Dominique Aury (1907 - 1998)

Dominique Aury

Dominique Aury, real name Anne Desclos, was a French writer, talented journalist, translator and editor.

Dominique Aury held the post of secretary at the publishing house Gallimard in Paris for many years from 1946. She was a jury member for a number of literary prizes, she translated into French works by Thomas Brown, James Hogg, Evelyn Waugh, Arthur Köstler, Yukio Mishima. In her articles she highlighted the problems of translation, analysed the work of English poets and writers, demonstrating a deep understanding of the literary process.

The most famous episode in Ori's career is the erotic novel Histoire d'O, published in 1954 under the cryptonym Pauline Réage. The novel was a resounding and scandalous success and was prosecuted several times. For 40 years, however, Orie never acknowledged her authorship, only to declare it openly in a 1994 interview with The New Yorker, calling the book a love letter to Jean Poland - author of the preface to the first publication of Histoire d'O.

Dominique Orie's writing style was poignant and intellectual, with insightful observations on sexuality and human relationships. She skillfully used words and language to evoke emotion and provoke thought. Her works have had a significant influence on sexual literature and feminist thought.