Just not for me. It was recommended to me; the title and cover already made me hesitant. I found the essays to be fairly boring and not holding any refreshing or new ideas. Oh well.

Yeah, the title… it's not a “How to pick up girls” primer. In case you are curious, the answer is... the same things men want. But you should know that already.

There is a lot to learn in this collection of essays written in the 90s. But first…

In 1973 Erica Jong wrote a huge and sexy bestseller, THE FEAR OF FLYING. In terms of popularity, it was the FIFTY SHADES OF GREY of its day. It may have shared the cultural impact of LOLITA or LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER of even earlier generations. Culturally sanctioned sexual fantasies do hit the mainstream from time to time, and they are liberating.

Owing to my own ignorance, I hadn’t heard anything of Erica Jong since 1973. I bought and read WHAT DO WOMEN WANT in 2016 because; it contained an essay about Hillary Clinton, I recognized Jong’s name, and two essays featured the provocative titles; THE PRESIDENT'S PENIS and INCEST & ANAÏS NIN. I found Erica Jong a lighter version of the academic, Camille Paglia. That is not a slight. Jong is simply more comprehensible. Both are intellectuals and feminists. I am a feminist, though I hate feminists who hate me(n).

Picking up my copy to refresh my memory before writing this, I found I’d marked many passages. I started rereading essays. They are so good. I had to stop. There are too many other books waiting for me. Many of her essays are about literature and being a writer. Jong includes a valuable list of 100 great novels by 20th century female writers.

Here are a few quotes;

“She writes her stories with a light, ironic hand. She is able to tell tales on herself---the sign of a real writer. And, blessedly, she doesn’t take herself too seriously.”

“Words are our antidote to mortality.”

“The truth was, Di had gone as far as she could go alive. Virgins can’t stay virgins and they mayn’t be public whores, so they have to die. From Juliet to Sleeping Beauty, consider the fate of virgins. The kiss kills as often as it cures.”

Heb niet alle essays even goed gelezen, maar wel weer wat mooie citaten opgedaan over vrouwen en creativiteit.

She's the sassiest of my favorite sassy girl writers. I'm reading the old edition from the library (subtitled power, sex, bread and roses), but it's fairly timeless. She talks about love and motherhood, politics, porn, feminism, and literature.

Just ignore the cheesy title. I like how many modern important female figures and female literature she touched in this book from a fairly relatable angle to the general readers. Camilla Paglia talked a lot of the same female figures in her sexual persona, vamps and tramps and sexual culture. Camilla “s perspective is innovative and mind blowing while Jong “s is more like listening to a girl next to door.
The verse and writing style is not colourful but the ideas are grounded in. After read hers You will say yes I totally agree with you and I think the same way! Jong “s writing run parallel in resonance. It is a book for general readers and some academia who are not snobbish and are willing to sit down and listen to another woman to talk.

I think as a woman, you will find reconfirmation of your thoughts in this book and also find strength and encouragement while facing the world as a female.

Erica Jong is not afraid to talk about the truth and not afraid of sharing our most universal fear and worrisome.

Although I don’t like her opening about emphasizing herself being a writer, maybe she can be a bit humble ??

Quanto amo questa donna! Quanto ho amato questo libro!

A lot of people seem to be hung up on the title. What this book is is a collection of essays by Erica Jong with a catchy title. The essays therein don't necessarily answer the question on the cover. For those looking for an answer to that question, you will probably be disappointed.

The essays are loosely grouped into 3 categories: Power, Sex, and Bread & Roses. You'll probably like some and others not so much like I did. If you like Ms Jong's writing, you should give it a spin.

A collection of essays -both funny and serious and always stimulating- about the female universe.

I like Erica Jong, and I liked these essays. But I think the title was misleading. They were not all about women, so I think "Essays by Erica Jong" would have been a much more appropriate title.

I enjoyed this book. I need to read more Erica Jong.

I found this book very interesting, with a lot of ideas for further contemplation. It also gives an interesting look into the psyche of writers of both sexes.

I didn't find this book helpful for understanding what women want. It's just a critic to modern society and hypocrisy of male writers.