Nonfiction is vast area of literature that contains rich and enchanting books. Although they do not have a wide selection of subcategories unlike fiction, their stories have been patronized by readers from all around the world since their emergence. Memoir is one of the wealthiest subgenre of nonfiction. It contains tales of bravery, suffering, love, and other strong emotions and other stories that will touch every reader’s heart.
There are many heartwarming memoirs that have been produced from generations to generations. Some of the critically-acclaimed ones are The Liars’ Club, Men We Reaped, The Year of Magical Thinking, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, The Glass Castle, etc. but aren’t you curious as to why memoirs are being read by people from all across the world? If you are, then here are the reasons that will satisfy your curiosity.
They show raw emotions
Memoirs are stories that happened in real life. They are written in order to express an episode of the life of a particular individual that are either painful or unforgettable. What makes the story more compelling is its ability to show raw and genuine emotions of the characters from that certain moment of his or her life. The time when the characters are experiencing struggles and mishaps, strong and deep emotions come into view. Thus, making the readers ignite the similar feelings while reading the story.
One great example is the memoir of Anne Frank where she stayed in her attic to keep herself safe. She started to narrate her daily experiences while being on that closed area unable to go out. Her story ignited fear, agitation, and even hopefulness from readers.
They showcase genuine and unguarded thoughts
What is inside a memoir is something that is sincere and real. There are no filters. All that are present are the thoughts and experiences of the authors pertaining to those particular times in their lives. Just think of writing a memoir like simply sitting in your favorite spot remembering your childhood memories. The thoughts that randomly pop up will overwhelmed you and evoke a lot of emotions, most of them wishing to relive those magical moments that you have gone through.
A great example of a memoir that shows the genuine and unguarded thoughts of the main character, which is usually the author, is the book Weapons of War by Robert E. Wright. The book flawlessly narrated the tale of a soldier who was deployed in the Vietnam War. The letters effectively address faith of Robert E. Wright.
They display how powerful one’s views in life is
Memoirs are not only pieces of literature that are being left on shelves after they were read. They also do not only contain stories that have taken place in real life. These tales of bravery, survival, happiness, love, etc. are present in order to tell the world a message and that to inform every reader that they are not alone. What also makes this genre one-of-a-kind is its power to show how intense and effective one’s perception in life is. And that, my friend, is incomparable.
There are many autobiographies and memoirs out there that feature remarkable tales. Each of these tales is mixed with the protagonists’ views on the biggest puzzle in this planet, which is life. That’s when the readers gain knowledge on how to deal with life and that is also when they are reminded that the hardships that they are going through right now are just a chapter.
The implant lessons to be applied in real life
Every piece of literature contains themes that are substantial and life-changing. But what makes these literary works great is their ability to teach their readers morals that they begin to cling on and live by. Memoirs are, indeed, among these stories that leave a big mark on people’s lives. It is not only because the tales that they contain have happened in reality but also because of their ability to move the readers in their own little way. They have the skill to hit the spot where the readers are vulnerable with only the words as their weapons.
The stories that every memoir features are not only tales of pain and suffering but also tales of courage and strength. That is why most people prefer to read nonfiction, specifically autobiography and memoir, because they teach readers lessons that are substantial and practical. They do not only encourage each and every one to dream but also to open their eyes that in achieving their dreams, they must conquer each challenge that comes their way. And that is the beauty of memoirs, they are not just books but they are great teachers to readers who are still feeling naïve and lost in this world.
The Damsel’s Files 