The Work of Life Writing: Essays and Lectures

Life writing, such as memoirs and letters, has a unique impact on the world and history, depathologizing illness and disability, extending or altering parent-child relations, and reminding us that memoir is not just a literary genre or entertainment. Letters also enact and sustain human relationships, making them important in our lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Life writing, in its diverse manifestations, accomplishes tasks that other forms of expression fail to achieve. It possesses a unique perspective on the world, distinct from imaginative genres such as fiction, drama, and poetry. Moreover, life writing significantly impacts and shapes history, acting upon it and being shaped by it. Memoirs of illness and disability often strive to depathologize the conditions they describe, challenging prevailing narratives and offering alternative understandings. Memoirs written by children about their parents extend or redefine the relationships forged initially in the home, providing a fresh lens through which to view these familial bonds.

In a world where memoirs and other forms of life writing are being produced and consumed in unprecedented quantities, this book serves as a reminder that memoir is not merely a literary genre or mere entertainment. Similarly, letters should not be viewed as mere epiphenomena of our real lives. Correspondence goes beyond mere communication, enacting and sustaining human relationships. Memoir holds significance, and there is life in letters.

All life writing originates from the intricacies of our daily lives and exerts distinctive influences on both our personal experiences and the broader cultural landscape in which we reside. It allows us to explore the depths of our lives, reflect on our past, and gain insights into the complexities of human relationships. By engaging with life writing, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, fostering empathy, compassion, and a greater appreciation for the richness of human experience.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367620813