From: park/dobbin <dobbin>
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2000 12:40:11 -0500

Re the discussion on biography vs autobiography--I'm in hearty agreement with Sarah Thomson's point that it's the writing that counts. In nonfiction especially, it seems to me that writers with invisible technique are more effective at portraying their subjects--and that invisibility itself is a
'style' among the most difficult to achieve.

I've read both biographies and autobiographies that I found compelling. I'm finding that what I like best in biography are those books with generous applications of "autobiography" throughout--having my cake and eating it too!--especially letters and journal entries. Reading the person's own words placed in context by a conscientious biographer is what makes me feel closest of all to the subject.

Thanks to all for the many interesting posts on this subject--Linda Sue


Linda Sue Park Seesaw Girl (Clarion Books 095?514-7)
    **New York Public Library's list of best books for 1999, "100 Titles for
    Reading and Sharing"
    **Children's Literature Choice List, Best Books for 1999 The Kite Fighters (Clarion Books 095?041-9)
    **A Junior Library Guild selection A Single Shard (Clarion Books, Spring 2001)
Received on Mon 06 Nov 2000 11:40:11 AM CST