Morrison knows to how pique interest by explaining in a sentence or two why each mentioned memoir has earned its place. Under FAUX-NAIVETY, Morrison chooses Hilary Mantel’s Giving Up the Ghost to illustrate the all-important skill of voice.

Even if you’re an experienced memoirist, On Memoir: An A-Z of Life Writing contains much to mull over. For the wannabe memoirist, it offers an unbossy yet teacherly guide informed by the author’s long experience – Blake Morrison’s considerable body of work includes three highly regarded memoirs. Despite its guidebook form, the book’s appeal isn’t restricted to writers. In almost every entry, Morrison opens up a conversation to engage readers. Indeed, there’s a debate right there in the title. Are the terms “memoir” and “life writing” really synonymous? And where does CRE ATIVE NON-FICTION (slotted, in this A-Z, between COURAGE and CRIME), or CONFESSION (between CLICHÉ and CONSENT), or SELF-EXPRESSION (between SEBALD W.G., who, like selected others, merits an entry of his own, and SELF PUBLISHING), fit in?

Get Instant Access

Continue Reading

Register for free to read this article in full

REGISTER

Subscribe for unlimited access

SUBSCRIBE NOW

From just £37.50 quarterly

  Print copy of The Tablet delivered directly to your door.
  Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
  Access to the weekly digital copy of The Tablet.
  Full access to The Tablet’s archive – over 180 years of back issues.

Already a subscriber? Login