October 29, 1999
Why Memoir Isn't Always Art
There should be a rule: Before one reads a memoir, or writes one, or holds forth on the virtues or evils of the memoir, one should be made to read Barry Hannah's short story "That's True," from his 1978 collection Airships. The story, of course, is not specifically about the memoir, but it does say a great deal about the genre's recent popularity and why we should be wary of it.
In "That's True," the narrator tells the story of Lardner, who travels from
This is an article for subscribers only. You may access this article by purchasing a:
Digital or Print Subscription
Web Pass
Already have an account? Log In Now.
-
Administration
-
The Chronicle Review
-
Short Subjects
