Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Invitation to Roissy...

"Story of O" illustration
by Leonore Fini



A few days ago we received a lovely invitation that begins:

This made me smile, not only because it's an honor to receive such invitations from friends, but because until recently being invited to Roissy was not something female dominants would normally expect. In fact, many of my female dominant friends dislike the whole Roissy concept.

But Roissy was an important part of my BDSM growth. And anyway, if Samois (the San Francisco based lesbian-feminist BDSM organization that existed from 1978 to 1983) felt comfortable about taking its name from a related estate, why shouldn't I hold a soft spot for Roissy? And in regards to this particular invitation I love the fact that the contemporary scene is open enough to hold high protocol and themed BDSM events that allow traditional gender / role roles to blur.

But I may have lost some readers, so let me backtrack for those for whom the terms Roissy and Samois are unfamiliar.

"STORY OF O"

They are from Pauline Reage "Story of O":


There was also a 1975 film by director Just Jaeckin starring Corinne Clery and Udo Kier. In fact my old (battered and extremely well read) paperback copy of the book came out at the time of the film and shows the stars on the cover:


You can read about other adaptations of "Story of O", and the wonderful story about it's publication and author, on Wiki. It's always been controversial - and that's within the scene as well as the vanilla world. As one obviously UK based sub evocatively put it:
"It's like Marmite ... you love it or hate it"
Carmela Ciuraru agrees:
"Depending on your erotic wishes and habits, Story of O will disturb you, frighten you, make you angry, make you upset, confuse you, disgust you, or turn you on. Maybe everything at once. Decades after its publication, the novel has not lost its shock value"
And yet it remains extremely popular. As Carmela Ciuraru recently wrote:
"Although shocking for its graphic depictions of sadomasochism, the novel was admired for its reticent, even austere literary style. It went on to achieve worldwide success, selling millions of copies, and has never been out of print. This was no cheap potboiler. There was nothing clumsy, sloppy, or crude about it. Histoire d’O was awarded the distinguished Prix des Deux Magots, was adapted for film, and was translated into more than twenty languages."

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

Here's Wiki's outline of the plot:

"Published in French by Jean-Jacques Pauvert, Story of O is a tale of female submission about a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer, O, who is blindfolded, chained, whipped, branded, pierced, made to wear a mask, and taught to be constantly available for oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse. Despite her harsh treatment, O grants permission beforehand for everything that occurs, and her permission is consistently sought.

"At the beginning of the story, O's lover, René, brings her to the château of Roissy, where she is trained to serve the men of an elite group. After this first period of training is finished, as a demonstration of their bond and his generosity, René hands O to Sir Stephen, a more dominant master. René wants O to learn to serve someone whom she does not love, and someone who does not love her. Over the course of this training, O falls in love with Sir Stephen and believes him to be in love with her as well. While her vain friend and lover, Jacqueline, is repulsed by O's chains and scars, O herself is proud of her condition as a willing slave.

"During the summer, Sir Stephen decides to move O to Samois, an old mansion solely inhabited by women for advanced training and body modifications related to submission. There she agrees to receive a branding and a labia piercing with rings marked with Sir Stephen's initials and insignia. At the climax, O appears as a slave, nude but for an owl-like mask, before a large party of guests who treat her solely as an object"

So now you can place the terms Roissy and Samois.

WHAT'S IT MEANT TO YOU?

"Story of O" was my introduction to all things kinky. I read it aged 17 and it affected me profoundly. I didn't particularly identify with any character or orientation. The book worked on a much deeper level than that. It reassured me that I was not alone in my teenage desires ... and ...

It turned me on like nothing I'd ever encountered. I'd never felt that deep stab of lust and desire before. There were many scenes that acted as powerful triggers for me, including that last scene mentioned in the quote above, where O - wearing only a mask and a leash - is led into a party:

"not once did anyone ever speak to her directly. Was she then of stone or wax, or rather some creature from another world?"
Many years later I remember my delight when encountering a similar scene in Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart, when Phèdre first sees herself in the mirror wearing the outfit Melisandra has created for The Longest Night Ball:
"a loose-fitting gown of transparent white gauze ... spangled ... with tiny diamonds .... a half-mask, a white-and-brown feathered osprey with the eye-holes trimmed in black velvet piping ....

"A captive creature gazed back, masked and collared, naked beneath a scintillating curtain of gauze. In the candlelight, I could see right through the gauze. I would be as good as naked in it, before half the nobles of Kusheth.
Later:
"with a hundred eyes upon me and Melisande's hand at the end of my velvet lead, I felt a desire such as I had never known stir in the distant reaches of my being"
Those first readings of "Story of O" made me feel the same, and I'm sure the book influenced Jacqueline Carey as it did so many of us who are wired this way. I certainly laughed when Carmela Ciuraru wrote recently that in 2009 after Radio 4's program “The Story of O—The Vice Française",
"One listener had remarked, on the air, that hearing excerpts from the book provoked “a rush of blood to the non-thinking parts.”
Oh yes, indeed. Later in my professional life I was lucky enough to spend some time researching the estate of artist Leonore Fini (1918 - 1996) who's owl masks inspired Pauline Reage and the film makers:


And who also illustrated "Story of O" exquisitely:


I'm still very fond of using masks in play *grin*.

WHAT'S IT MEANT
TO THE SCENE?

The contemporary BDSM scene is filled with references to "Story of O". Lady A du Malevil notes:
"it's not news to anybody with the slightest interest in BDSM that the novel “The Story of O” by Pauline Reage and the 1975 movie are milestones to what the society represents, how it is portrayed and how it is kept from the curious eye"
As Lady du Malevi points out, the novel had a further major influence of contemporary BDSM symbols:
"as the book described an the movie depicted, after a person’s training was over, they were to wear a specific type of ring, which was viewed as some sort of a recognition symbol for those involved in BDSM ....

"These are two supposed versions of the Roissy ring, out of which the first one was actually used in the movie ... the second ring ... is a triskele (or triskelion) ... The Celtic triskele was adapted for the BDSM world in this form (copyrighted by Steve Quagmyr, but which can be used for non-profit purposes). He explains it to be the communion of Safe, Sane and Consensual, but also the interdependency of BD, DS and SM as well as that of Tops, Bottoms and Switches; it is supposed to be a discreet way for people of the scene to recognize each other, even in a vanilla environment, without negative consequences that sometimes occur when one is discovered to be part of an Alternative Lifestyle.

Both styles of ring are quite common in the scene. We have friends who proudly wear them. And of course there is also quite a market in O style garments:


"During the daytime, the female slaves wear a costume similar to eighteenth century chambermaids: a whalebone bodice, which raises the breasts and is very tight at the waist; a starched linen petticoat; an ample gown with an open neck which reveals the raised breasts unless partially hidden by a thin gauze. They are not permitted to wear stockings, and must always sit with their bare flesh in contact with the material of their seat. They wear thick-soled high-heel clogs or mules, with only a single band of satin across the foot. Sections of the skirt can be lifted and worn tucked into the belt, exposing whatever parts of the lower body the masters wish to be exposed.

"Each woman is fitted with snug, locking, leather bracelets and a leather collar, which require a key to open. Both bracelets and collar have metal rings which allow them to be used as restraints"

You'll find several places online making these garments. You can of course also purchase cyber versions on Second Life:


So Roissy mythology tends to follow us around ... and that's without my even starting to discuss what the scene now defines as Roissy protocols. I'm well aware that my interest in high protocol events, in creating a high protocol household, even my CFNM / CMNF interests are linked to my early exposure to Roissy's:
"somewhat Victorian [environment] ... the pomp and circumstance of a society far removed from our modern, 21st century world"



DO ROISSY EVENTS REALLY HAPPEN?

Yes and no. It depends how you define a Roissy event.

At first glance online you might get confused. Certainly you'll find a few businesses and websites using familiar terminology. Club O in Bristol for one example. It's a great name and it will attract kinksters because of that name. But it's a standard kink club, it doesn't hold Roissy themed or oriented events. Another example are the renowned Roissy Workshops in the UK:

"Thinking about a fetish theme night at your club ? Staging a fetish based show ? Making a film/documentary with a fetish slant ? Got an idea for a photo shoot for one of the magazines or just simply want to hold a private gathering for your friends ... but have no equipment etc ? Roissy Workshops can help you make it happen..."
Again, great rep in the scene, they've created amazing dungeons and events, but I think they are using the name more to signal to other kinksters that they are genuine in the BDSM services they offer, than Roissy oriented. You'll find the name used all sorts of ways. You can even attend a Roissy cruise in the Caribbean ... or read about a Murder at Roissy:
"Mistress Raven [is secured to] to the bondage rack in Roissy, a weekend resort for sadomasochists in the Arizona desert ... "Murder At Roissy" combines a pulse-pounding mystery with scenes of actual BDSM play in all its variety and excitement"
But what about those looking for the "real Roissy"? Some individuals claim "Roissy exists!" simply to attract play partners. On the other hand if you google "Roissy" you will find several websites for themed organizations and groups that are more specifically focused, such as the European The Roissy Society:
"The Roissy Society is formed by consenting adults who live out
their dominant and submissive sexual dreams and fantasies inspired by
the novel "The Story Of O" by Pauline Reage"
Being involved with BDSM retreats we are also aware of similar places around the world who include "Story of O" as part of their events program. One example is the FrenchDungeon run by an English couple in France, which offers:

"Story of O How many of you have read that wonderful book and wondered what it would be like to stay at Roissy, well for one or two lucky ladies the chance is available. We are offering an exclusive chance to stay for a “Story of O” weekend or a couple of days and serve alongside other experienced female submissives, undertake their training and experience life at Roissy ( Be warned this can be very intense)"
They are not wrong about it being intense. I'll discuss why a bit later.

Here in Australia there are a few people hosting these types of events. Most events are private, you won't find them with event pages on Fet ... but you will find a Chateau Roissy in Australia group on Fet, which includes this thread:
"Interested in being at Roissy? Chateau Roissy offers a themed event bringing the vision of Roissy to life: a community celebrating dominance and submission, a world with rules and rituals, with themed activities and facilities…

"An Evening at Roissy On O’s journey, Roissy was where her submission was brought to life, was the place to which she would be returned for refresher training as needed. All of the submissives at Roissy were at different places on their journeys, were on different journeys: yet for all, Roissy asked, demanded of them the submission they could give. And for some, the journey to Roissy begins even before they arrive…

"This is a story of noblesse oblige, of dominance and submission as it can be, as part of the normal course of life… the chateau, the dress, the required behaviour and rules support, embody and enforce the reality that can be...
Sounds like fun :)

WHAT ABOUT ONLINE ROISSYS?

Online Roissy recreations include Kink.com's extraordinary The Upper Floor:
"Kink.com has spent 11 years producing quality BDSM entertainment, with a view to celebrating and demystifying alternative sexualities. The Armory is a 200,000 sq foot ex-military castle in the heart of San Francisco. After kink.com obtained the armory, a wider mission was formed of 'exploring and demystifying alternative lifestyles'.

"The most elusive and challenging concept worthy of exploration was the creation of a 24x7 BDSM lifestyle space as fantasized about in BDSM literature such as 'Story of O', Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty Series, and Laura Antoniou's MarketPlace Series. Such literature often describes a castle like place in which the norms of society are replaced by the rules of dominance and submission. "The Upper Floor" is an exploration into the feasibility of such a place and lifestyle.

"Mission: To create a 24x7 alternative lifestyle community.

"Vision: To repurpose the top floor of the Armory as an Edwardian styled Great House, in which masters, mistresses and slaves will all have a role."
And they are certainly having a lot of fun with it. Kink.com of course is also well known to Roissy fans for their very popular "Training of O" programs.

You can join The Roissy Society online VIP program:
"Voyeuristic Internet Participant VIPs are mutual anonymous. The members of the IC and the FGs remain anonymous to VIPs. Contact is held over the Internet only. VIPs have the privilege to view and download pictures and videos from the Internet site of the Roissy Society for their private purposes. They are not allowed to make these pictures or videos accessible to anybody else. A membership fee has to be paid"
There's even an online Roissy in Second Life. It looks pretty amazing ... you'll find images from someone who posted about going on a tour here. Here's a description of SL's Roissy from the blog of it's creator:
"Roissy is a BDSM community, with an emphasis on community ... Roissy people know and care about one another. They work togther as a community of tolerance and acceptance. While (IC)BDSM roleplay is a prominent part of our community, most specifically in the Chateau Library... The Roissy sim is loosely based on The STORY of O"
Let's explore that "loosely", or what makes it different:
"Within the Chateau where IC (In Character) role play is practiced and respected Mistresses and Masters maintain their dominance over the Sisters of O and the Brothers of O. The Sisters and the Brothers earn their positions through a series of interviews before securing their honored titles and sacred position of service within the Sisterhood and the Brotherhood. These submissives are honored and served as the sacred core of Roissy. They are never to be abused or humiliated without their expressed consent..."
Anyone who knows their "Story of O" will have quickly picked up the gender differences ... the original Roissy was for male dominants, and only female slaves served them. The structure of Roissy looked like this:

"Three classes are present at Roissy: male masters, male valets and female slaves.
"Masters are members of the Roissy society, and O's owner, Rene, is a member of this class. Whilst each owner retains ultimate authority over his slave, she is subject to the commands of the other masters and is sexually available to them all. As O is told on her first night, "You are here to serve your masters."

"The valets are employees of the society, and wear a uniform similar to a theatre usher: jacket, waistcoat, frill-shirt, and breeches. Valets carry out any punishments which the masters do not wish to inflict personally, and are responsible for chaining the slaves at night in their rooms. The valets have the keys to the doors of these rooms, and may make use of the slaves in their set of rooms. However, valets do not have the status of masters, and give their instructions to the slaves in the form of polite requests.

"None of the women at Roissy have any of the keys, and each owner's slaves are also subject to the commands of the other masters, as symbolised by the skeleton keys for all the doors, padlocks, collars and bracelets which each master possesses. They are also subject to the instructions of the valets"
This is one of the reasons "Story of O" remains controversial even in the scene.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT WHY IT'S
CONTROVERSIAL EVEN IN THE SCENE?

I think the person who's explored this best is Molly Weatherfield:
"Story of O" has sold millions of copies, and hasn't been out of print in more than 40 years. It has influenced numerous erotic fictions, been made into two (wretched) films and given shape to countless fantasy lives.

"But it's a difficult book to think about right now, its structure and assumptions somehow out of tune with our times. O, a young fashion photographer, goes with her lover to a mysterious chateau, where she's whipped, chained, exposed and humiliated, all in the supplest, most finely poised sentences imaginable. Elegantly choreographed and costumed, "Story of O" seems a bit of a period piece now -- like 1950s haute couture in a world of latex and piercings.

" But it's the novel's pre-feminism that makes it seem so foreign to us. The chateau is run entirely by and for the pleasure of men: No male submissives or female dominants need apply (though in the character of Anne-Marie, there's a suggestion that some of the middle management is female). Sexual power and privilege in "Story of O" are rigid, systematic, almost metaphysically encoded -- O is like a supplicant joining a religious order. But what seems most out of sync with our time is "Story of O's" utter lack of that therapeutic quality that pervades so much contemporary porn: that remarkable insistence that this stuff is good for you, bringing with it self-knowledge, autonomy and the ability to love."
Weatherfield raises major scene concerns when she asks:
"is it possible to assimilate "Story of O's" lonely, pristine quest toward self-negation into this clamorous, self-actualizing, "sex positive" culture?"
You can actually glimpse where these past and present BDSM cultures collide when you read contemporary reviews of "Story of O". Let's take Zelda Gillian's thoughtful and articulate review as an example, and I do suggest reading it in it's entirety. She begins:
"Many people have admitted that it was reading The Story of O (or watching the documentary) that set them on their own path to discovering their kinky preferences For me, I discovered BDSM erotica after having discovered my kink, so in a way I am playing catch up with the psychological and emotional mindfuck that can be BDSM erotica. Because of this, The Story of O may have been less meaningful to me, or less life-altering, than it has been for others."
Zelda Gillian's problems with the book all reflect her strong, healthy awareness of contemporary scene values. Here she writes of the characters:
"I couldn’t help but read the story and get irritated with O for being so weak and vapid, at René for being so manipulative and empty, at Sir Stephen for not caring more. In the end, my reaction to the story is probably driven by the fact that participating in BDSM and power exchange is very much an act of love for me — both on the receiving end, as well as on the giving end.

"The fact that neither René nor Stephen ever exhibit true caring or concern for O or her well-being is endlessly frustrating for me. And the fact that O hangs on to René despite his obvious mistreatment of her breaks my heart. For me, the return for an individual’s total submission is to know that the dominant has the submissive’s best interests in mind. I felt that René and Stephen could not have cared less about O, as evidenced by their treating and playing her like a vapid fuck-toy without a care for maintaining or nurturing her psyche"
She concludes:
"In the end, The Story of O is simply a story about nonconsensual slavery without the safeword of love or tenderness to pull it from the depths of despair ... I recommend reading it, but only as a method of better understanding the origin and progression of BDSM erotica in the past half a century in order to gain a greater appreciation of more contemporary titles".

I have many friends who would think Zelda Gillian is overly generous with that conclusion, but I think it's a fair one that reflects the scene's contemporary concerns and issues extremely well. Having said that I'd like to make a recommendation here. If you have dismissed "Story of O" in the past, have a read of Tanos' really interesting article "The Story of O" revisited". He begins:
"I first read Story of O in 1993 and at the time I didn't really like it - certainly not its BDSM themes ... I reread it twice over the years with no change in how I felt, although I did start to notice some astute observations and quotable passages. But during the past few weeks I've picked it up again and now I've finally fallen for it."

In some detail he then explains why, before concluding:
"It's been quite an experience to revisit such a well-known D/s classic and find my attitude change completely, but I'm glad I did"
So, before dismissing "Story of O" entirely, please ... go read Tanos :) Thank you. His article may not have made any difference to how you view the book, but then again, it may have changed a few readers' minds.

WHY ARE HOSTING EVENTS
LIKE THIS DIFFICULT?

To be brutally honest organizers face the task of creating an event based on a book that's core concepts - no matter how beloved - are out of sync with contemporary scene values. I've spoken to several private Roissy event organizers who have had real troubles creating their "House Rules". Let me give you some examples of problems they've faced:
  • In Roissy the central premise is about the female slaves being available sexually ... but how do you reconcile that at a BDSM scene event where many attendees under current scene values separate BDSM and sex?
  • This same issue is related to a problem Tanos raised - the Roissy idea of sharing slaves. Remember Tanos noted this was "a deeply un-Tanosian concept ;)". But it's not just Tanos. Many people - and couples - in the scene find sharing a hard limit. Some male dominants do not want their slave touched by anyone else at all.
  • Some female slave attendees have concerns about body image that affect the event. You've read about the Roissy costumes earlier in this post. Apparently some women find it difficult to wear them, or be naked, amongst both other slaves and amongst the dominants. One American organizer wrote to me "Roissy is classically full of mirrors but we had to take the mirrors out of .... slave bedrooms because the girls were not used to seeing their reflections in any form they perceived as unflattering. After 15 minutes hanging from chains above the bed (a scene taken from the book) one slave was reduced to tears because she "had been forced to look at her awful body" via the mirrors. The toilet scene (where the valet watches O squatting to use the loo) was impossible to recreate for the same reasons". After a few events however the same organizer wrote "after attending several events at which they were praised for their beauty, some girls showed more confidence about being naked".
  • Should attendees' roles and orientations fit within Roissy protocols, ie only male dominants and female slaves? This can be very difficult to do when the event is occurring within a small scene. Many organizers know female dominants they'd like to invite. Financially it may also not be possible to host an event without a certain number of attendees.
  • If slaves of both genders are invited specific male slave issues may arise. For example, what does a male slave wear? Do they take on a female role during the event or stay "male"?
Lots of interesting challenges.

Yes, certainly there is a place for traditional Roissy events that limit attendees to a certain sex and role, that's after all what Roissy was all about. But. I think private event organizers quickly become aware they have to adapt and compromise. Each organizer solves each problem in their own unique way, and that's in part what makes these events interesting to attend.

So sol and I are heading to Roissy. We may share what happens, we may not *grin*. But I'd like to give Molly Weatherfield the last word here, a quote taken from the conclusion of her article The Mother of Masochism, written just after the author of "Story of O" died, and one that goes to the very heart of the issues the book is currently facing:
"Pornography is not only shocking --it's embarrassing, a return to a time when we hadn't yet learned to defend ourselves against the outrages of our imaginations. But Aury wasn't embarrassed ... Vastly literate, circumspect, living a life of quietly constrained passion, she was as unshaken by the same raging desire within her as Emily Brontë.

"And so this ... essay [is] my tribute, recognition, thanks, to Aury for showing me, and others, the way into the chateau. Or the ways -- in the first pages of the novel O enters the chateau twice, once blindfolded, once not -- take our pick, it doesn't matter. Just as it doesn't matter how we stumble in, stupidly, haphazardly, purposefully, sex-positively -- the door will open to disclose our own half-forgotten, naively imagined visions waiting there for us. Just as Aury's imagination waited for her to write this most serendipitous of masterpieces, this most inevitable of visions."

REFERENCES AND ONLINE RESOURCES

PRIMARY SOURCES:
First hand information comes from three people directly concerned: Dominique Aury (author), Jean Paulhan (author of the preface) and Jean-Jacques Pauvert (publisher).
If you are interested in tracking down interviews with them start here.

Dominique Aury
For the first authorized revelation of Dominique Aury's authorship of Story of O:
  • John de St. Jorre, “The Unmasking of O”, The New Yorkers (1st August 1994). de St. Jorre later wrote a book that explores this in more depth. See the BOOKS section below.
Some documentaries worth watching / listening to:
  • Writer of O, a 2004 documentary film by Pola Rapaport, mixed interviews with re-enactments of certain scenes from the book.
  • The Story of O: The Vice Francaise BBC Radio 4
  • Erotica : A Journey Into Female Sexuality dir. by Maya Gallus (A Canadian TV documentary including a filmed interview with Dominique Aury realised in 1997)
  • Vocation: clandestine, entretien avec Nocole Grenier (Paris: Gallimard, 1999) (transcription of a long interview realised for French TV documentary in 1989). Grenier published her account of this interview in "Anne-Dominique-Pauline Desclos-Aury-Réage", Sigila, n°6, October 2000

GENERAL:
Geraldine Bedell -
I wrote "The Story of O" The Guardian Sunday 25 July 2004
Jacqueline Carey - Kushiel's Dart (text quoted from here)
Carmela Ciuraru - “Pauline Réage and Dominique Aury,” from Nom de Plume: A (Secret) History of Pseudonyms (HarperCollins, 2011) (published as The Story of The Story of O in Guernica June 2011)
Favrielle's Atelier - The Longest Night outfit
French Dungeon - Events
Kink.com -
The Upper Floor
Kink.com -
Training of O
Lady du Malevil - BDSM symbols
oraclutie - Histoire d'O

Ownership Possession (Tanos) - Roissy protocol
Ownership Possession (Tanos) - "The Story of O" revisited"
Project Blu - Story of O film review
The Roissy Society
Story of O website (lots of info)
Molly Weatherfield - The Mother of Masochism SALON Aug. 6, 1998

Vannon Vechon - "l' Histoire d'O" by Pauline Reage"
Wiki - Guido Crepax
Wiki - Ring of O
Wiki - Samois
Wiki - Story of O
Zelda's Bookshelf - Story of O review

Discussion groups:
Dresses:
TSR - thread on O dresses
(please note I have no affiliation with any of the following businesses.
Some have been recommended by friends)

Kleid der O
Worthpoint

Rings
:
Fetjeweller
Richard Larson

Masks:
These are pretty much straight Venetian feather animal / bird style half masks, so you can get them anywhere Venetian masks are sold
Venetian Masquererade Masks (cheapy pretty owl ones)

BOOKS:
Dominique Aury:
  • Histoire d' O / Story of O by Pauline Reage. You'll find it for sale online at all the usual places :)
  • Text resources: online English translation can be found here
  • Re the sequel. here's Wiki:
"A sequel, Retour à Roissy (Return to Roissy, but often translated as Return to the Chateau, Continuing the Story of O), was published in 1969 in French, again with Jean-Jacques Pauvert, éditeur. It was published again in English by Grove Press, Inc., in 1971. It is not known whether this work is by the same author as the original"
John de St. Jorre:
  • UK publishing history: The Good Ship Venus : the Erotic Voyage of the Olympia Press (London: Hutchinson, Random House Group, Ltd., 1994 and Pimlico, 1996) (Faber & Faber of London reissued it in 2009. It can be ordered from www.faberfinds.co.uk)
  • US publishing history: VENUS BOUND: THE EROTIC VOYAGE OF THE OLYMPIA PRESS AND ITS WRITERS [New York: Random House, 1996]
ADAPTATIONS
The book has inspired various film directors, musicians, artists etc. You'll find a terrific list on the Story of O website here.

Also useful:
IMDB - Story of O film 1995
IMDB - Story of O series
You'll find sections of these films on YouTube.
IMDB - Writer of O doco

Related porn that might raise a smile
text - Roissy Society
("an erotic story author met one of his female readers and was introduced to the "Roissy Society", a secret women D/s club, where his wildest fantasy dreams became true")

video - A night at Chateau de Roissy



Thank you:
SirT
+
to everyone I quoted,
especially:
Tanos
Molly Weatherfield
Zelda Gillian

Photos

Invite
The Chateau Roissy

mask scene
from "Story of O" 1975
Directed by Just Jaekin, based on Histoire d'O.
Screenplay: Sebastian Japrisot. Photography: Robert Fraissa. Music: Pierre Bachelet;
with Corrine Clery, Martine Kelly, Alain Noury, Udo Kier and Anthony Steele.


modesign by monoel second life outfit


Worthpoint Story of O realtime costume

Doris Kloster painting of Roissy
from The Illustrated Story Of O by Doris Kloster
with extracts from the original text by Pauline Réage
Introduction by Jean-Jacques Pauvert
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, La Musardine France, 2001


Story of O illustration by Leonore Fini

Story of O illustration by Guido Crepax
from comic- strip Story of O (1975)
English edition Grove Press 1978


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