Biographies & Memoirs
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Biographies & Memoirs
What do Elon Musk, Michelle Obama, De Gaulle, Zidane and Pablo Escobar have in common? Their biographies and memoirs, like those of so many other celebrities, are all here to listen to!
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Biographies et mémoires
The biographies & memoirs literary genre
Biographies and memoirs are literary genres that aim to tell the story of an individual's or group's life, based on real events and testimonies. In this text, we'll explore the history of this literary genre, the most popular authors, the most popular subgenres, common elements, and answer four frequently asked questions about this type of book.
A brief history of the genre
The biography and memoir genre dates back to antiquity, with the works of Plutarch and Suetonius. In the Middle Ages, hagiographies (accounts of the lives of saints) were very popular. During the Renaissance, biographies of great figures (such as those by Vasari) enjoyed great success. In the 19th century, biographies experienced a real boom, with authors such as Boswell, Carlyle, and Sainte-Beuve.
The most popular international and French biography and memoir authors
Among the most popular international authors are:
- Walter Isaacson, author of biographies of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci
- David McCullough, author of biographies of John Adams, Harry Truman, and the Wright brothers
- Robert Caro, author of the biography of Lyndon B. Johnson
In France, the most popular authors are:
- Simone de Beauvoir, with her memoirs “Mémoires d'une jeune fille rangée“ and “La Force de l'âge“
- Jean-Paul Sartre, with “Les Mots“
- Annie Ernaux, with “La Place“ and “Les Années“
The most popular subgenres
The most popular subgenres of biography and memoir are:
- Historical biography: it tells the story of a person's life, placing them within their historical context.
- Autobiography: the author tells the story of their own life.
- Life narrative: the author tells the story of a person's life based on testimonies and interviews.
- Personal diary: the author recounts their life day by day.
Common elements
Biography and memoir books share the following:
- Meticulous research by the author to gather the information needed to write the book.
- A narrative that follows the chronological thread of the person's life.
- A psychological and sociological analysis of the person.
FAQ about the biography and memoir genre
Why read a biography or memoir?
Reading a biography or memoir allows you to discover a person's life, understand their journey, and immerse yourself in a historical period. It also encourages reflection on universal questions such as life, death, love, family, and more.
How to choose a biography or memoir?
It's important to choose a biography or memoir that matches your interests. It's also important to look into the author and the quality of their research.
What are the limitations of biographies and memoirs?
Biographies and memoirs are literary genres based on testimonies and real events, but they can be influenced by the author's subjectivity. Moreover, it's often difficult to reconstruct a person's life with complete accuracy.
What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography?
A biography is written by someone other than the person whose life it tells, while an autobiography is written by the person themselves. A biography can be more objective, while an autobiography can be more subjective.