 'The
Story of O', written by Pauline Reage (a pen-name), is a milestone of modern
SM literature. The novel (originally published in French as Histoire d'O)
tells the story of a young Parisian fashion photographer referred to only
as O and her introduction to the world of sado-masochism at the hands of
her lover Rene, the enigmatic 'Sir Stephen', and other members of a clandestine
society dedicated to the pleasures of sadomasochism. The story starts with
O being taken by Rene to a chateau called 'Roissy' on the edge of Paris
where she is systematically subjugated and moulded into a willing slave
through sexual assaults, regular whippings, and long hours in solitude.
The publication of 'The story of O' in the sexually uptight 1950's naturally
caused intense controversy. The daring exploration of dark themes of sexuality
quickly became the talk of the French salons and cafes and there was fevered
speculation as to the true identity of its author. In the following year
the novel established its literary credentials by winning the Prix des
Deux Magots, a literary prize generally awarded to new and unconventional
books. Despite continuing public outrage and a police investigation involving
the interrogation of the publisher, Jean-Jacques Pauvert, the book continued
to be published and the identity of Pauline Reage remained a well kept
secret. Pauline, revealed before her death in 1998 as journalist and translator
Dominique Aury, claimed the book was intended as a 'love letter' to her
lover Jean Paulhan, a way of keeping his interest alive after an affair
lasting almost two decades. Paulhan, one of France's most respected literary
figures, loved it and suggested immediate publication. Histoire d'O by
Pauline Reage, with a foreword by Jean Paulhan, was first published in
a limited edition of 600 copies by Jean-Jacques Pauvert and appeared in
June 1954. Some copies, nobody seems to know how many, carried a
small lithograph by Austrian artist Hans Bellmer on the title page and
these are quite valuable today. In the 50 years since it hit the literary
world like a bombshell, the Story of O has sold millions of copies and
has never been out of print. Some regard its descriptions of sado-masochism
as subtle, enigmatic and incredibly erotic while others find the writing
clumsy, the characters wooden, and the plot weak. Whatever its value as
a work of literary art, the novel has aquired an iconic status amongst
those with an interest in BDSM and remains almost required reading. The
impact of this book is still felt today. Stray into the darker recesses
of the internet and you'll be amazed at how many eager 'Sir Stephens' and
'Rene's' you bump into and how many websites you'll find using the 'Roissy'
name. |
 OTK
or Over-the-Knee is the position that most people instinctively think
of when the word 'spanking' is mentioned. It's intimate,
sexy, humiliating for the person being spanked, and it can be severe or
lovingly erotic. The position is so familiar and natural that it hardly
needs any explanation. You sit, on the edge of a bed or on an armless
chair, and have your submissive stand to the left or right of you (depending
on whether you're left or right-handed). You then have her lay across
your lap. If she struggles or moves around a lot, its better to bend her
across one thigh and lock your other leg around both of hers to prevent
her kicking and keep her in position. Place your non-spanking hand over
her tailbone to protect it, and then start spanking with the flat of your
other hand. Start lightly and gradually build intensity. Vary the tempo
with short, stinging bursts of spanking punctuated by slower, harder slaps.
Pause from time to time and rest your hand on her ass, rubbing where you've
spanked. Some people also favour a paddle or hairbrush
for OTK spanking. Because of its associations with childhood punishments,
and the vulnerable position the submissive is required to adopt, OTK spanking
can be humiliating. I've occasionally heard people say that, for them,
there is 'nothing sexual' in adults receiving or giving an OTK spanking
but I've never been able to understand that view. Lets think about it
...you have a female laying submissively across your lap, the palm of
your hand is making contact with her bare or lightly-clad bottom only
inches away from her genitals, and as she moves under the spanking her
belly is rubbing your cock which (unless you have saint-like powers of
self-control) she will feel hardening under her. So an OTK spanking isn't
about sex ? Of course it is ! People welcome and enjoy spanking
for just that reason and for many devotees of discipline, sex without
a little OTK spanking first is like having a hot-dog without the mustard
... |
