Flying

Flying is Kate Millett's memoir chronicling a period in 1973 when she retreated to a farmhouse in Poughkeepsie amid intense public scrutiny. The book documents her struggles with fame, mental health, and identity after the success of her feminist work Sexual Politics. Millett recounts her experiences dealing with involuntary hospitalization and the threat of institutionalization. The narrative moves between present-day events at the farm and memories from her past, including her relationships with family members and her time as an activist. Through raw and direct prose, Millett examines the intersection of mental health treatment, gender, and power in 1970s America. The memoir stands as a critique of psychiatric practices and social control while exploring themes of personal freedom, creative expression, and the price of nonconformity.

Readers describe Flying as a raw and confessional memoir that documents Millett's complex relationships and sexuality. Many appreciate the stream-of-consciousness writing style that captures the author's thoughts and emotions in real-time. Readers highlighted: - Honest portrayal of bisexuality and relationships - Detailed insights into the feminist movement of the 1970s - The experimental narrative structure Common criticisms: - Dense, difficult-to-follow writing - Self-indulgent tone - Lack of coherent timeline - Too much internal monologue One reader noted: "The wandering prose perfectly mirrors her scattered mental state." Another wrote: "Important historical document but exhausting to read." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (91 ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (6 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (14 ratings) Several reviews mention needing multiple attempts to finish the book due to its challenging style, while others praise it specifically for its unstructured authenticity.

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🌟 Kate Millett wrote "Flying" during a particularly turbulent period in her life, when she was struggling with fame after the success of "Sexual Politics" and grappling with her own sexuality. 📚 The book is written in present tense, diary-style entries, creating an immediate and intimate reading experience that pulls readers into Millett's stream of consciousness. ✈️ Despite its title, "Flying" is not primarily about aviation but uses flight as a metaphor for freedom, escape, and the author's journey of self-discovery. 🎓 Millett was the first American woman to be awarded a degree with first-class honors from Oxford University, an achievement that influenced her writing style and intellectual approach. 🏳️‍🌈 The book was groundbreaking for its time (1974) in its frank discussion of bisexuality and same-sex relationships, helping pave the way for future LGBTQ+ literature.