Luminary Erica Jong Kicks Off Inspīr Carnegie Hill’s “This is Inspīr”

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Inspīr Carnegie Hill, a luxury senior living community on the Upper East Side, kicked off the spring season with its inaugural “This is Inspīr” series, shining a spotlight on residents who are pioneers in their respective fields, each with remarkable stories to share.

Kicking off the program was the novelist, satirist, and poet Erica Jong, best known for her groundbreaking and famously controversial “Fear of Flying,” which celebrated its 50-year anniversary last year. With over 35 million copies of her works sold worldwide and numerous accolades to her name, including the prestigious United Nations Award for Excellence in Literature, Jong stands as a luminary in the literary realm.

The packed room of residents, some with their families and friends in tow, eagerly hung onto Jong’s every word as she read from her most recent book of inspiring poetry, “The World Began with Yes.” In a candid conversation led by her daughter, Molly Jong-Fast, an accomplished American writer, journalist, political analyst, and host of the podcast "Fast Politics," the tight-knit bond between mother and daughter was palpable. About her mom who she described as incredibly supportive, Molly said “My mom is first and foremost and always a poet.” To her daughter, responding to Molly’s question about what she is most proud of, Jong said, “You are by far my best creation.”

Notably, Jong recounted the challenges she faced in being taken seriously in the literary industry, specifically throughout the 70s and 80s., and about her legendary friendship with Henry Miller, which began when Miller started writing her letters saying how much he admired “Fear of Flying.” “Henry Miller didn’t believe that women could write so honestly about their lives; it blew his mind,” she said, adding - to the applause of the crowd -“because he was a male chauvinist.”

As for her take away about the act of writing: “Everyone should write, no matter if it’s good or not; it’s a simple way to discover who we are as humans. It’s a lens through which we observe and interpret the world. And the hope is that it helps other people.”

Jong concluded her session with a book signing, as her fellow Inspīr residents eagerly awaited personally signed copies of “Fear of Flying” and “The World Began with Yes.”

Looking ahead, Inspīr is looking forward to highlighting many more exceptional individuals who call Inspīr Carnegie Hill home.

About Inspīr Carnegie Hill

Inspīr is a new, luxury senior living brand offering a different approach to living for discerning older adults in urban markets. The brand represents the convergence of luxury accommodations, exceptional hospitality, cutting-edge technology, whole-person wellness and world-class care. The brand's flagship senior living residence, Inspīr Carnegie Hill, is located at 1802 Second Avenue at 93rd Street, in the heart of New York City's Upper East Side. A second location is currently under development in Washington D.C.’s vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood, anticipated to open in 2024. Inspīr offers state-of-the-art assisted living, memory care and enhanced care options, with private apartments customized to fit the needs of an aging population. Inspīr is developed by Maplewood Senior Living, in partnership with Omega.

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