Has anyone read this article from NYT?
Can I just say “Amen!”
It is about time someone said it.
If you don’t feel like reading the whole thing here is the gist: Just being a kid and growing up and living a life does not give you the authority to write memoir. Just because you have overcome an obstacle, you don’t need to write a whole book about it. We get it. Life is weird. Growing up is messy. Ok.
I feel like the first book like this that I read, I was really stunned by. ”Oh my gosh, someone had an experience was so similar to mine.” But then right about the time that #2,000 was written, I kind of gave up on reading memoirs that aren’t about something kind of crazy.
On the other side of that same coin: just because you experienced something crazy… no need to write a whole memoir. People experience crazy things all the time. If your experience doesn’t teach us something or change how we think, what is the point?
I was looking in the “Biography” section at the bookstore this week (planning ahead for my Presidential Challenge) and came across TONS of memoirs of people that did nothing besides grow up. You know? It annoyed me to see them rubbing “shoulders” with Abe Lincoln or something.
And don’t even get me started on the millions of pop celebrity memoirs. Miley Cyrus? Justin Bieber? Really? That is another topic for another day.
What do you think about all of these memoirs that either a) are just about normal life or b) don’t teach us anything?
7 Comments
I tend to agree with you, but I also have to back up and see it from this view, also:
There is SOMEONE out there somewhere who would read a Bieber or Miley memoir (though we are clearly not friends with them, for obvious reasons). If that memoir interests them and pushes them to read another book afterward that they may not have without the memoir, then wasn’t it worth it? Obviously, it wouldn’t be quality literature, but hopefully, they would be pushed to read something more challenging and grow as a reader.
That said, you won’t find me thumbing through Miley’s biography any time soon.
I agree. I love reading memoirs, but some made me wonder why they were even published…
Memoirs are new to me Jackie, but this is one of the reasons that kept me from reading them. Also, how do you know what is true or added on for entertainment purposes. The Glass Castle got me interested so I look forward to finding another I enjoy this year.
What is 1 or 2 of your favourites? I will come back to see what you say, thanks.
Don’t even get me started on Justin Bieber. I have been ranting about this to anyone who will listen for weeks!he’s clearly barely even had a life to write about! As someone’s who’s quite a fan of biography and memoir, I do really hate it when people (such as glamour model Jordan,for example) who have really not got much to write about, continue to ‘write’ memoirs,which continually make the bestseller list. It really does make me wonder…
Isn’t Justin Bieber like 12? I could see a comic book….maybe…..
I will fully admit that I have read some of the more side-eye worthy ones (no Justin mind you). But sometimes I need that light fluff after I have read a more intense book. I think I read 2 while I was reading Columbine (that book had me ugly crying every time I picked it up).
Marce- I’ll think on that and get back to you. I do enjoy a good memoir from time to time… but just that, a GOOD one. Let me look through my shelves and see what I come up with!
Thanks Jackie, I look forward to it. Email me marceblogspot(at)hotmail(dot)com