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Even though I have a blog devoted to memoir and much of my recent writing has been focused on my own life stories, I have not actually read too many memoirs in comparison to the works of fiction that I've read in my lifetime. Over the years I've read a number of biographies and autobiographies, but works considered strictly memoir have been comparatively fewer.
Most of the book length memoirs that I've read have been about show business personalities and artistic types such as writers, musicians, and composers. I've gravitated towards reading about people with whom I share similar interests or lifestyles. For the most part I've avoided memoirs of politicians, sports figures, or individuals who have dealt with personal struggles or tragedies.
If I were to say why I've read the memoirs that I have read it would mostly to be to compare my life to others or to read about those who have achieved dreams like I have but in a bigger way. In retrospect I don't recall most of the memoirs I've read which is par for the course for me. I don't remember too many of the books I read.
I'll be announcing my A to Z topic for this blog during the Theme Reveal on March 23rd (I'll actually be posting mine on Saturday March 21st in order to keep my regular posting schedule). Today to help me with my A to Z posts I'd like some of your thoughts about memoirs.
Which of the following do you look for in a memoir and do you have any examples of memoirs that you've read that fulfilled these for you:
- Contrast with your own life: The accomplishments of others whose lives are very different from your own, the experiences of people who have gone through things you know little about, or anything to which you might not easily relate.
- Comparison to your life: Live stories about struggles you know something about, places or people you have also known, or experiences you can readily understand because in one way or another you've been there too.
- Inspirational: Stories that lift you up, encourage you to face your own struggles, or learning about other lives that can instill positive and life-affirming feelings.
- Educational: Gaining further understanding and insight about life experiences of notable people which can enrich your own perception about the world and even your own life.
- Celebrities or Historically significant people: This can be someone who we typically follow, someone who intrigues us in a way that we want to know more about them, someone in the news, or any other person that we read about because they are famous.
- Entertaining: Fun, relaxing, or escapist memoir literature. This can cover any of the other categories in this list as we often read for the entertainment value, but also have other reasons for reading what we are reading.
There are undoubtedly other types of memoir that you might read or reasons that you read memoir. This genre is one that some read with a passion while others neglect reading for the most part. Non-fiction can be a highly rewarding category of literature that many readers think of as dry and no fun. This is certainly not the case. Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it's also far more fascinating because it's real.
Do you prefer reading non-fiction or fiction? Why do you prefer one over the other? What draws you most to a memoir?
I am experimenting with using a blog poll--
Please vote:
I have only read one complete memoir and that was on Paul Reiser. I remember it was funny, but that is about all I remember.
ReplyDeleteI have read bits and pieces through various books of different memoirs. Blog posts and tidbits as well.
I love to read about triumph over tragedy tossed about with humor.
In my prior A to Z challenges, I have posted stories of yesteryear which could have been taken directly from a memoir of mine. I really enjoyed writing them and I still go back and read them from time to time and chuckle.
I would like to write a memoir one of these days. It would be deep, dark and sad but also funny and adventurous. I may be a small town, quiet-looking guy, but boy oh boy have I ever seen and done some things.
I often hear people say that no one would be interested in hearing about their lives, but if a story is told well I think any life story has the potential to be fascinating memoir material. Most people are a bit curious as to what other people's lives have been like and what they've done. I'd say go for your memoir. Keep writing down the memories as they come to you and you see them in new lights and then one day you can sit down and put it all together.
DeleteLee
I'm pretty partial to celebrity memoirs, although I really enjoyed a book about John Muir too. Kitty Kelly wrote a scathing one about Frank Sinatra back in the 80s. One of my cousins self published a memoir about her life and I was thinking if she could write one (which I haven't read yet), maybe I should too because I certainly have had some unbelievably cool experiences. I just figured no one would be interested in my life.
ReplyDeleteWell, like I just mentioned to Jeff above, I think we are all a bit interested in each other's lives, especially those cool experiences that others may not have lived through. Start writing your stories and who knows what you might do with them in the future.
DeleteLee
Historical... whether famous like Washington (reading at work), T. R. (reading at home) or non, like Al Penwasser's (read in spare time).
ReplyDeleteThey all have something to offer the reader.
DeleteLee
I truly enjoy reading memoirs and have to say I like all of the above except 2 categories: I'm not much into celebrity memoirs although I have read a few. And they nearly always disappoint me as being rather shallow. I guess that goes along with the other type I don't read-- entertainment stories.
ReplyDeleteThe celebrity memoirs are usually just another way to capitalize on someone's short-lived fame or a passing moment of notoriety. Often shallow and disappointing with no lasting value.
DeleteLee
Dear Lee, like you, I'm not much of a memoir reader and yet I'm writing a convent memoir. As I write it, I'm not at all sure that it fits the bill because I haven't "studied" memoirs. But I have only one story to tell and I can't think of any other way to tell it than as I'm doing. So I'm content with the process. Peace.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don't read many genres as much as I'd like. I guess as long as we tell our own story in our own natural voice then that is the most real memoir that we can come up with and not something formulaic and expected.
DeleteLee
When it comes to reading, as long as the writing is good, I remain fairly versatile. My goal is not to limit myself with genres or types of writing, because I prefer to be open to the artist at work, sharing the story in his/her own unique way.
ReplyDeleteI often read on a whim. I like to stay diverse and eclectic in my reading.
DeleteLee
I checked Celebrity on your poll but for the most part, I like historical figures rather than the latest pop idol. A good one will offer different slants to what's found in history books.
ReplyDeleteI will admit though that my favorite is an autobiography - Me, written by Katharine Hepburn. An extraordinary woman.
Celebrity was probably a wrong classification or maybe I should have had an extra one for historical figures. I was mostly just testing the poll function to see if it would work for me for my Battle of the Bands post at
DeleteTossing It Out.
Lee
Hi Lee - if you'd had historical - I'd have ticked that box - definitely not celebrity .. as over time we tend to find those details out .. as others publish snippets or interview articles - if we wish to read.
ReplyDeleteMemoir depends on who you're writing for ... family and your children ... or just to record a person's life ... we've a few in the family ... who don't fall into family histories as such .... one on a South African woman, and one on an area of Russian remembrances through letters ... and then there are other very interesting stories too - they could be tied together sometime ...
Stories come to light still ... and I enjoy reading about those - cheers Hilary
Memoir exists for many purposes but they all come down to seeing some part of some person's life whether famous or obscure to history. The stories all all have value and are worth saving.for those who want to read them.
ReplyDeleteLee