Memoirs

A memoir is a category of autobiography that focuses on an author's experience rather than his or her entire life. They have been a challenge for literary critics for centuries because memoirs can push the boundaries of literary truth and deception. Many memoirs have been revealed to contain only partial truths, and in some cases, little truth at all. The controversial nature of truth in memoirs has prompted critics to propose another genre for memoirs: creative nonfiction.

Memoirs are a type of autobiographical writing, distinct from autobiography in the scope of experience. The word memoir is derived from the French word mémoire, which translates to memory or reminiscence. While the words autobiography and memoir are used almost interchangeably in the marketing of books, autobiographies tend to focus on an author's entire life, with attention to chronological order and verifiable facts. Memoirs, on the other hand, have a much narrower scope and focus on specific, transformative moments in an author's life.

Confessions, written in 371 c.e. by Saint Augustine, was one of the first recorded memoirs. The book describes Augustine's theft of a few pears and its effect on his transformation from a larcenous, promiscuous teenager into a faith-driven adult. Xenophon's Anabasis, written in the 4th century b.c.e., prior to Saint Augustine's memoir, recounts how he and his troops managed to make their way back to safety after getting trapped behind enemy lines. Earlier memoirs likely exist, but written records are sparse around this time period. These early autobiographical examples are distinctively memoirs, as they focus on pivotal, transcendent, or spiritual experiences that subsequently develop the central character's personality, beliefs, or eventual lifestyles.

Because memoirs are experiences written from memory—which can be fallible—literary critics [Page 654]have argued whether memoirs with false information are actually deceptive or simply erroneous and whether they should still be classified as nonfiction works. A common definition of deception is the act of deliberately misleading another without permission to do so. Under this definition, memoirs may not be deceptive, as the authors are unintentionally misremembering details and not deliberately misleading readers. However, other definitions emphasize that any falsehood that benefits the communicator is deceptive. Under this definition memoirs with unintentionally exaggerated or misrepresented facts may be deceptive.