The Art of Memoir

By: Mary Karr

Narrated by: Mary Karr

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Credited with sparking the current memoir explosion, Mary Karr's The Liars' Club spent more than a year at the top of the New York Times list. She followed with two other smash best sellers: Cherry and Lit, which were critical hits as well.

For 30 years, Karr has also taught the form, winning teaching prizes at Syracuse. (The writing program there produced such acclaimed authors as Cheryl Strayed, Keith Gessen, and Koren Zailckas.) In The Art of Memoir, she synthesizes her expertise as professor and therapy patient, writer and spiritual seeker, recovered alcoholic and "black belt sinner", providing a unique window into the mechanics and art of the form that is as irreverent, insightful, and entertaining as her own work in the genre.

Anchored by excerpts from her favorite memoirs and anecdotes from fellow writers' experience, The Art of Memoir lays bare Karr's own process. (Plus all those inside stories about how she dealt with family and friends get told - and the dark spaces in her own skull probed in depth.) As she breaks down the key elements of great literary memoir, she breaks open our concepts of memory and identity, and illuminates the cathartic power of reflecting on the past; anybody with an inner life or complicated history, whether writer or reader, will relate.

Joining such classics as Stephen King's On Writing and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, The Art of Memoir is an elegant and accessible exploration of one of today's most popular literary forms - a tour de force from an accomplished master pulling back the curtain on her craft.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2015 Mary Karr (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Just What I Needed

After receiving harsh criticism from my memoir writing group, I reached out for help.

Mary Karr's advice launched me on a corrected path. I especially appreciate the section on voice and how to wrangle with this elusive element. Mary's voice vacillates from enlightened college professor to foul-mouthed Texas brat, and I loved every minute of it. She showed me where I'm going wrong and how to fix it. I devoured her book during a day of gardening. Now, I'm her newest avid fan.

Could not stop listening!

Would you listen to The Art of Memoir again? Why?

I'm going to listen to this book several times, there's so much meat in these words to savor.

What other book might you compare The Art of Memoir to and why?

None! There's nothing like this that I've ever read or listened to. And I've read dozens of memoir writing books in search of knowledge, inspiration...direction.

What about Mary Karr’s performance did you like?

It's always good to hear the writer read her work. There's a realness to the words instead of a performance of the words.

Celeste Mode

Spot on title ! Incredibly detailed. Informative. Insightful with down to earth sympatico . Love this author' s style.

Wonderful advice and entertaining

Mary Karr is a great story-teller and has had an interesting life and successful writing career, so it is both worthwhile and enjoyable to spend time "with" her listening to this audio book. The first 3/4ths of the book were more fun and the last was more technical. At one point she apologizes for using her own history but her personal experiences are more interesting than most of the memoirs she uses as examples.

Very good advice fir aspiring memoir writers, including a checklist to see if you are even ready (emotionally) to wrote one. There is so much here. I'm probably going to have to buy the book or listen again.

learning about truth...I knew I had a life ...trut

loved the Narration and I learned that truth IA worth telling. I had ignored that which would make others look good but truth is truth. I have very bad vision on a phone so small..computer broken..so I apologize for bad spelling but my words were important to me even though probably in a pile but I have to accept that the same may happen to my book. thank you for giving me the ability to be me.

Real practical helpful insights11

I found The Art of for notw writing a general. I will come back to this book frequently time and again. A terriffic book about ;

Mary Carr’s Generous and Spirited Gift

Hearing her voice her vast specific knowledge, experience, insights was a godsend. So deep, interesting, and useful. Mahalo.

Worthwhile if you want to write anything

It’s as easy to listen to as the guidance is challenging and supportive. I felt like I was in a graduate class without having to do all the work! But now my work begins.

Awesome Guide

I am fascinated by Karr’s style. She picks a suitable quote and then uses outstanding examples that she garnered through research, interviews, and conversations to explain, caution, and guide the future memoirist. A writer can chose to pay attention to what she says or how she says it. For me, I pay attention to what she says, but I perk up and listen again because of how she says it. Voice in this piece is what woos me.
Although, there were times when I was not sure if the narrator or the quote was being presented. Maybe if I read it myself instead of listen, the experience might have been different.
Thank you Mary Karr. You just added some value to my work apron.

Personally useful!

This book was one of the most interesting and practical one yet about writing a memoir. I especially enjoyed her recommendations for memoirs to read while writing. the final brief chapter was especially moving and inspiring.