Venus in Furs

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Venus in Furs

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

In this seminal work of psychological fiction, a young man enters a contract of total submission to a woman he adores, only to discover her nature is as cruel and demanding as his own devotion. Blending passion, power, and the ancient dynamics of dominance and submission, the novel explores the depths of human desire and the complex interplay between love and humiliation.

Summary up to 500 words

In Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's *Venus in Furs*, the sensitive protagonist Severin encounters Wanda, a woman who embodies the goddess Venus. She proposes a relationship where Severin becomes her absolute slave, bound by a contract to obey her every command and endure her whims. Initially, Severin finds joy in this devotion, but Wanda's nature quickly reveals itself as capricious and cruel. She subjects him to psychological torment, physical punishment with a whip, and humiliation, often laughing at his suffering. The narrative follows Severin's descent into despair as he struggles to maintain his love and obedience despite her treatment of him as a mere object. The story takes a dramatic turn when a rival, a Greek man, enters the scene. Wanda allows the rival to whip Severin, pushing him to the brink of madness and despair. Severin eventually breaks free from the contract, leaving Wanda behind. Years later, he receives a letter from Wanda, who confesses her deep love but explains that his inability to match her cruelty made him unsuitable for marriage. She claims to have 'cured' him of his masochistic tendencies through her harsh treatment. The novel concludes with Severin reflecting on the moral that women, as currently educated by men, are enemies who can only be slaves or despots, never companions. The work serves as a profound, albeit controversial, exploration of the psyche, the nature of love, and the destructive potential of unchecked passion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/leopold-von-sacher-masoch_venus-in-furs.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-d8e99a2597d6536e.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-01 04:16 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Erotica