Week 7 Prompt {Hoax Memoirs}

Go Ask Alice
When I was a junior in high school, I think, I read Go Ask Alice. It's probably safe to say I devoured the book. I loved it. I haven't read it since, and I doubt I will ever go back and reread it, but there was something about it at that point in my life that spoke to me. I can't say what it was for sure, as I couldn't relate to anything she was specifically going through (drug use, homelessness, prostitution, etc), but I'm sure I there were themes of loneliness and depression which were rampant in my teenage years. I remember specifically when I found out that it wasn't a "real" memoir. The crushing disappointment, the sadness, the feeling like I just wasted my time. It took some time to realize that it didn't take the meaning away from the story, however. The story, as Somers says, is "more layered and brutal than you might imagine". I do believe that keeps it going despite it being a hoax.

Works Cited
Somers, Jeff. "5 Hoax Memoirs Still Worth Reading." The B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog, Barnes
   & Noble Reads, 18 Dec. 2017, www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/5-hoax-memories-still-worth- 
   reading/.

Comments

  1. Eugenie WilsonFebruary 23, 2019 at 11:53 AM

    I know how yo feel, especially if you really like the book. You feel like you have been cheated and it wasted your time. But, again if it gave what you needed at that time, whether insight or just entertainment, it served its purpose. I personally just don't like to be deceived; just tell me upfront whether it is fiction or not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BrandyFebruary 25, 2019 at 9:46 AM

      I think that might have been my issue - feeling lied to. I have major issues with being lied to and that's what it boiled down to. I got over it and could look at it for what it was, but I definitely felt slighted at the time.

      Delete
  2. Erin CataldiFebruary 25, 2019 at 9:42 AM

    I just read a great article on this book and the dark truth behind it (the author wrote lots of other "memoirs" ) and it was soo disheartening. This book scared me away from drugs more than any DARE program! Full points!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BrandyFebruary 25, 2019 at 9:52 AM

      Yes! That is such a true statement! I nearly feel like it should be required reading for that reason, but I can only imagine how many parents would balk at that idea! I own it, personally, and at some point in the next few years I will move it the shelves that my kids choose from as well. Just so it's available should they want it.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Boneshaker {Sci-Fi Novel Annotation}

Image
Title:  Boneshaker Series:  Clockwork Century Author:   Cherie Priest Publisher:  TorBooks Publication Date:  September 2009 Page Count:  416 Genre:  Science Fiction, Steampunk Time Period: 1880s Location: Seattle, Washington (Alternate Historical) In an alternate historical 1860's Seattle, Leviticus Blue, an inventor, built a commissioned machine to drill through the ice in search of gold. Something went terribly wrong in 1863 and the Boneshaker tore from Blue's basement, wreaking havoc on the city before returning home again. Not only did the Boneshaker destroy the land, it also released a deadly gas, Blight, that will either kill the person who breathes it in or turn them into a "rotter" (aka, zombie). The city was evacuated and a 2-square-mile, 200-foot-high wall was erected to contain the gas. Sixteen years later, his widow, Briar, has been trying unsuccessfully to live down the life that Blue has left her with - the shame and gui...
Read more

Enter Into the Matrix {RA Guide to NF, Week 12}

Image
I've read a few non-fiction books lately and I also keep re-reading Furiously Happy  by Jenny Lawson. I don't mean that I re-read it in its entirety all the time, but I re-read certain passages or I pick it up and just randomly turn to a part and read from there. Sometimes... it's just what I needed. It's weird how that works. So I chose to use that book for the matrix for the prompt this week. Here we have it:
Read more

Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me? {A Nonfiction Annotation}

Image
Title:  Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me? Author:   Mindy Kaling Publisher: Crown Archetype Publication Date: November 1, 2011 Page Count: 222 Genre:  Nonfiction Time Period:  Present Day Location:  N/A Mindy Kaling has written a witty and self-deprecating memoir about what it was like growing up as a chubby Indian girl in California and eventually coming to the realization that being yourself is better than pretending to be someone else. She engages us with stories of making it (and not making it) in the industry and makes us laugh with tales of dating and growing up. At times you will feel like you're sitting with your best friend having a conversation while at others you will feel like you are reading stories from who great up in LA. Either way, you are in for an enjoyable read. Women comedians Celebrities Comedians Adult Books for Young Adults Pacing Fast-Paced Tone Self-deprecating Writing Style Candid Conver...
Read more