THE ART OF MEMOIR

By Mary Karr. With her usual insightful irreverence, this best-selling writer breaks down the key elements of great literary memoir, breaks open concepts of memory and identity, and illuminates the cathartic power of reflecting on the past. Anchored by excerpts and anecdotes from Karr’s favorite writers, her book bluntly confronts such topics as carnality, expressing "you-ness," fake voices, blind spots, false selves, vanity, and much more. Older students—readers and writers—as well as adult audiences will relate to this elegant and accessible exploration of one of today’s most popular literary forms by an accomplished master pulling back the curtain on her craft. Mature students in grades 9 and up. Suggested readings. HarperCollins. 227 pages. ©2015.

Look inside this title