The Story of O is a compelling, oftentimes disturbing work of erotic fiction written by Pauline Reage (also known as Dominique Aury and Anne Desclos). On a challenge from her lover that no woman could write like Marquis de Sade did, The Story of O was born. The text depicts the main character’s journey into a life as a submissive sex slave, starting at a chateau in France (a likely homage to the Marquis de Sade and 120 Days of Sodom) and continuing on as O is handed from one lover to the next. She endures torture, forced sex, and other “horrors” throughout the book. Where this text differs from 120 Days, however, is that there is a basis of consent to go along with everything O goes through. At several points in the text, her lover offers her a chance to get out, leave, and choose not to be subjected to the actions she is. It is this consent that makes The Story of O a more honorable erotic fiction than 120 Days, as the characters in the work of Marquis de Sade do not have a choice in the sexual acts they are forced to perform and endure. While some critics argued that The Story of O was unfeminist because it derives its eroticism from the objectification of women, I (not an authority on anything by the way) felt that it was surprisingly feminist. Published in 1954, a time when women didn’t have autonomy in many aspects of their lives, especially their sex lives, I think that The Story of O is a powerful work, as it describes a woman’s point of view, a woman’s sexuality, and a woman’s choice to consent. O is not a victim, she is a consenting participant, and this makes all the difference. At a time when women were expected to be pure, lacking sexuality, and disinterested in sex except to plesae their husbands, I feel that The Story of O was an important work of erotic fiction that championed women’s sexuality and women’s choice. Beautifully written, Reage expressed that The Story of O was her own fantasy come to life, created for her pleasure and for the pleasure of her lover. That the text was written as a work of passion, an indulgence in Reage’s deepest desires, is a testament to the power the book has- it is a product of a woman’s ownership of her own sexuality.