Erica Jong

Let’s not kid ourselves. Erica Jong’s reputation and following were built on her frank depictions of sex—going all the way back to her debut in 1973, Fear of Flying. She still relies on that old trick, even as she indulges in the chic literary trend of the day, the historic novel. In Sappho’s Leap, Jong projects all kinds of ruminations on sexual identity onto Greek mythology. It’s an interesting cocktail of sacred and profane that ultimately must be judged on how well you can tolerate reading Sappho as essentially a bisexual swinger—minus the modern accouterments of, say, the jacuzzi and edible undies. Let the writer acquit herself—either at this reading or on KFAI’s “Write On Radio,” same day. Ruminator, 1648 Grand Ave., St. Paul, (651) 699-0587, ruminator.com