The prose is lucid and breezy, the relationship between Severin and Wanda fascinating. I was totally mesmerized, even trembling as I read the mind-blowing conclusion of the story. Masoch infuses Severin with his own personal history and beliefs; he recalls a whipping he received from an aunt as the basis for his obsession. He expresses a great appreciation for the Greek myths and calls himself a pagan, put off by Christianity and the crucifixion. The letters between Sacher-Masoch and a 19 year old admirer named Emilie Mataja are equally fascinating. He offers her advice on building her own writing career, and later tries to transform her into another Venus in furs. It's really quite sad to read her account of their face to face meeting years after their correspondence, when she admits that she always saw his obsession with being whipped as a joke. ( )