Seducing the Demon: Writing for my Life

Erica Jong

Erica Jong has written a memoir well-worth reading. The book is fascinating, truthful, and covers important territory in the pantheon of human experience. Before reading this book I thought that Jong was a “one-trick pony”, having written a very successful novel, Fear of Flying , which took its place along side Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Tropic of Cancer as books which changed America’s attitudes toward the frank and open discussion of that most basic human instinct, the sexual urge.

Jong’s successful novel was the first novel written by a woman (a feminist) that explored the female side of sex and seduction, especially from the mental side of the act. In Seducing the Demon Jong states: “Without fantasy, sex is not much more than friction.” That is typical of the clever and deep insights Jong contributes in this book.

Jong is a poet, novelist, and scholar. She is married to her fourth husband, is a mother, and a grandmother. She is well-traveled, has lived abroad, and his met and known some very interesting and important people. All of these life experiences are communicated in an open, up-front, honest, and entertaining fashion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and found it more difficult to put down than most novels. I feel very thankful to the serendipitous circumstance that resulted in my buying and reading this book. I give this book my highest recommendation.

Review by Len Oppenheim