December seems to be the month of the year when we see a
whole slew of biographies and autobiographies working their way onto the
shelves, and what a mixed bag they are. Fresh-faced pop stars like Harry Styles sit alongside politicians and statesmen. As
comedy has become ‘the new rock and roll’ and comedians perform in large arenas
it seems stand-up comedians publishing an autobiography is a must to satisfy
the interest and curiosity of their huge fan base. Sportsmen regale us with their past glories
and even Internet celebrities like Zooella are sharing their life story.
Such a diverse range of authors and subjects makes me wonder
about the appeal of the autobiography/biography. What makes an author want to dedicate so much
time researching and writing about someone (even themselves?) is everyone’s
story worth sharing? I can understand
why the lives of the truly heroic people like Nelson Mandela, or incredibly
gifted individuals like Charles Dickens would be worth chronicling, but the
publishers of today seem to consider anyone in the public eye a fair topic. One book that caught my eye was ‘Outlaw’ by Ray Bishop- a career criminal who has tried to turn his life around, now a
prison reform campaigner, what made him write this book? Is it ego? A desire to inspire?
What drives someone to recall their life in words, and how
can they be sure they remember it correctly? How does a biographer choose their subject,
achievement or infamy? Is it simply about money for these chroniclers or do
they actually care about their subjects? It is sometimes said that we all have a book
inside us waiting to be written, is yours an autobiography?
- The Muser
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