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Submission
You'll want to scream, but you'll be gagged. You'll want to cry, but you'll be blindfolded. You'll want to run away, but you'll be tied up. You'll have no way of begging me, I'll do what I want with you. Sexual obsession, domination and extreme lust – Submission is the story of a young married Parisian lawyer who is drawn into a sado-masochistic relationship. A handsome stranger she meets in the courts issues her with a series of instructions which she finds herself compelled to follow. As the violence of their encounters escalates, it becomes a dangerous addiction that she can't break. But how far can she go and how much of her life will she risk in the process? Based on the author's own experiences, this astonishing book sent shockwaves through the French establishment.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 20, 2009
Where to start.
First of all, this is a horrible representation of a BDSM relationship. This is supposedly based on real events, but I find it more likely that's just to get tongues wagging. Seeing as I'm highly interested in the BDSM community and am in a BDSM-based relationship myself, I can say that this is nothing like what a real- and healthy- relationship is like. There is no discussion of safewords, and even when Elodie says she doesn't want to follow through with what 'He' says, He makes her do it. He beats her. He humiliates her. He whips her so hard she passes out and leaves her tied to a balcony. When she says she wants to love Him, He beats her. Not once does He ask about her well being, not once does He truly show that He cares for her.
While I place the majority of the blame on Him (and I hate capitalising it, but that's how he (He)'s addressed in the book), Elodie, the narrator, is also partially to blame. She doesn't know Him. She lets herself get overwhelmed with Him. She says she loves Him, but it reads more like a sick, twisted case of Stockholm Syndrome. There is not discussion about what she wants, what she can do to get out of it, and what He wants from her besides a fuck toy. Because that's what she is- a fuck toy.
I felt sick while reading this. I told my partner that if he even treated me slightly the way that's represented in this book, I would take him to court. This isn't a relationship. This is abuse. BDSM is not an abusive relationship. BDSM is not rape. This is what leads me to believe that this author- Marthe Blau- knows nothing about real BDSM relationships, has no history of it, and sees it more as one person using another. BDSM is not that.
This book is disgusting. That's it.
First of all, this is a horrible representation of a BDSM relationship. This is supposedly based on real events, but I find it more likely that's just to get tongues wagging. Seeing as I'm highly interested in the BDSM community and am in a BDSM-based relationship myself, I can say that this is nothing like what a real- and healthy- relationship is like. There is no discussion of safewords, and even when Elodie says she doesn't want to follow through with what 'He' says, He makes her do it. He beats her. He humiliates her. He whips her so hard she passes out and leaves her tied to a balcony. When she says she wants to love Him, He beats her. Not once does He ask about her well being, not once does He truly show that He cares for her.
While I place the majority of the blame on Him (and I hate capitalising it, but that's how he (He)'s addressed in the book), Elodie, the narrator, is also partially to blame. She doesn't know Him. She lets herself get overwhelmed with Him. She says she loves Him, but it reads more like a sick, twisted case of Stockholm Syndrome. There is not discussion about what she wants, what she can do to get out of it, and what He wants from her besides a fuck toy. Because that's what she is- a fuck toy.
I felt sick while reading this. I told my partner that if he even treated me slightly the way that's represented in this book, I would take him to court. This isn't a relationship. This is abuse. BDSM is not an abusive relationship. BDSM is not rape. This is what leads me to believe that this author- Marthe Blau- knows nothing about real BDSM relationships, has no history of it, and sees it more as one person using another. BDSM is not that.
This book is disgusting. That's it.
August 22, 2017
This book describes the life-cycle of one woman’s submissive relationship with a dominant man. Her relationship with the man isn’t sexual in the conventional sense--though she participates in lots of sex and he commands her to engage in various sexual activities. It’s a relatively tame and more modern variant of the tale told in the famous “The Story of O” written by another Frenchwoman, Pauline Réage (a.k.a. Anne Desclos.)
While “Submission” is like any number of stories of submissive individuals being dominated by a dominant and / or sadistic partner, it does carve out a unique space. The female lead is a highly regarded lawyer who is married with a family. She isn’t on the weak side of some power dynamic (i.e. it’s not a secretary / boss or employee / employer kind of tale.) That’s not that different from “Story of O” in which the lead is a successful photographer, but it does add complexity to the lead’s motivation.
It also makes the story’s main question a little bit more intriguing. That question being, how long can the relationship go on with the demands on her becoming progressively more intense (re: degrading) while the intimacy of the relationship isn’t increasing as she’d like? This tension builds to a climax at a point where the man momentarily shifts from the cool dominant to an angry abusive.
It goes without saying that the book contains graphic sexual scenes and won’t be the cup of tea of puritans or those with delicate sensibilities.
“Submission” is interesting both as a work of erotica and as a psychological sketch. There seem to be many books out there that tell similar stories, so it’s hard to place this one. I wouldn’t call it exceptional in any way, and I found “The Story of O” to be more intriguing and intense. That said, while I haven’t read the “50 Shades…” books, from what I heard about them, this one likely surpasses them in terms of writing and the building of characters of verisimilitude. [That said, the “50 Shades…” books have obviously been immensely popular for a reason, and that reason—near as I can tell—is they tap into a fantasy in which a man who is extraordinary in every way (genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist-with-six-pack-abs) falls for a woman who is mediocre in every way because she submits to his will. “Submission” won’t scratch that itch.]
The book is short, clocking in at a less than 220 pages. It does have a discernible plot, though it’s more character-centric. A little more depth with the lead character and her dominant could be interesting. As it is the reader is left to draw many conclusions about the characters’ motivations—which, admittedly, has its advantages.
If you know what you are getting into, I’d recommend this book.
While “Submission” is like any number of stories of submissive individuals being dominated by a dominant and / or sadistic partner, it does carve out a unique space. The female lead is a highly regarded lawyer who is married with a family. She isn’t on the weak side of some power dynamic (i.e. it’s not a secretary / boss or employee / employer kind of tale.) That’s not that different from “Story of O” in which the lead is a successful photographer, but it does add complexity to the lead’s motivation.
It also makes the story’s main question a little bit more intriguing. That question being, how long can the relationship go on with the demands on her becoming progressively more intense (re: degrading) while the intimacy of the relationship isn’t increasing as she’d like? This tension builds to a climax at a point where the man momentarily shifts from the cool dominant to an angry abusive.
It goes without saying that the book contains graphic sexual scenes and won’t be the cup of tea of puritans or those with delicate sensibilities.
“Submission” is interesting both as a work of erotica and as a psychological sketch. There seem to be many books out there that tell similar stories, so it’s hard to place this one. I wouldn’t call it exceptional in any way, and I found “The Story of O” to be more intriguing and intense. That said, while I haven’t read the “50 Shades…” books, from what I heard about them, this one likely surpasses them in terms of writing and the building of characters of verisimilitude. [That said, the “50 Shades…” books have obviously been immensely popular for a reason, and that reason—near as I can tell—is they tap into a fantasy in which a man who is extraordinary in every way (genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist-with-six-pack-abs) falls for a woman who is mediocre in every way because she submits to his will. “Submission” won’t scratch that itch.]
The book is short, clocking in at a less than 220 pages. It does have a discernible plot, though it’s more character-centric. A little more depth with the lead character and her dominant could be interesting. As it is the reader is left to draw many conclusions about the characters’ motivations—which, admittedly, has its advantages.
If you know what you are getting into, I’d recommend this book.
March 7, 2012
Okay, first things first.
I was disappointed with the beginning of the book. It jumped into graphic sexual encounters quickly, which is fine, but I felt it was missing parts of the story line. I also was not a fan of the sodomy and the degree to which it is present in the beginning. I do not have any personal issues with discussing anal sex, but something about the way it was done bothered me.
About half way through the story itself finally pulled me in. I than read most the book in one day.
I loved the story line. It discusses more than just a BDSM relationship. I think that what I liked about it others did not. It showed obsession and how unhealthy relationships or desire consumes us.
It was brutally honest in the way she chose him over her family and over everything in her life.
Not all relationships are healthy and not all emotional feelings are reciprocated. This is true in BDSM relationships as well as those that are not. I understand why some of those that are in a healthy BDSM relationship may be bothered by this story. However, to say that it was meant to represent all relationships is faulted. It is ONE story of ONE couple.
It discusses how love and lust and desire to be wanted consume one woman.
I really liked the ending. I thought it was well written. He knew he'd break her by doing the one thing he refrained from. It was a game to him, but also for her. She wouldn't have felt sexual things so intensely if he hadn't denied her the pleasure of fucking him. He wasn't interested in a relationship with her and that was part of WHY she wanted him so bad. He knew that. Deep down she knew that also. He maintained control of her by denying her what she wanted, but than he was also giving her what she wanted because she WANTED to be consumed by him. The end was great, because he LET her go. It seems that he wanted to pursue other women and grew tired of her. However, to me it read that he had finally mastered her. He had finally trained her completely and therefore the challenge was over for him and also for her. There was never the promise of a emotional relationship and that is WHY she desired one. We want what we can not have and it consumes us.
The very end of the book shows he did care. She has been released from him by doing the unthinkable. Yet, she is empty and forever changed. He gave her away to the next person. Someone who was gentler to her and respected her. Yet, seemed to be into the same type of relationship.
There is a bit of hope at the end of the story. That this will be her loving healthy BDSM relationship. Yet, could she really have gotten there without his help? Without him demanding such out of her? If you read more into the story than the obvious "abuse" you'll see a story of a woman discovering herself through selfabuse and desire. You will see a story that so many of us have been through - with or without the BDSM aspect. How many of us have punished ourselves by wanting someone who uses us? How many of us have changed who we are in hopes of being what they want?
How many of us have obsessed about what we can't have?
The sexual parts were okay, but the story was great.
I was disappointed with the beginning of the book. It jumped into graphic sexual encounters quickly, which is fine, but I felt it was missing parts of the story line. I also was not a fan of the sodomy and the degree to which it is present in the beginning. I do not have any personal issues with discussing anal sex, but something about the way it was done bothered me.
About half way through the story itself finally pulled me in. I than read most the book in one day.
I loved the story line. It discusses more than just a BDSM relationship. I think that what I liked about it others did not. It showed obsession and how unhealthy relationships or desire consumes us.
It was brutally honest in the way she chose him over her family and over everything in her life.
Not all relationships are healthy and not all emotional feelings are reciprocated. This is true in BDSM relationships as well as those that are not. I understand why some of those that are in a healthy BDSM relationship may be bothered by this story. However, to say that it was meant to represent all relationships is faulted. It is ONE story of ONE couple.
It discusses how love and lust and desire to be wanted consume one woman.
I really liked the ending. I thought it was well written. He knew he'd break her by doing the one thing he refrained from. It was a game to him, but also for her. She wouldn't have felt sexual things so intensely if he hadn't denied her the pleasure of fucking him. He wasn't interested in a relationship with her and that was part of WHY she wanted him so bad. He knew that. Deep down she knew that also. He maintained control of her by denying her what she wanted, but than he was also giving her what she wanted because she WANTED to be consumed by him. The end was great, because he LET her go. It seems that he wanted to pursue other women and grew tired of her. However, to me it read that he had finally mastered her. He had finally trained her completely and therefore the challenge was over for him and also for her. There was never the promise of a emotional relationship and that is WHY she desired one. We want what we can not have and it consumes us.
The very end of the book shows he did care. She has been released from him by doing the unthinkable. Yet, she is empty and forever changed. He gave her away to the next person. Someone who was gentler to her and respected her. Yet, seemed to be into the same type of relationship.
There is a bit of hope at the end of the story. That this will be her loving healthy BDSM relationship. Yet, could she really have gotten there without his help? Without him demanding such out of her? If you read more into the story than the obvious "abuse" you'll see a story of a woman discovering herself through selfabuse and desire. You will see a story that so many of us have been through - with or without the BDSM aspect. How many of us have punished ourselves by wanting someone who uses us? How many of us have changed who we are in hopes of being what they want?
How many of us have obsessed about what we can't have?
The sexual parts were okay, but the story was great.
December 21, 2012
Erotic
Seductive
Arousing
Dark
Intense
After finishing, it’s easy to see why this book elicits very strong reactions –both good and bad. THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. I repeat: THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. It definitely separates the physical from the emotional when it comes to BDSM. In no way is this a romantic BDSM novel so don’t be disappointed when the Dom’s true colors are revealed. The level of submission is very deep and told from the Submissive’s point of view. Elodie is a very intelligent successful (married) woman with a family who meets a handsome stranger she’s unable to resist. HE introduces her to pleasure and pain she has never before known. But how far will she go to keep HIM and at what cost?
It’s disturbing how one person can have so much power over another – not physical control but psychological and emotional. HIS ability to control Elodie and the level of emotional submission he is able to elicit from her is startling. WORDS are HIS weapon of choice. HE has the ability to create so much want and desire in Elodie and possess such control over with mere words. Elodie knows this “relationship” is dangerous and that she should just walk away; but, as she falls deeper and deeper under his control, she’s unable to resist HIM becoming obsessed and almost addicted.
"No one will ever treat you as I've treated you."
HE clearly separates his emotional relationship from his BSDM play even if they are with different partners. HE is very clear in the fact this not a relationship, it’s not an affair, it’s merely a game where the only rule is to give HIM pleasure. HE lacks sincerity and emotion toward Elodie. The way he treated Elodie and things he made her do were humiliating and degrading. HE does not allow her to contact HIM and ignores her for weeks at a time. Even though Elodie is hurt by all this, she is so enthralled with him that she continually rationalizes away his actions and treatment of her.
It was not hard for me at all to get into this book. Despite the dark and intense treatment of Elodie, I couldn’t put it down. It is unique and eloquently written. The writing is very descriptive and explicit, but it never comes across as anything but tasteful and sensual. And, the secrecy of everything in the book (including HIS name) played into the dark, mysterious, erotic, seductive feeling that is created.
Is this book for everyone? NO
Does it have the ability to make you uncomfortable? ABSOLUTELY
Are the scenes hot? YOU BET
Is it one of the best BDSM books I have ever read? DEFINITELY
Seductive
Arousing
Dark
Intense
After finishing, it’s easy to see why this book elicits very strong reactions –both good and bad. THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. I repeat: THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. It definitely separates the physical from the emotional when it comes to BDSM. In no way is this a romantic BDSM novel so don’t be disappointed when the Dom’s true colors are revealed. The level of submission is very deep and told from the Submissive’s point of view. Elodie is a very intelligent successful (married) woman with a family who meets a handsome stranger she’s unable to resist. HE introduces her to pleasure and pain she has never before known. But how far will she go to keep HIM and at what cost?
It’s disturbing how one person can have so much power over another – not physical control but psychological and emotional. HIS ability to control Elodie and the level of emotional submission he is able to elicit from her is startling. WORDS are HIS weapon of choice. HE has the ability to create so much want and desire in Elodie and possess such control over with mere words. Elodie knows this “relationship” is dangerous and that she should just walk away; but, as she falls deeper and deeper under his control, she’s unable to resist HIM becoming obsessed and almost addicted.
"No one will ever treat you as I've treated you."
HE clearly separates his emotional relationship from his BSDM play even if they are with different partners. HE is very clear in the fact this not a relationship, it’s not an affair, it’s merely a game where the only rule is to give HIM pleasure. HE lacks sincerity and emotion toward Elodie. The way he treated Elodie and things he made her do were humiliating and degrading. HE does not allow her to contact HIM and ignores her for weeks at a time. Even though Elodie is hurt by all this, she is so enthralled with him that she continually rationalizes away his actions and treatment of her.
It was not hard for me at all to get into this book. Despite the dark and intense treatment of Elodie, I couldn’t put it down. It is unique and eloquently written. The writing is very descriptive and explicit, but it never comes across as anything but tasteful and sensual. And, the secrecy of everything in the book (including HIS name) played into the dark, mysterious, erotic, seductive feeling that is created.
Is this book for everyone? NO
Does it have the ability to make you uncomfortable? ABSOLUTELY
Are the scenes hot? YOU BET
Is it one of the best BDSM books I have ever read? DEFINITELY
October 19, 2012
- How kinky?
Very. Oh wow is it kinky. It is explicit and descriptive, detailing many very kinky practices including orgies, extreme violence, ownership (of a sort) and exhibitionism/voyeurism.
- How sexy?
Rather. It is, in short, porn. As mentioned, extremely explicit and detailed. The somewhat staccato delivery can be a bit offputting, as I found the lack of rhythm and flow impeded my own, er, flow. The plot was also stop-start, as it focussed for short periods on the sex, and then cut back for longer periods to the protagonist's own feelings - her job, her friends, her own thoughts and her loving family home - anti-sexy as she is a cheater (not poly or consensual cuckolding, just plain cheating). But the language makes up for many halting sins, as it is never shy or demure. It uses the words you want (need) to hear, which brings you right back into the swing of things.
- How inspiring?
Subjective. I love reading about this stuff, but some of the ideas weren't going to be useful to me personally (anonymity, exhibitionism, orgies etc.). I got some great fantasy fodder out of it, but did it inspire me to copy the book? Not as such. Inspiring of fantasy only (for me/us).
- How engaging?
Actually, not very. It's not terrible, but I could easily put it down and come back later. I liked reading the short chapters in chunks while in bed, but as mentioned the long periods of concentration on plot points other than the central relationship really slowed it down - in some parts it was actually boring.
- How well executed?
Well written, but to me it was clear it was translated. I don't know whether the text was translated into English from French, or if the French writer was writing in English, but the language came across as slightly stilted and formal. Only slightly, though, and to a certain extent it adds charm to the writing.
- Overall reaction
Cute little book. Nice size (handbag sized!) and adorable cover art. Short, bus-ride length chapters and gloriously explicit language. The only real criticism I have of the book as a whole is the undesirable focus on Elodie's feelings, friends, vanilla experiences and of course, the poor family she is cheating on. It makes a lovely and wonderfully delicious porn book into a bit of a moral tale. If I wanted my porn tinged with melancholy and misery I'd be reading Story of O. In short: The plot had a little too much depth for your average porn book, but from certain angles, could be considered to add an element of evil, which some readers may prefer. Sad ending made it a bit morbid for me personally. YMMV.
CHECK OUT MY OTHER REVIEWS: http://dirtyfilthybookslut.blogspot.com
Very. Oh wow is it kinky. It is explicit and descriptive, detailing many very kinky practices including orgies, extreme violence, ownership (of a sort) and exhibitionism/voyeurism.
- How sexy?
Rather. It is, in short, porn. As mentioned, extremely explicit and detailed. The somewhat staccato delivery can be a bit offputting, as I found the lack of rhythm and flow impeded my own, er, flow. The plot was also stop-start, as it focussed for short periods on the sex, and then cut back for longer periods to the protagonist's own feelings - her job, her friends, her own thoughts and her loving family home - anti-sexy as she is a cheater (not poly or consensual cuckolding, just plain cheating). But the language makes up for many halting sins, as it is never shy or demure. It uses the words you want (need) to hear, which brings you right back into the swing of things.
- How inspiring?
Subjective. I love reading about this stuff, but some of the ideas weren't going to be useful to me personally (anonymity, exhibitionism, orgies etc.). I got some great fantasy fodder out of it, but did it inspire me to copy the book? Not as such. Inspiring of fantasy only (for me/us).
- How engaging?
Actually, not very. It's not terrible, but I could easily put it down and come back later. I liked reading the short chapters in chunks while in bed, but as mentioned the long periods of concentration on plot points other than the central relationship really slowed it down - in some parts it was actually boring.
- How well executed?
Well written, but to me it was clear it was translated. I don't know whether the text was translated into English from French, or if the French writer was writing in English, but the language came across as slightly stilted and formal. Only slightly, though, and to a certain extent it adds charm to the writing.
- Overall reaction
Cute little book. Nice size (handbag sized!) and adorable cover art. Short, bus-ride length chapters and gloriously explicit language. The only real criticism I have of the book as a whole is the undesirable focus on Elodie's feelings, friends, vanilla experiences and of course, the poor family she is cheating on. It makes a lovely and wonderfully delicious porn book into a bit of a moral tale. If I wanted my porn tinged with melancholy and misery I'd be reading Story of O. In short: The plot had a little too much depth for your average porn book, but from certain angles, could be considered to add an element of evil, which some readers may prefer. Sad ending made it a bit morbid for me personally. YMMV.
CHECK OUT MY OTHER REVIEWS: http://dirtyfilthybookslut.blogspot.com
November 3, 2009
just finished this book it was amazing quick to read, and very vivid with detail and well written. I absolutely loved the fact that it wasn't hard for me to get into this book especially cause right now I am taking classes and don't have much time to read at the moment so i try to keep my reads simple and easy at the moment until textbooks stop becoming my focus.
anyone who is into the lifestyle and bdsm will enjoy this read.
anyone who is into the lifestyle and bdsm will enjoy this read.
May 20, 2011
I'm an open minded sort and I understand why this book is so hot. What didn't work for me was her master's attitude. I have to admit I only made it half way through this book because I couldn't handle the woman's lowering self-esteem and his lack of real affection for her. I think that you can have a master/slave relationship that can be full of humiliation and power tripping but also promote real affection within the relationship. I don't mean love. I mean affection and respect while at the same time behaving like you don't care. That's my problem with this book. He doesn't seem to care and he's vocal about it and that pisses me off. I can accept that I might not understand the goal of SM and D/S, but I want the people to matter.
April 25, 2010
Finished this last night, and what a disappointment. I kept hoping the book would move out of the drastically abusive relationship and get good, but it didn't (other than our heroine finally got the back bone to say NO!) -- I mean, she asked Him to not make her do one thing -- the thing she had nightmares about, the thing she dreaded over anything else....and guess what? he made her do it. Yes he did...and she followed through...dumb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2011
Never has a book infuriated me with a character until this one. Elodie is a complete moron, this is not a novel about normal sub/dom relationships. The character in this book is mentally ill and needs help. If you want to be pissed off and not turned on at all by her pathetic internal pleadings then, by all means, read this book. If you're looking for a sexy novel on sub/dom culture and relationships then stay the fuck away.
May 28, 2013
One of my favorite books of all time that I will never forget. A woman is so obsessed with the attention this man gives her that she becomes submissive to every little dirty naughty thing he says. He makes her do some really weird stuff in this book and that's why I love it! Dominance and submission is what this book is about if you love being gagged and choked and being freaky on every level possible,you will not put this book down! 5 stars I highly recommend it to the misfits :)
June 26, 2015
Though an awful, untrue representation of a BDSM relationship, and though the characters are somewhat despicable and not at all realistic, as well as the narrator/main character being a horrendous role model--I did like this book. The prose is different, vivid and intriguing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, cover-to-cover.
March 4, 2011
This was my first book of this kind that I have read. I do have to admit that I was expecting something more intense. After reading this, I have long searched for the same type of books, one to keep me hooked. If you have never read a 'dark side' book and want to start soft, I suggest this book to you.
November 21, 2021
This books describes the submission of a woman to a man that treats her badly, without any bit of love or affection. This is an story of passion or addiction to an selfish and obnoxious man that does not deserve such worship. The description of her feelings are quite well described. The book deserves a reading if you like this theme.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
July 30, 2011My first foray into erotica. Completely unexciting. I couldn't help but think that the main female character just had really low self-esteem and she needed a therapist not a spanking. That's what I get for reading something that doesn't have a wizard or even a unicorn in it.
December 21, 2024
This book portrays an abusive relationship between the main characters, and for a while I was wondering if the author's intent was to highlight this. Sadly, having finished the book, I do not think that was the case.
Often we hear that what distinguishes abuse from BDSM, as the two can look very much alike, is consent. In this story, consent is explicitly violated several times and the book is just full of examples of bad consent practices. I hope nobody takes this as a guide for engaging with kink, because it is not.
Perhaps the author thought that inserting scenes where negotiation is explicitly carried out would make things boring, or slow the pace, but even a reference to a negotiation that did happen at some point but is not shown to the readers would have made this a lot better. Instead, no, it seems that the way to be sexy "dominant" is to withhold very necessary information for the "submissive" to consent in order to create an imbalance in power. This is abusive power play, and not something remotely erotic in my opinion (although I realise others may find it sexy).
I also felt that the book also hinged on some common taboos in order to get that erotic feel, e.g. "respectable woman with a good career and a family turns into slut when lights are off", constantly juxtaposing the figure of "mother" with that of "sexual libertine", large-age gaps are mentioned in quite a few of the relationships, etc. The way the characters' sexuality is represented is also questionable at points, where there seems to be a lot of fetishising of bi-curious experiences. I am left to think the characters must mostly be straight people with a fetish for female-on-female action for the pleasure of the cis-heterosexual male gaze. Moreover, sexual activity between cis-women (in the absence of a penis) is considered "less than" or maybe not even "real sex" by pretty much every character in the book, which is a very heterocentric, and homophobic, way of thinking of sex. Again, in a similar vein to the rest, the book's presentation of this as the default and only way to be by almost its entire cast of characters suggests all its characters must hold homophobic views.
If the books we read influence how we experience our sexuality, and what we fetishise/what turns us on, then this book is doing a very poor job as it suggests we should find a series of abusive and non-consensual interactions sexy and erotic. It also depicts BDSM in a very bad light, such that any non-practicing kinkster who may have not had real life experiences would think that BDSM=abuse. This adds more stigma to those of us who do engage with kink.
The only thing I found this book helpful for was to get some ideas for play to try out in a consensual, and frankly speaking physically safer, way.
**Spoilers from here**
Of particular notice are the tactics used by "Him", which equate him to a well-practiced abuser, and the responses of Elodie, which put her at higher risk for abuse.
- He intentionally makes himself unavailable and casually fails to show up to pre-arranged appointments without letting the other party know, which is rude but taken as "sexy" in the book.
- Elodie is very invested in this relationship from the start, to the point that her mental health is negatively affected by the smallest of things and she is unable to rebalance herself. By chapter 2 she is showing symptoms of an eating disorder and this continues in the book. The book's focus on thinness=virtue and the celebration of unhealthy weight loss supports a culture of unhealthy eating habits.
- He shows manipulative behaviour by using affirmative words which hit in the vulnerable spots of the other person. Elodie appears to be very vulnerable to this sort of thing in the book, in a way that is, sadly, not too unrealistic either.
- Elodie expresses a limit and confides in him, only to have him cross her boundaries and put her through the exact thing that she has expressed she was not consenting to.
- He rewards behaviours that please him, and punishes those which upset him either through causing emotional distress or physical punishment. This is typical in abusive relationships, and it could be negotiatiated in a D/s relationship. The problem here is that this was not consented to, making it abuse.
- He acts as if he owns girls before they are even past the point of "acquitances", which somehow in the book is takes as "sexy" by most of the female characters. As if being non-consensually mistreated is an automatic turn on for all the girls in the book.
Other issues:
- No talks of safewords or boundaries.
- No talks of desires which include both parties, it mostly seems to be guesswork which somehow magically works most of the time.
- No information about the risks of the play they are engaging with.
- Non-consensually involving by-standers, and straight out breaking the law (without good reason) in broad daylight (and these are all lawyers??) Maybe France has different laws around sexuality in public.
- Elodie switching to being "dominant" toward other girls, but basing this on her experience with "Him" so that her "dominance" is also abuse rather than dominance.
Often we hear that what distinguishes abuse from BDSM, as the two can look very much alike, is consent. In this story, consent is explicitly violated several times and the book is just full of examples of bad consent practices. I hope nobody takes this as a guide for engaging with kink, because it is not.
Perhaps the author thought that inserting scenes where negotiation is explicitly carried out would make things boring, or slow the pace, but even a reference to a negotiation that did happen at some point but is not shown to the readers would have made this a lot better. Instead, no, it seems that the way to be sexy "dominant" is to withhold very necessary information for the "submissive" to consent in order to create an imbalance in power. This is abusive power play, and not something remotely erotic in my opinion (although I realise others may find it sexy).
I also felt that the book also hinged on some common taboos in order to get that erotic feel, e.g. "respectable woman with a good career and a family turns into slut when lights are off", constantly juxtaposing the figure of "mother" with that of "sexual libertine", large-age gaps are mentioned in quite a few of the relationships, etc. The way the characters' sexuality is represented is also questionable at points, where there seems to be a lot of fetishising of bi-curious experiences. I am left to think the characters must mostly be straight people with a fetish for female-on-female action for the pleasure of the cis-heterosexual male gaze. Moreover, sexual activity between cis-women (in the absence of a penis) is considered "less than" or maybe not even "real sex" by pretty much every character in the book, which is a very heterocentric, and homophobic, way of thinking of sex. Again, in a similar vein to the rest, the book's presentation of this as the default and only way to be by almost its entire cast of characters suggests all its characters must hold homophobic views.
If the books we read influence how we experience our sexuality, and what we fetishise/what turns us on, then this book is doing a very poor job as it suggests we should find a series of abusive and non-consensual interactions sexy and erotic. It also depicts BDSM in a very bad light, such that any non-practicing kinkster who may have not had real life experiences would think that BDSM=abuse. This adds more stigma to those of us who do engage with kink.
The only thing I found this book helpful for was to get some ideas for play to try out in a consensual, and frankly speaking physically safer, way.
**Spoilers from here**
Of particular notice are the tactics used by "Him", which equate him to a well-practiced abuser, and the responses of Elodie, which put her at higher risk for abuse.
- He intentionally makes himself unavailable and casually fails to show up to pre-arranged appointments without letting the other party know, which is rude but taken as "sexy" in the book.
- Elodie is very invested in this relationship from the start, to the point that her mental health is negatively affected by the smallest of things and she is unable to rebalance herself. By chapter 2 she is showing symptoms of an eating disorder and this continues in the book. The book's focus on thinness=virtue and the celebration of unhealthy weight loss supports a culture of unhealthy eating habits.
- He shows manipulative behaviour by using affirmative words which hit in the vulnerable spots of the other person. Elodie appears to be very vulnerable to this sort of thing in the book, in a way that is, sadly, not too unrealistic either.
- Elodie expresses a limit and confides in him, only to have him cross her boundaries and put her through the exact thing that she has expressed she was not consenting to.
- He rewards behaviours that please him, and punishes those which upset him either through causing emotional distress or physical punishment. This is typical in abusive relationships, and it could be negotiatiated in a D/s relationship. The problem here is that this was not consented to, making it abuse.
- He acts as if he owns girls before they are even past the point of "acquitances", which somehow in the book is takes as "sexy" by most of the female characters. As if being non-consensually mistreated is an automatic turn on for all the girls in the book.
Other issues:
- No talks of safewords or boundaries.
- No talks of desires which include both parties, it mostly seems to be guesswork which somehow magically works most of the time.
- No information about the risks of the play they are engaging with.
- Non-consensually involving by-standers, and straight out breaking the law (without good reason) in broad daylight (and these are all lawyers??) Maybe France has different laws around sexuality in public.
- Elodie switching to being "dominant" toward other girls, but basing this on her experience with "Him" so that her "dominance" is also abuse rather than dominance.
August 7, 2008
It was ok. i did not find it shocking. It was on par with the story of O and Sleeping Beauty.
January 13, 2021
This book has scarred me for life but I really enjoyed it.
November 10, 2013
This is the most real and raw book about what really goes on in a submissives head. A very good read.
November 18, 2025
Nessuna critica severa: questo è un bel libro. Scritto bene, se con sincerità e/o fantasia non si sa, ma è un romanzo erotico e quindi la cosa è normale, comunque è un bel libro. Certo è che è un discorso letto e straletto infinite volte, l’ennesima riscrittura di Histoire d’O. Una donna, peraltro pure sposata, madre e con brillante professione di avvocato (nei romanzi erotici, manovali e cassiere di supermercato, mai), incontra per caso un uomo che ne fa la sua schiava. Dominazione e sottomissione, sia psicologica che reale; da una parte frustini, morsetti e falli anali, dall’altra fai questo, ti ordino quello, sei la mia schiava, io decido e tu obbedisci e non fai domande, eccetera. E lei ci sta, ovviamente. Solo alla fine del libro sembra che abbia un moto di ribellione, un rigurgito di autonomia. Sembra. Ma non è sicuro. Forse cambia solo padrone. (E noi glielo auguriamo, lei è troppo perfetta come schiava e il padrone precedente era veramente troppo stronzo). Ora, constatare che questo tipo di sogni, desideri (più o meno realizzati) e fantasie, da parte femminile, siano tanto diffusi, mi rallegra. Quello che ho difficoltà a capire è perché alla sottomissione fisica debba per forza di cose coniugarsi una "sottomissione psicologica" fatta di desideri insoddisfatti, di lunghe attese, di telefonate che non arrivano, di appuntamenti mancati, di rapporti sessuali obbligati con terze persone, eccetera. E quel che è peggio, sembra che (nella realtà) molte donne accettino e gustino questo tipo di sottomissione molto più dell’altra, che l’angoscia della solitudine e dell’abbandono le "soddisfi" molto di più (quando, ovviamente, poi c’è una pacificazione, arriva e il padrone e "si degna" di pensare a loro) e sia perversamente molto più erotizzante di un bel gioco di fruste e legacci (che pure c’è, ma non è prioritario e vale proprio nella misura in cui il padrone "si degna" di frustarti). E poi, c’è pure un’altra cosa che non capisco e che vorrei capire. Dove diavolo sono, questi negozi di biancheria intima dove lui può entrare in cabina insieme a lei senza che la cosa susciti particolari scandali, da cui lei può uscire in strada (in guepière e reggicalze) per fermare (come le è stato ordinato) un uomo e chiedergli di comprarle in completino in cambio di un rapporto orale nella suddetta cabina, e l’uomo in questione capisca immediatamente che si tratta di un gioco di dominazione e si adegui, pagando quanto richiesto, rinunciando magnanimamente al compenso offerto e permettendosi pure di dirle "se quell’uomo è il suo padrone, sappia che non la merita"? Dove diavolo sono queste feste piene di "ragazze, bambine appena puberi e già così alte, lunghe, sicure dei loro seni promettenti appena sbocciati, l'ombelico scoperto, i capelli corti o lunghi sulle spalle, i jeans appesi ai fianchi sporgenti, a piedi nudi o calzando infradito, più alte di me di tutta la testa, lo sguardo vacuo e le labbra rosa, troppo giovani per essere amiche delle mie sorelline, troppo grandi per invidiarmi alcunché, così reali per quei quarantenni sistemati e a caccia di preda, sicuri del potere del loro denaro, del fascino delle feste del jet-set, dei week-end a Essaoui'ra, dei jet privati per trascorrere un pomeriggio a Deauville, una serata al Jimmy's, una notte al Normandy..."? Dove sono queste amiche di vecchia data, così pronte a farsi schiudere la bocca dalla protagonista-io narrante in un bacio appassionato lingua-lingua perché Lui così ordina? Dove sono queste feste di compleanno dove due donne che si sono appena conosciute (e qui senza nessuno che le obblighi) si appartano su un divanetto e una, inginocchiata davanti all’altra, si impegna a soddisfarla oralmente, e gli astanti trovano la cosa assolutamente normale? E’ proprio questo il fatto strano. So bene che queste cose capitano, ma "con le virgolette", in luoghi appositi, in situazioni apposite, non in una quotidianità, che, per quanto danarosa e lussuriosa, resta sempre quotidianità. Che sia qui che cominci la fantasia? Che peccato, se si tratta "solo" di fantasia… Comunque, se qualcuno conosce il codice d’accesso o la parola d’ordine per entrare in questo mondo, me la invii, per favore, al mio indirizzo di posta elettronica con messaggio privato.
Seconda recensione
A distanza di molti anni ho riletto questo libro, che ai tempi mi fu regalato dalla mia lei (che probabilmente non sapeva quale fosse il contenuto, o forse sì) e che sempre ai tempi avevo letto svariate volte, soprattutto per gli scenari decisamente erotici ed eccitanti.
Ho anche riletto la recensione che avevo scritto (che peraltro risaliva ad un periodo pre-Anobii, e poi riportatavi quando ho aperto l’account, probabilmente originariamente pubblicata su un blog) e sostanzialmente il mio giudizio è rimasto lo stesso. Le situazioni le ho ritrovate (per fortuna) assai eccitanti, e identiche sono anche le mie riserve su un rapporto di sottomissione e di dominazione tra un uomo che impone, più che proporre, peraltro concedendosi pochissimo, facendo letteralmente “morire di fame” la sua slave e approfittando di questo per tenerla sul filo, addestrandola a varie pratiche erotiche tra cui la bisessualità a cui lei sembra adattarsi con molta naturalezza (Personalmente penso che le donne che decidono di esplorare anche l’altra metà del cielo hanno tutto da guadagnare - come dice Almodòvar, tutte le donne nell’anima sono un po’ lesbiche - ma, cribbio, che sia un moto spontaneo, non l’addestramento compiaciuto di un maschio prevaricatore…)
Poi, alla fine, lei prende coscienza e si ribella, lui arriva perfino a picchiarla in un modo più violento che erotico (particolare che non ricordavo) e il loro rapporto finalmente finisce e lui la “lascia libera”. Ma le ultime parole fanno pensare che stia per ricadere nella rete, stavolta vittima di un amico fraterno di Lui… Lì dove sarebbe stato molto più opportuno, e gustoso, un bel “ma chi cazzo ti credi di essere, coglione”. E magari un capovolgimento di ruoli.
Che poi, a dirla tutta, per quanto una donna possa essere bellissima, sensuale, elegante (lei e le sue amiche sembrano un catalogo d’alta moda), ricca e di successo (frequentano posti che io potrei vedere solo da molto lontano, se me ne fregasse qualcosa di vederli - vale il solito discorso che una vita sessuale attiva e fantasiosa sembra essere patrimonio di un certo jet set, cassiere e manovali fuori - tutto sommato il mondo di Una Chi, la Milano di professionisti ma anche di insegnanti di liceo e altre professioni analoghe mi sembrava molto più normale), mi chiedo quanto gusto ci possa essere a intrattenersi con una donna che pare del tutto privo di una personalità propria, che si lascia “plasmare” passivamente e viva in uno stato di dipendenza affamata. I giochi erotici, compresi quelli sadomaso, sono una cosa bellissima, la bisessualità anche e anche fare da mentore a una donna possibilmente più giovane ha il suo fascino, ma cavoli, non in questo modo e non a questo prezzo… Poi, ben vengano i “rapporti contingenti”, come diceva Simone de Beauvoir, ma spasimare per il proprio master e rifugiarsi tra le braccia del marito o del proprio figlio piccolo come “comfort zone” quando si è troppo ferite (marito che sembra avere dei paraocchi grossi così, ma chissà, forse anche la fedeltà in quel mondo è vista come una cosa da borghesucci ignoranti) mi pare un po’ troppo.
Un paio di cose interessanti. Questo libro emerge da un periodo, i primi anni Duemila, in cui la letteratura erotica scritta da donne aveva avuto un certo successo (ora la letteratura erotica in genere se la passa molto meno bene, da una parte aggredita da autopubblicazioni ignoranti, dall’altra dall’intelligenza artificiale, che una delle cose che sembra saper fare meglio è proprio scrivere). E’ interessante che in esso ci sia una serie di riferimenti autoriali - libri che il master fa leggere alla sua slave - che vengono più o meno dallo stesso periodo e che ho letto anch’io, Duriés, Millet, “Dolorosa soror” di Florence Dugas, libro che, come gli altri della stessa autrice tranne forse uno, ho recentemente scoperto essere stato scritto da un uomo, tale Jean-Paul Brighelli, si veda nel caso la mia recensione del suo libro Les patientes.
Inoltre Marthe Blau, l’autrice (sempre che esista veramente, anche visto che non è mai apparsa pubblicamente, e che il libro non sia il prodotto di un gruppo di editor - io non lo credo, l’impronta “autoriale” è evidente, ma credo che, per quanto scritto bene, non rimonti a un’esperienza di vita vissuta, ci sono troppe situazioni veramente eccessive e poco credibili pure per un film porno, si veda l’altra mia recensione) è praticamente sparita dai radar. Ha pubblicato un altro libro, “Ma soeur m’a tuée”, che a differenza di questo ha avuto scarsissimo successo, nessuna traduzione e nessuna ristampa nemmeno come e-book, veramente curioso tale crollo (è ancora reperibile in francese sul mercato dell’usato, ma a prezzi molto bassi, e questo dimostra che interessa pochissimo).
Comunque dal punto di vista erotico questo libro non ha perso smalto. Magari potrebbe essere usato come punto di partenza per fantasie dall’esito decisamente più sano e meno prevaricatorio.
Seconda recensione
A distanza di molti anni ho riletto questo libro, che ai tempi mi fu regalato dalla mia lei (che probabilmente non sapeva quale fosse il contenuto, o forse sì) e che sempre ai tempi avevo letto svariate volte, soprattutto per gli scenari decisamente erotici ed eccitanti.
Ho anche riletto la recensione che avevo scritto (che peraltro risaliva ad un periodo pre-Anobii, e poi riportatavi quando ho aperto l’account, probabilmente originariamente pubblicata su un blog) e sostanzialmente il mio giudizio è rimasto lo stesso. Le situazioni le ho ritrovate (per fortuna) assai eccitanti, e identiche sono anche le mie riserve su un rapporto di sottomissione e di dominazione tra un uomo che impone, più che proporre, peraltro concedendosi pochissimo, facendo letteralmente “morire di fame” la sua slave e approfittando di questo per tenerla sul filo, addestrandola a varie pratiche erotiche tra cui la bisessualità a cui lei sembra adattarsi con molta naturalezza (Personalmente penso che le donne che decidono di esplorare anche l’altra metà del cielo hanno tutto da guadagnare - come dice Almodòvar, tutte le donne nell’anima sono un po’ lesbiche - ma, cribbio, che sia un moto spontaneo, non l’addestramento compiaciuto di un maschio prevaricatore…)
Poi, alla fine, lei prende coscienza e si ribella, lui arriva perfino a picchiarla in un modo più violento che erotico (particolare che non ricordavo) e il loro rapporto finalmente finisce e lui la “lascia libera”. Ma le ultime parole fanno pensare che stia per ricadere nella rete, stavolta vittima di un amico fraterno di Lui… Lì dove sarebbe stato molto più opportuno, e gustoso, un bel “ma chi cazzo ti credi di essere, coglione”. E magari un capovolgimento di ruoli.
Che poi, a dirla tutta, per quanto una donna possa essere bellissima, sensuale, elegante (lei e le sue amiche sembrano un catalogo d’alta moda), ricca e di successo (frequentano posti che io potrei vedere solo da molto lontano, se me ne fregasse qualcosa di vederli - vale il solito discorso che una vita sessuale attiva e fantasiosa sembra essere patrimonio di un certo jet set, cassiere e manovali fuori - tutto sommato il mondo di Una Chi, la Milano di professionisti ma anche di insegnanti di liceo e altre professioni analoghe mi sembrava molto più normale), mi chiedo quanto gusto ci possa essere a intrattenersi con una donna che pare del tutto privo di una personalità propria, che si lascia “plasmare” passivamente e viva in uno stato di dipendenza affamata. I giochi erotici, compresi quelli sadomaso, sono una cosa bellissima, la bisessualità anche e anche fare da mentore a una donna possibilmente più giovane ha il suo fascino, ma cavoli, non in questo modo e non a questo prezzo… Poi, ben vengano i “rapporti contingenti”, come diceva Simone de Beauvoir, ma spasimare per il proprio master e rifugiarsi tra le braccia del marito o del proprio figlio piccolo come “comfort zone” quando si è troppo ferite (marito che sembra avere dei paraocchi grossi così, ma chissà, forse anche la fedeltà in quel mondo è vista come una cosa da borghesucci ignoranti) mi pare un po’ troppo.
Un paio di cose interessanti. Questo libro emerge da un periodo, i primi anni Duemila, in cui la letteratura erotica scritta da donne aveva avuto un certo successo (ora la letteratura erotica in genere se la passa molto meno bene, da una parte aggredita da autopubblicazioni ignoranti, dall’altra dall’intelligenza artificiale, che una delle cose che sembra saper fare meglio è proprio scrivere). E’ interessante che in esso ci sia una serie di riferimenti autoriali - libri che il master fa leggere alla sua slave - che vengono più o meno dallo stesso periodo e che ho letto anch’io, Duriés, Millet, “Dolorosa soror” di Florence Dugas, libro che, come gli altri della stessa autrice tranne forse uno, ho recentemente scoperto essere stato scritto da un uomo, tale Jean-Paul Brighelli, si veda nel caso la mia recensione del suo libro Les patientes.
Inoltre Marthe Blau, l’autrice (sempre che esista veramente, anche visto che non è mai apparsa pubblicamente, e che il libro non sia il prodotto di un gruppo di editor - io non lo credo, l’impronta “autoriale” è evidente, ma credo che, per quanto scritto bene, non rimonti a un’esperienza di vita vissuta, ci sono troppe situazioni veramente eccessive e poco credibili pure per un film porno, si veda l’altra mia recensione) è praticamente sparita dai radar. Ha pubblicato un altro libro, “Ma soeur m’a tuée”, che a differenza di questo ha avuto scarsissimo successo, nessuna traduzione e nessuna ristampa nemmeno come e-book, veramente curioso tale crollo (è ancora reperibile in francese sul mercato dell’usato, ma a prezzi molto bassi, e questo dimostra che interessa pochissimo).
Comunque dal punto di vista erotico questo libro non ha perso smalto. Magari potrebbe essere usato come punto di partenza per fantasie dall’esito decisamente più sano e meno prevaricatorio.
December 30, 2022
Le respect c'est en option.
En tout cas c'est le cas dans ce livre. Déjà que je suis pas une grande fan de toutes les histoires portant sur la tromperie, mais alors celle là elle ne m'a pas rallié à sa cause.
L'histoire est sur une femme de la haute société Parisienne, bourgeoise qui s'ennuie dans sa petite vie parfaite et bien rangée. Du coup elle cherche des sensations fortes au point où elle va se détruire.
Le personnage principal n'a aucun respect pour elle même, ses amis et sa famille. Elle est également sans loyauté envers eux.
Du coup elle décide de se laisser irrespecter par un homme violent qui n'en à rien faire d'elle. À ses yeux elle n'est qu'un objet.
Ce n'est pas une histoire d'amour et c'est ni érotique. C'est juste une histoire avec des violences et des viols. Pas vraiment ma tasse de thé.
J'avais l'impression de lire une darkromance non-assumée et un thriller en même temps. Je n'étais jamais sûr de si le livre a était écrit pour dénoncer les relations abusives ou les romantiser. Cependant il est bien écrit que c'est un livre érotique sur la couverture, ça m'a suffit pour trancher. Rien que le fait que j'étais dans le doute était un signe suffisamment pour me faire choisir mon camps.
Cependant le livre est extrêmement bien écrit, rien à dire là dessus. Le World building et l'ambiance de cette caste sociale est retranscris à la perfection.
En bref je ne le conseille pas à part si vous voulez être dégoûté de la gente masculine par son usage du corps féminin pour son plaisir égoïste et déçus de la féminine par son manque de sororité.
En tout cas c'est le cas dans ce livre. Déjà que je suis pas une grande fan de toutes les histoires portant sur la tromperie, mais alors celle là elle ne m'a pas rallié à sa cause.
L'histoire est sur une femme de la haute société Parisienne, bourgeoise qui s'ennuie dans sa petite vie parfaite et bien rangée. Du coup elle cherche des sensations fortes au point où elle va se détruire.
Le personnage principal n'a aucun respect pour elle même, ses amis et sa famille. Elle est également sans loyauté envers eux.
Du coup elle décide de se laisser irrespecter par un homme violent qui n'en à rien faire d'elle. À ses yeux elle n'est qu'un objet.
Ce n'est pas une histoire d'amour et c'est ni érotique. C'est juste une histoire avec des violences et des viols. Pas vraiment ma tasse de thé.
J'avais l'impression de lire une darkromance non-assumée et un thriller en même temps. Je n'étais jamais sûr de si le livre a était écrit pour dénoncer les relations abusives ou les romantiser. Cependant il est bien écrit que c'est un livre érotique sur la couverture, ça m'a suffit pour trancher. Rien que le fait que j'étais dans le doute était un signe suffisamment pour me faire choisir mon camps.
Cependant le livre est extrêmement bien écrit, rien à dire là dessus. Le World building et l'ambiance de cette caste sociale est retranscris à la perfection.
En bref je ne le conseille pas à part si vous voulez être dégoûté de la gente masculine par son usage du corps féminin pour son plaisir égoïste et déçus de la féminine par son manque de sororité.
April 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this book as the author never strayed from inner thoughts of her female lead. Her expectations, desires and concerns. She continued to challenge her, both physically and mentally, all the time managing to maintain a steady, slow burning thread. Like many of us the lead questions her everyday life. Secure as she is, she yearns for something more. Yet the very eroticism she yearns for and at times lusts after, is clouded in deceit, domination, and at times abuse.
If you enjoy reading about a woman's inner most desires, secrets and sexual needs, then this book is for you. To the contrary if you want straight up and down vanilla tasting erotica without a European bent yet with a happy ending, don't bother reading, rating or reviewing it.
I could actually identify with Martha Blau's flawed female lead, and enjoyed embarking on most of the journey through submission with her. There was heightened sense of anticipation as the novel progressed, and as such I looked forward to the road ahead for her, as dark as that road became.
The erotic language and Blau's unique writing style were a highlight for me. I do think the book shall grow with age...
If you enjoy reading about a woman's inner most desires, secrets and sexual needs, then this book is for you. To the contrary if you want straight up and down vanilla tasting erotica without a European bent yet with a happy ending, don't bother reading, rating or reviewing it.
I could actually identify with Martha Blau's flawed female lead, and enjoyed embarking on most of the journey through submission with her. There was heightened sense of anticipation as the novel progressed, and as such I looked forward to the road ahead for her, as dark as that road became.
The erotic language and Blau's unique writing style were a highlight for me. I do think the book shall grow with age...
January 4, 2020
Brutalna, budząca skrajne emocje, ku przestrodze....
Gdyby nie zapowiedź, że książka ma elementy psychologiczne oceniłabym ją jeszcze niżej. Książka do przeczytania ku przestrodze, do czego może prowadzić ślepa toksyczna miłość sterowana pożądaniem. Młoda mężatka (i matka!) poznaje mężczyznę, któremu podporządkowała się całkowicie. Facet robi z nią co chce, poniża ją, wykorzystuje, a im bardziej on ją od siebie odsuwa, tym bardziej jest skłonna do wykonywania rzeczy, przy których włos się jeży. Nie raz kręciłam głową z niedowierzania, do czego jest zdolna w swojej uległości i głupocie.
Dla takiego dupka jest w stanie poświęcić swoją rodzinę... Nie jest to historia miłosna, bo nie ma tu uczucia, jest historia toksycznego uczucia, które może prowadzić tylko do katastrofy...
Gdyby nie zapowiedź, że książka ma elementy psychologiczne oceniłabym ją jeszcze niżej. Książka do przeczytania ku przestrodze, do czego może prowadzić ślepa toksyczna miłość sterowana pożądaniem. Młoda mężatka (i matka!) poznaje mężczyznę, któremu podporządkowała się całkowicie. Facet robi z nią co chce, poniża ją, wykorzystuje, a im bardziej on ją od siebie odsuwa, tym bardziej jest skłonna do wykonywania rzeczy, przy których włos się jeży. Nie raz kręciłam głową z niedowierzania, do czego jest zdolna w swojej uległości i głupocie.
Dla takiego dupka jest w stanie poświęcić swoją rodzinę... Nie jest to historia miłosna, bo nie ma tu uczucia, jest historia toksycznego uczucia, które może prowadzić tylko do katastrofy...
May 6, 2020
I think this book looses something in translation. It is originally in French and I don't know if it translates well to English. I was engaged but could not help the thought that I was missing details of the story. Again, this might be a translation issue. I just couldn't understand how she got so wrapped up or how he got so much power over her. She was obsessed in a way that I could not understand. That's why I think some elements were lost in translation. I wasn't that bothered by his cruelty but more disturbed by her utter submissiveness even against her own best interest. I just couldn't reconcile such a strong woman giving in so completely to a man she barely knew. Again, something must have been lost in translation.
June 5, 2024
This book was really though and sad to read. I hoped for a good ending that would explain the whole mess and give some relief, but it was even worse than the rest. Absolutely pointless story and suffering and waste of time for a reader.
June 12, 2024
If any of my friends and followers see this…. No u didn’t… AND No I don’t know what I was thinking. It was not good. This book made me sad and uncomfy and that’s it
June 13, 2014
Is a novel by a Marthe Blau, a French lawyer from Paris which is allegedly based in true events. When in 2005 it was published it allegedly sent shockwaves through the French legal établissement with its frank portrayal of kinky sex and all that jazz.
It sent shockwaves through me too for its frank portrayal of totally unbelievable derp and complete failure to be believable or erotic. So I borrowed a copy off my mother (don't ask) and set to reviewing it here.
Executive Summary
"I NEED HIS COCK INSIDE ME." Capitalisation not mine.
A bit more detail if you wouldn't mind?
Elodie is a Parisian avocat with a loving husband and a small son. One fine day she meets Him (again, capitalisation not mine) at court and he presses into her hand a note instructing her to be at a certain place at a certain time wearing stockings, suspenders, and a G-string. She wonders what she's doing there.
What is she doing there exactly? Because turning up in Ann Summers' finest simply because a handwritten note from some bloke told you to do it is not what a rational person does at any time, least of all a hard-nosed high-flying Parisian lawyer with a family. But nevertheless, this intrepid reviewer just had to find out. What she does do is meet Him and, amongst other things, he puts a clothes peg on her clacker. Which she finds a mite uncomfortable. He also fails to actually shag her, and thus begins the rest of the novel, on which barely a page passes without one of the following things:
- She longs for him to shag her and to feel his cock inside her.
- She sits around waiting for him to call so he'll tell her where to go and she'll get to feel his cock inside her.
- She goes shopping for fancy lingerie and then imagines him disrobing her and getting his cock into her.
- SHE NEEDS HIS COCK INSIDE HER.
- Etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
On the occasions that He does meet up with her (we never find out his name, but he seems a right git), he does not shag her, not once, but contents himself with ordering her to go round her normal legal business with a variety of items in her orifices. These are a poor substitute for His cock, of course. Needless to say, going around with various BDSM paraphernalia about one's person attracts undue attention, as does His insistence on being round her at functions and deriving glee from her subservience, however this attention is either ignored (there's one bit where she's chained to a restaurant balcony by way of punishment which attracts no undue attention) or, surprise surprise, all her mates are into this as well. She then goes off to St Tropez where she discovers she also likes a spot of casual lesbionics as well. How convenient!
He doesn't shag her ever by the way, and apparently this is deliberate because this way he can spoil her for everyone else ever.
Thankfully the novel isn't too long, because it was annoying me lots. After all, why would a supposedly rational person succumb to a seduction method which is technically right out of The Macc Lads' playbook - that of being told that He is going to have her. If I knew that I could pull tasty French lawyers in this matter, I'd be trying to find an adequate translation for "Spread yer legs an' get yer knickers down. Spread yer legs an' don't make a sound. I'm God's Gift to Women in this fuckin' town!" when I was up at the Sorbonne rather than hanging around pretentious bars in the Latin Quarter trying to blag my knowledge of literature and philosophy. And why would she continue to do things like go to the hotel room He directed her to, change into the latex fetish gear provided for her, stuff the butt plug so furnished up her tan track, and assume the position, especially after the first time she did this he completely failed to to turn up whatsoever. Similarly, how can she pine for someone who treats her so horribly, ordering her about, sticking a clothes peg on her labia and humiliating her in public with no sniff of a safe word or suchlike and who we don't ever see whatsoever and so can't determine whether he's worth it or not, and then threatens to irreversibly wreck her career and life and family if she rejects him.
But despite all this, SHE NEEDS HIS COCK INSIDE HER.
I'm dreadfully sorry, but this is not believable whatsoever.
Right, I think that's quite enough. I'm gonna see if I can score with one of my former Sorbonne partners in crime right now. I'll send her a message on Facebook which reads, "Écarte les cuisses et retire ta culotte. Écarte tes cuisses et tais-toi - chut. Je suis le cadeau divin aux femmes dans ce merdeux endroit!" Yes, the rhyming is iffy and the scansion faeculent but if this novel is to be believed, I can't fail.
(originally written for Everything2.com)
September 11, 2008
oh where to start. I went through the entire continium of reactions to this book. First I found it hot, then it seriously angered me, back to hot, anger, disgust, then appreciation.
Let me elaborate. I found a couple of scenes intensely erotic, specifically the basement scene during the dinner party, but it went downhill from there. The swing parties and lesbian action just didn't do it for me. As far as HE goes, he may be a sadist but he is NOT a dom, or not a good one at least. This man is a glorified douchebag with some sexual prowess. Considering the title of the book, this seriously troubled me; the idea that it was being portrayed as a typical D/s relationship, until Elodie realizes her friend Lea and her husband are in a TRUE D/s relationship and actually notices the difference between them and the asshole she's worshipping as a God.
And then I started to relate to Elodie - a little too much. The way she craves him because he defies her sense of entitlement. The way she knows she can have anyone but him, therefore HAS to have him, even if just the slightst scrap of him. The way she describes giving everything even though he gives her NOTHING in return. And there, for me, was the point of this book. I've been in this relationship, more or less. And now I REALLY hate this guy. Really hate her for pointint it out to me, and really, really, really would like her to stop talking about how nobody else wound understand how incredibly refined and bouguise her submissive perversities are.
Even by the end she doesn't seem to realize that the only question is WHICH kink most people have, not whether or not they have them. Still, she did a really good job of taking me through her feelings, and giving an extreme illustration of douchebaggery which, if we're honest, most of us can relate to on some level.
I'd want to slap her for making me confront that particular demon, but I know she'd like it.
Last but definitely not least, but it seemed to me the beginning of His fall from God-status was when she saw him smiling and laughning on the boat. She notes that she'd never seen that side of him before. I really don't buy that she ended it because of what she did on the island, or his refusal to fuck her. I think the beginning of the end was when he appeared as a man to her instead of a God. As a man, his behavior is just a little pathetic. So ironically the douchebags downfall was showing a little true emotion.
Let me elaborate. I found a couple of scenes intensely erotic, specifically the basement scene during the dinner party, but it went downhill from there. The swing parties and lesbian action just didn't do it for me. As far as HE goes, he may be a sadist but he is NOT a dom, or not a good one at least. This man is a glorified douchebag with some sexual prowess. Considering the title of the book, this seriously troubled me; the idea that it was being portrayed as a typical D/s relationship, until Elodie realizes her friend Lea and her husband are in a TRUE D/s relationship and actually notices the difference between them and the asshole she's worshipping as a God.
And then I started to relate to Elodie - a little too much. The way she craves him because he defies her sense of entitlement. The way she knows she can have anyone but him, therefore HAS to have him, even if just the slightst scrap of him. The way she describes giving everything even though he gives her NOTHING in return. And there, for me, was the point of this book. I've been in this relationship, more or less. And now I REALLY hate this guy. Really hate her for pointint it out to me, and really, really, really would like her to stop talking about how nobody else wound understand how incredibly refined and bouguise her submissive perversities are.
Even by the end she doesn't seem to realize that the only question is WHICH kink most people have, not whether or not they have them. Still, she did a really good job of taking me through her feelings, and giving an extreme illustration of douchebaggery which, if we're honest, most of us can relate to on some level.
I'd want to slap her for making me confront that particular demon, but I know she'd like it.
Last but definitely not least, but it seemed to me the beginning of His fall from God-status was when she saw him smiling and laughning on the boat. She notes that she'd never seen that side of him before. I really don't buy that she ended it because of what she did on the island, or his refusal to fuck her. I think the beginning of the end was when he appeared as a man to her instead of a God. As a man, his behavior is just a little pathetic. So ironically the douchebags downfall was showing a little true emotion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2016
" You'll want to scream,
but you'll be gagged.
You'll want to cry,
but you'll be blindfolded.
You'll want to run away,
but you'll be tied up.
You'll have no way of begging me,
I'll do what I want with you.
"Submission, the controversial novel that, according to The Sunday Times (London), "sent tremours through the French establishment," is bound to leave American readers breathless.
"Sexual obsession, domination, and dangerous desire drive the story of Élodie, a young married Parisian lawyer who finds herself swept up in a cycle of sadomasochistic lust.
"A handsome stranger Élodie meets in court issues her a series of instructions that she feels compelled to follow. He introduces her to sex clubs hidden in dark alleys, toys that enhance physical pleasure as well as pain, and couples whose appetites are as voracious as his. What at first seems out of character for Élodie -- she has a small child at home, after all -- quickly begins to shape her self-identity. As the violence of their encounters escalates, these acts become an addiction she can't bear. But how far can Élodie go . . . and how much of her life will she risk in the process?
"This sophisticated and captivating novel exudes the sensuality that only the French can deliver.
~~back cover
This is a completely unnerving book. It's not BDSM, it's SM pure and simple. The "handsome stranger" is a sadist, with no emotion for Élodie at all. And she's the compleat masochist, returning again and again to Him despite the fact that each encounter results in humiliation and pain for her without any crumb of affection or sexual fulfillment. Over & over & over again. It's chilling to watch as He inflicts more & more pain & humiliation on Élodie each time He commands her to come to Him, which she willingly does. Watching a cat play with a mouse it's caught before killing it is less unsettling than watching Élodie continue to crave and submit to such sadistic degradation, begging & pleading for any semblance of caring or satiation from Him and never receiving any real reward, only enough slight praise and sexual activity to satisfy Him and keep her thinking that she has almost won His affection at last.
but you'll be gagged.
You'll want to cry,
but you'll be blindfolded.
You'll want to run away,
but you'll be tied up.
You'll have no way of begging me,
I'll do what I want with you.
"Submission, the controversial novel that, according to The Sunday Times (London), "sent tremours through the French establishment," is bound to leave American readers breathless.
"Sexual obsession, domination, and dangerous desire drive the story of Élodie, a young married Parisian lawyer who finds herself swept up in a cycle of sadomasochistic lust.
"A handsome stranger Élodie meets in court issues her a series of instructions that she feels compelled to follow. He introduces her to sex clubs hidden in dark alleys, toys that enhance physical pleasure as well as pain, and couples whose appetites are as voracious as his. What at first seems out of character for Élodie -- she has a small child at home, after all -- quickly begins to shape her self-identity. As the violence of their encounters escalates, these acts become an addiction she can't bear. But how far can Élodie go . . . and how much of her life will she risk in the process?
"This sophisticated and captivating novel exudes the sensuality that only the French can deliver.
~~back cover
This is a completely unnerving book. It's not BDSM, it's SM pure and simple. The "handsome stranger" is a sadist, with no emotion for Élodie at all. And she's the compleat masochist, returning again and again to Him despite the fact that each encounter results in humiliation and pain for her without any crumb of affection or sexual fulfillment. Over & over & over again. It's chilling to watch as He inflicts more & more pain & humiliation on Élodie each time He commands her to come to Him, which she willingly does. Watching a cat play with a mouse it's caught before killing it is less unsettling than watching Élodie continue to crave and submit to such sadistic degradation, begging & pleading for any semblance of caring or satiation from Him and never receiving any real reward, only enough slight praise and sexual activity to satisfy Him and keep her thinking that she has almost won His affection at last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2013
This book doesn't really have names for the characters but who cares.
The story takes place with a woman trying to meet the demands of her secret sexual nature. She is running to a lawyer who specalizes in domineering sexual acts. When she gets to him he asks her to get on a table where he ties her down and does what she precieves as the best sexual encounter ever. After he is done tieing her up he rubs her cliteros until it burns from wanting to cum. Then he sodimizes her by sticking an object in her vagina. It hurts her a little until he plunges into her ass with his penis. He makes her cum but then tells her to go and that he will call her so they can schedule their next meeting. She goes home to her husband and baby boy, only to find out that her husband doesn't do it for her anymore. The days go by without any call and when she does get the call from him he doesn't show up . So she crys her way home and days again go by and she gets a call from him again he apoligizes to her for not making it. So they make another one but they both can't make it so they meet at a friends party where she gets punished. He puts a clothes pin closeing her Vagina up. She is so wet from the encounter with him in a closet that she takes it off after the party is over. Things go on like that for a couple of months I gues, where he makes the appointments with her and she goes to him like a little dog on a leash. Until things happen and she gets discovered and her marriage almost falls appart. She holds on to them anyway and promises not to do it again but she knows that she can't live with out being dominated by him. But she bereaks away from him for the sake of her family and never hears from him again. She is like a broken toy but with her family behind her she makes it. Until Phillip one of her friends gives him her phone number but still she doesn't go to him.
The story takes place with a woman trying to meet the demands of her secret sexual nature. She is running to a lawyer who specalizes in domineering sexual acts. When she gets to him he asks her to get on a table where he ties her down and does what she precieves as the best sexual encounter ever. After he is done tieing her up he rubs her cliteros until it burns from wanting to cum. Then he sodimizes her by sticking an object in her vagina. It hurts her a little until he plunges into her ass with his penis. He makes her cum but then tells her to go and that he will call her so they can schedule their next meeting. She goes home to her husband and baby boy, only to find out that her husband doesn't do it for her anymore. The days go by without any call and when she does get the call from him he doesn't show up . So she crys her way home and days again go by and she gets a call from him again he apoligizes to her for not making it. So they make another one but they both can't make it so they meet at a friends party where she gets punished. He puts a clothes pin closeing her Vagina up. She is so wet from the encounter with him in a closet that she takes it off after the party is over. Things go on like that for a couple of months I gues, where he makes the appointments with her and she goes to him like a little dog on a leash. Until things happen and she gets discovered and her marriage almost falls appart. She holds on to them anyway and promises not to do it again but she knows that she can't live with out being dominated by him. But she bereaks away from him for the sake of her family and never hears from him again. She is like a broken toy but with her family behind her she makes it. Until Phillip one of her friends gives him her phone number but still she doesn't go to him.
January 31, 2013
Finished my 1st book of 2013! And it sucked donkey dangle!
My Sexxview of Submission by Marthe Blau:
This was not a very good book. There were some high points in it, but overall, it sucked harder than a sub sucking on a dom's strap-on. The main character was whiny and annoying, desperate and childish and I didn't give a flaming fig newton about what happened to her. The guy, was over-the-top ridiculous and so egotistical you wanted to vomit. Some of the sex scenes were decent, but when it came to her and He, it was annoying. "He's so this and so that. And He's my entire world and I'm a 40yr old acting like an imbecilic teenager. Blah-blibbity-blah, I'm a dumb ho, beat me and treat me like shit and I'll still want you." Absurd. I know there are women and men out there like that, but I think their idiots too. Everyone has their own thing and people enjoy whatever it is they enjoy, and good for them. I'm not saying I didn't like it b/c of the sexual "perversions", I didn't like it b/c I can't relate to 1. Treating a woman that way; 2. I can't stand annoyingly weak women that whine about being treated like shit and still go back for more; 3. The guy was a total douchecanoe; 4. It's a bad representation of the BDSM world; 5. The writing was subpar; 6. None of the characters were likable nor enjoyable (save maybe Ingrid the model), and had no depth to them. It was a shallow book supposedly based on the author's own experiences. Felt like a summary of a bad extramarital affair. Rushed and really no depth nor quality to it all.
I don't rec it based on those things. But as I always say, Books are a form of art and all art is subjective. Cept this one, this was total shyte. Stay Booked! Happy Reading!
My Sexxview of Submission by Marthe Blau:
This was not a very good book. There were some high points in it, but overall, it sucked harder than a sub sucking on a dom's strap-on. The main character was whiny and annoying, desperate and childish and I didn't give a flaming fig newton about what happened to her. The guy, was over-the-top ridiculous and so egotistical you wanted to vomit. Some of the sex scenes were decent, but when it came to her and He, it was annoying. "He's so this and so that. And He's my entire world and I'm a 40yr old acting like an imbecilic teenager. Blah-blibbity-blah, I'm a dumb ho, beat me and treat me like shit and I'll still want you." Absurd. I know there are women and men out there like that, but I think their idiots too. Everyone has their own thing and people enjoy whatever it is they enjoy, and good for them. I'm not saying I didn't like it b/c of the sexual "perversions", I didn't like it b/c I can't relate to 1. Treating a woman that way; 2. I can't stand annoyingly weak women that whine about being treated like shit and still go back for more; 3. The guy was a total douchecanoe; 4. It's a bad representation of the BDSM world; 5. The writing was subpar; 6. None of the characters were likable nor enjoyable (save maybe Ingrid the model), and had no depth to them. It was a shallow book supposedly based on the author's own experiences. Felt like a summary of a bad extramarital affair. Rushed and really no depth nor quality to it all.
I don't rec it based on those things. But as I always say, Books are a form of art and all art is subjective. Cept this one, this was total shyte. Stay Booked! Happy Reading!
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