My Mother, Erica Jong, Was a Terrible Parent: A Memoir

2025-06-08 18:00:59.064

Molly Jong-Fast, daughter of novelist Erica Jong, shares a candid and heartbreaking memoir about her unconventional upbringing. Born into the spotlight as the child of a celebrated feminist author, Molly's childhood was a whirlwind of fame, instability, and a mother who prioritized her career and romantic entanglements above her daughter's needs. The memoir details Erica Jong's tumultuous personal life, including multiple marriages and relationships, and how this impacted Molly's sense of self and security. The author describes her mother's erratic behavior, including lying, gaslighting, and a general lack of consistent parental care. A pivotal moment is the publication of Erica Jong's children's book about Molly's parents' divorce, which features bizarre and disturbing scenes. The narrative traces Molly's struggles with addiction and her eventual path to sobriety, highlighting the lasting effects of her childhood. The memoir culminates in Molly's difficult decision to place her aging and ailing parents in a high-end nursing home, a decision that is both practical and emotionally fraught. Molly's honest and unflinching account explores themes of fame, family dysfunction, and the enduring complexities of the mother-daughter bond, leaving the reader with a poignant reflection on the lasting impacts of childhood trauma.