Post 8: Memoirs

I think that books can be 95% true, but only if they explain what isn’t true in the beginning like Frey did late on. I think it’s important for writers to make sure that the readers know what is and isn’t true. This is really important because the readers have to connect to the books. In class we always talk about what connections you can make with a book. If a reader realizes that their connection was a lie, they will be devastated and won’t believe any other true story the writer writes. If the book is already labeled fiction, then that is a different story because readers make different connections. If it is a true story and readers make a connection they will feel like there is truly someone out there that they can relate too.

            I think it does matter whether or not something is labeled fiction or nonfiction. I think it’s wrong of David Shields to just go around and take other pieces of writing because it’s not his. It makes no sense to me. Even if he wanted to take away fiction and nonfiction, what would he label his book? We need to label things fiction and nonfiction because it is easier to find what you like. Plus, we have sub genres for a reason. To conclude, I agree with Frey and say that books can be 95% true but only if you explain in the beginning of the book what is true and what isn’t true.