Foreword
As its title indicates, this book is a study of sexual masochism, bondage and degradation. Long ago, Freud and his disciples laid the theoretical foundation for the understanding of the connection between sex and pain, and demonstrated that masochism is a universal trait. That this is so can be seen from the numerous examples that abound in everyday life, ranging from the meek secretary who allows her boss to browbeat her, to the more repugnant examples that are front page copy on the daily newspapers.
The public's interest in masochism has been given new impetus by the Sexual Revolution that began in the sixties. Numerous couples have experimented with sadomasochistic sex, and many have learned that exactly the right degree of pain and humiliation can considerably enhance sexual ardor. Because of public interest in the subject, numerous books on masochism have appeared in recent years and sadomasochistic scenes often appear in the movies. In the movie "The Roots of Heaven," for example, a big game huntress has her buxom bottom bared and spanked for her illicit hunting activities.
In the past, masochism has been treated as an almost exclusively feminine phenomenon. This view is not surprising when viewed in the context of the historical subjugation of women in western society, but it happens to be quite incorrect. Today, it has been well established that masochism is a human trait quite unrelated to sexual gentler, and that men are often as masochistic as women.
In "" the subject of masochism is approached from various directions. Maureen Kemper, a well-to-do society matron in her late thirties, and her teenage children, Ellen and Bill, are kidnapped and held for ransom. When delay occurs in payment of the ransom money, the kidnappers find themselves with idle time on their hands and proceed to amuse themselves with sadistic sex games at the expense of their victims. Maureen and Ellen become the victims of the male members of the gang, while Bill becomes the slave of Loretta, the tough blonde girl friend of the gang leader.
In all three cases, we observe a textbook development of masochistic tendencies and desires, commencing with initial revulsion and gradually moving down the path of degradation through the various stages of passive submission, fascination and total enslavement Despite the sex and age differences of the three victims, there are remarkable parallels and similarities of reaction, attitude and response among all of them at each stage of masochistic development. The universality of masochistic traits is clearly demonstrated.
We believe that Mr. St. Cyr has contributed a timely and significant study to the subject of masochism. Although a work of fiction, "" is a scholarly analysis of masochistic enslavement. For these reasons, we believe that our readers will find this book not only entertaining but informative.
-THE PUBLISHER