Description
Book Synopsis: Winner of the Publishing Triangle Judy Grahn Award for Lesbian Nonfiction, Phi Beta Kappa Christian Gauss Award, and a Lambda Literary Award. Finalist for the National Book Award. Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.
How do you tell the real story of someone misremembered—an icon and idol—alongside your own? Jenn Shapland’s celebrated debut is both question and answer: an immersive, surprising exploration of one of America’s most beloved writers, alongside a genre-defying examination of identity, queerness, memory, obsession, and love.
Shapland is a graduate student when she first uncovers letters written to Carson McCullers by a woman named Annemarie. Though Shapland recognizes herself in the letters, which are intimate and unabashed in their feelings, she does not see McCullers as history has portrayed her. Her curiosity gives way to fixation, not just with this newly discovered side of McCullers’s life, but with how we tell queer love stories. Why, Shapland asks, are the stories of women paved over by others’ narratives? What happens when constant revision is required of queer women trying to navigate and self-actualize in straight spaces? And what might the tracing of McCullers’s life—her history, her secrets, her legacy—reveal to Shapland about herself?
In smart, illuminating prose, Shapland interweaves her own story with McCullers’s to create a vital new portrait of one of our nation’s greatest literary treasures, and shows us how the writers we love and the stories we tell about ourselves make us who we are.
Details
Discover the captivating world of Carson McCullers with "My Autobiography of Carson McCullers: A Memoir." This acclaimed book, winner of prestigious awards such as the Phi Beta Kappa Christian Gauss Award and the Lambda Literary Award, offers a unique and immersive journey into the life of one of America's most beloved writers.
Author Jenn Shapland takes readers on a thought-provoking exploration, intertwining her own experiences with McCullers's extraordinary story. From the discovery of intimate letters exchanged between McCullers and Annemarie, Shapland delves deep into the unexplored facets of McCullers's life and challenges the prevailing narratives surrounding this literary icon.
As Shapland unravels McCullers's history, secrets, and legacy, she also examines broader themes of identity, queerness, memory, obsession, and love. The book's genre-defying nature ensures a truly engaging and unforgettable reading experience, leaving you with a fresh perspective on the power of storytelling.
Shapland's eloquent prose illuminates the often-overlooked stories of women and queer individuals, shedding light on their struggles to navigate and self-actualize in a world dominated by heterosexual norms. Through her exploration of McCullers's life, Shapland offers insights into her own personal journey, creating a vital new portrait of both McCullers and herself.
If you're a literature enthusiast, history buff, or simply someone looking for a mesmerizing tale, "My Autobiography of Carson McCullers: A Memoir" is a must-read. Don't miss out on this remarkable book that celebrates an iconic writer and the power of self-discovery.
Ready to immerse yourself in the world of Carson McCullers? Get your copy of "My Autobiography of Carson McCullers: A Memoir" now!
Click here to order your copy and embark on an extraordinary literary journey.
Discover More Best Sellers in Biographies & Memoirs
Shop Biographies & Memoirs
Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality
$16.99
Biographies & Memoirs - Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality
Traveling While Black and Lesbian: TWBL
$14.00
Biographies & Memoirs - Traveling While Black and Lesbian: TWBL
Wonderfully and Purposely Made: I Am Enough: A Journal All About Me
$1.97
Biographies & Memoirs - Wonderfully and Purposely Made: I Am Enough: A Journal All About Me
