46 pages 1 hour read

Leopold von Sacher-Masoch

Venus in Furs

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1870

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Severin von Kusiemski meets a widow, Wanda von Dunajew, at a health resort and enters into a consensual dominant/submissive relationship where Wanda becomes his "master" and he her "slave," exploring complex sexual power dynamics, submission, and societal influences on behavior. Includes depictions of abuse and death by suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch is a provocative exploration of desire and power dynamics. Critics commend its daring themes and psychological depth, but some find its pacing uneven and the protagonist unsympathetic. Overall, it remains a compelling and controversial study of human sexuality.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Venus in Furs?

Readers who are intrigued by themes of sensuality, power dynamics, and psychological exploration will enjoy Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. Fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and The Story of O will appreciate its pioneering look into BDSM relationships and the complexities of desire and domination.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Identity: Femininity

Identity: Masculinity

Identity: Sexuality

Topics

Love / Sexuality

Psychology

Genre

Psychology

Romance

Classic Fiction