Fear of Flying, published in 1973, established Erica Jong as a prominent figure in literature by framing the female experience through the perspective of Isadora Wing. With over 37 million copies sold worldwide, the novel confronted societal norms regarding sex and relationships, becoming a foundational text in the development of second-wave feminism and the sex-positive movement.
Formative Years and Academic Background
Born in Manhattan on March 26, 1942, to Seymour Mann and Eda Mirsky, Erica Mann grew up in a family rooted in the arts and business. She attended the High School of Music & Art before enrolling at Barnard College. During her undergraduate studies, she served as editor for the Barnard Literary Magazine and produced radio content for Columbia University's WKCR. She graduated from Barnard in 1963 and earned an MA in 18th-century English Literature from Columbia in 1965, completing a thesis on the representation of women in the poetry of Alexander Pope.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Literary Career and Themes
Jong gained acclaim for a style characterized by psychological depth, humor, and frank commentary on female sexuality. Fear of Flying was the first in a trilogy that followed the life of Isadora Wing, continuing with How to Save Your Own Life in 1977 and Parachutes and Kisses in 1984. Her work frequently explores the tensions between domestic life and the pursuit of individual freedom. Beyond her novels, her writing spans poetry, satire, and non-fiction, earning her accolades such as the 1998 United Nations Award for Excellence in Literature and the 2009 Fernanda Pivano Award for American Literature.
Personal History and Public Life
Jong married four times, beginning with Michael Werthman in 1963. Her subsequent marriages included alliances with Allan Jong, Jonathan Fast—with whom she had a daughter, Molly Jong-Fast—and Kenneth David Burrows. Her life included periods residing in Heidelberg, West Germany, and Venice, Italy, which served as settings for her creative work. In 2007, Columbia University acquired her literary archives. Following a diagnosis of dementia in the early 2020s, she moved into a nursing facility in Manhattan.
Fast facts
- Born: March 26, 1942, New York City
- Citizenship: United States
- Primary Field: Literature
- Education: Barnard College; Columbia University
- Notable Work: Fear of Flying (1973)
- Religion: Judaism
- Notable Award: Fernanda Pivano Award for American Literature (2009)
Questions readers ask
What is the subject of Fear of Flying?
It follows the life of Isadora Wing, a woman in her late twenties, as she navigates themes of femininity, sex, and the quest for personal purpose.
Where are Erica Jong's literary archives kept?
Her literary archive was acquired by Columbia University in Manhattan in 2007.
Achievements
- Notable work: Fear of Flying
- Educated at Barnard College, Columbia University and High School of Music & Art
- Worked as writer, poet and novelist
