Why do you read Biographies/Memoirs?

[[deleted user]]

Hello all! This is actually my first post in this group, and hopefully it will be the beginning of something both endearing and profound.

I'm curious to know what lures all of you to the Biography and/or Memoir genre. I'm particularly interested in the opinion of readers, but writers are also more than encouraged to respond with their own answers.

If you are a reader, why does the concept of a personal story—whether it be a tale of misery, struggle or great success—appeal to you, as opposed to a fictional concept? Personally, it is not a genre I frequently read. Although there are a few memoirs, and a couple of biographies on my shelves, I'd much rather delve into a story of raw metaphor. Not that real stories are not metaphorical, far from it, but I do believe the fictional world has a much tighter grip on this technique, despite what Professor Tolkien might declare.

Honestly, it was not until I was handed my grandmother's unfinished memoir that I first desired to test the waters of this genre. From the moment I learned of my grandmother's written legacy, I knew I wanted to see it through to completion, though I also knew I needed to first experience some stories that others had desired to share. While I never made it my primary concern to devour as many personal recollections as possible, the ones I did read definitely left an impression on me, allowing me to grow a little as a person, and appreciate some of the finer things in life.

Of course, working on the memoir of another person—one whom I personally loved, but never truly knew—was an entirely different experience, and it has allowed me to begin to understand the want and need to tell one’s own story. In some ways, it’s an act of alleviation, casting away buried demons and admitting the truth; and in other ways, it’s a way to preserve a life, to encase it for generations to come, so that for generations others might have a chance to know you long after you are gone. It’s definitely a complicated tapestry, one I don’t think I still don’t fully understand …

Let me know your story! I’d love to hear what some of you have to say.

And if anyone is interested, my grandmother’s completed memoir, ‘Child of None’, is available on Amazon for $2.49.

[Shomeret]

History is my favorite subject. Every biography or memoir is a piece of history.

[[deleted user]]

Very true! I suppose they are like little snippets in the larger story that we all share; a personal account that adds additional flair to familiar times and events.

Do you still, however, read a memoirs that are relatively recent, or do you consider any account (at any time) to be a part of history? I know some folks are very particular about their concept of history and modernity.

[Sharon]

As Shomeret said, each memoir or biography is a piece of history. I enjoy reading memoirs from all periods because they tell me what life was like from a first-hand perspective. I'm all about primary sources. ;-)

[[deleted user]]

While primary sources are an untainted, untampered recollection, from my experience completing my grandmother's memoir, I'm inclined to suppose that there is also a great degree of fallacies within personal accounts. There were a number of statements throughout for which I could find no evidence toward.

In one such example, my grandmother claimed her own grandfather was a high ranking official in a bank, and that he was portrayed on the Australian one pound note. I must have researched this one assertion for weeks, but I couldn't find a shred of information to support my grandmother's claims, so I have to assume she only believed as such. There were other, similar circumstances throughout, but this one was the most notable, and it makes me wonder what other inconsistencies might have slipped under my radar.

I suppose these fallacies come with the territory though. What one person remembers, and what that one person might believe, are not exclusive of each other.

Do you often find accounts that conflict with your own knowledge, Sharon?

[Shomeret]

I read about lives from all periods if there's something about their lives that I feel I need to know more about. All the memoirs and biographies I read this year dealt with 20th and 21st century lives, but they were unusual in some way.

[Crystal Dawn]

I enjoy reading memoirs because, like what has already been stated, I enjoy reading the first hand account of past events and seeing how some people interpreted events in their own time. I particularly enjoy accounts of events from females. Not to say I am a feminist, but I do find I better relate to the women in these stories and I can place myself better, whether it be a good or bad story. Knowing that these events were true, tends to hit me harder then if I were reading an account from a fictional persona, for obvious reasons. It's hard to describe but theirs an element of magic these stories give me because as I read and I realise that some poor soul had to go through this.

I find them incredibly hard to rate though. Am I the only one? I have a very strict but easy to follow star rating system where one star is awarded for a different aspect of the book whether it be characters, world building or writing style, etc. If the writing style doesn't agree with me, they will only loose one star if the other elements are high. I just can't bring myself to rate autobiographical accounts though because I feel if I give it one star from not enjoying the book in anyway I am being rude to the memory and respect of the victim in the story. If I give it five stars then I enjoyed their hardships? Or am I (As I see in so many reviews on the same books) worshipping the author or person in the story simply because they had it rough? Do other people have this issue?

Shomeret, what do you mean they were unusual in some way?

[Shomeret]

Crystal wrote: "I enjoy reading memoirs because, like what has already been stated, I enjoy reading the first hand account of past events and seeing how some people interpreted events in their own time. I particul..."

I mean that the subjects of the memoir or biography did things that were unusual either for their time or our time.

[Crystal Dawn]

Shomeret wrote: "Crystal wrote: "I enjoy reading memoirs because, like what has already been stated, I enjoy reading the first hand account of past events and seeing how some people interpreted events in their own ..."

What books in particular were these? :)

[Shomeret]

Here are a couple of examples:

Memoir: The Man Who Lives with Wolves by Shaun Ellis--Yes, he did become part of a wolf pack.

Biography: Dear Miss Breed: True Stories of the Japanese American Incarceration During World War II and a Librarian Who Made a Difference by Joanne F. Oppenheim

Miss Breed wrote letters to the interned Japanese American children who had come to her library, sent them things they needed and wrote in support of Japanese Americans at a time when this was a very courageous thing to do.

[Crystal Dawn]

Shomeret wrote: "Here are a couple of examples:

Memoir: The Man Who Lives with Wolves by Shaun Ellis--Yes, he did become part of a wolf pack.

Biography: [book:Dear Miss Breed: True Stories of the J..."

They actually sound very interesting, I'll have a look.

[Sharon]

Kevin J.J. wrote: "Do you often find accounts that conflict with your own knowledge, Sharon?."

A memoir is by definition someone's memories, as opposed to a biography or an autobiography.

Keep in mind, also, that some primary sources may not be available in modern archives for a variety of reasons and that this may be part of why one finds challenges in backing up memories with references.

I teach a class on primary source research for authors, BTW ... because it's important even in fiction. However, there are limitations, even in this digital age ... because not all things are digitized. The earliest Australian 1-pound note that has been *found* is from 1913, BTW, so if your grandmother's recollection is from an earlier time, remember that paper is a fairly friable thing and can disintegrate. ;-)

[Amber]

I read biographies and memoirs because people's true lives have such depth--usually. I've read some I loved like John Adams and also--quite a different one--Open. I didn't care for Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. I think what makes a bio or memoir good, for me, is if the subject of the book is someone I can spend that much time with and still enjoy their company or admire them in some way.

[Terena]

I read memoirs because stories have power. When a person shares their truth, things change. I love that.