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  • Masochism
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Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch
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Masochism Paperback – Aug. 5 1991

by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (Author), Gilles Deleuze (Author), Jean McNeil (Translator)
4.4 out of 5 stars 48 ratings
4.1 on Goodreads
1,565 ratings

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In his stunning essay Coldness and Cruelty Gilles Deleuze provides a rigorous and informed philosophical examination of the work of late nineteenth-century German novelist Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. Deleuze’s essay, certainly the most profound study yet produced on the relations between sadism and masochism, seeks to develop and explain Masoch’s “peculiar way of ‘desexualizing’ love while at the same time sexualizing the entire history of humanity.” He shows that masochism is something far more subtle and complex than the enjoyment of pain, that masochism has nothing to do with sadism: their worlds do not communicate, just as the genius of those who created them ― Masoch and Sade ― lie stylistically, philosophically, and politically poles apart.

Venus in Furs, the most famous of Masoch’s novels, belongs to an unfinished cycle of works that Masoch entitled The Heritage of Cain. The cycle was to treat a series of themes, including love, war, and death. The present work is about love. Although the entire constellation of symbols that has come to characterize the masochistic syndrome can be found here ― fetishes, whips, disguises, fur-clad women, contracts, humiliations, punishment, and always the volatile presence of a terrible coldness ― these received associations do not eclipse the truly singular and surprising power of Masoch’s eroticism.

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  1. Print length
    296 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Zone Books
  4. Publication date
    Aug. 5 1991
  5. Dimensions
    15.24 x 2.54 x 22.86 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    9780942299557
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0942299557
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Product description

Review

"This provocative work places von Sacher-Masoch's classic 1870 novel "Venus in Furs "next to Deleuze's essay arguing that popular assumptions beginning with Freud have effectively obscured the unique power of von Sacher-Masoch's eroticism as well as the true nature of what might be called a masochist 'order.'"--Keith Thompson, Utne Reader

& quot; This provocative work places von Sacher-Masoch's classic 1870 novel Venus in Furs next to Deleuze's essay arguing that popular assumptions beginning with Freud have effectively obscured the unique power of von Sacher-Masoch's eroticism as well as the true nature of what might be called a masochist 'order.'& quot; -- Keith Thompson, Utne Reader

" This provocative work places von Sacher-Masoch's classic 1870 novel "Venus in Furs "next to Deleuze's essay arguing that popular assumptions beginning with Freud have effectively obscured the unique power of von Sacher-Masoch's eroticism as well as the true nature of what might be called a masochist 'order.'" -- Keith Thompson, Utne Reader

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0942299558
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zone Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ Aug. 5 1991
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Revised ed.
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780942299557
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0942299557
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 kg
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 2.54 x 22.86 cm
  • 鶹 Rank: #285,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 48 ratings

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Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch

Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch

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4.4 out of 5 stars
48 global ratings

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Top reviews from Canada

  • Lucas K. Hergert
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not So Painful
    Reviewed in Canada on April 11, 2003
    For those who have tried their hand at Deleuze's other works--notably _A Thousand Pleateus_ and _Anti-Oedipus_--the title of my review will completely make sense. In this essay, Deleuze presents an egaging arguement about the development of the Oedipal complex and its relation to masochism. Basically, in the final stage of Freud's Oedipus the son is meant to internalize an identification with the father. In revolt he engages in the masochistic drama--a desperate attempt to re-enter the early stage of identification with the mother. By engaging in Masoch's drama, the woman becomes the subject's mother, and she proceeds to ritualistically beat the father out of the son. After all, dad is the one guilty of forcing the two apart in the first place. But this woman, this actress playing the mother, is certainly not a "sadist"; she herself is a masochist, because masochism has by this point proven to be an entire setting--an entire life--all of the characters, tools, words, rituals and scripted parts involved therein.
    Contract, ritual, drama and fear combine to show us complexities of human expressions of violence, care, sexuality and the inter-relation between these three. I do not understand why this book has not recieved as much attention as some of Deleuze's others; its brilliance and accessibility--packaged of course with the eloquent and important _Venus in Furs_--make it well worth your time and money.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Nic Casto
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Seller
    Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The book was incredibly affordable and came in better condition than I anticipated. It was also delivered very quickly. Would absolutely use this seller again!
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  • Frank Moses
    2.0 out of 5 stars Very bad literature yet historically interesting. For pundits only.
    Reviewed in Germany on March 29, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I wanted to know where the word and concept of masochism came from. I found out - from very bad literature.
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  • Ioannis Kazlaris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Masochism: Coldness and Cruelty & Venus in Furs
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Is there a thing such as sadomasochism? How did that term came to be and is it really helpful in studying the symptomatology of various psychic phenomena? Gilles Deleuze, the acute French philosopher presents herein his claims to the contrary. Find out why.

    An excellent book.
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  • Tarsis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rare
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    If for no other reason, buy this book to read Venus in Furs. Warning: Deleuze buys into a lot of Freud's notions about gendered family structure. I couldn't make it past chapter 2 as a result. :\ Then everyone told me to read Lacan.

    University does funny things to people's heads.
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  • annie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding violence and non-violence
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Difficult to absorb the concepts as it propels one into the subconsious. Takes time to reflect on one's behaviors and others which allows the reader to examine the duality of the experience.
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