This is the narrative of three generations of Jewish women, all with their own unique creative gifts. The writing is very prosaic and I learned more about Jewish history, including the reactions to the Holocaust from Americans in the mid 1900s. It was very interesting to trace the lineage of these women throughout all their trials and jubilations.

"Lucretia had the soul of a headwaiter - at your feet or at your throat." ~ Sarah/Sophia Levitsky.

Yum.

Jewish four generations settling in America. Very Good.

DNF

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Erica Jong.

Her most famous work, Fear of Flying, is without a doubt a one of my all-time favorite books (is it time to re-read it yet)? It first came out in 1973 when I was in high school. Lots of good information (file under: sex). I was blown away by the fact that a nice Jewish girl could be BAD and get away with it. What a concept.

Inventing Memory is a charming read with lots of interesting characters (especially Sally Sky). Not as over-the-top-mind-blowing as Fear of Flying, but lots of honest insights into the way things are (and probably always will be).

I love Erica Jong's writing and, although this is not her best writing, it's a good story and provides her trademark insights. She is candid, literate, and has a unique perspective.

HC

In Inventing Memory, Jong weaves an epic of four generations of independent and creative Jewish women. Fleeing the pogroms of Russia, Sarah Solomon immigrates to New York City, and becomes a professional artist. Her daughter Salome is a flapper who parties in Paris, only to return home as the Depression hits to uncover secrets of her past. Salome's daughter Sally rises to stardom as a celebrated folksinger of the 1960's. But she can't take the pressures of fame, and descends into alcoholism and obscurity.
Her daughter in turn, Sara avoids the excesses of her mother and grandmother and focuses on her career as a historian. Working in the archives of the Council on Jewish History, she finds a photograph of a woman she believes to be her great-grandmother, Sarah. And so the family saga comes full circle.
The story is told through both direct narration by the characters as well as letters and journal entries, which gives an interesting variety and adds texture. Jong sometimes alternates perspectives and time periods, but I didn't find it hard to follow. The prose was richly descriptive, passionate and often filled with wise and poignant observations about the meaning of life, family relationships and Jewish identity.

I got completely absorbed in all of the characters lives... Jong goes through 5 generations of Jewish-American womyn weaving in culture, history and relationships. This book has moments of Jong's creative sexuality as in Fear of Flying, but because it also packs so much more in, it's a book for everyone...