Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir Paperback - 2013

Details

• Title Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir
• Author Beth Kephart
• Binding Paperback
• Pages 272
• Volumes 1
• Language ENG
• Publisher Avery Publishing Group
• Date 2013-08-06
• Features Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
• ISBN 9781592408153 / 159240815X
• Weight 0.5 lbs (0.23 kg)
• Dimensions 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 in (20.07 x 13.46 x 2.03 cm)
• Ages 18 to UP years
• Grade levels 13 - UP
• Library of Congress subjects Biography as a literary form, Autobiography - Authorship
• Library of Congress Catalog Number 2012043517
• Dewey Decimal Code 808.066

 “Generous, intelligent and genuinely insightful.”
—Kirkus Review, Starred Review
 
 “Kephart…has composed a gorgeous meditation on memoir. . . . she has created a work of art simply by reflecting on her own art—the writing and teaching of memoir. . . . She writes with the same lyricism found in her own works and offers here passionate encouragement for would-be memoir writers to embrace truth and empathy, mystery and exploration. . . . Highly recommended for anyone interested in the anatomy of a successful memoir and for all writers of literary nonfiction.”
—Library Journal, Starred Review
 
“Not a memoir proper, this book fits nicely with the others on this list because it’s about writing memoir. Kephart has penned five.... She’s also mastered the fiction and essay forms and currently teaches memoir writing at the University of Pennsylvania, so she’s got the skills to explain every facet of the writing process, including that crucial issue for memoirists: where does imaginative shaping stop and disregard for truth begin.”
—Library Journal, Prepub Alert

"A marvelous primer for anyone who would dare to face the furies and write about his or her life. Beth Kephart has read the genre closely, put her own feet to the fire, and distilled the form with all the passion of a great teacher." 
—Marie Arana, author of the National Book Award finalist American Chica.
 
“With infectious passion and hard-won wisdom, Beth Kephart eloquently celebrates the rigors and rewards of the creative process and – equally necessary – the art of crafting a meaningful life.  Part memoir and part memoirist’s manifesto, this small, urgent book inspires on many levels.  Read it and learn how to tell your story.  Better yet, read it and begin to understand why your story matters.” 
—Katrina Kenison, author of Magical Journey:  An Apprenticeship in Contentment 
 
“Beth Kephart has done something extraordinary with this huge and messy thing called memoir—roping it into submission with her typically beautifully writing. There is authority here, scholarship, challenge. In this well-organized book, every example is a precious stone to turn over and to learn from, particularly in terms of crafting a voice and finding one's way in. Too many students think memoir just happens. Nothing ever just happens. Memoir is an academic field. This should become the seminal text.”
—Buzz Bissinger, author of Father's Day, A Prayer for the City, and Friday Night Lights

“Not a memoir proper, this book fits nicely with the others on this list because it’s about writing memoir. Kephart has penned five.... She’s also mastered the fiction and essay forms and currently teaches memoir writing at the University of Pennsylvania, so she’s got the skills to explain every facet of the writing process, including that crucial issue for memoirists: where does imaginative shaping stop and disregard for truth begin.”
 —Library Journal, Nonfiction Previews for August 2013