This toy was definitely designed
I received a thin, light-weight paper-back book in the mail from Eden Fantasys, entitled
Return to the Chateau. The author, Pauline Reage, returns with a sequel to her controversial Story of O. The text was written in large type, yet the book was only 192 pages in length. The slim novel was aesthetically unimpressive, with a plain white lettering on black cover. However, the visual darkness intimated an equally dark read.
Set in France, O has been sent by her Master to "work" for money in a bordello. The story wraps itself firmly around the prospect that O is interested in far more than simply serving her Master, but is madly in love with him. Left with servicing other men (and sometimes women) in exchange for room, board, and pay, O meets many others of her kind, and laments her Master's seeming abandonment. The book puts most of its detail into O's new surroundings, and the lifestyle of the girls in the bordello.
Will he return to claim what is his? Does he wish her to exchange her body for money which he will collect? Will he simply desert his dedicated slave for all eternity? Many questions flooded my mind as I read this riveting, at times heart-wrenching and sadistic love story. I cried for O's anguish, and at other times even envied her. The BDSM genre has enjoyed the author's work for decades based upon its rich base of Mastership and slavery and erotic exploration. Despite the enthralling plot, I was disappointed to find that there was very little erotica to be found.
I finished the entire book in just under two hours, but it left me deeply impacted. The story ended abruptly, and left me with more questions still. Overall, it was a magnificently written piece that drew me in from the very first sentence.
Return to the Chateau review by Lara
Honestly, I have heard many people say that the original was far more explicit than The Return, so if you were disatisfied with Story of O, you may very well be unhappy with this book. I'm much like you, Dame Demi, in that I am a stickler for reading each book in a series, no matter how dull. I wouldn't call this erotica. It was more along the lines of a sado-masochistic/fantasy romance novel, with dark curves and not the most uplifting ending. Cock Wrangler, I believe there have been many "continuations" and even "recreations" of the Story of O, all by different authors...but I don't see the original author writing another O book. I've heard her beliefs changed profoundly, and so too in her mind changed O.
Oggins, I agree! I often feel unfulfilled with this sort of book, though the writing was good.
Too bad it wasn't more explicit and I hate reading a book (even if I like it) that doesn't end well.... I'm always left feeling unfullfilled!
I've been curious about this novel and have had it on my wish list for some time. Of course, I'm one of those few people who wasn't all that impressed with the original (though I may have been too young when I read it), but I'm pretty anal about reading sequels when they exist. Thanks for the warning on this one, though--I like my erotica to be erotic!
So is the book set up for a continuation, do you think?