My mother was a famous feminist writer known for her candour and wit. But she was also a fantasist who couldn’t be bothered to spend time raising me

When Fear of Flying, her autobiographical novel about women’s sexual desires, came out in 1973, Erica Jong was suddenly big news. But growing up as her only child, I had a very different experienceIn August 1978, I was born in a hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. I came out with red hair. This was proof to my mother that I was special. The fantasy of my specialness continued my entire life. I was special even though I was dyslexic. I was special even though I got kicked out of college. I was special even though I was a drug addict. I was special despite my fatness. I was special despite all the evidence to the contrary. I was special because I was a piece of her.I read an interview with my mother in which the interviewer described me as a “stout” toddler. “Stout” means “kind of fat”. I never thought of a toddler as being able to be fat, but there it was. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

New disputes emerge ahead of U.S.-China trade talks in London

washington times

Comments

Culture

New disputes emerge ahead of U.S.-China trade talks in London

'Not just a party:' World Pride celebrations end with defiant politics on display

Munroe Bergdorf: ‘If somebody isn’t willing to use my correct pronouns, there’s not any conversation to be had’

Scottish-Japanese co-production the big winner at 2025 CATS

ITV releases ‘riveting’ Amazon Prime thriller that’s been compared to Severance

Chinese hackers and user lapses turn smartphones into a 'mobile security crisis'

A quirky vegetable sculpture contest features a squash Donald Trump and a papal 'Cornclave'

These fragile quilts by Black craftspeople need to be preserved — but the federal government has pulled the funds

Hamad Butt: Apprehensions at the Whitechapel Gallery - 'dangerous, brilliant'

One to Watch: Paris Paloma

Netflix fans urged to watch ‘incredible’ new movie with shock twist

Bryce Dallas Howard says director of 2005 film ‘insulted’ her father and threw water in her face

Bruce Willis ‘found ways to soldier on with acting’ amid frontotemporal dementia diagnosis

Downton Abbey’s Matthew Goode recalls Maggie Smith’s ‘favourite day on a set ever’: ‘We went through 22 bottles of rosé’

Sir David Attenborough almost killed by faulty scuba diving equipment

2025 Tony Awards: What to Know Ahead of the Ceremony

How to watch the 2025 Tony Awards, Broadway’s biggest night hosted by Cynthia Erivo

David Attenborough came close to drowning due to faulty 1950s scuba diving equipment

Scotland’s top furniture makers will exhibit their work at Dalkeith Palace

Sam Gardiner’s family raise thousands after Race Across the World star died at 24

Al Pacino was ‘offered a fortune’ to play iconic Star Wars character – but didn’t ‘understand’ the script

Review: RSNO - A bold concert with a mighty juggernaut

‘I’m the first trans man on a UK gay dating show – I feel validated’

British TV legend ditches showbiz after starring in iconic 90s BBC show

A new exhibit unveils the mystery behind an iconic photo of America's 'atomic age

Stephen Mulhern makes unprecedented blunder on ITV’s Catchphrase

Lord Woodbine: The forgotten sixth Beatle

Police storm Rivals set to arrest actor accused of assaulting ex-girlfriend

Doctor Who fans in disbelief over ‘disrespect’ of iconic star Jenna Coleman

Chappell Roan's Apple dance, and other Primavera moments

NPR readers share stories of love and adversity in honor of Loving Day

Glastonbury welcomes back legendary pop star for ‘secret set’ two years after breakdown

EastEnders star Bobby Brazier quits BBC soap after nearly four years

Arnold Schwarzenegger says it would now be ‘easier’ for him to achieve the ‘American Dream’

Soldier Soldier star Marise Wipani dies on 61st birthday and leaves poignant final message

Adele thanks Netflix hit for ‘changing relationship with son’

‘I had to snort pure glucose’: Inside BBC’s outstanding 80s crime drama

Sunday Puzzle: Phonetically 'Gay'

Book Review: ‘Charlottesville,’ by Deborah Baker

Book Review: ‘Murderland,’ by Caroline Fraser

Sean Combs and the Sweater Defense

How to Watch the 2025 Tony Awards

Takeaways From Graduation Speeches by Trump, Taraji P. Henson and Others

Misty Copeland Broke a Ballet Barrier and Became a Star

Restaurant Review: What’s a Neighborhood Restaurant Without a Neighborhood?

Ryan Reynolds shares mock video reaction to having Deadpool role ‘stolen’ by Neil Patrick Harris

'I was a million metres away and her hair was still enormous': First-gig memories

One of the planet's most popular shows you may never have heard of - until now

A Nazi skinhead, a Japanese model and a film by Scots director that breaks all rules

Gogglebox family announce heartbreaking death as fans pay tribute

James Whale gives update on ‘very difficult’ situation amid terminal cancer diagnosis

Bruce Springsteen fans treated to a gig they’ll ‘never forget’ as Paul McCartney joins him on stage in Liverpool

If Trump has taught us one thing, it is that Scotland needs more mega-wealthy people

'We're shaped by our people': How celebrated music festival sparks island pride

James Kelman’s delightfully deplorable language is so f***ing necessary

Ukrainian and Scottish artists team up for Glasgow festival exploring sound

R-Truth ‘signs new WWE contract’ and returns under real name after fierce backlash

The Gold’s Charlotte Spencer: ‘I worry that acting is becoming only accessible for the rich’

Who can – or could – ever replace David Attenborough?

BBC’s ‘brilliant’ true crime drama made me question my own morals