Play Book Tag discussion

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee - 4* - My Review

Collection of essays that pertain to life, identity, and writing. Notwithstanding the title, this book is not a traditional “how to” book about writing. It is more about finding an authentic voice, and how the events in Chee’s life shaped him as a writer. He writes about significant experiences (such as his Korean American heritage, the death of his father when he was sixteen, his involvement in gay activism) and how these have influenced his development as an author. There are some beautiful and moving pieces here. I particularly appreciated his essays about tending a rose garden and how he used his own childhood trauma as the foundation for his first novel. Chee is a talented writer, and these essays were a pleasure to read.

“The story of your life, described, will not describe how you came to think about your life or yourself, nor describe any of what you learned. This is what fiction can do.”

I'm not normally a big "collection of essays" person- but your review has me hooked. Added to the TBR! Thanks, Joy!

I don't read many of them either, but this one is particularly well done. Hope you enjoy it, Joi!