Venus im Pelz

A novella written in 1870. A young man named Severin becomes entranced by the beautiful widow Wanda and begs her to become his mistress in the literal sense—to dominate and control him completely. As Severin transforms into her slave Gregor, Wanda alternates between cruel tormentor and loving companion, pushing him to his physical and psychological limits. The work inspired the term "masochism" and