Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Story of the Eye
Book Review: Showing
Summary: 4 Stars
Reminiscent of de Sade, this novel is written in a kind of telling-not-showing style, very unlike modern novels. However, the concepts and imagery within are fascinating, especially some of the more disturbing sexual acts. The novel--more of a novella in terms of size--is a bit ridiculous at times, but overall a curious and interesting read. Good for those bored with current erotica or in need of something to shock friends with.Book Review: So different and interesting read
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the strangest book I have ever read. But I am learning now as a grown women that not every thing in a is about Monsters or happy endings. This is a dark and disturbing book that is very thought prevoking. I feel as though I am reading a secret diary and I love it. Makes me look at me and how society views sexuality. Yes, the main charactors are a little crazy but it is a erotic fantasy many of us would like to visit if only for an afternoon. PS What's up with the eggs???Book Review: Succeeds in Its Aims
Summary: 5 Stars
Georges Bataille's Story of the Eye (a novella that actually clocks in closer to a short story; you should be able to read it within a couple hours, at most) is thoroughly successful in realizing Bataille's goal--the creation of an intentionally disturbing mix of eroticism, insanity, wanton violence, surrealism, adventure, and even an occasional touch of comedy.The author's note that appears at the end of the City Lights Books edition, translated by Joachim Neugroschel (based on the original 1928 version of the book, by the way; in later editions, Bataille revised the text so that it "differs so thoroughly in all details that one can justifiably speak of two distinct books" per Neugroschel), states the psychological sources of the material in a fairly straightforward way. Bataille's father was blind and had "huge, ever gaping" eyes. He was also paralyzed and would frequently relieve himself in front of Georges, sometimes accidentally. As if that wasn't tragic enough, he also went mad towards the end of his life, shouting out obscenities that shocked the strictly-raised Bataille. Shortly after this, Bataille's mother had a temporary mental breakdown, as well. The incident at the "haunted castle" actually happened, in part, and so on.
But although knowing the source material is informative, it's not necessary to enjoy the book, and Bataille extrapolates far beyond his experiences, strongly emphasizing the surrealist aspects (you can even interpret a fair amount of the book as a novelization of a handful of Dali paintings, imagined by a psychopath), and delivering the result in a beautifully terse prose--often bridging over to poetry--that owes as much to Steinbeck and Hemingway as it does to a more shocking Kafka.
If you're easily offended, this book will more than do the trick. I'm not up on my banned book trivia at the moment, but Story of the Eye is undoubtedly on quite a few of those lists.
Many have said that this book has no redeeming value, or indeed no artistic value. That's only true if you have a very narrow view of the scope of literature--one so narrow, that most important works of fiction from the twentieth century and beyond are probably unintelligible to you. Story of the Eye has had more than its share of influence, in everything from fiction to painting to film, and provides a gripping, if upsetting read.
Book Review: Surreal erotic masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
The Story of the Eye is a violently transgressive anti-narrative that deliberately confuses categories and smashes boundaries. It is a template for all future attempts at truly provocative erotic literature. Desire is a force that shatters all definitions. It's a quick read but not necessarily an easy one.Book Review: The Story of the Eye
Summary: 5 Stars
I decide to read this out of curiosity, both because Björk quoted it as her favourite book (saying everyone should read it) and because everyone I knew that had read it, told me it was really shocking. It's a short read, basically about a guys fascination with his friend Simone, a coquettish young girl. They flirt around and indulge in strange and erotic behaviour. Then one day they involve another girl Marcelle in their erotic games. Simone becomes fixated with Marcelle, who is very shy and reserved. Simone's behaviour becomes more and more frenzied, eventually climaxing into a wild animal-like orgy among friends. Marcelle reacts strongly, coming out of her shell and going crazy. Then she's institutionalized at a asylum in the countryside and the two conspire to break her out. Eventually they have to go on the lam to Spain, where Simone gets even worse. Well, I don't want to ruin it. It's graphic and definitely not for the squeamish (or prudish). I wasn't as shocked as I thought I'd be, but I wasn't disappointed either! It's a good page-turner.