Comments on: Faking It

By: Kristen King

Kristen King — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:28:00 +0000

I do like memoirs, but I tend to enjoy those about people with generally ordinary lives who pull something incredible out of simple experiences. My absolute favorite book is Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life. For me, it's the epitome of what a memoir should be: real, beautifully written, and poignant.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:36:00 +0000

Thanks, Kathy. I'll check it out.

Devon, I have to agree. Memoirs in general rarely attract me because of exactly what you said - sort of the attitude of "look at my bad choices and pay me for living through it". The exceptions - Mary Karr and Annie Dillard. Beyond that, I've not found any worth finishing.

I'm all for more positive reads. I remember buying a memoir of a somewhat famous author, and I could not get past chapter one. Yet another depressing account of a "poor me" life.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:37:00 +0000

The title of the book I mentioned was Misha: A Mémoire of the Holocaust Years, with a link to the news article about it.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:30:00 +0000

You know, this trend is so disturbing. I just read last week about a woman (then girl) who wrote a “memoir” about escaping the terrors of the Holocaust by running with a pack of wolves. Turns out, she made the whole story up and is just admitting to it now. I’ll have to look up the title of this one for you.

By: devonellington

devonellington — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:54:00 +0000

For me, personally -- I wouldn't have bought it as a memoir. I'm tired of people being rewarded for making lousy choices, which is what publishing yet another memoir of "look at what a bad life I had and how many bad things I did" is.

Yet, if it was labelled fiction. I'd have considered it. Maybe not bought it, but considered it.

I agree -- the lack of ethics is appalling. But maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing if a lot of these memoirs weren't published. How about some memoirs from people who actually make a positive difference in the world?