (Mostly) Midcentury Women Writers"]
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Not really by Réage, and quite different. Not really worth the effort.
I'm confused, is this the suppressed last chapter from the first book. It's billed as a sequel but in 'The Story Of O' it has an ending, even though it was short, shit and suppressed. This book is about O being abandoned by Sir Stephen at the Roissy, where she basically becomes a prostitute. It you like that sort of thing, which I do, then you like this. It's not as good as the first one, mainly because I'm not sure if she wants to be there. I understood her reasons in the first one, love, but I
I'm confused, is this the suppressed last chapter from the first book. It's billed as a sequel but in 'The Story Of O' it has an ending, even though it was short, shit and suppressed. This book is about O being abandoned by Sir Stephen at the Roissy, where she basically becomes a prostitute. It you like that sort of thing, which I do, then you like this. It's not as good as the first one, mainly because I'm not sure if she wants to be there. I understood her reasons in the first one, love, but I don't understand why she just didn't leave once she realised Sir Stephen wasn't coming back. It's a decent erotic novel, could have been longer though.
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Not at all in the same, classic class as Story of O. It violates that general rule of good, effective writing: that one should show, rather than tell. The multiple mysterious ambiguities embedded in the Story of O are one of its intrinsic strengths -- part of what makes it so darkly alluring and provocative. This "explanation" of the workings of the society of Roissy, for me, cheapens the tale. Not at all in the same, classic class as Story of O. It violates that general rule of good, effective writing: that one should show, rather than tell. The multiple mysterious ambiguities embedded in the Story of O are one of its intrinsic strengths -- part of what makes it so darkly alluring and provocative. This "explanation" of the workings of the society of Roissy, for me, cheapens the tale. ...more
Nice to read the sequel but no where near as good as the first book.
Meh. After reading this I am on the O doesn't need a sequel bandwagon. Thankfully it was a short read. Meh. After reading this I am on the O doesn't need a sequel bandwagon. Thankfully it was a short read. ...more
I didn't like this one nearly as much as the original...it felt darker and less thoughtful, somehow. I didn't like this one nearly as much as the original...it felt darker and less thoughtful, somehow. ...more
Written many years after the original Story of O, this is a very slim volume which is claimed to underline the degradation of the central character our heroine O, but it reads as a distant, emotionally blank tale of actions carried out to follow on from her overwhelming love which orders her life and enables her to carry on what she wants to do whatever it should be.
It has a very different feel from the original - more diffuse and random - a series of events that lead to our heroines "freedom" a Written many years after the original Story of O, this is a very slim volume which is claimed to underline the degradation of the central character our heroine O, but it reads as a distant, emotionally blank tale of actions carried out to follow on from her overwhelming love which orders her life and enables her to carry on what she wants to do whatever it should be.
It has a very different feel from the original - more diffuse and random - a series of events that lead to our heroines "freedom" and her master's departure under a cloud.
Like it is supposed to be a coda to the tale of O - the end which is not an end at all as we do not know what happened or how she dealt with these events. ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Loved the first book. I liked how in this one it established what René and Sir Stephen did for a living. I loved the beginning and build up, and the new and past faces of the lovely ladies at Roissy, but that's about it. I thought it was interesting hearing Réage's story in the beginning - her inspiration for the characters in O, how she wrote the book for her lover. It left me feeling saddened and close to her as an author, though I found myself incredibly disappointed and unfulfilled by the en Loved the first book. I liked how in this one it established what René and Sir Stephen did for a living. I loved the beginning and build up, and the new and past faces of the lovely ladies at Roissy, but that's about it. I thought it was interesting hearing Réage's story in the beginning - her inspiration for the characters in O, how she wrote the book for her lover. It left me feeling saddened and close to her as an author, though I found myself incredibly disappointed and unfulfilled by the ending (the murder did surprise me though!). At times I wanted to give O a hug since I had grown so fond of her character. ...more
I wasn't impressed with this. Don't get me wrong, it's not that it was a bad read. Quite the opposite actually, I think I enjoyed it more then the first one! The thing is though, and the reason why I have given it a lower rating then the first book, in my opinion it ended abruptly. It also felt rushed. Granted it was a fairly short novel (being less then 200 pages), but a story can be short without feeling rushed. It seems as if Reage was trying to get it over and done with and now I'm left feel I wasn't impressed with this. Don't get me wrong, it's not that it was a bad read. Quite the opposite actually, I think I enjoyed it more then the first one! The thing is though, and the reason why I have given it a lower rating then the first book, in my opinion it ended abruptly. It also felt rushed. Granted it was a fairly short novel (being less then 200 pages), but a story can be short without feeling rushed. It seems as if Reage was trying to get it over and done with and now I'm left feeling at a loss and wondering, what happens next? ...more
I read the original "Story of O" ; the edition with a foreword by Sylvia Day, not the book pictured here. There were no covers of the original. If you're looking for entertainment, I would not recommend this book. There are no details as to how the physical activities affect O other than occasional references to 'burning in her loins'. There really is no story line, or character development. It reads much like a diary.
However, if you are interested in the psychology of the submissive and a deta
I read the original "Story of O" ; the edition with a foreword by Sylvia Day, not the book pictured here. There were no covers of the original. If you're looking for entertainment, I would not recommend this book. There are no details as to how the physical activities affect O other than occasional references to 'burning in her loins'. There really is no story line, or character development. It reads much like a diary.
However, if you are interested in the psychology of the submissive and a detailed analysis of her thought processes, then you may enjoy it.
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This book was a quick and easy read. It certainly was not as interesting as the original story of O. It left a lot to be desired and the interactions O had with people were not drawn out, just quick snippets of action. I would have liked more of a story an understanding of why Sir Stephen was returning her and why Carl was so determined to own her. It feels like this was written in a short rush to get something done. Not something I would recommend reading if you enjoyed the original story of O.
Truly disappointed, I really enjoyed the first book, but this seemed like an afterthought to the actual story. I know that the conclusion was redacted in the first novel, maybe this was the missing ending? If it was, then it completely makes sense, but if it's an independent prequel -- I'm not sure how I feel. I even started to pity O and her affection for men, purely disgusted. Loved the psychological aspect, surely it was enlightening, but all-in-all, a disappointment. I enjoyed the fact that Truly disappointed, I really enjoyed the first book, but this seemed like an afterthought to the actual story. I know that the conclusion was redacted in the first novel, maybe this was the missing ending? If it was, then it completely makes sense, but if it's an independent prequel -- I'm not sure how I feel. I even started to pity O and her affection for men, purely disgusted. Loved the psychological aspect, surely it was enlightening, but all-in-all, a disappointment. I enjoyed the fact that I know the actual ending, and it indeed was a bad one. ...more
I genuinely appreciate the ending of this book for Os sake as well as the possibility of a third installment of the series. The journey of the main character deeply resonated within me and I would totally read more about her experiences. It was a super quick read and I will be passing it along to friends immediately.
it answered a lot of questions that the story of o didn't give. perhaps broke the romance of bdsm where postution, nipulation and headgames are used within perhaps pauline was touching more on the seeder side of the lifestyle a bit like todays traffickers who go into the whiteslave market.
its book i keep reading just like the story of o ... perfer theses than the 50 shades of gery.
it answered a lot of questions that the story of o didn't give. perhaps broke the romance of bdsm where postution, nipulation and headgames are used within perhaps pauline was touching more on the seeder side of the lifestyle a bit like todays traffickers who go into the whiteslave market.
its book i keep reading just like the story of o ... perfer theses than the 50 shades of gery.
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Personally, I don't think the Story of O needed this 2nd book.
Not well written as the first which makes the reader question "Who actually wrote this 2nd book".
This story was not as captivating & I was barely kept interested.My interest was switched on at the very last page but at this stage it was too late. END OF STORY!!!
Personally, I don't think the Story of O needed this 2nd book.
Not well written as the first which makes the reader question "Who actually wrote this 2nd book".
This story was not as captivating & I was barely kept interested.My interest was switched on at the very last page but at this stage it was too late. END OF STORY!!!
...more As tempting as it is at the end of "The Story of O" to find out what happens to her, I'd definitely give this mess a miss. It's so obvious that this "Pauline Reage" is not the same one who wrote the original book. No attempt was even made to copy the literary style of the first book. As tempting as it is at the end of "The Story of O" to find out what happens to her, I'd definitely give this mess a miss. It's so obvious that this "Pauline Reage" is not the same one who wrote the original book. No attempt was even made to copy the literary style of the first book. ...more
I'm generally fussy about reading books in order but I couldn't get my hands on the Story of O first so I read this one anyway. Not much to it. It doesn't continue my interest in wanting to read the original. I'm generally fussy about reading books in order but I couldn't get my hands on the Story of O first so I read this one anyway. Not much to it. It doesn't continue my interest in wanting to read the original. ...more
Oh wow, is there anything one can say about this short story?! I have the same feelings as when i first sow Eyes wide Shut (i was about 14): 'OMG, what was that' :)). At the second viewing, the movie turned out to be a huge disillusionment; but i hope 'Story of O' it will exceed this one! Oh wow, is there anything one can say about this short story?! I have the same feelings as when i first sow Eyes wide Shut (i was about 14): 'OMG, what was that' :)). At the second viewing, the movie turned out to be a huge disillusionment; but i hope 'Story of O' it will exceed this one! ...more
The story of O was in fact a mysterious one. Being a male I have never seen such ferocity how woman were treated in that chateau of that Baron. I think if that was real Europe should be ashamed from itself especially France.
I originally read the Story of O back in the early 1990's and have (since then, and now) been fascinated. I only just recently read it again and my take on it then continues to remain, and to this day, and what I would highly consider "a classic bdsm" story. I originally read the Story of O back in the early 1990's and have (since then, and now) been fascinated. I only just recently read it again and my take on it then continues to remain, and to this day, and what I would highly consider "a classic bdsm" story. ...more
Uhm... yeah, this continuation to "Story Of O" seems pretty redundant. I do not know, but it really just seems shallow and not very interesting.
If you read "Story Of O", stay away from this one, unless you have nothing else to read. And honestly, there is also something else to read. Uhm... yeah, this continuation to "Story Of O" seems pretty redundant. I do not know, but it really just seems shallow and not very interesting.
If you read "Story Of O", stay away from this one, unless you have nothing else to read. And honestly, there is also something else to read. ...more
O again is surprised by his love and this time feels vulnerable and alone, although he remains confident. For my part, I must say that this sequel was not as wonderful as me the story of O, actually I think I would rather not read this.
Not as sexy as the first, and shorter, but still pretty good.
This was greatly disapointing. I see why it was seperated from the original Story of O.
Fifty years ago, an extraordinary pornographic novel appeared in Paris. Published simultaneously in French and English, Story of O portrayed explicit scenes of bondage and violent penetration in spare, elegant prose, the purity of the writing making the novel seem reticent even as it dealt with demonic desire, with whips, masks and chains. Pauline Réage, the author, was a pseudonym, and many peopl
Fifty years ago, an extraordinary pornographic novel appeared in Paris. Published simultaneously in French and English, Story of O portrayed explicit scenes of bondage and violent penetration in spare, elegant prose, the purity of the writing making the novel seem reticent even as it dealt with demonic desire, with whips, masks and chains. Pauline Réage, the author, was a pseudonym, and many people thought that the book could only have been written by a man. The writer's true identity was not revealed until 10 years ago, when, in an interview with John de St Jorre, a British journalist and some-time foreign correspondent of The Observer, an impeccably dressed 86-year-old intellectual called Dominique Aury (born Anne Desclos) acknowledged that the fantasies of castles, masks and debauchery were hers.
Aury was an eminent figure in literary France, and had been when she wrote the book at the age of 47. A translator, editor and judge of literary prizes, for a quarter of a decade, Aury was the only woman to sit on the reading committee of publishers Gallimard (a body that also included Albert Camus) and was a holder of the Légion d'Honneur. She could scarcely have been more highbrow, nor, according to de St Jorre, more quietly and soberly dressed, more 'nun-like'.
Read the full text at http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2004/...
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