What makes a memoir so alluring? After all, they are not generally stuffed full with action, suspense, romance or mystery, which provide the highs and lows or other literature. Neither do they proactively coach us in better ways to exist, or expand our minds with a plethora of interesting facts. So what is it that draws us in?
To be brutally honest, for some, part of the reason is nosiness. Now you may not think you are nosy-but who of us on occasion does not wonder whether that couple sitting across the way in the café are friends or lovers; are comfortable or awkward in each other’s presence, or are meeting for the first, or indeed the last time? We watch body language, guess emotions- hell, I sometimes have their whole life mapped out by the time they leave!-and then feel guilty that maybe I was staring!
A memoir provides a delicious self-indulgent journey where we are not left to wonder, where we can peer into emotions and motivations, where another individual bares all, and connects with us as a fellow member of the human family. This kinship is both illuminating and comforting. Our own emotions can be reflected back to us- an affinity of heartache, love, grief, despair, shame, longing, ambition, or joy-and through this connection we see ourselves as both individual and alike.
Through this connection we can then be inspired and motivated. Can take the gift of confidence with which to experiment; to be more adventurous in our own life-as we see that despite the struggles and the victories, the sometimes euphoric and often despairing episodes of life-the writer is still standing. Not only standing, but able to share their life experiences and insightful reflections through the pages of the book you hold in your hands. To give a little of themselves to others.
The best memoirs may in fact not be those of the modern celebrity, the media idols who churn out book upon book that has been quite possibly been written by a ghost writer, but those in which the author works hard at examining their experiences, and shows personality in unique writing style and a distinctive literary voice. Those where you become saturated with their thoughts and drawn into their world, living their experiences through their eyes, but with the understanding of a kindred spirit.
We work with both traditionally published and “indie” authors who have self or independently published books and our mission is simple. It’s to discover new and talented authors and help them give their work the attention and awareness it deserves. We do this by providing professional and credible reviews which are respected by our readers. Our primary focus is on fiction across all genres, non – fiction with broad appeal and selected poetry.
An American Iliad and contemporary political reportage, Stokes does so much more than recount historical events, his commentary is by turn piercing, insightful and sometimes shocking in its revelations as he deconstructs the myth of JFK.
A fascinating foray into the world of apartheid in South Africa, ‘My Brother Themba’ is a touching story of two ‘brothers’ of differing parentage, forcefully separated but fighting for their relationship by the shocking segregation laws that existed right up until a democratic government was elected 1994, and still exist in practice implicitly to some extent today.
The essay collection has become a curious genre in recent years but for every writer that proves themself a sophisticated and shrewd observer of reality, another dismays us when ego takes the reigns. But Gibbons’ essays refreshingly escape any sense of vanity as he shares powerful stories that are both questing and vulnerable in their candour.
A truly insightful book, ‘Ten to Life-The delirium tales of a COVID survivor,’ presents the stark reality of unfettered and uncontrollable hallucination. Author, Mike Joyner endured 18 days of terrible bizarre and dark fantasies stretching decades as his mind sought to make sense of his trauma and drug fuelled treatment.
A superbly written sitcom-style foray into the world of teaching teens, ‘Peter Sutcliffe’s Waiting in the Corridor’ is a hilarious account of term six at Southgreen Academy, a secondary in the South-East of England.
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