Cover of Venus in Furs

Venus in Furs

by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch

First published
1870
Reading level
Easy
Price
Free

About the book

"Venus in Furs" by Ritter von Leopold Sacher-Masoch is a novella published in 1870. The story follows Severin, a man so infatuated with a woman named Wanda that he begs to become her slave and endure increasingly degrading treatment. As their relationship intensifies during travels to Florence, Wanda embraces her dominant role while simultaneously despising Severin's submission. The novella explores themes of power, desire, and gender dynamics, drawing heavily from Sacher-Masoch's own life and inspiring the clinical term for masochism itself.

  • Erotic fiction
  • Sadomasochism

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #6852. Venus in Furs on Wikipedia.