Contemporary Literary Perspectives on Female Ageing

Contemporary Literary Perspectives on Female Ageing: Insights from Erica Jong offers a nuanced study of contemporary discourses on female ageing as depicted in the oeuvre of American writer Erica Jong. It is the first of its kind to examine the literary universe of a female writer through the lens of longitudinal and interdisciplinary age studies. By focusing especially on Jong's midlife and later-life writings, Stoncikaite reveals how the author of the ground-breaking novel Fear of Flying (1973) has "aged well" into the 21st century, remaining an important feminist voice in the contemporary milieu. The book examines Jong and her characters' shifting perceptions of sexuality, corporeality, identity, motherhood, intimate relationships, parental care, dementia, later-life creativity, travelling, and the challenges of ageing. This multifaceted analysis highlights how individual and collective fears of ageing continue to manifest in the current proliferation of gendered ageism and narratives of decline. This book will be of interest to students and scholars exploring the intersections of later life, gender, and contemporary literature, as well as readers interested in Jong's works.

Ieva Stoncikaite holds a PhD in Literary Gerontology and English Studies from the University of Lleida. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona). Her research interests include literary and cultural representations of ageing, health humanities, dementia care ethics, age-friendly education, and travel writing.

Chapter I: Jong Takes Off with Succès de Scandale Chapter II: The Dynamics of Sexuality and Ageing Chapter III: The Grand Tour Revisited: Gondolas and Ghosts Chapter IV: Body Politics in the Anti-ageing Era Chapter V: Turning Points in Life: Motherhood and Grandmotherhood Chapter VI: Parental Bonds: Care, Grief, and Renewal Chapter VII: The Hues and Challenges of Dementia Chapter VIII: Later-life Creativity and Fearless Writing Chapter IX: Conclusions and Future Directions