Erica Jong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erica Jong
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Jong in 1977
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| Born | Erica Mann March 26, 1942 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation |
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| Alma mater | Barnard College (BA) Columbia University (MA) |
| Period | 1973–present |
| Genre | Primarily fiction and poetry |
| Notable works | Fear of Flying, Shylock's Daughter |
| Spouse |
Michael Werthman
(m. 1963, divorced)Allan Jong
(m. 1966, divorced)Jonathan Fast
(m. 1977, divorced)Kenneth David Burrows
(m. 1989; |
| Children | Molly Jong-Fast |
| Relatives | Howard Fast (father-in-law) |
Erica Jong (born March 26, 1942) is an American writer, known for her novels, funny stories, and poems. She is especially famous for her 1973 book, Fear of Flying. This book was very important for the second-wave feminism movement, which was about women gaining more rights and freedom. The Washington Post reported that her book sold over 20 million copies around the world. By 2022, The New York Times said it had sold more than 37 million copies.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Erica Jong was born on March 26, 1942. Her birth name was Erica Mann. She has two sisters, Suzanna and Claudia. Her father, Seymour Mann, owned a company that made gifts and home items, including porcelain dolls. Her mother, Eda Mirsky, was a painter and textile designer. She also designed dolls for her husband's company.
Erica went to The High School of Music & Art in New York in the 1950s. There, she discovered her love for art and writing. Later, as a student at Barnard College, she was the editor of the Barnard Literary Magazine. She also created poetry shows for the Columbia University radio station, WKCR.
Her Writing Career
Erica Jong is most famous for her first novel, Fear of Flying, which came out in 1973. This book talked about the challenges women faced in the late 1960s and early 1970s in America. It explored ideas about being a woman, what femininity meant, and relationships. It also looked at women's desire for freedom and a purpose in life.
The story of the main character, Isadora Wing, continued in two more novels. These were How to Save Your Own Life (1977) and Parachutes and Kisses (1984).
About Her Life
Erica Jong has been married four times. She has a daughter named Molly Jong-Fast from her third marriage to Jonathan Fast. Her last marriage was to Kenneth David Burrows, a lawyer, until he passed away in 2023.
Erica lived in Heidelberg, West Germany, for three years from 1966 to 1969. She also visited Venice often and wrote about the city in her novel Shylock's Daughter.
In 2007, Columbia University in New York City bought her collection of writings and papers. This collection is now kept in their library.
Erica Jong is even mentioned in a song! She appears in "Highlands", the last song on Bob Dylan's album Time Out of Mind (1997). The song mentions her as a "women author" that the singer reads.
Erica Jong also supports LGBT rights.
Awards and Recognition
- Poetry Magazine's Bess Hokin Prize (1971)
- Sigmund Freud Award For Literature (1975)
- United Nations Award For Excellence In Literature (1998)
- Deauville Award For Literary Excellence In France
- Fernanda Pivano Award For American Literature In Italy
Documentary Film
- 2023 Erica Jong - Breaking the Wall by Kaspar Kasics.
See also
In Spanish: Erica Jong para niños
