Erica Jong - Fear of Dying

Hear readings by Sandi Toksvig, Gemma Cairney and others as Erica Jong introduces her new novel, Fear of Dying.

Erica Jong changed the way we look at love, marriage, and especially sex.

Her revolutionary 1973 best-seller Fear of Flying celebrated consequence-free, casual sex at a time when women weren't supposed to have it, and the book quickly became the ultimate symbol for female sexual liberation.

Now, over 40 years later, Jong returns with Fear of Dying – the story of an older woman who never wants to give in to fear – including that of sex, as her mortality becomes a reality.

These two novels, separated by four decades, show a generation of women as they age in real time. But how much has really changed for them, and the women around them?

Erica Jong explores our enduring fascination with ageing, sex and death, in conversation with Jude Kelly, Southbank Centre Artistic Director and founder of the WOW – Women of the World festival.

The evening begins with readings by Sandi Toksvig, Gemma Cairney and others from the subversive classic Fear of Flying and its contemporary counterpart Fear of Dying, along with personal reflections by leading women who have been influenced by Jong's writing.

For ages 15+