I have decided to stop reading memoirs.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 11:43am

I recently read two memoirs, Breakfast with Tiffany and The History of Swimming. Both had interesting premises and promising starts but, ultimately, faded into self-indulgent therapy sessions for the writers. The definition of memoir, for me, has become, "An autobiography by someone who isn't important enough to warrant a biography but who thinks s/he is interesting enough for you to care."

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 11:46am

Stick ONLY with old, faded actresses' memoirs. And regard them as fiction. Then, it's fun.

Otherwise, who cares?

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 11:53am

LOL ... I tried to pretend that The History of Swimming was fiction, but then it was just bad. At least if it was true I could forgive the melodramatics.

Now I am worried because one of the next books in the stack is a work of fiction that a critic said reads like a memoir ...

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 11:56am

Best memoir ever.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 11:58am

What is the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?


Either way, you have to read Elia Kazan's A LIFE. He's a bastard, but a great writer...I still find myself leafing through it from time to time.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 12:07pm

Technically, a memoir only covers a short period of time; an autobiography concerns itself with an entire life.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 12:14pm

Well, in that case, check out THE FERVENT YEARS by Harold Clurman.

[misschung]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 12:18pm

The definition of memoir, for me, has become, "An autobiography by someone who isn't important enough to warrant a biography but who thinks s/he is interesting enough for you to care."

Ham on Rye, Charles Bukowski

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 12:50pm

The single best memoirs I've ever read: Anything by Ned Rorem.

Rorem, while a huge provacateur, writes incredible memoirs. Reading one is like diving into a who's who of the musical elite, as well as everything else you can think of. His writing style is incredible too.

[Pippin]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 12:53pm

Has anyone here read Ellen Burstyn's autobiography? I am interested, but want to know if it's worth the time and money.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 12:57pm

JEB AND DASH is a good one. Actually, they're the diary entries of a gay man at the turn of the century and his unrequited love for a friend. It begins shortly after Armistice Day and continues on through D-Day.

Updated On: 10/26/07 at 12:57 PM

Posted: 10/26/07 at 1:18pm

"Night" by Eliezer Weisel is a very powerful memoir. What makes it amazing is that he never ever asks for pity. Everything is told in such a matter of fact tone. It's truly amazing to read about the horrors he went through because they are completely devoid of bitterness. There's no "Feel bad for me! I survived the Holocaust!"

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 1:40pm

DGG, I'll give you that one. Night is so powerful I threw it across the room when I finished; it made me so angry.

Posted: 10/26/07 at 1:42pm

There's one passage that upsets me so much. I sob every time I read it, and we went over it so many times in class and for homework! I can't stand it anymore! Luckily, I just finished my exam on it a couple of hours ago. So sad.

[Norma D]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:12pm

A long time ago I read the autobio of Rosalind Russell--I think the title is Life's a Banquet. Anyway-I remember thinking how funny she was even on paper.
My memory of it is a bit sketchy but I know I liked it at the time. :)
Memoirs might be different I guess I've never actually read something called specifically a memoir. What's the difference again?

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:23pm

Elie Wiesel is just like that in real life. Unapologetic, but humble. The ideal gentleman as well. It's one of those evenings that you spend and know that it has changed your life.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:30pm

Polly's Principles: Polly Bergen Tells You How You Can Feel and Look as Young As She Does, Peter H. Wyden (New York City), 1974

Part memoir, part beauty book...very informative.

The part about the pros and cons of douching...very cleansing.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:30pm

Polly's Principles: Polly Bergen Tells You How You Can Feel and Look as Young As She Does, Peter H. Wyden (New York City), 1974

Part memoir, part beauty book...very informative.

The part about the pros and cons of douching...very cleansing.

[soapguy17]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:42pm

I've only read three, but I've like all three of them. But, I hope to get to more of them soon. It's just that fiction is so much more appealing to me. But, I've enjoyed;

Angela's Ashes (Frank McCourt)
'Tis (Frank McCourt)
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight (Alexandra Fuller)

Updated On: 10/26/07 at 02:42 PM

[misschung]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:43pm

I think Angela's Ashes is 10x better than 'Tis

[soapguy17]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:46pm

It is, that's why I'm afraid to read "Teacher Man".

[misschung]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:49pm

That one's my least favorite

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:53pm

These days people are writing memoirs as therapy. I'm not paying to read about a person spilling their guts all over the page. I also don't think it's interesting while a person is still alive. Wait until your dead to share your secrets.

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:54pm

What's the difference between dead and alive? I'm curious.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 2:56pm

i'm partial to this one:
my year inside radical islam