New Memoir to Read: Mary Karr
MARY KARR’S NEW BOOK, The Art of Memoir, came in the mail from her publisher with a lovely letter asking me to read it. Oooh, I thought, now this is a job perk. A free book. Nice. And then I began reading, and that definition of a lifestyle perk swelled to a genuine appreciation that it’s not just the free books, of course, but the access to really good books that make this life the one I fought hard to get.
The Art of Memoir is as good as talking to a very smart friend about something you both hold dear, both struggle with and both want to do better every time you do it. Hmm, let’s see, when was the last time I had that conversation? Can’t place it. When was it that you last hunkered down with someone smarter than you are whose expertise was exquisite, as well as something she was willing to share? Rare, indeed.
Looked at this way, The Art of Memoir is more something to carry around than it is a primer. It’s more a book I’ve read in diners and waiting for the train than at my desk as a tool. It’s not a reference book and it’s not really a boot back to work. What it does best is boot you back to the bookshelves by demanding that you know of other wondrous books to read.
Of course it’s flawed. It’s a book on writing and I know well how hard those are to write. When she takes on voice, for instance, she does not nail how to find yours. But no teacher ever nails that. It’s not possible to define, describe and then prescribe anything other than not to sound like anyone else when it comes to teaching voice. But she gave it a good shove of a try, and that’s just fine.
But then there is this: She reads as well as anyone I know, citing the impeccable Michael Herr, whose Dispatches was the handbook for my generation on how to write. Read it. She tells you why, and she’s right, and I remember being hunched over the bar at the Museum Café at 3 AM after getting off my nightly 7:15 PM to 2:45 AM shift at The New York Times, and there being a place each night at the bar for me where John, the bartender, had saved my spot and shooed away any drunken inquiries about me while I ripped through that book until it fell apart in my hands.
In that, and her other superb references, Karr reminds us what it takes to write well. First, and foremost, we must read well above our heads. She rips through G.H. Hardy and Vladimir Nabokov, and rightly credits Richard Wright – not herself – for starting the memoir craze of the last century. And nowhere along the line is hers an easy reading list, or is hers a simple assignment of how to get better. And I love her for that.
Read it. Read the books she cites. And write. Your work can only get better.
Want my copy of her book? It’s yours. Leave a comment below and I’ll send it to you, margin markings and all. Why keep these perks to myself?
HOW TO WIN A COPY OF THE BOOK
I am giving away one copy, and all you have to do to win is leave a comment below about something you learned from the writing lesson or the excerpt. I’ll draw winners at random (using the tool at random dot org) after entries close at midnight Monday, October 19. Unfortunately, only readers within the US domestic postal service can receive books.
Good luck!
AND THE WINNER IS…
I hope you enjoyed this post.
The contest for this book is now closed. The winner of the book is Jayne Martin. Congratulations, Jayne! I’ll be in touch to send your book.
I had been wondering your thoughts on this book. I have passed it many times in the bookstore with wonderment. I am always poised to hear and read other authors reading recimmendations. Thanks for this excellent review. It’s a book I will be adding to my wish list.
“First, and foremost, we must read well above our heads.” I call it “reading above my grade level,” but yes! There are books that I couldn’t understand a year ago, that I am completely engaged in today by doing just that. Funnily enough, when I first picked up “Liar’s Club” several years ago, I couldn’t get into it. It seemed way beyond me. Then I picked it up a couple of years later and it read like a primer. I immediately read everything else by Karr I could get my hands on. This new one is on my buy list, but to get your copy with you notes — Wow! That would be amazing.
Dear Jayne,
Congratulations!
You won the book by Mary Karr.
I will be in touch with you and send it along.
Thanks to everyone else who left a comment.
Congratulations to Jayne AND congratulations, Jayne!
I was hoping you would offer your opinion on Mary Karr’s new book, and you didn’t disappoint, Marion. I’ve been enjoying hearing Mary on Fresh Air and a host of other interview sites. She brings verve and fresh imagery and audacity to everything she does. I had the honor of having dinner with her about six years ago and of reading most of what she’s written. A fabulous mentor.
Mary Karr’s references and your marginalia seem like the perfect combination. Did you dog-ear the pages, too? Looking forward to reading the book, even if I’m not the lucky winner.
Oh, Marion, I am vacationing in SoCal, and every bookstore has been sold out of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed her Fresh Air interview and have read several enthusiastic reviews. Fingers crossed on this one!
Oh, Marion, I too have been awaiting your thoughts on this one. I so enjoyed Mary’s Fresh Air interview and have been itching to get my hands on a copy of The Art of Memoir. Pity she hasn’t devised an ingenious way to teach us how to unearth our own voice in three easy steps (tongue planted firmly in cheek). Still, Mary’s wisdom complemented by your thoughts…can’t think of a better deal. Fingers crossed.
What a challenge to read beyond your grade level and not get discouraged by the beauty of the writing. I know reading is the key to writing, but how does one read critically to learn and not be daunted? I immediately took to your description of reading in bars, diners, awaiting trains — I’m a mad bibliophile myself – but who is G. H. Hardy? Ah ha, says Wikipedia, a mathematician. No wonder he passed me by. I can’t wait to see her list. And take the advice to simply retype these author’s words if my own don’t satisfy me yet.
Inspired by the reminder that a great book by a talented writer doesn’t have to be a perfect book. I love Karr’s writing and am looking forward to read what she has to say about the craft. I’m going to have to order Dispatches right away.
I love her recommending that we read well above our heads. Reading, reading, reading…below grade level, at grade level, above grade level, academic books, philosophy, books about beauty…read it all. Reading feeds my love of words and helps me recognize what rings true in other writers and in myself, thus building up my journey to my own voice via writing that inspires.
Marion,
I just finished teaching a 2-day writing workshop here on the coast of Maine. I had suggested that attendees read The Memoir Project before the workshop. They loved it and we referred to it repeatedly during our work together. Hats off to you on your lovely, smart, and wise book.
Yours in finding emotional truth,
Debbie
Sounds like a book I should read. The protag in my novel attempts refuses to do anything I wouldn’t –just today another person said maybe I should write a memoir my life will stop controlling my fiction.
I love receiving and passing along books that have personal notes, dog-earred pages, and underlining. It’s such a personal and intimate view of another reader’s experience – highlighting something not to be missed! I’d love to read this book, but would also love see what you, Marion, were struck by: two mentors in one book! Thank you for the review. Fingers crossed here, too.
Funny you should post this today. I just listened to a radio interview with Mary Karr!
Thank yo so much for sharing this valuable post, Marion.
After reading Mary Karr’s THE LIAR’S CLUB a few weeks ago, I became an instant fan. I love how she writes as if she is simply conversing with the reader. No hard sell on how to write a memoir, but how the words flow from sentence to sentence, idea to idea, and event to event…it all enfolds in a way that seems to allow the reader to peek in on the private moments of her life.
The point about reading well over one’s head strikes me a pure wisdom; Stephen King seems to say the same thing in his own way. With Mary and Stephen as my inspiration, I look forward to completing my memoir and, hopefully, using what I learn from the masters to inspire me to great accomplishments as a memoirist.
I have been hoping you would share your thoughts on Mary Karr’s new book, and you have. Reading over our heads is an apt instruction for writers of any genre, and I know how much it has helped me to read as much as I can, whether I understand it or not, about memoir as I write my own. Though I’ve been meaning to pick this book up, I haven’t yet. And now won’t be able to until I know I can uncross my fingers!
I love this reminder, that to write well, “we must read well above our heads.” This isn’t easy, but as you say, writing isn’t easy. This sounds like such a wonderful book!
It has been years since I read Mary Karr’s memoir and remember it in detail. How to attain to the magnanimous attitude that infuses good memoir. I would love to read her book on writing and could use some comments in the margins.
Marion, first I want to tell you I have found the Memoir Project beyond helpful. A godsend. I was frozen, overwhelmed with material and then noticed your book on my bookshelf, bought years ago and unread. After reading it practically in one sitting, I poured out my vomit first draft. What a relief!
I love that you recommend another author’s book on memoir. Says something about you.
I am hoping to hire you to read my manuscript!
Thanks for your work. Very grateful that you are sharing your wisdom about this topic and inspiring us all to become better memoirists.
Read above your head.
Reading as writing.
Do not expect anyone to show you your voice. You already have it. Listen!
Can’t wait to read it!