The Story Behind The Story of O

The Observer | Review | I wrote the story of O

Fifty years ago, an extraordinary pornographic novel appeared in Paris. Published simultaneously in French and English, Story of O portrayed explicit scenes of bondage and violent penetration in spare, elegant prose, the purity of the writing making the novel seem reticent even as it dealt with demonic desire, with whips, masks and chains.

The author's identity remained a secret until recently. The London Observer reports on the life of the author of this classic of literary pornography, Dominique Aury, a quiet, respected editor at French publisher Gallimard and a recipient of the Légion d'Honneur.