Review: How to Write an Autobiographical Novel: Essays

4 stars. I feel privileged to have read this. I was thrilled to read Queen of the Night and this is something equally special. Alexander Chee strikes me as one of the most honest writers out there, and the honesty of his essays in How to Write an Autobiographical Novel: Essays inspires. 

I have always been a consumer. By that I mean the opposite of a creator. I've never enjoyed writing, only reading. Its why I have a degree in English literature, not English. And I studied art history, not art. I prefer to be reactive instead of proactive. 

But the creative process absolutely fascinates me. I love reading about writing, and talking about writing, and learning how others approach the craft. And so I was deeply captivating by Chee's perspective on existing as a writer.

And, delightfully, so much more. I swam through this - floating easily at times, diving determinedly through others. I learned. Chee writes about AIDS, about advocacy, about being young, about hardship and tragedy and betrayal, about odd jobs and about 9/11 and the 2016 presidential election or, as it is simply called now, "the election."

He writes about trauma and art and the intersection of the two. I felt at times heartbroken for him, in awe of his self-awareness and resilience. I felt the relevance of his work and - interestingly, a strong sense of validation. There is a point to all this. A point to writing and reading and making art. “There's a reason that whenever fascists come to power, the writers are among the first to go to jail.” I was sad to finish. But also perhaps ... happy for him. 

I think there are many out there who would find this book meaningful.

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel: Essays on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: No Time to Spare

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

5 stars. "I’ve never liked the word blog—I suppose it is meant to stand for bio-log or something like that, but it sounds like a sodden tree trunk in a bog, or maybe an obstruction in the nasal passage (Oh, she talks that way because she has such terrible blogs in her nose)."

Ursula K. Le Guin had a blog. Ursula K. Le Guin had a blog. That simple statement to me epitomizes her intelligence, attitude, and love of writing. The fact that she recognized and tried a new form of writing - in her eighties - makes her a revolutionary figure. A charming, witty revolutionary figure. And holy moly, she was so wise.

No Time to Spare is terrific. It's informal, but not sloppy. Le Guin is funny, sharp, deeply observant, and wonderful to read. She includes anecdotes, insights, musings, and more. I felt keenly her love of words and writing and literature and storytelling and poetry and questions and themes and mystery and birds and cats. I wish I had never finished it. I wish she had never finished. I adore her advice and intelligence. I will probably return to this every year - as often as I can, more likely - to learn from her.

I recommend this collection for cat-lovers, story-lovers, and grin-lovers. By that I mean, people who love to grin. But it isn't all stories and smiles. There are pointy passages about politics and history and human nature. By weaving threads of anger and fear throughout her words, Le Guin emerges as more than a skilled author. She's a kindred spirit, a wise sage, Grandmother Willow. A perceptive, grasping, sensible champion. She will be missed.

No Time to Spare on: Amazon | Goodreads