Bored with her marriage, a psychoanalyst's wife embarks on a wild, life-changing affair After five years, Isadora Wing has come to a crossroads in her marriage: Should she and her husband stay together or get divorced? Accompanying her husband to an analysts' conference in Vienna, she ditches him and strikes out on her own, crisscrossing Europe in search of a man who can inspire uninhibited passion. But, as she comes to learn, liberation and happiness are not necessarily the same thing. A literary sensation when first published in 1973, Fear of Flying established Erica Jong as one of her generation's foremost voices on sex and feminism. Nearly four decades later, the novel has lost none of its insight, verve, or jaw-dropping wit. This ebook features a new introduction by Fay Weldon, as well as an illustrated biography of Erica Jong, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author's personal collection.
This book was a big deal when it came out and I kinda wanted to see what all the fuss is about. It probably has to be seen in context (it was released in 1973), as female sexuality, while still capable of generating controversy and misunderstanding, is more a part of pop culture ("50 Shades of Grey," "Girls," pop tarts like Katy Perry) than it was in the dark days of the early 70s. Jong's novel was pioneering, but that doesn't mean it's particularly good. It reads more like a period piece, a literary relic, than a living, breathing novel. Then again, I'm a man and it's probably not meant for me. Includes an afterword by Jong and appreciative essays from John Updike and Henry Miller, who modestly compares it to his own books. Introduced the term "zipless f***" to the lexicon.
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Add a CommentThis book was a big deal when it came out and I kinda wanted to see what all the fuss is about. It probably has to be seen in context (it was released in 1973), as female sexuality, while still capable of generating controversy and misunderstanding, is more a part of pop culture ("50 Shades of Grey," "Girls," pop tarts like Katy Perry) than it was in the dark days of the early 70s. Jong's novel was pioneering, but that doesn't mean it's particularly good. It reads more like a period piece, a literary relic, than a living, breathing novel. Then again, I'm a man and it's probably not meant for me. Includes an afterword by Jong and appreciative essays from John Updike and Henry Miller, who modestly compares it to his own books. Introduced the term "zipless f***" to the lexicon.
Great Read!
Interesting. 7 of 10 for me.
Intelligent and well-written. I really felt like I was in the main character's head, though I didn't always agree with her actions.