For a class next quarter I'm going to design an internet course that deals with the memoir as literature. I have not decided on what books I'll use, though some I'm considering are:
Angela's Ashes
The Kite Runner
Running with Scissors
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Reading Lolita in Tehran
What do you think of those?
Also, have you read any memoirs that you think would be interesting to study in a college level course?
2007-12-19 06:15:54 · 8 answers · asked by Magpie 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Thanks for the heads up on The Kite Runner - it's the only one on my list I haven't read yet. I assumed it was a memoir... oops. :)
2007-12-19 06:28:02 · update #1
Angela's Ashes - was awesome, will make you laugh and cry.
Running with Scissors - was fascinating, but I was skeptical of the authenticity of it.
Glass Castles - Memorable story about a woman overcoming adversity in her own family. Great.
The Tender Bar - another family soap opera with the young man coming to terms with his family.
2007-12-19 08:07:06 · answer #1 · answered by DAR76 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Memoirs of a Geisha is one of my favourite books. It's not exactly a memoir though. The author interviewed a geisha and then wrote a novel based around the knowledge he acumulated. It's got facts, but some of the situations are fiction.
Sharon Osbourne's 'Extreme' was REALLY good. Gripping and moving.
The Freedom Writers' Diary is also a very posweful book. It's written in the form of diary entries from a kids instreet gangs in California, and their teacher. Recently made into a film with Hilary Swank, but read the book first.
The Diary of Anne Frank is good.
also, fo a twist, how about the Letters of Abelard and Heloise?
I've been meaning to read Michael J Fox's memoirs, as well as Richard Hammond.
2007-12-20 06:04:21 · answer #2 · answered by English Rose (due 2nd May) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Kite Runner isn't a memoir, it's fiction. Same with his second book, A Thousand Splendid Suns (although they are fantastic!).
I loved all the others you mentioned, though.
An interesting one might be "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." The film adaptation is coming out this year. It was pretty good.
2007-12-19 14:23:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A book that comes to mind is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I read it last summer and it was really good. Check it out. I'm not sure if it would be suitable as material for a class but you should give it a try!
2007-12-19 15:40:56 · answer #4 · answered by WiTcH 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Memoirs of a Geisha
A Thousand Splendid Suns......
2007-12-19 14:21:00 · answer #5 · answered by deb 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Running With Scissors is absolutely amazing.
I think "On Writing" by Stephen King would be an excellent subject for a college class, especially those interested in writing (duh). But it is classified as a "memoir", too, with lots of writing instruction and tips. There's also a writing exercise that's great.
<3
2007-12-19 14:39:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes - mine. It hasn't been published, though. Not sure the general public is ready for such work. It might have to wait until after my death.
I'd recommend Running With Scissors most out of that list, incidently.
2007-12-19 14:23:41 · answer #7 · answered by Coach E! 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Running with Scissors is really good
Night by Elie Wiesel is good also
2007-12-19 15:08:17 · answer #8 · answered by Srm2212 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋