Venus in Furs

A novella that was originally part of the epic series Legacy of Cain by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Venus in Furs is an exploration of the themes of sado-masochism and female dominance in a time when the terms had yet to be conceived. The main character dreams of the goddess Venus wearing furs while he speaks to her about love. Unable to let go of the fantasy, he reads a book that tells the story of Severin and Wanda, a couple involved in a sado-masochistic relationship. Severin enslaves himself to Wanda, who treats him with ever-increasing brutality and disdain. The novel was translated into English in 1921 by Fernanda Savage, and has been adapted multiple times for film and theater. In 2013, it was adapted for film again into a French movie by the same title, based on the 2010 play by American playwright David Ives, which was in turn inspired by this classic.