Fear of Flying

A landmark novel of the 1970s, this candid and controversial story follows Isadora Wing, a young poet who travels to Europe with her psychoanalyst husband and finds herself confronting the confines of marriage, desire, and identity. Restless and sharply self-aware, Isadora reflects on her fantasies, ambitions, and fears—most famously her longing for a “zipless” encounter free of expectations or consequences. By turns comic, confessional, and provocative, the novel captures the spirit of second-wave feminism and the search for female autonomy in a changing world. Its frank exploration of sexuality and selfhood made it a cultural touchstone and continues to resonate with readers interested in feminist literature and the complexities of modern relationships.