Erica Jong vs. W. Somerset Maugham
Side-by-side comparison of two thinkers
Erica Jong
1942 – present
Erica Jong is an American novelist, satirist, and poet known particularly for her 1973 novel Fear of Flying. The book became famously controversial for its attitudes towards female sexuality and figured prominently in the development of second-wave feminism. The Washington Post said in 2013 that it had sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, while by 2022, The New York Times reported that worldwide sales of the book had increased to over 37 million copies.
"Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth …"
W. Somerset Maugham
1874 – 1965
William Somerset Maugham was an English playwright, novelist and short story writer celebrated for works such as Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, and The Razor's Edge. He was one of the most popular writers of his era, noted for his clear prose and keen observation of human character.
"The great tragedy of life is not that men perish, but that they cease to love."