I’ve read many intelligent articles on the issue of
“confessionalism,” pieces that critique it and pieces that defend it. What’s
fascinating to me about this article in particular is that the author links
confessionalism in memoir with the same impulse in poetry and other genres of
writing. Some articles lament the “memoir culture” we live in now, but this one
speaks practically about it, from a writer’s perspective. Where do I stand?
Personally, I think a lot of great work comes from being vulnerable on the
page. I love reading and writing memoir; the speaker in my poems is always
basically me. I think it takes courage to write about one’s personal
struggles, and I applaud that courage. I don’t think everyone absolutely must
write this kind of work—there’s so much wonderful space for many kinds of
powerful and gorgeous writing—but I’m a fan of it. Anyway, read this article by Susan Shapiro.
Here’s a quote from it:
“The Pulitzer-Prize winning poet Robert Lowell, who was
known for his stark confessions, once wrote: ‘I am tired. Everyone’s tired of
my turmoil.’
Not really. Decades after his death I’m still reading — and
quoting — him.”
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