Das gesprengte mieder (The Exploded Corset) by Susanne Kubelka. As the main character Minka is laced like a parcel, with a wasp waist of 42 cm (17 inches), she can only gasp for breath. This is required by the beauty ideal in Belle Epoque era of the Austria-Hungary state. She would like to free herself from the corset, but she fall in love with officer, Gabor, head over heels and she wants to please him. Priced at EUR 21 at Amazon Germany.