#448 - Venus in Furs Sacher-Masoch Masochism Wade Podolsky

Venus in Furs
a novel by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch
1870 

searchable, read-out-loud text

Masochism
by Edward Podolsky, M.D. and Carlson Wade
First published by Epic Publishing Company, 1961

searchable, read-out-loud text

and

A Man Disciplined, #1 and #2
16 illustrations by Eric Stanton, c. 1970

Venus in Furs
In the same way that the narratives of Homer and de Sade have added the words "Oedipal" and "sadistic" to the popular lexicon, the publication of Venus in Furs in 1870 resulted in coinage of the word "masochism." Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (1836-1905?) disclosed his personal fantasies in many works of fiction for which he received honors and acclaim throughout Europe. In his time, as now, his unique themes overwhelm the reader with their candor, eclipsing the quality of his prose.

A passionate young man, Severin becomes enamored of an exotic beauty who presents herself in luxurious furs. He contracts to become Wanda's servant for a period of time and changes his name to Gregor. As they travel Europe by river boat, coach and train, he accomplishes her whims. The piquant irony of the ending provides Severin with what he admits he deserves.

"Venus in Furs" means female beauty in a specified frame of presentation. The works of Sacher-Masoch are the literary ancestors of Exotique, Bizarre Life and their progeny.

The novel is available as a paper book everywhere and is a free download on websites. This ebook version consists of text that has been completely re-set for an ebook of original design. The text can be searched and, with the proper software and hardware, Acrobat Reader will read the story out loud to you. [Click the VIEW menu, then click READ OUT LOUD.]

Masochism
Dr. Podolsky was a prolific author of books on physiology and sexuality. Carlson Wade wrote many volumes on alternative health care and was a frequent contributor to Exotiqueand other Burtman magazines.

This work offers insight, analysis and definition to a complex set of human interests. One of the chapters offers a biography of Sacher-Masoch with surprising details of pivotal incidents in his life. A story about young Leopold's experience with Countess Xenobia, a distant relative, suggests that she was the female in ermine whose demeanor inspired Wanda.  

Approached from several directions, the accessible prose clarifies what appears to be anomaly. Many case histories, male and female, illuminate with first-person accounts. 

[The cover of the book says Masochism; the title page says Sexual Masochism. No pictures in this edition.]

A Man Disciplined, 1 and 2

These 16 pictures have the tone, themes and quick, sketchy style of illustrations in She Dominates All. The graphic quality of the grayscale images is only fair, but each panel tells its own story with Eric Stanton's uniquely bizarre audacity.

Stanton Archives Catalogue has these words for this series:
019 Man Disciplined 1 A collection of miscellaneous drawings of humiliated men in bondage.
020 Man Disciplined 2 Another collection, but just as fascinating and interesting as (19).

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