I love a good memoir, and I think it's because I like that the author is the main character in their story, meaning we know they might be somewhat unreliable due to self interest and perspective but that's what we signed up for (Educated is a great example of this). I want to know what person x thinks about events that happened to them in the way they remember, even if it's not perfectly recalled or unbiased. I know this concept isn't anything new, but it made me realize why I like to read memoirs both by people I love and people I dislike (or those I have zero opinion on whatsoever) despite preferring not to read a novel or biography if I don't like at least some aspect of the main character. Is this true for anyone else?

I just finished The Last Black Unicorn (I don't particularly like Tiffany Haddish but enjoyed the storytelling style) and I'm Glad My Mom Died (which I loved even though I had no opinion on Jennette McCurdy as a person, so shout out to someone on this subreddit for the recommendation).

Comments

Immediate_Math9334 t1_isqpley wrote on October 18, 2022 at 12:11 AM

I would agree with your statement - I don’t engage well with fiction characters I don’t enjoy but really enjoy autobiographies for their perspective. I am in a kick of listening to them when they are read by the author (assuming the author is an engaging narrator). There have been a few moments where the author/narrator’s inflection/tone have added to my understanding of their intention for the passage - times when a smugness shows thru or a hint of a laugh is in the narration that I wouldn’t have necessarily read into the passage if reading. I just finished and can recommend Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and Will by Will Smith if you are looking for suggestions - both particularly good audiobooks. Each has a lot to discuss in its own way - Trevor Noah’s was an eye opener into Apartheid in South Africa and Will was complicated - I went back and forth trying to decide if he was likable or not and ultimately decided he’s just human and appreciated his honesty and introspection. Both great tho.

thekidinthegrey t1_isqyqgq wrote on October 18, 2022 at 1:23 AM

can second 'born a crime'

Merle8888 t1_isrtutm wrote on October 18, 2022 at 6:15 AM

I love fantasy novels, but these days I prefer memoirs and histories to realistic fiction. I mostly read realistic fiction (especially if it’s a contemporary setting) to experience lives and perspectives other than my own, and, well…. If I can get a nonfiction version of that, why wouldn’t I take it over a made-up one? And I love all the messy complications of real life and real people that would get left out of a plot arc or an invented character.

NoFirefighter9945 t1_ispum71 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 8:23 PM

Did you allready read The Storyteller by Dave Grohl? It is one of my favorites.

microwavedpopsicle OP t1_isput1o wrote on October 17, 2022 at 8:25 PM

I haven't but I'll definitely add it to my list!! Thank you!

amberwench t1_isqo9sz wrote on October 18, 2022 at 12:00 AM

I was working at a library, skimming new books when I found Blowing The Bloody Door Off by Michael Caine. I thought 'hey, I like him' and didn't have any book waiting so I took it home. That day I learned I like memoirs. Also suggest If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda. Sometimes they get a bit repetitive but that's easy to skip my eyes down the paragraph and move on to the next story. The idea of reading people I dislike for their view of events is intriguing! I'll consider it.

anonymouscasaba t1_isqp8bw wrote on October 18, 2022 at 12:08 AM

Yessssss, I am just figuring that out for myself as well! I liked Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey. I just finished Educated recently. In case you hadn't heard about it yet, her mother wrote a retaliation book called "Educating". It's got pretty bad ratings tbh but I'm still interested in checking it out eventually so I'm keeping an eye on thrift stores for it.

thekidinthegrey t1_isqygde wrote on October 18, 2022 at 1:21 AM

-slow getting up: a story of nfl survival from the bottom of the pile-nate jackson

-you'll never believe what happened to lacey-amber ruffin and lacey lamar

-failure is an option-h. jon benjamin

microwavedpopsicle OP t1_isretlc wrote on October 18, 2022 at 3:33 AM

H JON BENJAMIN WROTE A MEMOIR?? You just made my whole week

Eneicia t1_isrhjjz wrote on October 18, 2022 at 3:57 AM

Between Silk and Cyanide by Leo Marks is an amazing story, it's about his time working with Britain's SOE during WW2.

IdRatherBeSleeping85 t1_isroan3 wrote on October 18, 2022 at 5:07 AM

I also love memoirs. But for the reason that I like to be reminded, from their perspective, that they are generally a normal ass human being like the rest of us.