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15th out of 17 books
—
10 voters
Any Woman's Blues: A Novel of Obsession
by
Erica Jong
Any Woman's Blues, first published in 1990, is a tale of addiction and narcissism-the twin obsessions of ourage. World-famous folk singer Leila Sand emerged from the sixties and seventies with addictions to drugs and booze. Leila's latest addiction is to a younger man who leaves her sexually ecstatic but emotionally bereft. The orgasmic frenzies trump the betrayals, so she...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
December 28th 2006
by Tarcher
(first published 1989)
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Jun 07, 2007
Dori
added it
I did read this book, though the version I read didn't have the cool, sleek, respectable-looking cover shown here. Mine was a mass market paperback, metallic red with hearts all over it. It looked constantly like I was reading a cheap circa-1985 Jackie Collins novel. Sheesh!
Those of us who are fans of Erica Jong know that practically everything she writes is autobiographical, and consequently, many of her stories feel similar. Most of her heroines are smart, feministic and artistically-inclined....more
Those of us who are fans of Erica Jong know that practically everything she writes is autobiographical, and consequently, many of her stories feel similar. Most of her heroines are smart, feministic and artistically-inclined....more
I do not like this book. I tried to finish it years ago but I just couldn't take it anymore!
Bessie Smith was a cool musician, it's true. But you don't want to take advice from a woman who sings a song about being with a man who hits her anymore than you want to take love advice from Billie Holiday songs!
The music is fantastic, the message, not so good. Man, this book was ANNOYING! I just cannot TAKE these whiny women whining all the time about how much their lives and marriages suck while they...more
Bessie Smith was a cool musician, it's true. But you don't want to take advice from a woman who sings a song about being with a man who hits her anymore than you want to take love advice from Billie Holiday songs!
The music is fantastic, the message, not so good. Man, this book was ANNOYING! I just cannot TAKE these whiny women whining all the time about how much their lives and marriages suck while they...more
Let me confess right up front that I'm an Erica Jong fan. I was titillated and shocked by Fear of Flying in the 80s, then read How to Save Your Own Life at the start of the 90s and it became, and still is, one of my favourite novels. Yes, Erica/Isidora/Leila seems obsessed by sex - but then who isn't? Because, you see, our libidinous heroine is not just after mindless coupling. She's not simply promiscuous. She doesn't use sex as a tool to manipulate men or situations. What she's after is what w...more
Sexually voracious man leaves woman. Woman goes nuts, tries to deal with obsessions. Rinse and repeat.
The first book I read by Erica Jong was Fear of Flying, and I was astounded at the precision and courage with which she seemed to annex my own head. Any Woman's Blues did not core me nearly so relentlessly: it has a lot to say about a woman's determination to ruin herself over a man, assisted by a crate of pinot grigio, and the friends and AA meetings that dissuade her from pursuing this road. While there were epically insightful passages about love and sex and obsession and art and gender, the...more
I could not finish this book. I was amazed at how sad and desperate it was for attention. This made it even less attractive.
I've read Jong's poetry and kind of liked it. This work, though seems like it's written by a hormonal teenager. This is the kind of thing you read when you're a fifteen-year-old virgin who is desperate to know about what the non-virgins are doing as a way to live vicariously.
Trust me, this isn't it.
I've read Jong's poetry and kind of liked it. This work, though seems like it's written by a hormonal teenager. This is the kind of thing you read when you're a fifteen-year-old virgin who is desperate to know about what the non-virgins are doing as a way to live vicariously.
Trust me, this isn't it.
Feb 13, 2010
kate
added it
this was an easier read than fear of flying, a little more structured, a little less 70s. interesting to see the difference and similarities in author's voice and themes. jong's women are very alive and attacking their lives to get the most out of it - wanting and thinking about how to make the best/most of it. i like that about her books. ask for more. ask for it all. screw up burn out and still ask for more. not all cultures raise women to even think any of that is possible.
and who knows if it...more
and who knows if it...more
This book is below standard for Jong. I was mildly distressed while reading it. The heroine is flighty and the man she is in love with is a bad, bad caricature of all my previous boyfriends.
A good read about an older woman obsessed with a younger man whose idea of responsibility is a bit different than hers, forcing her to examine her own identity and what she's really looking for.
Kind of gimmicky and over the top, but enjoyable and a nice literary stretch of the membrane nonetheless.
I just kept thinking...Gawd, Chick...Get Over Yerself. Could not wait to finish the damn thing.
This book is really repetitive and Leila is out of control, but I really liked it.
Nothing much interesting. True to its description..a novel of obsession.
Strongly sexual, chic, some good lessons about codependency.
Liberating!
Erica Jong is at heart a feminist, a feminist obsessed with sex. This obsession with sex helps her recognize her obsessive nature with everything, including drugs, alcohol, love. Although she overuses the word "cock" i found this to be a good read.
Amazing! The best insights into male/ female relationships that I have ever read. I learned a lot. Didn't care much for the profanity, but it is sort of a feminist calling card. I will read it again!
Constant whine fest. Too many dated references to things I didn't feel like looking up. It really is a novel of obsession, not a novel about obsession. I see the difference now.
Ok, so if you want a great summer read about sexual obsession from a female and liberating point of view, this is the book for you! Enjoy
Jong gets too dour here. Leila Sands is a nonwitty variant on Isadora Wing. Eh.
Brilliant! ...and racy!
May 19, 2013
Federica Latta
added it
May 14, 2013
Bianca
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Genevieve
marked it as to-read
May 02, 2013
Caroline
added it
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Erica Jong—novelist, poet, and essayist—has consistently used her craft to help provide women with a powerful and rational voice in forging a feminist consciousness. She has published 21 books, including eight novels, six volumes of poetry, six books of non-fiction and numerous articles in magazines and newspapers such as the New York Times, the Sunday Times of London, Elle, Vogue, and the New Yor...more
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“Pero ¿qué hay del amor?, preguntaréis. ¿Dónde está el amor en esta ecuación? Sé que él me amaba apasionadamente. Me amaba como el cuchillo ama a la herida que hace, como la tarántula hembra ama al macho cuya cabeza engulle, como el lactante ama el pezón que toma entre los dientes y mordisquea hasta que chorrea sangre con la leche.
No tenía intención de ser cruel. Era sencillamente su naturaleza, como la del escorpión que pica al caballo sobre el que cruza el riachuelo.”
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1 person liked it
No tenía intención de ser cruel. Era sencillamente su naturaleza, como la del escorpión que pica al caballo sobre el que cruza el riachuelo.”
“Todos los días son buenos, pienso, hasta los malos. Cada día es un don. El olor puede ser malo, pero habríamos de regocijarnos de tener nariz. Nadie nos prometió una nariz. Nadie nos prometió un jardín para la nariz.”
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1 person liked it
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Aug 16, 2008 07:01am