Erica Jong

Erica Jong is an American novelist, satirist, and poet, recognized for her groundbreaking work in literature, which includes the influential novel “Fear of Flying.” After publishing her groundbreaking novel Fear of Flying in 1973, Erica Jong established herself as a seminal voice in literature, sparking widespread discussion for its frank exploration of female sexuality through the character of Isadora Wing. Recognized for its integration of psychological depth, humor, and candid depictions of sex, the novel became a commercial phenomenon, selling over 20 million copies worldwide by 2013 and exceeding 37 million by 2022. Jong had cultivated her literary foundation earlier, earning a BA from Barnard College in 1963 and an MA in 18th-century English Literature from Columbia University in 1965, where her thesis focused on women in Alexander Pope’s poetry. Her early work also garnered the Poetry Magazine’s Bess Hokin Prize in 1971.

Her significant place in literary history was cemented in 2007 when Columbia University acquired her extensive literary archive. Her impactful literary career continued with Love Comes First (2009), Sugar in My Bowl: Real Women Write About Real Sex (2011), and Fear of Dying (2015). In 2019, Jong released The World Began with Yes, a testament to her enduring voice and relevance. Most recently, her life and work were chronicled in the documentary Erica Jong – Breaking the Wall, directed by Kaspar Kasics, which was released in 2023, offering a contemporary reflection on her groundbreaking contributions to literature and feminism.