Any Woman's Blues: A Novel Of Obsession (2006) - Plot & Excerpts
Frick...here I was saying I was not going to call my reviews "reviews" any more but "impressions"...and now I realize that I did not compose a review in the right place but in the "Comments" place...So I basically commented on my non-existent review...so, bass ackwards and cart before the horse, If you are interested in my review or impression, please see my comment. RRrrrr...I wish i was as smart as Erica Jong, then I would know how to actually compose a review on goodreads...I've done it before, but each time it seems to stump me afresh. But here is a headsup of my review, I basically was pissed-off at E, Jong for squandering her intellectual abilities on this chick lit. Well she'd done it before, had great success, hence allowing for a lifestyle no doubt no less fabulous than that of her heroine in this book. And that's the problem: dressing up Jong's smart and creative and intelligent philosophizing in a pedestrian chick-lit story. Even the cover of the edition I had, was pandering to naughty narcissists. I mean who but narcissists want to read about narcissists? I used to think i was self-absorbed but that element bored and annoyed me in this book. Jong and her stand-in seemed to be gloating on how much living they were doing. All this reader could take from that was either a) I better get myself out of this book and doing ANYTHING at all, if not racy or glamorous or interesting then at least smelling a daisy or something. or b) at least reading something that does enlighten or thrill or take me somewhere. This book did not take me along to Venice or Manhattan, it merely made me mad that she was there having that, and I was stuck here reading this!
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. Most of her male characters are ruled by their winkies, are diabolically attractive and have addictive sexual technique. The moon controls her cycle, she is a child of the goddess, she is a displaced maenad, etc.But we forgive Erica, really, because she's so brilliant at this type of self-deprecating feminist junkola. And ordinarily, it would be just junkola, but from Erica's pen, it becomes art. She MAKES it art. She's so smart, and so accomplished and so self-aware that it's difficult to be angry or cynical in the face of her work.
What do You think about Any Woman's Blues: A Novel Of Obsession (2006)?
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 really is - but to not even try...
—kate
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 enjoy being humiliated and embarrassed by random men in tight leather pants. CUT IT OUT!
—Spider the Doof Warrior
